NYT: Obama thanked Collins, Snowe, Specter for their “patriotism”
posted at 12:00 pm on February 7, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Via Tom Maguire, marveling at how quickly assent has become the highest form:
The details [of the stimulus compromise] were negotiated at an afternoon meeting in the office of the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, involving Mr. Reid, other top Democrats and two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. After they came to terms, the senators brought in the White House chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, for assurance that the deal was acceptable to the administration. Mr. Emanuel signaled it was…
Mr. Obama called Ms. Collins and Mr. Specter, as well as Senator Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, another Republican expected to support the deal, to acknowledge they were acting against pressure from their party and, one official said, to thank them for their patriotism in helping advance the bill at a critical time.
WaPo says the cloture vote’s tentatively scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday with a final vote due at noon the next day, hot on the heels of Obama’s Monday night primetime presser. In the meantime, here’s The One’s latest exercise in the politics of fear, another concept earning Strange New Respect these days among the fightin’ nutroots. Fun fact from Rasmussen: The spread between those who strongly approve and disapprove of him has dropped 15 points since Inauguration Day.
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Thanks for being quislings again, Komrads.
Fletch54 on February 7, 2009 at 12:03 PM
I want to see those three R’s go down before the country does.
artist on February 7, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Again I ask, why are the republican supporters of this bill named, ( and praised by democrats, vilified by republicans) while democrats in opposition to the bill are unknown?
Skandia Recluse on February 7, 2009 at 12:03 PM
I wouldn’t have thought it possible to dislike a politician more than I had previously despised Hillary. Obama makes it easy.
anniekc on February 7, 2009 at 12:03 PM
I used to roll my eyes when some poster here dubbed him Ogabe.
I apologize to you -it fits perfectly.
jjshaka on February 7, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Maybe all 3 should just join the Democrat party outright. I don’t know what’s holding them back.
ddrintn on February 7, 2009 at 12:04 PM
What did they gain for their “thirty pieces of silver”?
Kini on February 7, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Stimulus
CDeb on February 7, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Well I wonder what part of Porkus Giganticus their three states get?
Dr Evil on February 7, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Who knows, but I don’t think the Republican party should contribute to the re-election efforts of any of them.
ddrintn on February 7, 2009 at 12:06 PM
I wonder if King George thanked Benedict Arnold also?
kingsjester on February 7, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Yep, there’s that “This bill is bi-partisan, so when it fails miserably, it’s both our faults”
I feel sick…
JetBoy on February 7, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Does that mean that anyone (Dems included) who don’t support the package are unpatriotic?
DAT60A3 on February 7, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Where was Steele in our time of need, he should have made a public ststement as to what he expected of our party members?
I sent him an email , no response as of yet.
UNREPENTANT CONSERVATIVE CAPITOLIST on February 7, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Could be red state Dems who are worried about 2010 or it could be people like Feinstein, who said the tax cuts were too big, or people who didn’t like the spending cuts made yesterday to get the GOP Three on board. No one wants to publicly stick their neck out and get chopped by Harry right now.
I wonder if there is trouble on the Dem’s left flank. Levin was telling people the cuts made for the GOP would be restored. I can’t see them staying on board then, but the gullibility of RINOs never ceases to amaze.
Wethal on February 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Interesting, that’s what I thought I was watching in the video.
Corky on February 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Suck it Trebek.
nickj116 on February 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM
‘Your Weekly Address’ is more ‘Your Weekly Undress’.
Limerick on February 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM
OK so who is going to supply the Tar and the feathers? because those three just made the LIST!!!
Dreadnought223 on February 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM
But I thought we chose Hope over Fear??????
rockmom on February 7, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Michael Steele’s weekly address.
Send a message. Voice your anger. I have.
Kini on February 7, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Here’s his weekly address. It’s worth a look.
amerpundit on February 7, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Dissent is no longer patriotic?
Chuck Schick on February 7, 2009 at 12:13 PM
$22 billion for Pennsylvania, plus I would guess a promise from Rahm not to sic the nutroots on him or run TV ads against him. But of course, this promise will be broken. Specter is an idiot.
rockmom on February 7, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Yes.
Yoop on February 7, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Can’t wait for The One’s weakly address.
nickj116 on February 7, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Obama, the great leader, is far worse than I imagined, and I imagined bad things. He is arrogant, immature, and completely in over his head. He does not care what is in the bill. He believes throwing the money at anything and everything will stimulate the economy. He is an idiot.
bopbottle on February 7, 2009 at 12:15 PM
I knew that the Senate republicans sucked!
catlady on February 7, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Didn’t see the vid before I posted. All the same, it’s still a weakly address.
nickj116 on February 7, 2009 at 12:16 PM
And their constituency by the way. Why wasnt this mentioned? Oh yes, now I remember, representatives are supposed to represent their constituencies.
canditaylor68 on February 7, 2009 at 12:16 PM
In a way I feel fortunate to be living through this historical moment when our country was taken over by Marxists in a silent coup.
/s
BowHuntingTexas on February 7, 2009 at 12:16 PM
And so it came to pass..they followed The One to the impoverishment and destruction of their own descendants.
IlikedAUH2O on February 7, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Didn’t you read, silly? P A T R I O T I S M
Topsecretk9 on February 7, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Now, if McCain could turn Lieberman and Kennedy can’t stay upright long enough to vote, this could really be a lot of fun!
huckleberryfriend on February 7, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I say we all start writing Collins, Snowe and Specter and ask them if they believe all those opposed to their crap sandwich are unpatriotic.
Topsecretk9 on February 7, 2009 at 12:20 PM
As in the case you referenced, I suppose we must let the story reach it’s natural conclusion. This isn’t the final act, and I don’t discount the possibility of some twists.
JiangxiDad on February 7, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Send e-mails to the staff of the sell-outs
Just copy & paste
Scott_Hoeflich@specter.senate.gov;Maria_Plakoudas@specter.senate.gov;Christopher_Bradish@specter.senate.gov;seema_singh@specter.senate.gov;corene_ashley@specter.senate.gov;regina_campbell@specter.senate.gov;gayle_mills@specter.senate.gov;Steve_Abbott@collins.senate.gov;Holly_Nesbit@collins.senate.gov;John_Richter@snowe.senate.gov;Anna_Levin@snowe.senate.gov
izoneguy on February 7, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Economist state they are all wrong and they can point to the failure. This has been tried before and failed- multiple examples.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/alex_singleton/blog/2009/01/28/economists_slam_barack_obamas_stimulus_package
Dr Evil on February 7, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Strange…the very same people who fear to print a cartoon due to Muslim extremist going ape shit…have no fear of robbing millions of people of billions of dollars.
If all they understand is fear. Perhaps, they need to fear us more.
javamartini on February 7, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Email and call red state Dems too.
Especially Nelson.
artist on February 7, 2009 at 12:20 PM
I used to roll my eyes when some poster here dubbed him Ogabe.
I apologize to you -it fits perfectly.
jjshaka on February 7, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Apology accepted, though I wish you had actually brought it up with me for discussion; we could use more side debates around here.
As to the topic, if the GOP dissenters are “patriotic” for supporting the bill, wouldn’t that mean the GOP dissenters are unpatriotic?
Strong words, Ogabe, you boob.
Bishop on February 7, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Try this instead:
Scott_Hoeflich@specter.senate.gov;
Maria_Plakoudas@specter.senate.gov;
Christopher_Bradish@specter.senate.gov;
seema_singh@specter.senate.gov;
corene_ashley@specter.senate.gov;
regina_campbell@specter.senate.gov;
gayle_mills@specter.senate.gov;
Steve_Abbott@collins.senate.gov;
Holly_Nesbit@collins.senate.gov;
John_Richter@snowe.senate.gov;
Anna_Levin@snowe.senate.gov
izoneguy on February 7, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Write the Man of Steele at chairman@gop.org and tell him the GOP gets not a dime in cash until they stop supporting idiots like Specter and the Maine Sisters.
Tell him you’re sending your money to SarahPAC until the party gets its freaking act together.
Have you seen all the MSM headlines about the “bipartisan” agreement. *PUKE*
Jim62sch on February 7, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Yeah , that would be the most “Patriotic” thing they could do.
Or just call themselves Vichy Republicans.
the_nile on February 7, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I hope Michael Steele set policy in the GOP that RINOs get no support from the GOP, that should have always been the policy.
Arlen Specter was in a tight race last cycle but the GOP was there for him, why?
Maxx on February 7, 2009 at 12:23 PM
I posted this on another thread but, maybe someone on this one can shed some light.
Ok, hear me out on this. I’ve been in banking for 7 years so this is how I see things. Strictly business speaking.
Where is this money coming from? Who are we “borrowing” it from?
Based on that question we are entering into a “contractual agreement” with someone. We have the “lender” , the “borrower” (govt) and due to the fact that the govt doesn’t do anything to make money we, the American people could be considered the “co-borrowers” due to the fact that we are the govt’s income via taxes.
Ok, follow me, for those of you who have ever signed loan papers know that all information in the “terms of agreement” have to be spelled out and explained to all parties involved. Everyone has to be in agreement with the terms of agreement.
Now, based on that where is this said agreement? WHat are the terms, how is a payment default handeled? What is the collateral other than the American people? Why isn’t a copy of the agreement, if there is one, being distributed to us?
Maybe I am overthinking, but if we are being used as “collateral” what happens when we can’t pay this back?
Ok, thought over, please correct me if I am wrong.
milwife88 on February 7, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Oslime-a is the most despicable black skinned person that has ever held high office. Minorities and his supporters should be ashamed and Americans in general should be embarrassed and scared for the future of this country and that of their children.
I want to puke every time I hear his voice or see his face.
csdeven on February 7, 2009 at 12:24 PM
“I pledge allegiance to
the flagObamaof thewho is the United States of America, and to the Republicfor whichwhile it stands: one Nation underGodhim,indivisibleinsoluble, with Liberty and Justice forallnone.”daesleeper on February 7, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Where is Joe Klein to call Obama’s words scurrilous?
MayBee on February 7, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Wait a tick!
I thought descent was the highest form of patriotism.
TheSitRep on February 7, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Refuse to watch… I just ate and lunch was to good to give back for this hack.
RalphyBoy on February 7, 2009 at 12:25 PM
In a way I feel fortunate to be living through this historical moment when our country was taken over by Marxists in a silent coup.
BowHuntingTexas on February 7, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Think of the stories you can tell your grandkids about the good ol’ days, when you were allowed to dissent, to have a gun in the house; when the President was restricted to two terms.
Bishop on February 7, 2009 at 12:25 PM
daesleeper on February 7, 2009 at 12:24 PM
You have to capitalize “Him”.
Just trying to save you some pain.
Bishop on February 7, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Let’s not tar-and-feather the whole party because of these sell outs. Revenge is best served with strong primary challenges, not by trashing the same party that held the line in the House.
Rebar on February 7, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Nice try, Gumby, but you still can’t call this a bipartisan bill. These pathetic, gutless losers aren’t Republicans and everybody knows it. They would walk off a cliff if you told them to. No, this bill is your baby, and when it starts to stink up the economy like a rotting fish, it’s gonna be hanging around your skinny neck.
whitetop on February 7, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Maybee
I hope you write him and ask him.
Topsecretk9 on February 7, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Three Republicans in the entire Congress (House & Senate) probably support this and its called bi-partisan?
Buck up folks, we knew there would be some Republican defectors in the Senate.
There is good news here: the Dems had to fight tooth and nail to get the three Republicans on board. Of course seeing who the Republicans are, one could debate if this was all just posturing, these three RINO’s going with the Dems almost always anyway.
Take heart! The Dems were going to ram this through no matter what. When it blows up in their faces, even the nutroots will have a hard time calling this bi-partisan with only three Republicans in the whole Congress on board!
catmman on February 7, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Peoples banana republic, using taxpayers and future generations money to by votes for today.
“We’re the corruption we’ve been waiting for.”
the_nile on February 7, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Kennedy returning for stimulus vote
This shouldn’t be allowed. I’m not knocking Kennedy because he’s sick but only for the fact that he is sick enough for his competence to be in question. If the president was disabled in this way, wouldn’t he be relieved of his duties?
Maxx on February 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
both of my senators…. uhg. Quite depressing… maybe if I start to drink heavily it will numb the pain. They must be gunning for Maine’s slice of pork, as there was nothing in the bill for this state that I could find in it.
Aren’t there any GOP leaders in congress that can talk some sense into these 2? Are they even trying… *crickets*
2010 and 2012 will not see any gains on our side, certainly not the whitehouse or the senate. It’s just not going to happen with this current batch of RINO buffoons. And no, I don’t think Palin has a chance in 2012, or ever, if the landscape doesn’t change, but we’ll see, maybe I’ll have to eat those words.
The RINO’s must be voted out, even if a Dem takes their place, why bother with wanna-be Democrats when you could have the real thing?
If you call these 2, ask them to change their (R) to (D) so we don’t have to go through this anymore.
maineconservative on February 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM
The Three Blind Mice have given in to the Obaminable Snowman.
MaiDee on February 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Personally I think writing to them and telling them on mass that we will make it our mission in life to make sure they do not get re elected if they vote for this bill would be more effective.
Dreadnought223 on February 7, 2009 at 12:33 PM
The reutn of Sen. Kennedy is just another example of the philosophy of the whole Democratic Party and the Obama White House: “Symbolism Over Substance”.
kingsjester on February 7, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Who would have thought that Barack would have named their names and made them famous
:)
DaveC on February 7, 2009 at 12:33 PM
reutn=return
oops.
kingsjester on February 7, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Maxx on February 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Imagine if this was a bill proposed by the GOP and deeply unpopular with the Dems.
Now imagine the OUTRAGE by the msm that they would fly in a dying Senator.
Never ending.
artist on February 7, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Collins and Snowe must be harboring Stimulus fantasies of their own while Specter suffers from age induced dementia and too many years hanging out with Murtha. I have always disliked Specter and viewed him as a detriment to the Republican brand. New RNC chair Steele should publically admonish these three for their action.
Thanks again GW for destroying the party, well done.
dmann on February 7, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Wow, deja vu
I had just added this comment to Obama’s Naked Moment in the Headlines:
I struck out ‘patriotism’ because that word has no meaning to new order liberals who do not recognize the nation-state.
Now here is the NYT using the ‘P’ word?
Patriotism comes from the Latin ‘patria’ which means ‘fatherland’. That was the first sentence I learned in Latin class: America patria mea est (America is my country)
Perhaps the NYT meant that Obama was displaying love for the land of his fathers, Kenya, by bringing America down to the same financial paupership
As for the Evil Spawn, Collins, Specter and Snow –
Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My
Collins, Specter and Snow, Oh My
If they only had a brain……
Who is the Wizard? Obama of course
Who is the Wicked Witch of the West? Pelosi
Who are the Flying Monkies? Congress, of course
I have not identified Dorothy, or the Good Witch in all this
maybe because the House, ny nation, is still in the Tornado and has not yet crashed
entagor on February 7, 2009 at 12:37 PM
those four, i don’t care how, they are out of the party. Kick them out, mount a challenge, they don’t deserve to be republicans.
and yeah assent is true patriotism, four legs good two legs better
Defector01 on February 7, 2009 at 12:38 PM
I think you’re right, JD. The fantasy that sustains me right now is that there will be at least a few (and hopefully more like a handful) Blue Dog Dems who will cast “nay” votes. And I wouldn’t blame them a bit for maintaining complete silence about it until that moment comes.
As for that fraud in the White House, he wouldn’t know patriotism if it bit him on the ass. He is a disgrace. Every time he opens his arrogant mouth, it makes me sick.
califcon on February 7, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Speakup on February 7, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Are the Three Stooges up for reelection in 2010? Can they even be ejected anytime soon?
Bishop on February 7, 2009 at 12:39 PM
When the porkolus fails , no one will remember the names of the 50+ democrats but the name of those three weasels will be cursed forever..
the_nile on February 7, 2009 at 12:40 PM
sorry for typo
I have not identified Dorothy, or the Good Witch in all this
maybe because the House,
ny nationmy nation, is still in the Tornado and has not yet crashedentagor on February 7, 2009 at 12:37 PM
entagor on February 7, 2009 at 12:40 PM
If it contains Pork, you must stick it with a Fork.
maineconservative on February 7, 2009 at 12:41 PM
It’s time that we start rounding up candidates to oppose them if they sign onto this. Anyone that goes along with this dog and pony show that is going on in the WH right now, is NOT A REAGAN REPUBLICAN
ConservativePartyNow on February 7, 2009 at 12:41 PM
This crisis is going to get worse, not better, but I guess you all know that already.
Bama’s catastrophe would be that he fails to advance his agenda. This and moving the census bureau under Rahmbo are of a piece.
Clever man, that Bama, read his Alinsky, Lenin and Marx well.
And we did it to ourselves, with a little help from Bill Ayers and his acolytes. We got “educated”.
Picked a hell of a time to quit drinking, I did.
Harry Schell on February 7, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Obviously the three stooges did not consider they would be the scapegoats for the aftershocks. Being who they are, they will never never catch on
entagor on February 7, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Does anyone else see this for what it is?
yakwill83 on February 7, 2009 at 12:43 PM
This is just freakin par for the course for Spector! I have been sending emails to this man all week…I’ve been trying to call too…the phone lines were melting! I told him we Pennsylvanians put him and we’ll vote his ass out!
Eyvonne on February 7, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Speakup on February 7, 2009 at 12:46 PM
It ain’t over until Pelosi is singing, though.
If enough people keep hammering away, maybe this can be stopped. I wrote and called my savants last night.
And they still have to reach agreement with the House…
It ain’t over yet…keep pulling them oars, mates.
Harry Schell on February 7, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Watch your mouth, Barry. You can be hated just like Jimmy Carter.
One man’s patriotism is another man’s communism.
petefrt on February 7, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Someone send them a copy of the Constitution. I doubt they’ve ever read it because they sure as Heck aren’t protecting and defending it.
DerKrieger on February 7, 2009 at 12:47 PM
By publically thanking the 3
amigosameobas, he is locking in their vote.katy on February 7, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Just sent an email to the link for Steele and got a failed delivery notification. I hate bad omens.
Bishop on February 7, 2009 at 12:49 PM
My Senator, Blanche Lincoln, is very vulnerable in 2010. She’s a Dem in a the Red home state of Wal-Mart, Tyson, and JB Hunt. She is very sensitive to pressure. If you need a Dem to call, make it her.
DerKrieger on February 7, 2009 at 12:49 PM
In the future, the revolution will be televised.
Neo on February 7, 2009 at 12:51 PM
O/T – I had the pleasure of seeing LA Go. Bobby Jindal speak this morning at our (Wal-Mart) monthly Saturday morning meeting. He’s a great speaker. I hope to secure tickets to a fundraiser tonight in Fayetteville where he will be speaking.
DerKrieger on February 7, 2009 at 12:51 PM
These 3 does not get to seal the deal bi partisan! In fact they should have a website devoted to them “The Sell Outs” Give them a high profile let people leave their feedback.
Dr Evil on February 7, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Heh.
What’s the income threshold now, Barry? Is it unpatriotic of me to ask for these details?
Buy Danish on February 7, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Me too. Now I’m faxing Gleason (chairman of PA-GOP), copy to Specter, advising that if Specter is the GOP nominee in the next election, we’re voting Democrat, even if it means voting for Chris Matthews. Better a reliable enemy than a back-stabbing ally.
petefrt on February 7, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Why do we continue to let them call themselves Republicans?
mindhacker on February 7, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Like i said
if ANY republican at ALL
VOTES for this PIECE OF CRAP
the ENTIRE republican party will be held responsible,,
Why should i vote for you
After you just betrayed
your supposed principles
the free markets
and just saddled all of our children
with debt for the next 20 years?
NOPE
I will NOT VOTE again
jcila on February 7, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Those cowards in the GOP disgust me. I just put my 19 year old son (my only child) on a plane to South Korea for a two-year hitch in the United States Air Force. He’s willing to die for this country and the liberals appear hell-bent on killing this country.
ladyingray on February 7, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Yes but doing that can backfire in a big way. I would laugh my ass off if come Monday all three of them suddenly had a change of heart and voted against the bill leaving Barry looking like a tool.
Dreadnought223 on February 7, 2009 at 12:57 PM
I’m feeling a strange, probing sensation in my buttocks…
Wyznowski on February 7, 2009 at 12:58 PM
I like secret messages. We shall henceforth refer to the trillion dollar bill as the SOS bill.
Cheshire Cat on February 7, 2009 at 12:59 PM
The f**king MSM never referred to the bipartisan opposition in the House, did they?
jay12 on February 7, 2009 at 1:01 PM
The Republican party (starting with Steele on down) should do whatever it takes to ensure that these three go down in flames the next time they are up for election. They should not be allowed to continue to call themselves Republicans. All three of them are an absolute disgrace!
SimplyKimberly on February 7, 2009 at 1:01 PM
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