This is sooo partisan. Maybe the Republicans should say nothing about the issue except to ask the Democratic response to the letter.
snaggletoothie on March 5, 2008 at 9:02 PM

Or, how about this: Copy the entire letter, including Harry Reid’s own signature, and then re-address it to all the DEMOCRAT Congressmen – including Harry Reid.

Then start screaming at the top of their lungs about how all the Democrats refused to respond to their own leader’s survey on pork spending; and that Harry Reid also refused – even though he wrote it himself.

Worst still, the Repubs fall for it too.

Of course, the Republicans could beat them to the punch by accusing Democrats of sending a letter asking that only they be allowed to add pork…

logis on March 5, 2008 at 7:55 PM

What Republicans need to do is call their bluff, and every single one needs to agree to it…then hammer the ‘Crats loudly and publicly for continuing the theft.

The ‘Crats would fold like a cheap suit.

Kudos to Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) who scored an admirable 98%-the only Democrat to score above 20%.

.
My favs-

$1 million to the Center for Instrumented Critical Infrastructure in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, requested by Rep. John Murtha (D-PA). No congressional member could confirm the existence of the alleged Center. Amendment failed, 98-326.

.

$2 million to establish the “Rangel Center for Public Service” at City College of New York, requested by none other then Rep. Charlie Rangel

.
too bad Peloser doesn’t vote, she might have received a minus 4 (-4)
.
End result?
The average Republican score was 43%. The average Democratic score was 2%.
Get a form for that, Obey.

We honestly have more Government than America, even with a healthy economy, can truly afford now.

That is probably where all that FICA revenue went.

Then there is something called ‘americorp’.

We have a 3 trillion dollar budget, and its not enough. [expletive deleted]

How is pork still an issue if Americans hate it? Are we really powerless to hold our legislation accountable? Yep.

responsible earmarks at a reasonable level

I believe this is called an oxymoron.

Just like “comprehensive immigration reform”.

Of course, the Republicans could beat them to the punch by accusing Democrats of sending a letter asking that only they be allowed to add pork…

But I guess we won’t be doing that, will we? The Republican leadership has decided the “New Tone” worked so incredibly well that we need to expand it into a policy of “Unilaterally Assured Suicide.”

Not only did he not vote for any pork reform bill, he actually voted against his own reform bill. He had proposed to strike all earmarks from the Labor-HHS bill, and then opposed the idea when it came to a vote.

Could this possibly be because of riders?
Ed – I really don’t mean to insult your reporting, but the effect of riders on bills is a passion of mine, and one that should be brought into the public awareness. Careers are brought to an end via voting records where it is not stated that a rider is why someone voted against something that otherwise would have passed with flying colors and been applauded by the constituency. It’s something that pisses me off greatly, because the population is manipulated by their ignorance, and no one tries to educate them in this regard. It’s a MAJOR power that politicians have, and it’s entirely destructive.
Whew.
/rant

…David Obey has no standing whatsoever to scold anyone on pork…

But he may have done us a favor trying to get our professional political spenders on the record, ear marks or not.

“We have argued that the House caucus undermined their position on pork reform by not committing to a unilateral moratorium.”

As I understand this page, republications are taking the pledge and it’s not just for 2009. (via Instapundit) It’s up to 22 at the moment.

And Waxman is there.