Tapscott: GOP missed opportunity in Capitol Hill rebellion
posted at 10:43 am on August 2, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Yesterday Republicans around the nation cheered when their beleaguered minority House caucus seized the floor and refused to leave after Speaker Nancy Pelosi adjourned the chamber without a debate on expanding domestic oil production. Pelosi ordered the lights and the cameras off, but Republicans extended their protest rally with the darkness a perfect allegory for Democratic inaction on energy. As the protest grew and media coverage expanded, Pelosi made a huge mistake in ordering Capitol Hill police to evict the Republicans from the building.
And Mark Tapscott argues that the Republicans made a mistake in complying:
Yes, the House GOPers scored an unexpected coup today and they got loads of beneficial coverage in the media and across the blogosphere for one day. But how long will this day be remembered? After Labor Day, it will likely be little more than a fond memory for those who were there.
But this could have been so much bigger. The Democrats are forewarned now and likely will go out of their way to preclude any similar opportunities in September.
But even beyond that consideration, the fundamental reason the GOPers should have stayed on the House floor today was to vividly demonstrate to their rank and file beyond the Beltway that this time they mean business and they are not just playing the issue for temporary gain.
Mark lays out the scenario in the first part of his essay. He doesn’t foresee mass arrests of House members for squatting, although that would have been delicious. Mark believes that the Republicans would have forced Pelosi back to Washington to re-open Congress and deal with the debate by essentially turning the floor of the House into a campground. No lights? Bring in some kerosene lamps. Invite the media to come in (with portable equipment, presumably) and see how long the GOP would wait for Pelosi to surrender.
I’m not as certain as Mark that it would have forced Pelosi back to Washington … but it would have been fun to watch her and her caucus squirm over an unending rally to debate policy favored by 70% of the nation.
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I think it was exciting, nonetheless.
robblefarian on August 2, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I’m glad they ended it. The Dem’s will undoubtedly pull the same stunt someday. It was a decent protest, but the rules should be obeyed.
JiangxiDad on August 2, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Indeed. While Friday was nice, because they didn’t stay the long haul it went from being a meaningful, principled stand, to a clever stunt.
They had the right idea, but didn’t carry it out long enough. It’s too bad too. I’m willing to bet that had they stuck it out, by Monday there would have been ordinary Americans from all over the country driving, flying, walking, biking, CRAWLING to Washington to watch history made. It was a golden opportunity wasted.
Nevertheless, they DID make a point. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get lost in the noise now.
wearyman on August 2, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I would have loved for them to get arrested. Could you imagine the picture of Boenher and Putnam getting slammed on the ground and flexi-cuffed, that would be the shiz.
Squid Shark on August 2, 2008 at 10:48 AM
If Bush calls them back, that’ll be all that’s needed. Will Bush do it? Unlikely.
lorien1973 on August 2, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Why won’t Bush?
JeffreyLloyd on August 2, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Another reason not to go to China for the Olympics.
BobH on August 2, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I am not quite sure what the rules are, but I think they should have folks there every day. I understand their won’t be any C-SPAN cameras but a group everyday could still make a statement and allow all of them a chance to go home and talk to their folks. I am pretty sure that tourists are still allowed to go in and look at the Capital, give them something to see.
Cindy Munford on August 2, 2008 at 10:53 AM
How about tasered? We haven’t had a good taser controversy in a while.
Seriously though, seeing a congressman or two being cuffed would have been priceless. The everybody would know what Pelosi is up to. Nobody was willing to take one for the team I guess.
forest on August 2, 2008 at 10:53 AM
“the Republicans backed off just at the moment when they had a golden opportunity”
Mark is 100% correct. The American people would have support this and the Dems would have had not choice but to come back.
Shame on the GOP for pulling a stunt (as Fred Barnes on Fox) call it. Shame shame shame for carrying this through.
luckybogey on August 2, 2008 at 10:53 AM
He’ll be in Thailand, then China for the opening ceremonies.
You know, more important things.
lorien1973 on August 2, 2008 at 10:53 AM
a good, heathy gesture. next time, bring out the cots.
jimmer on August 2, 2008 at 10:54 AM
shame for NOT carrying tis through.
luckybogey on August 2, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Plan to mention this to my Rep (R) next week when he is in town.
This could have been the GOP’s Tienamen if they stuck to it, recalled ALL GOP members, and invited the few sympathetic Dems as well, and turned the House into a People’s Assembly a la French Revolution…and sending out podcasts and such to the rest of America. The images of a prolonged “US government in exile” trapped in the House, with cordons of Capital Hill police assembled outside and in the corridors…well, it would have played well with us out in fly-over country.
Would it have embarrassed Pelosi into coming back and actually doing America’s business? Nothing embarasses Pelosi. Unfortunately.
coldwarrior on August 2, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I wanted to go to Washington to join them. They were on the verge of rallying the country. They should still be there right now.
moughon on August 2, 2008 at 10:55 AM
This could have been the perfect filibuster.
.
Still, it was good to see them show a spine.
Right_of_Attila on August 2, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Precisely. There are procedural ways to force the Congress’ hand. My guess is that quietly, behind the scenes, Reid and Pelosi are allowing defections from their own party. They don’t give a rat’s as* whether we drill or not–they’re only interested in the politics of the decision. They’d drill under the capitol if it would keep them in power.
JiangxiDad on August 2, 2008 at 10:56 AM
It was fun to watch for a few hours. Sorry the R’s didn’t drag it out longer.
L
letget on August 2, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Unless Pelosi is deaf, blind and etc., she is already squirming. It’s pretty clear that she thinks SHE and SHE alone is the government. It’s pretty clear that she cares nothing about the American people and their problems, just getting her own way. It’s pretty clear that she and her cronies want to establish a “communist” type regime where all dis-agreement is crushed immediately. She has now become an albatross to the Dems. She might, all by herself, lose them the election. LOL!! As for preventing future occurrences–no matter what she does now, it will look bad!
jeanie on August 2, 2008 at 10:57 AM
They said though they’re going to be there throughout the break.
Am I to understand that to mean that a group of them will simply be in Washington having meetings and press conferences or will they return to the House floor on Monday?
Vatican Watcher on August 2, 2008 at 10:58 AM
C’mon. They could protest/speak on the capitol steps if they’d like, or in their offices. But there are rules for when the House is in session, and when it’s not.
JiangxiDad on August 2, 2008 at 10:58 AM
“Section. 5.
…..
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.”
Interesting… did they adjourn? or use some Legal Jujitsu to take a 5 week vacation?
Romeo13 on August 2, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I agree with most of what Mark wrote. I think they should have stayed there as well. While they did score a lot of political points yesterday, it could have been SO much bigger. I bet donations to the GOP and McCain campaign were way up yesterday. I think they could have caused some VERY serious damage to the Dems had they kept it up.
davenp35 on August 2, 2008 at 11:03 AM
STOP, please!! Our guys do a good thing and y’all pounce on them because it wasn’t good enough to suit y’all. For heaven sake, stop criticizing and support what ever they do!!!
jeanie on August 2, 2008 at 11:03 AM
I would’ve loved them to stay, their protest was awesome….but I dont think Pelosi would have come back. She cares nothing for the American people.
becki51758 on August 2, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Nancy Pelosi - WORST Speaker of the House, ever.
What a miserable, corrupt, incompetent failure Nancy Pelosi is.
NoDonkey on August 2, 2008 at 11:05 AM
This is HA, not the Rotary club. Politicians and pundits look here to find out what to do :)
JiangxiDad on August 2, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Nail meets hammer.
Oldnuke on August 2, 2008 at 11:07 AM
JiangxiDad on August 2, 2008 at 10:58 AM
That was my point, I am not sure what the rules are. Are they forbidden to go onto the floor? I know they allowed tourists to go and it was stated as unusual but no one said it was illegal. Besides, I am not sure I care at this point gas is almost $4 a gallon and they held months of hearings on performance enhancing drugs used by baseball players. Talk about the silly season.
Cindy Munford on August 2, 2008 at 11:08 AM
opportunity knocked, the republicans asked who was there, looked out the peephole, talked about opportunity in, really, really thought about it, then decided opportunity would be happy standing out side.
It is a shame.
Inzax on August 2, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Pick! Pick! Pick! THAT is why the Republican Party lost Congress, not because they weren’t doing a better job than the Democrats could do.
It appears to me that the right wing voters are turning into the whiners in America.
DannoJyd on August 2, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Well if you are going to second guess their actions, then go down there yourselves and handle the situation!!! I’m sure it will then be perfect!
jeanie on August 2, 2008 at 11:11 AM
It’s been some House GOPers and a few in the Senate who have saved this country from unmitigated disaster over the past few years. Whether or not they could have made some tactically better decision is beside the point. They did a great thing for the country and that’s good enough for me.
progressoverpeace on August 2, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Heh. Great answer.
Spirit of 1776 on August 2, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Vacations are still important for them more than our nation’s issues.
Egfrow on August 2, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Men don’t ask directions. We’re always right.
JiangxiDad on August 2, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Let’s tell these guys that we approve and are behind them. I’m sure they read the blogs, especially one as well know as HA. Go guys!! Keep the heat on(and pay no attention to the whiners who’d find somthing wrong with the Second Coming!!)
jeanie on August 2, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Do you have any idea of who reads this site, and who you can speak to here? It’s great!!!!
JiangxiDad on August 2, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I agree Jeanie - the armchair quarterbacking in this place is ridiculous sometimes. And I highly doubt the politicians come to HA to get their marching orders. I love this site, I really do, but honestly this Messiah, “The One” hubris stuff must be contagious.
HawaiiLwyr on August 2, 2008 at 11:20 AM
I’m not so sure how impressive it would have looked, when video of Capitol Police scuffling with GOP House staffers flooded the airwaves. THAT’s the kind of visual Pelosi would have love to seen, and that the MSM would gleefully have broadcast. Then, when the GOP tried to respond with its side of the story, the MSM would have refused to cover it, leaving the American people with an unchallenged, nasty visual of unruly GOP members.
First of all, we are a nation of laws. More than anyone else, our elected officials need to set the example by following the laws.
In America, if the police give you a lawful order, as part of their duly appointed duties, you follow it. Our goal should be to win back the Congress someday, not storm the Bastille.
Secondly, now we can ask the Democrats why they resorted to using the Capitol Police to push the GOP out of the House chambers the people duly elected them to occupy.
smagar on August 2, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Civil disobedience would have been the magnificent coup de grace that would have etched the moment forever in history. When you’ve got an open lane, take it to the hoop strong!
whitetop on August 2, 2008 at 11:21 AM
I’ll give the republicans credit for a good try. Incomplete, but a good try anyway.
Zorro on August 2, 2008 at 11:21 AM
We are lacking leaders in a time that the nation needs them the most.
The generation of leadership we have now will only be topped by the one that follows it when it comes to incompetence.
TroubledMonkey on August 2, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Jeanie makes a good point. Although I agree that if the Republicans were still there now parading around with pictures of VWs with sails on them the impact would be much greater.
What’s really needed IMHO is a large group of “The People” to hold a Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less Rally. One reason why Republican voters don’t rally so much is because we all have jobs!
I’m hoping the House Republicans have started something and that it will lead to Conservatives everywhere standing up for developing all forms of domestic energy ASAP and not give in to Obama’s new hints a compromise. Say NO to Compromise!!! The people are with us!
Ordinary1 on August 2, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I just finished sending an e-mail to Queen Nan to protest her handling of the energy legislation. I applaud the Republicans for standing up to take over the floor and support their leaving when they did. I do think, though, that they should have taken their protest to the steps of the capital building and continued there. It would have drawn bigger crowds and more publicity.
dalec on August 2, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I have some idea :)
Spirit of 1776 on August 2, 2008 at 11:25 AM
JiangxiDad on August 2, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Backseat driving?
progressoverpeace on August 2, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Maybe sign of things to come…?
d1carter on August 2, 2008 at 11:30 AM
It wasn’t over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, and this stunt need not be over. If a few dozen Republicans go back to the floor on Monday, they can start all over.
fluffy on August 2, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I also was fired up by this. If they had carried on I was actually prepared to leave last night to be in DC today in support. Really prepared to go! I understand why they stopped but hate it. I’d love to see the Cap police dragging ‘visitors’ out of the gallery who were there in support. But almost as much fun was calling my Rep’s office, every office he has, and leaving voice mails telling how tickled this constituent was that he was able to carry on with his vacation plans this summer…..sadly, many of us were not but hey, I guess he works sooooo hard and needs this rest time. :-D Maybe I should call every day of the recess….just to ‘check’ on how his vacation is going??
dustoffmom on August 2, 2008 at 11:35 AM
That gave me some Hope that the Repubs found some of what Jessy wanted to cut off of Obamassiah.
Next time bring torches , pitchforks and stay long enough for the 70% public to get there to help take our house and country back from the enviro terrorist socialists.
dhunter on August 2, 2008 at 11:36 AM
This Republican “stunt” (did Barnes really say that?) may have gone a long way to inspire ideas just like this one. If we can’t rally in Washington, we can still make our voices heard. Perhaps it’s up to “We the People” to pick up the ball and run with it.
Ordinary1 on August 2, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Fluffy, that is the second time I have seen a post that the German’s bombed Pearl Harbor and no one has remarked. Could you let me in on the joke?
Cindy Munford on August 2, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Famous line from “Animal House”, when Blutarsky (John Belushi) was trying to rally his fellow frat members.
flipflop on August 2, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Like that every day call idea!! I might do that to Paul Hode’s office, or an every day e-mail. Especially since I got this mealy mouthed e-mail from his office yesterday about evil speculators. How much you want to bet that he’s one of the speculators?
jeanie on August 2, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Just goes to show, the Republicans in Congress will do anything to solve the Energy Crisis! Well, as long as it’s not too dark and spooky. Or they’re told by their Mistress Pelosi (via her Capitol Police) not to.
Totally weak. Pelosi made them all her little bitches on this one. They should have stuck it out (at the very least in shifts) over the entire recess.
ErikTheRed on August 2, 2008 at 11:45 AM
A great stunt would be starting Monday morning, and repeated each day after, having GOP house members come to the floor, call for “Madame Speaker”, and getting no response, filing out the door. With cameras rolling, of course.
flipflop on August 2, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Famous line from “Animal House”, when Blutarsky (John Belushi) was trying to rally his fellow frat members.
flipflop on August 2, 2008 at 11:42 AM
“Son, going through life fat, drunk and stupid…”
Unfortunately, I took Dean Wormer’s advice…apparently didn’t hear the second part of his admonition.
coldwarrior on August 2, 2008 at 11:46 AM
HawaiiLwyr, for your information I worked almost 24 hours in the 2004 election as a poll watcher, and did the same in 2006. I worked the phone banks, passed out yard signs, assisted in building the GOP parade float, and many other things too numerous to detail. I may volunteer again this year to assist my preferred local representatives.
What have YOU done lately? ;oP
DannoJyd on August 2, 2008 at 11:46 AM
No No No No! The most important part was that the PEOPLE were sitting in the PEOPLES Chairs. In the PEOPLE’S House, Demanding action from our elected representatives. NOT OUR LEADERS! Our REPRESENTATIVES. The GOPS almost had it…a movement…but they blew it…shows they are still part of the problem…They don’t realize how the people are desperate and longing for leadership. They could have created something huge but they faltered. Because they are not leaders. Their leaders supply them with funds to win elections in order to influence policy. We all know this. What a farce. FARCE!
ronsfi on August 2, 2008 at 11:47 AM
I somehow managed to avoid the “fat” part.
Another great line was…
One guy: “My advice is start drinking heavily.”
Other guy: “You better listen to him, he’s pre-med.”
flipflop on August 2, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Germans and Pearl Harbor
m0nkeyb0y on August 2, 2008 at 11:51 AM
That one didn’t work out so well for the “insurgents.”
Maybe the House GOP could have carried it on a bit longer, and of course it would have been nice if they had generated more publicity, but they may already have hit the point of diminishing returns and even of possible reversal, based on a realistic appraisal of the situation and their ability to exploit it: This isn’t a movie or a 1960s campus protest, and it’s very hard to tell where clever bluffing ends and overplaying your hand begins.
Right now, the GOP finds itself with an issue, a very popular issue, and Pelosi and Reid have wrapped it up and in a nice package and put a bow on it. On the other hand, though gas prices hurt a lot of people and though energy is a security issue as well, it’s not a crisis in the sense of requiring and being susceptible to a true emergency response: We’re not calling out the National Guard, issuing ration cards, shooting diesel-bootleggers on sight… The President can call Congress back: There’s no authentic justification for seizing the building. If the Prez doesn’t act, we do have an election coming up…
CK MacLeod on August 2, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Thanks everybody, I was feeling pretty dumb. It’s been a long time since I have seen that movies. Obviously not so for the writers here.
Cindy Munford on August 2, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Both chambers pass a Concurrent Resolution to allow it, thus giving the “consent” to each other to do so.
KSgop on August 2, 2008 at 11:56 AM
OT
Dare I say it? I have never seen that movie.
GASP!!!!!!!!
dustoffmom on August 2, 2008 at 11:56 AM
The cynic in me suggests this was a stunt. Had they any real conviction they might have stayed at least into the night. Can’t have these guys missing happy hour though. These republicans, with the possible exception of those who led the charge (and I am being kind) had no intent of missing their own personal month- long vacation themselves. Our representatives have learned how to make it look like they are making a stand without ever really having to do so. Again, where is the conviction?
m0nkeyb0y on August 2, 2008 at 11:56 AM
No, they got booted in 2006 because they deviated from their core principles and got smacked for it. You think it’s whining to demand your elected representatives live up to the principles they claimed to support when you voted for them? Then watch them sit up there and screw around; scandals, earmarks, ect. Save your snark and cheerleading. The only way to get those lazy self interested b**tards to do what we want them to do is to threaten, cajole, and if necessary, smack them around electorally. They have too much ‘carrot’ as it is; so, sometimes you go heavy on the stick. They forget what they are there for too often. I’m not going to thank them for standing up; it’s a gimme issue and they did the right thing. If they keep it up, they’ll have my vote and my financial support.
austinnelly on August 2, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Nah! They said, “Were staying here until they come back.” but true to form it was just more BS. They didn’t stay. They wanted to get on with the vacation. Supplied by Lobbyists to Aruba n such. It was a stunt and no deeper. They would still be there if it was not and many of us would be there too. Screw ‘em. Frauds!
ronsfi on August 2, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Thus we got the Congress we all enjoy today.
Never forget. America gets the government they vote for, and thus deserve.
DannoJyd on August 2, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I mean they let the tourist sit on the House Floor. Did they see the incredibly powerful symbol that presented?
ronsfi on August 2, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I ask again since everyone is busy talking about armchair quarterbacking and Germans bombing Pearl…
They said they’re going to be there through the break. Would that mean more press conferences and meetings or going back onto the House floor every day for the next month?
Vatican Watcher on August 2, 2008 at 12:02 PM
CK MacLeod on August 2, 2008 at 11:53 AM –
May not have worked out for the “insurgents”…but, it did force the Chinese leadership to make sweeping changes in a very short time from Maoism to somethig quite different…a work still in progress, of course.
Point being…the entire world was watching Teinamen and its aftermath. China could not deny their attrocities.
Getting the entire population of Americas watching political action in motion would be a major PR coup in itself. Real reality television. Sells well. Great demographics. Huge market share, and all that. Get the American population to see the attrocities promulgated by Pelosi’s “leadership,” virulent partisan “leadership” of the People’s House.
Having Bush call back Congress, well, it would have dulled the spontanity of it all. Simply would have been/will be seen as Bush trying to grandstand to get ratings, or allowing the Dems to make this not a people’s issue, but a partisan issue.
Now, if Monday morning the phone lines go down, and the internet feed into the House Office Building(s) gets swamped becuase of the volume of traffic from us, the People, demanding our GOP reps go back to the House….that’d be more authentic, more real, and have a far better impact than Bush reconvening Congress.
coldwarrior on August 2, 2008 at 12:03 PM
They already missed out on the big impact. If they trickle in and out through the month long break it wont have near the impact that staying there and enduring…..and living up to their so-called principles and convictions.
m0nkeyb0y on August 2, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Staying until 5pm and making speeches, that’s going hard. Staying afterwards and forcing the issue, not only risking yourself, but the tourists who are likely to be arrested in mass? That crosses the line.
A NCO used to tell me that there is a fine line between being hard, and being stupid. Forcing the hand of the police, and putting the observers at risk? That would be stupid. No, the Republicans made a point, and pushed the issue as far as they dared without getting any of the observers inadvertently in trouble.
Now, the question is this. Do they settle for the moral win now, or do they push on, and try to go for a real victory?
If it’s the latter, then the next course of action is clear. Obviously, Nancy has too much control over the House of Representatives, so it’s time to go Old School, Contract with America old school.
Flood the local offices of your congressmen, they all have one, and Senators, and tell them you want to drill and drill now. Reagan had us do that for tax cuts, and the Democrats caved. Newt pushed that plan with Welfare Reform, and Clinton caved. If the Congressmen are back home, flood the offices with calls. Visit your Congressman’s local office and take cameras, post video’s on you tube, and demand to know when the Congressman will be taking action to guarantee America’s energy security by voting for domestic drilling?
Chances are your Congressman has speaking engagements and campaign stops planned for this month in their home districts. If at every one people are demanding to know when we’ll be able to join the Cubans and the Mexicans in drilling off our coast, and why we aren’t? You get the idea.
We had to chase them down and demand action on Border Security to shut down McCain’s amnesty plan, and this is one of those things that makes me sick. The fact that we have to chase down and demand that elected representatives do the right thing is asinine.
Snake307 on August 2, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I am waiting to see what is next. I have contacted my Representatives to let them know that I would like to see them involved. For what it is worth. I did enjoy yesterday. The big difference between us and them is that we expect our guys to do what they say they will. I guess if liberals don’t care much because every crazy thing their reps do it a “resume’ enhancement” as Rush would say. I think it is most important to let them know that the earmarks are wrong, they seem to think that the more money they bring home the more they can misbehave morally.
Cindy Munford on August 2, 2008 at 12:08 PM
To say that the dims were elected because they could do a better job than the Republicans is delusional. The dims ran on “CHANGE” in 2006. Change is what we got. Gas was 2.00 a gallon, unemployment rate was 4.5%, Harry Reid has entered into the Congressional Record that the “war is lost” and inflation is rising. That was the “CHANGE” we got from the dims. Voting for Obama will take these negative changes even further. It is never going to happen.
volsense on August 2, 2008 at 12:08 PM
“Civil disobedience” should always be rewarded with bleeding scalps, regardless of whose scalps they are. It’s a tactic of Hindoos and Communists and should be eschewed by those who otherwise advocate law and order. It has no place in conservative politics, e.g. in the pro-life movement, and even less among lawmakers. The republicans made their point, then obeyed law enforcement officers and set a fine example on both counts.
Akzed on August 2, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Meanwhile Rome burns.
m0nkeyb0y on August 2, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Now there’s a plan. Let’s stop bitching and start doing.
Vatican Watcher on August 2, 2008 at 12:10 PM
ugh
funky chicken on August 2, 2008 at 12:12 PM
THAT is the RNC ad we need to see in October. Over and over and over.
funky chicken on August 2, 2008 at 12:13 PM
I would submit to you that when voters don’t keep after their representatives it shows our oh-so-beloved politicians that we do not care, and when they get that message they begin to lose interest as well.
What frustrates me is when we get the message to them, and they chose to ignore us. MacShamnesty took that to the limit when he told conservatives to calm down and get back in line.
Got any idea on which candidate for POTUS to vote for yet? I certainly do not.
DannoJyd on August 2, 2008 at 12:14 PM
The republicans again exhibit what should be their slogan “Too Little, Too Late“.
Wade on August 2, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Typical of our GOP… They play 3 quarters of a football game… They play 7 innings of the baseball game… 15 holes of golf… Just can’t quite finish the game… That’s the new GOP we know and love…
pueblo1032 on August 2, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I’m not sure I agree with you on that. Civil Disobedience is how the nation was formed.
Example. In Savannah Georgia, the stones that the ships used as ballast to sail here from England were put to use by the population to pave the streets. Thus they got use out of something that was essentially useless. When word of this inventive use of ballast stones was learned of in England, the King (we were still a colony then) he levied a tax on this useful item we were getting essentially for free.
The workers in Savannah came up with a protest that seemed to suit. They removed a few stones from the hold of the ship, and then covered the remaining stones with a very thin level of cargo, meaning the ship went home essentially empty. The tax was dropped without further comment.
Gandhi is another example of peaceful civil disobedience, and by the way, that idea goes back to St. Augustine who told us that an unjust law is no law.
Refusal to obey an unjust law is to a certain extent, what founded the nation. Cracking skulls didn’t seem to get the British what they wanted. Force is appropriate at times, and wrong at others, judging from the history of the founding of our nation.
Fighting for freedom is a conservative ideal, if there ever was one. Fighting for Justice is a conservative Ideal, and civil disobedience in the opening act of such a fight is normal, and traditional.
Margret Mead. “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Snake307 on August 2, 2008 at 12:33 PM
It’s interesting that McCain is running to the left, and Obama is now running right to get elected.
I don’t think that I’ll be voting for McCain, unless he picks Lieberman as his running mate. That way I can vote for the Republican who isn’t Republican, and the Democrat who isn’t a Democrat with one vote. That kind of stupidity, I’ll vote for just because the show promises to be entertaining.
Snake307 on August 2, 2008 at 12:36 PM
It’s pretty clear Lieberman is who he’d pick if he had a free hand. On some level then, they both must know that they’re perceived by the public as neither this nor that.
JiangxiDad on August 2, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Oh great. The republicans mean business after 8 years of doing little or nothing. Too little, too late.
Oh? There’s an election coming up?
Labamigo on August 2, 2008 at 12:44 PM
When the majority of Republicans do not trust their nominee for president, we have a problem. That is unless the dims nominate someone who is totally clueless on every side of every issue. How does the greatest nation on earth come up with these bozos as nominees. Washington is broken.Think about the possibility: Reid leads the Senate, Peloser leads the House and Obama places totally incompetents at every level from the White House on down. God help us.
volsense on August 2, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Interesting… Hmmm… isn’t Cheney the President of the Senate? Could he call the Senate back? And then force a vote on the concurrent measure?
Romeo13 on August 2, 2008 at 12:49 PM
What a display of stiffening backbone. It’s really TOO BAD that the Networks didn’t see it as news.
Leaving for vacation before getting an energy bill done was news, a rebellion by Republicans for HOURS was not. Time to switch who we watch?
Go back to work on MONDAY, PUBS and GET IT RIGHT
originalpechanga on August 2, 2008 at 12:51 PM
And this country started… how?
And the slavery issue was brought to a head how?
Civil Rights?
Womens right to vote?
Sorry, but those who make the rules are NOT always right, especialy, when, like now, they ignore the electorate.
Romeo13 on August 2, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Romeo13 on August 2, 2008 at 12:49 PM
This is the House….not the Senate.
coldwarrior on August 2, 2008 at 1:02 PM
`Exactly. Bush strong for 5 years, last 3 years “No Stugots“
Wade on August 2, 2008 at 1:03 PM
I think they did it in just the right amount. Stunts can pay off but taken to long or to an extreme just makes you look like a college kid waterboarding himself.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 2, 2008 at 1:07 PM
The is far too important to let up on the pressure. Needs coverage day after day, what the dems are doing to this country. This is serious business and to piss and moan about it for a few hours then go home is capitulating without negotiating. They should setup in front of the Crapitol Building and stop being defeatists.
Wade on August 2, 2008 at 1:22 PM
OK. They should all quit and go on their 5 week vacation too and then all those negative predictions will surely come true. Many of you would like that so you can say I told you so?
jeanie on August 2, 2008 at 1:24 PM
You’re right, of course.
Still, there’s some part of me that would have gotten a really big kick out of seeing the Republican House members marching arm-in-arm around the Capitol singing “We shall overcome”…and Nancy Pelosi doing an imitation of Bull Conner with a fire hose and dogs… I’d pay top dollar for that video!
I guess Conservatives are bad at theater because they are too based in reality: precisely the reason we love them.
landlines on August 2, 2008 at 1:29 PM
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