Dem aides: There may be three more GOP votes in the Senate for stimulus
posted at 4:35 pm on February 11, 2009 by Allahpundit
I think they’re blowing smoke, but don’t underestimate the power of Hopenchange or the bandwagon effect of a bill whose passage is a fait accompli.
Given the ever-increasing partisanship around the issue, which Republicans might ultimately cast a “yea” on the economic stimulus package?
The Fix polled a handful of wise Democratic Hill operatives today on that very question. In the Senate, possible GOP switchers include George Voinovich (Ohio), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Richard Lugar (Ind.) while in the House Reps. Fred Upton (Mich.), Mike Castle (Del.) and Jim Gerlach (Pa.) are potential switches, according to these sources.
I get the logic of Voinovich and Lugar — they’re from blue-collar purple states and have to prove they’re doing something to create jobs — but what’s Murkowski’s excuse? She’s from Palinland! It’s time to cowboy up. Exit question: Do we kick these three out of the caucus, too?
Blowback
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Throw the bums out.
marklmail on February 11, 2009 at 4:37 PM
if Palin wants the senate seat it is hers if this hack votes for this spendulous
ousoonerfan15 on February 11, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Let’s just kick everybody out.
BadgerHawk on February 11, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Do we kick these three out of the caucus, too?
Yep. If we can’t count on them to keep our country from falling apart, what use are they!
Laura in Maryland on February 11, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Only the GOP can wrest defeat from the jaws of victory.
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Burn this caucus to the ground.
blankminde on February 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Phuq. Gerlach is my rep.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Voinovich is retiring after this term. This helps me sleep a little better at night.
flyawaybird on February 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Any republican that votes for this bill should be kicked out of the party. Period.
This bill is deadly to our economy. There is a basic principle in the republican party of small government and fiscal responsibility. Voting for this demonstrates none of this.
jencab on February 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Chambliss has probably been looking around for a nice stick to poke in our eyes for a while ever since he won the runoff. Don’t you know that he’s ‘above’ all that runoff nonsense and it’s time he shows the good citizens of GA that HE is the senator and will do what HE deems best for HIMSELF.
gatorboy on February 11, 2009 at 4:42 PM
I hate them all.
BrideOfRove on February 11, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Seems to me that the GOP has ceded those issues and now only stands for, well…I’m not sure what it stands for anymore.
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 4:42 PM
WHAT THE FRAK!?
Skywise on February 11, 2009 at 4:42 PM
30 consev.+ 8 or 9 Rinos = nothing 30 consev.+67 or 69 libs = a starting point to rebuild the consev. movement
thmcbb on February 11, 2009 at 4:43 PM
This smells like the corrupt DNC attempting to give cover to the three traitors and gird their support which must be withering with all the outrage out there (The Senate web server was down a few minutes ago). Maine and Pennsylvania were part of the filthy bastard’s partisan agreement but I find it hard that they covertly expanded the pork to other “wavering” Republicans.
And for the record, yes, any Republican that votes for this bill that is utterly partisan and has little in the way of economic stimulus should be drummed out of the GOP caucus. This issue is that serious and any politician more interested in reelection than doing what is right doesn’t deserve to be in office in the first place.
highhopes on February 11, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Tennessee Republicans ousted the new House speaker from their party Monday.” Tennessee Republicans got rid of the new House speaker from their party Monday. They did this while “giving up their first chance in 150 years to control the entire Legislature, instead choosing to punish him for banding with Democrats to win his seat.” Tennessee Republicans got rid of their House speaker. That means they got rid of the first majority controlled in 150 years because their House speaker was acting like a Democrat.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/feb/09/state-republicans-throw-house-speaker-williams-out/
ladyingray on February 11, 2009 at 4:44 PM
I’m now starting to hope for Terrorists to attack the capital building now.
lavell12 on February 11, 2009 at 4:44 PM
I’m sure Voinovich is just doing it for his grandchildren.
Slublog on February 11, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Excellent.
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 4:45 PM
No. They voted against Porkulus in the first place, it’s still the Dem’s bill–not bipartisan–and they’re just trying to help out their constituents on an already done deal.
The three backstabbers, Specter, Snowe, and Collins are finished, though, when the time’s right.
Christien on February 11, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Instead of kicking people out of one caucus or another how about we go to Washington and forcibly throw everyone out?
Sugarbuzz on February 11, 2009 at 4:45 PM
That’s an unfortunate, and foolish, response.
Slublog on February 11, 2009 at 4:45 PM
You’re right. But if this is the time to rebuild the party, well, it’s the time to kick RINOs out!
jencab on February 11, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Apparently they’re already in , having a ball.
the_nile on February 11, 2009 at 4:45 PM
This is unfreakingbelievable! I hope it’s the Dems blowing smoke.
OTOH, did anyone hear Rush’s plan today? We will get power back one day and when we do we will hoist the commies on their own petard?
Pulchritudinous Patriot on February 11, 2009 at 4:46 PM
By the way, this Friday is the 13th.
amerpundit on February 11, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Assuming this is the ‘revised’ stimulus, I prefer to wait and see just what comes out of it before I condemn those who do or do not vote for it. Hopefully larger parts of it may have some merit???? said she wistfully.
jeanie on February 11, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Define RINO.
I’m called a RINO every day here cuz I don’t give 2 craps about social issues.
So it seems, to some people, RINOs are non-social cons.
To others, RINOs are non-fiscal cons.
It means nothing.
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 4:47 PM
LOL Lugar ickie; poster child for term limits on GOP side
Voinovich ickie; poster child for term limits on GOP side
Of course Allard voluntarily term-limited himself and now we have Sen. Udall (barf) from CO. sigh
Murkowski? must be looking forward to that generous congressional pension. Why work almost every day if you can just “retire” from congress and get pretty much your whole paycheck?
funky chicken on February 11, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Sometimes you simply have to clean house and move on….
…this may be one of those times ;)
.
philly_nj on February 11, 2009 at 4:47 PM
AllMost politicians suck gas anyway… I hang no great hope on any of them.RalphyBoy on February 11, 2009 at 4:47 PM
The fact that Palin hates the Porkulus is probably enough reason for Murkowski to vote for it. Don’t forget that Palin kicked her Daddy’s ass something fierce.
Jim62sch on February 11, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Anyone who votes for this bill needs to be forcibly switched out to an Independent. We can start over.
BrideOfRove on February 11, 2009 at 4:48 PM
President = cipher
Congress = porksters
Senate = primadonnas, sin cojones
We need a clean slate. Might be too late already. At least the public is waking up, if following the polls.
Entelechy on February 11, 2009 at 4:48 PM
But what’s AP’s excuse? He’s from Malkinland!
Fletch54 on February 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
What caucus? There is no opposition party.
spmat on February 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Has anyone heard if Specter made sure the nationalized health care provision that was snuck in the bill at some point and which he didn’t know was included, was removed or “clarified” as he put it with Megyn Kelly yesterday? I would like to see him held accountable for promising we the people that he would make sure that was not in this bill in its final form.
TennesseeRed on February 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
The good news is that the pork package is going to do enough damage that anyone who votes for it is dead.
Vashta.Nerada on February 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
If it feels good, do it.
(That’s one of the core principles of Conservatism, isn’t it?)
Loxodonta on February 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Probably explains why I heard the Republicans aren’t going to try to stop the vote and let it go asap, to keep any more from jumping ship. I agree with them. The Dems have the votes, let them do it and they can own it. It’s a disaster in the making.
Texas Gal on February 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Except that Murkowski opposed the stimulus bill even after Palin said she opposed it. She might vote for it now, but she voted against it after Palin took a stance on it.
amerpundit on February 11, 2009 at 4:50 PM
All I’m going to say is this:
These guys, democrats and republicans, keep standing on the hilltop in a rainstorm proclaiming their supremacy. Go ahead and run with the messiah template. Go ahead and forcefully squeegee that ocean into itself for miles, mindlessly thinking it never comes back.
It does. You are not God.
Just ask Sam Kinison.
-R
The Therapist on February 11, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Voinovich going to cry as he’s voting for the package.
I can only phone my Senators so much.
vinman on February 11, 2009 at 4:50 PM
What polls are you reading? If polls were moving against anything, it’d be reflected in Washington. But there isn’t, so it’s not.
Ya’ll are living in some fantasy land or something.
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 4:50 PM
The bad news is that it’s going to take this nation down with it.
progressoverpeace on February 11, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Gerlach won’t. He’s running for governor next year, and he will NOT want this nightmare hanging around his neck.
RWLA on February 11, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I was hoping someone (DeMint? Sessions?) would deny unanimouse consent to waive reading of the bill, but perhaps that would only give Dems more time…
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:51 PM
that’s a good start… now if that initiative will only transfer up to DC too
gatorboy on February 11, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Gerlach? Toomey? Santorum? And maybe Corbett? That’s all the PA GOP needs. A family feud for governor.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:52 PM
ĦЗ££… I just sent a thank-you letter to Voinovich for NOT voting for it.
He’s going to get an earful if he does.
Glenn Jericho on February 11, 2009 at 4:52 PM
A lot of it doesn’t take effect until 2010-2011. One third of the senate and all of the house have to answer for this, and the survivors and new members elected because of it can rescind large portions.
Vashta.Nerada on February 11, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Expected no less, there were bound to be a few Pubs who saw all that wonderful pork and decided to grab a pile for themselves.
It doesn’t matter anyway; the bill will be passed, the nation will wither from the effects and the White House Dumbshit will gloat like the leftist goblin he is.
Bishop on February 11, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Your faith in Washington moving with the polls is interesting. 62% of Americans want more tax cuts and less spending. The final compromise from conference? More spending and less tax cuts.
amerpundit on February 11, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Wait. You mean we could make them read out loud every word of the bill before a vote? We can DO this? And C-Span would record it?
.
I want this. Someone make this happen.
BrideOfRove on February 11, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Too bad we can’t get a large percentage of the electorate to refuse to pay taxes April 15th. Money is the only thing that gets their attention. They are addicted to our money.
bopbottle on February 11, 2009 at 4:55 PM
In secret and in the middle of the night.
Hope ‘n Change, indeed. Fear, really fear this administration.
Entelechy on February 11, 2009 at 4:55 PM
No, this bill sets the new “basic budget” minimum for the federal government. It is not a one-time stimulus, despite the claim. Any deletion from a future budget would be cutting an important “program” Think of the children!
Every budge bill will now be full of the same pork and earmarks. They will never go away.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:55 PM
If they kicked the other three out, they wouldn’t have to worry about these guys…that’s the point of stopping the bleeding.
right2bright on February 11, 2009 at 4:56 PM
The amnesty vote last year shows that if the public cares enough, senators will change their votes. The lack of vote changes – even among republicans – tells me that not too many people are calling. Thus, they don’t care.
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I want Pelosi and Reid to have to read every single word of it outloud on video. I will save it and show it to my grand children someday and explain that this is the sound evil makes when a country falls.
BrideOfRove on February 11, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I hope you are correct, but I never count on repealing any legislation in the near future. I always assume that laws are etched in stone for a long, long time – especially if they are attached to patronage jobs, “entitlements”, or beaurocratic complexification.
progressoverpeace on February 11, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I think any senator can ask that the bill be read out loud. Or it might be in the rules. I think DeMint stalled amnesty once with this. It’s a stall, though.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:56 PM
“..kick the RINOs out…” Well, I guess that means me some of the time. I do not always subscribe to the conservative or the GOP line. There are times when I see it as too far right for me to feel comfortable. There are degrees and pigeon holes of RINOism(HATE that acronym) as I see it. Where does one draw the line? At the point where I do not agree with you or you do not agree with me? Where? In the case of the ugly three, the stakes were/are very high and the Maine two had nothing to lose. But what about the rest of us ‘less than pure conservatives’ whatever that means. I can’t see the GOP ever being successful if there is no reasonable flexibility.
jeanie on February 11, 2009 at 4:57 PM
True, in part. About $300 billion is added to the baseline each year.
So, next year (or later this year) tax increases will have to be made.
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 4:57 PM
There’s a special place in hell for these wormy politicians.
rplat on February 11, 2009 at 4:57 PM
If MORE Repubs roll over on this… its the end of the GOP.
They betrayed the Fiscal Con half of the Fiscal Con/ Social Con alliance during the last 8 years by growing the Government, and Compasionate Conservatism….
MANY fiscal cons, like myself, left the party… but had a bit of hope that they were getting their Mojo back… by showing some backbone in the House with their stand against this bill…
The Three Stooges in the Senate betrayed Fiscal Cons… but if more now cave???? May as well pull the curtain folks… the Repubs will never be able to get the coalition together again.
Romeo13 on February 11, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Forget kicking anyone out … start a new party. Call it the American Party or whatever.
darwin on February 11, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Good riddance, RINO
/social cons.
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 4:59 PM
That’s why the market is the only thing that can stop the idiot messiah and his merry band of America-killers. The market is the only info that the public cares about and the neo-Pravda media can’t hide.
progressoverpeace on February 11, 2009 at 4:59 PM
And we kept funding the war and increased troops levels in Iraq despite the public opposing the war. Washington doesn’t necessarily move with the polls.
If you recall, the public overwhelmingly opposed amnesty. Until the actual vote occurred it looked like even more Republicans were on board and that it’d pass.
amerpundit on February 11, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I just emailed Lugar (my senator) and I’m going to call him on my way home.
Oink on February 11, 2009 at 5:01 PM
I just got my
Bend “O”ver Here it Comes bumper stickers.
Just in time. Torches and Pitchforks.
Key West Reader on February 11, 2009 at 5:01 PM
That’s what a smart conservative would make the centerpiece of the campaign. Preventing tax increases, and making real cuts to government spending, not cuts in growth of spending. Can you imagine the support in 2010 and 2012 that position would have?
Vashta.Nerada on February 11, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Why do I hear that deep voice over guy in my ear saying “MCCAIN”
gatorboy on February 11, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Forget kicking anyone out … start a new party. Call it the American Party or whatever.
darwin on February 11, 2009 at 4:58 PM
It might just happen, and if enough of us were members it would force the GOP to cater to our wishes or forever lose elections.
My insignificant self emailed Steele to inform him that I won’t send so much as a tarnished penny to the RNC if the three senate clods who jumped ship aren’t completely ostracized by the party. I’m pretty close to done with all fo them, nothing seems to change.
Bishop on February 11, 2009 at 5:02 PM
My fear is not just limited to the spending in this bill but to the hidden language that will set precedent for the fundamental change of how our government operates in keeping with Obama’s promise.
Texas Gal on February 11, 2009 at 5:02 PM
drain the swamp… cutoff funding and get these idoits out of DC… sooner the better
gatorboy on February 11, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Me? a RINO???? uh… Romeo in Name Only?
Cause I have not self identified as a REPUBLICAN, or been part of that party, for years now (although I usualy do vote Republican, as the lesser of two evils…).
Romeo13 on February 11, 2009 at 5:03 PM
I’m from Ohio, and I don’t get the logic of Voinovich. He’s retiring, so he’s gone in 2010. What the heck does he care? Is he just worried about getting snubbed in his home Cuyahoga County, Ohio (Cleveland)?
Do what’s good for your country, George. This ain’t gonna bring back the DHL jobs that Wilmington lost.
Counting the days for Rob Portman’s campaign. And those here at HA better answer any cattle call if Portman needs dough. He probably won’t, but he’s worth it all the same.
BuckeyeSam on February 11, 2009 at 5:03 PM
The same thing occurred to me while reading this article and I have to say it’s a sad day indeed when that thought pops into anyone’s head. It just shows the level of frustration and lack of control people feel over the government that is supposed to be representing their interests. On the other hand, Congress would be a lot more cooperative. I believe it’s a quote from Star Trek: “The most cooperative man in this world is a dead man”.
gordo on February 11, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Precisely, but the GOP isn’t doing a good job of communicating this.
BuckeyeSam on February 11, 2009 at 5:05 PM
48% of people are off the tax rolls. I’m sure the next round of tax increases will move another 3% off, so the majority of people don’t even pay taxes – in net. So it won’t matter.
It’s game over at that point.
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 5:06 PM
At least I can crow about one thing: Norm Coleman didn’t jump ship too. *Thank you unending legal challenges*
YAY Minnesota!
Bishop on February 11, 2009 at 5:06 PM
-
The best suggestion today… Following suit right now.
RalphyBoy on February 11, 2009 at 5:06 PM
I think you missed my point :P
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Fair enough….but, if someone’s not a social con or a fiscal con, would they be a RINO?
Or are those neocons (minus any conspiracy subtext of neocon just being a codeword for Jews that trick the U.S. into helping out Israel)?
If someone’s not a social con or a fiscal con or a security con, could we call them a RINO?
I still wouldn’t want to kick them out of the party.
I’m just wondering how few of the Republican issues you have to support before most people agree that you’re likely something else.
Perhaps we could have a prisoner exchange – we’ll trade our RINO’s for the Dems DINO’s….and some Mountain Dew. I think if we throw in the demand for Moutain Dew, we’re guaranteed to come out the winners in the exchange.
JadeNYU on February 11, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Tom Clancy, where are you when we need you??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sum_of_All_Fears
fred5678 on February 11, 2009 at 5:09 PM
I don’t think tossing out folks who vote yes on this crap would be all that radical. I absolutely opposed the amnesty stuff, and the DREAM act etc, but I wouldn’t say that anybody who voted for that crapola deserved excommunication.
But this “stimulus” bill is nothing but pure authoritarian socialism come to life. Anybody who votes for it is voting for authoritarian socialism. Um, I can’t imagine a single argument for that, honestly.
funky chicken on February 11, 2009 at 5:10 PM
I dont know where you fit in the scheme of things. But read the right-wing blogosphere. RINO is clearly meant as anyone who isn’t a social-con. So, apparently, it’s the heart of the party. So, it is what it is, as they say.
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Fred Upton, a pro-choice GOP Mainstreet dude has been getting the Obama buddy treatment for weeks now: he was among the small number of Congresscritters invited to the WH upstairs residence Super Bowl party, and this week he was the only Republican invited aboard AF1 for Obama’s Porkulus campaign swing.
Watch Fred Upton. does he cave and risk never being one of the cool kids again? Or does he stand fast in the ranks?
As I know next to nothing about him except that he appears superficially to be a moderate to squishy Republican, Upton just might do what His Obamic Majesty (pbuh) wants him to.
ps – among the other GOP members invited to the WH Supoer Bowl party by Obama was the dude who represents Lake Havasu.
That make sense to me, for all kinds of reasons.
Mike D. on February 11, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Just talked to Lugar’s office and his position is still against the stimulus bill.
matth on February 11, 2009 at 5:14 PM
I worry can we ever un-do the mess obama is going to make of this country.
jeanie on February 11, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Sure we can.
Socialists always run out of other peoples’ money, eventually.
lorien1973 on February 11, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Ahhh…. now I get it…
Tanks.
Romeo13 on February 11, 2009 at 5:19 PM
RINO name calling is just part of the hot air you get here at Hot Air. There is no Sargent-at-Arms standing at the door of the RNC checking principles to see who gets in and who doesn’t.
We live in a Constitutional Republic. It’s based on representative government. I get to vote for my congressional House Rep and State Senators on rotating years. That’s why I don’t have any control over ejecting Ron Paul to get a real Republican in his seat, he’s not my representative.
Texas Gal on February 11, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Hmmmm… maybe Europe could go back to an Old School solution… and sell Titles?
Heck… if’n I was rich? I’d bid on being the Duke of Earl!
/starts to sing… exits… stage left…
Romeo13 on February 11, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Start a new country. Sickening excess has pretty much killed this one. Point #1 in the constitution of America 2.0: Government debt is illegal, under penalty of death. Point #2: betraying the public trust through corruption is illegal. Penalty: death.
This whole thing pretty much makes me ill.
mr.blacksheep on February 11, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Here’s a poll question I’d like to see:
Who do you trust more to help the economy to turn around: The Democrat-controlled Congress, or a paperclip?
Good Lt on February 11, 2009 at 5:21 PM
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