Laura Ingraham to Specter: Do you enjoy being wined and dined at the White House?
posted at 3:20 pm on February 9, 2009 by Allahpundit
Via her producer, Tom Elliott. A cheap shot, but consider it rough justice for his help in pinching this $800 billion loaf. And for being uninformed: She’s quite right that Martin Feldstein may support a stimulus but emphatically doesn’t support this stimulus. Funny how that little postscript escaped Specter’s attention.
If you missed it in Headlines, here’s his op-ed in today’s WaPo that our commenters spent the morning merrily torching. See if you can find in it anything approaching a reasoned argument to vote for the bill. He’s got his bare assertions covered — four million jobs saved or created, etc etc — but there’s not a jot devoted to the long-term effect, and the best he can do by way of celebrating the spending cuts he was able to impose is to say that they’ll end up in the appropriations bill later. His bottom line: “Failure to act” would be irresponsible. Like I was saying.










Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
I will happily do all I can to ensure you are unemployed come January 2011.
Vashta.Nerada on February 9, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Specter is like the new McCain.
BadgerHawk on February 9, 2009 at 3:24 PM
specter is going to be on Hannity’s show too.
ousoonerfan15 on February 9, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Media with some backbone – I love it!
Rout these jerks…
beatcanvas on February 9, 2009 at 3:25 PM
This behavior from Specter is far from new.
CDeb on February 9, 2009 at 3:25 PM
She should’ve asked him to define the economic component of fascism, and, assuming that he could define it [I know, big assumption], let him hang himself with his own words.
OhEssYouCowboys on February 9, 2009 at 3:25 PM
I’d like to have another caption contest for that photo of Susan Collins and Arlen Specter.
BigD on February 9, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Arlen can walk east till his hat floats. He is exactly what’s wrong with the Republican Party.
Akzed on February 9, 2009 at 3:26 PM
This reeks of George Voinovich on Hannity circa amnesty debate.
amerpundit on February 9, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Of course he likes it, he’s not paying for it.
Brat4life on February 9, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Hey Specter: Just because he buys you dinner first doesn’t mean you have to let him do THAT to you on the first date. Have some respect for yourself, missy!
Laura in Maryland on February 9, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Owned.
artist on February 9, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Cheap shot?
Good lord, these clown acts in Congress have ruined our economy and are now digging the hole deeper.
Specter, Frank and Dodd are lucky they aren’t hearing gunshots.
NoDonkey on February 9, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Specter: “…it has to be swallowed.”
carbon_footprint on February 9, 2009 at 3:28 PM
At least something’s cheap out of this whole mess.
Weight of Glory on February 9, 2009 at 3:28 PM
This was awesome. Laura had him sputtering. hahaha
becki51758 on February 9, 2009 at 3:28 PM
When does Specter go on Rush?
amerpundit on February 9, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Go, Laura. She gets feisty. :-)
I love it the Specter says, “Of course I’m concerned about our debt, Laura!” I guess a great way to solve that problem is to… help pass this “porkulus” right, Specter? Geez.
hockey2k5 on February 9, 2009 at 3:29 PM
This is not new, friends. Check out Glenn Beck’s interview with Orrin Hatch over Tim Geithner.
NEXT!
macummings on February 9, 2009 at 3:30 PM
The movies have been portraying Republicans as mealy-mouthed little lackeys for so long that life has started imitating art.
MadisonConservative on February 9, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Specter….what a douche bag.
csdeven on February 9, 2009 at 3:30 PM
He likes being wined and dined, but he draws the line at being 69′d…
…this isn’t the Clinton years, afterall.
bilups on February 9, 2009 at 3:30 PM
His bottom line: “Failure to act” would be irresponsible. Like I was saying.
………
62% support MORE tax cuts and LESS spending.
That in essence, is the GOP alternative.
artist on February 9, 2009 at 3:30 PM
So we need to pay for this now to “save or create” 3-4 million jobs?
So at best, using Specters logic, if we pass this bill we’ll be just as well off as we were back in December. so in essence passing this stimulus is a zero sum game?
So why are we passing it again?
catmman on February 9, 2009 at 3:31 PM
The way Spector said ‘young lady’ led me to believe if Spector could have put Laura across his lap at that very moment and spanked her he would have.
And the only reason that Spector could get away with this ‘sexist’ remark is that Obama needs his vote. Spector is now a good guy.
Imagine if Sarah Palin had said ‘young man’ and sounded like she was insulting all male youth. They would be accusing her of a ‘hate crime’ against ALL young men.
technopeasant on February 9, 2009 at 3:31 PM
“Kiss me, Arlen.”
“Jeezus, Susan.”
BigD on February 9, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Is Specter getting any money in this stimulus for his 2010 campaign?
He is one despicable senator.
jencab on February 9, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Senator Specter, there’s a reason that when we were speculating on which Republicans would cave, your name kept coming up.
I sincerely hope you beat your cancer. Now go away.
pugwriter on February 9, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Hmmm….Collins looks like she just finished a game of Hide The Lemon.
Patrick S on February 9, 2009 at 3:32 PM
“if Spector could have put Laura across his lap at that very moment and spanked her he would have.”
Look, I blame Specter for a lot of things, but…
artist on February 9, 2009 at 3:33 PM
If you want to lay blame for this, look no further than RNC. Pat Toomey had a real chance at defeating Specter in the primaries. But Bush and the RNC gave Specter money and support to defeat Toomey because god forbid Toomey may have lost the general election.
Yeah that would have been a real calamity with a Democrat replacing Specter right W?
angryed on February 9, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Laura was a little out of line on the “wine and dine” snark…
However, our beloved elected officials probably ought to get used to it if the porkulous package goes south.
Wyznowski on February 9, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Old man – very old man – very old man.
jake-the-goose on February 9, 2009 at 3:33 PM
She should have called him Senator Government.
artist on February 9, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Specter sounds like he is doing a Jimmy Stewart impersonation.
If he had called her a whipper-snapper, I think I would say he is out of touch. Just a little.
portlandon on February 9, 2009 at 3:33 PM
If anyone feels so inclined: (202) 224-4254
amerpundit on February 9, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Im so tired of Specter being the example of the worst Republican ever…We Pennsylvanians have to show him the door come 2010— Pat Toomey almost beat him 4 years ago….i think we can rid ourselves of this cancer…finally— Id almost rather lose the seat to a Democrat then have him stink up the Republican brand for 6 more years….
He is everything that is wrong with politics–
And a gutless turd who likes the power and money of being a Senator….not serving “we the people…”
He needs to go….
alecj on February 9, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Laura was a little out of line on the “wine and dine” snark…
……
Nope
artist on February 9, 2009 at 3:34 PM
I’m getting a REALLY distracting mental picture here. Please stay on topic.
Thank you.
oldleprechaun on February 9, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Good for you Laura !
Keep it up!!
: o )
christene on February 9, 2009 at 3:35 PM
I’ve voted for 32 year military absentee for PA and had to hold my nose and vote for this idiot every time because he has been all but unopposed in the primaries. I’ll be voting NC next time after retiring and never have to pull the lever for another weak Republican again. For all the years I contributed to this lesser of two evils, you all have my sincerest apology. And to this once great state that is terminally blue now, you won’t get it until you’re not even allowed to hunt up there anymore. Suckers!
Rick Santorum where are you man?
hawkdriver on February 9, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Why out of line?
We need to get back to treating our elected officials as the servants of the people they are supposed to be.
Yes, he is a Senator, but he is an elected official who has a responsibility to answer for his actions.
catmman on February 9, 2009 at 3:35 PM
bet he doesn’t go back on her show
jp on February 9, 2009 at 3:36 PM
I’m against any type of stimulus that isnt all tax cuts. When are we going to learn to let the free market do it’s thing? Government trying to make things better always makes things much worse in the long run.
therightwinger on February 9, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Democrat ticket ’2012: Specter/Collins !!!
Republican ticket ’2012: Palin/Ingraham !!!
darwin on February 9, 2009 at 3:38 PM
I’ll be happy when Specter is no longer posing as a Republican. It’s no wonder Pennsylvanians have a bad taste in their mouth for the GOP. Look what they think conservatives are: weak-kneed, pocket-stuffing, unctuous, and invertebrate
hawksruleva on February 9, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Spincter loves pork.
faraway on February 9, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Of the three Limbaugh, Hannity, and Levin Hannity is my least favorite talk-show host. He bends over backwards to being fair and balanced by having RINO’s like McCain and Spector on his program that only helps to legitimize them to conservatives and at the same time bends over backwards not to offend them.
With Rush and Mark, what you hear is what you get. No RINO will go on their programs knowing that they will be torn apart in the arena of ideas. And there is no way Rush or Mark would ever a beer with The Anointed One.
technopeasant on February 9, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Did he say it wearing a monacle, shaking his fist, swearing she’ll rue the day?
Christien on February 9, 2009 at 3:39 PM
This is the same POS that lectured Bush on judicial nominees about 3 seconds after W saved his ass in the primary and got reelected.
He can’t leave soon enough-another elitist cancer that would rather be in the minority if it means screwing the red state right-wingers he obviously despises.
jjshaka on February 9, 2009 at 3:42 PM
A independent thinker I think not. He’s too cute for me. That away to stand in there Laura. I agree, he may of had just a tad to much sherry.
alternative failures on February 9, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Scotsman Specter was so offended he nearly choked on his haggis.
viking01 on February 9, 2009 at 3:42 PM
We should all send him a nice napkin to bring to the Whitehouse dinner,
bloggless on February 9, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Arlen go stuff it.
Stimulus or no Stimulus, people are getting laid off.
A friend of mine just got laid off TODAY! Arlen, why not give some of that “hard earned cash giving” that you got and give it to her, and her husband. Her husband just went in the Army and off to Basic Training 3 days ago. I feel for this woman.
upinak on February 9, 2009 at 3:42 PM
The only thing out of line here is these arrogant politicians picking the pork right out of our pockets. Go Laura.
bloggless on February 9, 2009 at 3:43 PM
He must have over-indulged on the arugala.
artist on February 9, 2009 at 3:44 PM
The tragedy here is that Pennsylvania voted out Rick Santorum, one of our GREAT conservatives, but has kept this clown Specter in office.
How much more bearable it would have been to see Santorum-Casey in Penn. rather than Specter-Casey.
DPierre on February 9, 2009 at 3:45 PM
If my wacky liberal family is any indication, Spector isn’t the problem as much as what the people who vote up my home state way want out of government. Which is everything given to them. I am very much looked down on for being a Republican and someone who has deployed with the military. I really just don’t even relate to my homies up that way on any level anymore.
hawkdriver on February 9, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Specter doesn’t care about 20 years in the future, he’ll be dead by then. It isn’t his money he’s spending. Like every other liberal douchebag, he only cares about getting reelected, committing treason against our democracy, and rubbing elbows with the Democrats.
leetpriest on February 9, 2009 at 3:46 PM
persona non grata
Christien on February 9, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Good for Laura. That is why I like her because she doesn’t take the BS from these politicians.
jencab on February 9, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Pillow over the face time!
Don’t they do that in Scottish nursing homes to keep down the costs?
From the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Scotland:
http://www.euthanasia.cc/nl.html
TexasJew on February 9, 2009 at 3:48 PM
I hate to sound mean, but Specter is close to 80 already, and has treatment for brain cancer twice in the past five years.
So, we are not dealing with a full deck here, anymore. As evidenced by his editorial in today’s Washington Post.
BigD on February 9, 2009 at 3:49 PM
What is it about Washington that turns people into complete idiots?
The GOP needs to just kick this guy out completely. What use is he?
TheHat on February 9, 2009 at 3:51 PM
I’ve said it here before. Rick Santorum was the perfect example at the medias ability to destroy a Republican no matter what. Rather than being corrupt, Santorum was a decent squeaky clean politician and that would seem to make him safe from the nutroots right? Wrong, play on his evangelical background, convince some middle-of-the-roaders that he’ll instill school prayers and outlaw homosexuality and you have another perfect scandal.
I would love to see him run again, but I believe he would have to run against Caseys seat.
hawkdriver on February 9, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Here ya go: “Dumb and dumberer!”
Jarhead68 on February 9, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Outside of the SE, PA is almost uniformally culturally conservative, there are more pro-life dem representative from PA than pro-choice. So it’s somewhat conservative. I can see the economic liberalism though that comes from there. (places like CA, OR, WA should be very fiscally conservative). I was surprised to see that they don’t respect your military service; PA seems to be a good, blue collar, Patriotic state.
IR-MN on February 9, 2009 at 3:51 PM
It isn’t about the “State” anymore, so much as it is what is in the major cities. I hope they collapse.
upinak on February 9, 2009 at 3:53 PM
I hate to sound mean, but Specter is close to 80 already,
BigD on February 9, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Our kids will be older than that scumbag before they will be finished paying off the debt that semile bastard and Zero are handing over to them.
TexasJew on February 9, 2009 at 3:53 PM
…this isn’t the Clinton years, afterall.
bilups on February 9, 2009 at 3:30 PM
It’s worse. After three weeks, it’s worse. How is that possible?
catmman on February 9, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Nor will they be able to drill in/near ANWR or anywhere Federal due to the “choice of the future” done today.
upinak on February 9, 2009 at 3:55 PM
His intellectr is once again “not proven”.
Valiant on February 9, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Everyone in DC, from Osama Obama right down to senile, blathering crooks like Aging Arlen, needs to face tougher questions than those Ingraham posed.
In fact, I suggest they need to face such questions in a court of law, where it can be determined if their actions warrant removal from office and perhaps a term of imprisonment.
This whole “stimulus” ripoff is nothing more than blatant theft and payoffs to others who should be in line for adjoining prison cells.
MrScribbler on February 9, 2009 at 3:56 PM
I heard this. Priceless.
Thenk Laura asked him if most of the calls, faxes and emails coming into his office were against the stim. package. He said overwhelmingly – YES they are but “that doesn’t matter” !!!!
He’s had too much radiation.
stenwin77 on February 9, 2009 at 3:57 PM
To make it more newsworthy than snarky, I wish Laura had asked if Arlen enjoyed the hundred dollar a pound wagyu beef. I understand it is an acquired taste, much richer and far more expensive than kobe beef. Interesting that Obama, that poor waif from South Chicago, had already developed a taste for it.
marybel on February 9, 2009 at 3:58 PM
If Specter had any balls, that would have been a softball question. All he would have to do is say one tiny thing he’s done to stand up to Obama and differentiate himself.
Instead, he pulls out the “how dare you little missy!” routine? I thought McCain had the corner on the cranky old man = conservative shtick. Arlen Specter is, with all due respect, absolutely nothing but a walking, talking pile of fertilizer. And now he can’t even come up with his own material any more – what good is he?
Obama erased all of Bush’s Executive Orders his first day in office. The Democrats are doing their level best to destroy George Bush’s foreign policy achievements, and salt the ground they were sown in…
In other words: every conservative thing that George Bush ever did is up in smoke. It’s not like we have anything to lose at this point; we may as well just make a clean sweep of it and erase all the liberal parts of Bush’s legacy ourselves… including the self-proclaimed “little professor” Arlen Specter.
logis on February 9, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Not familiar with PA papers but am familiar with the larger Maine papers. The Bangor Daily News, for instance, is so far left that reading any or all of it by most on this site would actually make you cringe.(I do even thinking about it!) The Portland paper is the same. But, both have an enormous effect on popular opinion up there. Not sure if they would turn on Olympia but they would turn on Collins. Also, Maine has a large percentage(given it’s relatively low population)of folks on various forms of welfare, Workman’s Comp is a big problem for them. It also has a large contingent of ‘artists and craftspeople’and transplanted liberals who tend to open B&Bs, tree huggers and alternative energy fanatics and they all are apt to be out of touch with the real world. So, it’s a given that both ladies have to genuflect pretty deeply. But, since they both have a long time before re-election–voting with the GOP on this would cause little upheaval I think. If I were either of those ladies, this time I’d be more afraid of my fellow GOP than the Maine voter.
jeanie on February 9, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Specter is an “it’s all about me” toady. If he didn’t do this, who would even know his name.
I see this as a huge problem for Steele, how do you organize for a party that stands fo nothing. If you are a Democrat, you use hate, but if you are a Republican, what do you have?
Stand on principles or you stand for nothing.
tarpon on February 9, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Compare the treatment Sphincter gets from the RNC–promotion and money despite his regular knifings of the party–to the treatment the Dems have given to new NY Senator Gillibrand: get in line with us, or you’re out. There’s a lesson here for the RNC. Hello, Mike Steele, what say you?
james23 on February 9, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Actually, Pennsylvanians think conservatives are moralistic, homophobic, anti-choice, anti-science, anti-intellectual busybodies and hypocrites. That’s why they tossed Rick Santorum and why they turned against George Bush with a vengeance. Arlen Specter has never pretended to be conservative, that’s why he gets elected in Pannsylvania. I don’t know why anyone thinks an actual conservative can win a statewide election in this state.
rockmom on February 9, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Folks, there is something brewing in the American people. This tone deaf Senator symbolizes that our government is not listening and is out of control. I fear for what’s left of America.
Viva la revolution…..
misterspork on February 9, 2009 at 4:01 PM
If Specter is willing to go this far on the first date, you think he’ll let Obama go ass to mouth on him for the second date?
Vegi on February 9, 2009 at 4:02 PM
He doesn’t want the baloney; he’s holding out for the wagyu beef!
Disturb the Universe on February 9, 2009 at 4:04 PM
SE and SW. Pittsburg and along the Ohio border is very liberal now. My family that has turned their noses up at the military is in Williamsport. They honestly believe the government is going to save their jobs send their kids to college and pay for their health care.
As for the military, I have been deployed nearly three and a half years over the last seven since we went to war and have a grand total of one sibling who e-mailed and sent letters during the entire time. I got more support from folks from my church.
My liberal relatives were taught to hate George Bush. I think it only natural for them to transfer those feelings to someone who feels devoted to the cause. This crap of supporting the troops but not the war was a joke.
I don’t know if many posters here are from the Great Keystone State, but I think it’s a lost cause.
hawkdriver on February 9, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Vegi on February 9, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Thanks for the image.
/
Disturb the Universe on February 9, 2009 at 4:05 PM
As soon as he started getting riled up I would have asked “do you think this bill will serve as a magic bullet to fix the economy?”.
Then sit back and watch the fireworks.
Bob Mc on February 9, 2009 at 4:06 PM
What far away galaxy does this dolt represent. The people don’t have a government . . . they have Specters. We’re in deep trouble.
rplat on February 9, 2009 at 4:08 PM
DOOOD!!
angryed on February 9, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Laura did a great job with Specter. he is an absolute disgrace to our party.
If anyone takes time to actually read the bill they will be shocked at the abount of worthless spending that doesn’t do a thing to stimulate our economy or create jobs. If our politicians don’t get it with our country in such dire straights, how can we depend on them if we have total disaster. By the way, thenk you Heath Shuler!
tazmebro on February 9, 2009 at 4:09 PM
The one thing he was right about.
hawkdriver on February 9, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Ms. Ingraham was rude and boorish.
The fact that she was (largely) right was mitigated by her act.
She deserved Olbermann. And vice versa.
SteveMG on February 9, 2009 at 4:11 PM
It was fun to listen to Laura cross-X the old coot, who fancies himself the greatest trial lawyer since Johnny Cochran.
james23 on February 9, 2009 at 4:12 PM
But Obama told Arlen that he was patriotic, that he loved him, and that he’d call him in the morning. Arlen is about to find out that Obama passed his number to Barney Frank.
BuckeyeSam on February 9, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Where in the world did we get these people and what can we do to get rid of them? And why isn’t this pork in the appropriations? I’m still trying to wrap my head around these claims that wasteful spending will fix the economy. If someone could tell me how that works I’d be much obliged. I probably won’t believe it, but at least I could stop scratching my head. It’s getting kind of sore.
scalleywag on February 9, 2009 at 4:15 PM
When I think of Arlen Spector, I think of Ira Einhorn. You should, too.
http://www.nationalreview.com/miller/miller200404080822.asp
bloggless on February 9, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Wined and dined in the white house? Eureka! I’ve just discovered the only possible logical explanation for Specter being such a massive Democratic tool — literally a tool of the Democratic Party. Very illuminating…
gryphon202 on February 9, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Don’t worry steve, Specter got the boot licking treatment from several two philly talk radio hosts–both leftists, although one calls himself a Republican–this morning. As Specter himself would admit, a tough line of questioning can seem a little rough to people used to hearing the usual boot-licking.
james23 on February 9, 2009 at 4:16 PM
There are plenty of logical explanations. His power base is in Philly, and his principal contributors are unions and trial lawyers.
james23 on February 9, 2009 at 4:18 PM
He’s such an idiot. He’s an embarrassment to his state, to the Senate and to his nation.
And you were embarrassed nationally with such a stupid response, Senator.
mankai on February 9, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Is it important to keep the Maine ladies in power because they light heartedly put GOP after their names or leave them to turn in the wind on the money front next election? Same, apparently, with Specter. I say get rid of them all. Let’s clean house on this front too, though that will be hard/impossible with Olympia Snowe(who has set herself up as a modern day Margaret Chase Smith–making her mostly invulnerable). Since these ladies have little or nothing to risk by showing solidarity then they should be made to suffer for not. If we get Dems in Maine, so what. That won’t even make a ripple since that’s how they vote anyway.
jeanie on February 9, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »