Video: Welcome Back, Congress!
posted at 2:59 pm on September 8, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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The NRCC welcomes Congress back from its aestas horribilis with a four-minute video reminding them of the pleasures of being away from their constituents. Think of this as the equivalent of ESPN’s big-hit review on Sunday nights after a weekend of football. There are many key moments revisited in this compendium, but perhaps none more instructive than the clip of Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN) telling constituents that they have no say in how he runs his Congressional office and that he sets the rules for town halls:
This is my town hall meeting, and I set the rules. I’ve had these rules — [booing] — Uh, let me repeat that one more time. This is my town-hall meeting for you. And you’re not going to tell me how to run my Congressional office. Now, the reason why I don’t allow filming is because usually the films that are done end up on YouTube in a compromising position.
Yes, they often end up on YouTube in the compromising position of showing elected officials acting like arrogant jerks who forget who works for whom. In this case, Hill accurately predicted exactly what happened, although one has to admit that this turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Hill was hardly alone in demonstrating the arrogance of the noblesse oblige; Arlen Specter scolded his audience that they were lucky to have a town-hall forum at all with him, since he wasn’t getting paid extra to hold them. Other Democrats simply chose not to appear at all, either hiding behind teleconferences with limited access or just hiding out for the entire August recess.
Now they’re back on safe ground, ensconced in the loving arms of the federal bureaucracy, safe from their constituents and accountability. They shouldn’t get too comfortable, however, because a number of them will be hearing “Welcome Back” after the 2010 elections from those same constituents, who will send replacements who understand their place a little better.
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Barack Obama accused of making Depression mistakes.
maverick muse on September 8, 2009 at 3:01 PM
As one Congressman says to another with an elbow to the rib, “Boy, those people were pissed, weren’t they? Nyuck, nyuck!”
Geronimo on September 8, 2009 at 3:03 PM
I only hope that this momentum carries until 2010. Lord please let it carry and increase between now and 2010.
donkichi on September 8, 2009 at 3:04 PM
I’d rather have JOHN TRAVOLTA!
Orange Doorhinge on September 8, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Marxism is hard.
faraway on September 8, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Fixed to reflect how they really feel about their constituents.
Spiritk9 on September 8, 2009 at 3:07 PM
that was hilarious. What was the clip with the woman walking away from the building, with people booing? I didn’t get that part
CambellBrown on September 8, 2009 at 3:09 PM
I’m sure they’re happy to be back “home” in Washington. Congresscritters feel like like Mel Brooks wrote in The History of the World, Part I: “Sire, the peasants are revolting.” “Yeah. They stink on ice.”
kingsjester on September 8, 2009 at 3:10 PM
2010!
GarandFan on September 8, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Let’s be clear here. The townhalls were bad for the Democratic Congressmen and women but they weren’t great for Republicans either.
Besides going back to Congress with “We don’t want X from the Democrats” what does the Republicans have to show for it?
They still don’t have momentum in terms of ideas. People should be pushing the Republicans healthcare plan! In this way, you get reform and take a key card from the Democrats.
That would be innovative thinking. Instead, the GOP is saying no but not offering a viable alternative.
ckoeber on September 8, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Should have included some clips of the “empty seats” for all those Reps. & Senators that wouldn’t even face their constituents!!!
dont taze me bro on September 8, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Starring Congress as Benedict Arnold Horshack.
Christien on September 8, 2009 at 3:13 PM
I just can’t express how very grateful I am that Baron Hill would descend from Mount Olympus and grant an audience with a lowly peasant such as myself. I truly do not deserve the privilege.
TheQuestion on September 8, 2009 at 3:13 PM
He must have taken his first name too seriously. As Snoopy says, Curse you, Red Baron!
Steve Z on September 8, 2009 at 3:17 PM
ckoeber on September 8, 2009 at 3:11 PM
There are a lot of Republicans with alternatives, but they rarely get to offer much because of the minority they are in. We do need more conservative Republicans though, as the bigger issue is the squishy middle, like McCain.
And of course, with the MSM running coverage for the Dems, the general public will never hear anything other than the lie that Republicans have no alternatives.
kirkill on September 8, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Yes, you fail to understand that, at least in his mind, his first name is actually a title of royalty. A plebian mistake on your part.
TXUS on September 8, 2009 at 3:20 PM
in flagrante delicto
Over30 on September 8, 2009 at 3:20 PM
NRCC, that’s good.
Pro-Obama pep talk
maverick muse on September 8, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Okay, Hill. How about this: We rescind your pay and expense accounts, as well as all perks associated with your office, and then we can’t tell you how to run it, since, after all, we pay for all those things.
Otherwise, eat s**t.
MadisonConservative on September 8, 2009 at 3:21 PM
I can’t see the video. Is it set to the tune of “Welcome Back Kotter?”
Daggett on September 8, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Americans are getting a clue (finally) that the Democrats they elect don’t hold their values.
Speakup on September 8, 2009 at 3:29 PM
“Welcome Back, Congress!”
Now, go away.
davidk on September 8, 2009 at 3:32 PM
The arrogance of some of these representatives. How soon they forget just who voted them into office. What constituents giveth, constituents can, and should taketh away.
capejasmine on September 8, 2009 at 3:33 PM
O’s speech tomorrow is designed to tell them to screw us and glorify him.
bbz123 on September 8, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Daggett,
Yes.
Christien on September 8, 2009 at 3:36 PM
I can’t wait for the mid term commercial’s they should be “classic”.
heshtesh on September 8, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Not only that but every politician in the clip shows the intellect of Arnold Horshack.
Shy Guy on September 8, 2009 at 3:39 PM
I love this quote… Me thinks he doth forget for whom he worketh.
This should be a soundbyte used by all those running against the dems…
CynicalOptimist on September 8, 2009 at 3:43 PM
From Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt’s web site:
Read about it here. It is detailed. You may not agree with it but it’s there.
Democratic leaders don’t want you to know about this type of information. You have to go beyond the liberal talking points.
Mr_Magoo on September 8, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Everybody sing along:
“Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn’t you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
Our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows your name.”
Left Coast Right Mind on September 8, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Mr_Magoo on September 8, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Also, you will see that the GOP plan mentioned in my previous post is actually a blueprint for what the GOP wants done. They do not try to hide their intentions in a 1200 page House Bill. What Obama promised was a similar blueprint agreed upon in a bipartisan fashion with a HC proposal as the result. He lied.
The GOP may have to be shoved into the HC arena (they could have solved this problem with Bush around but chose to kick it down the road), but once they are in the arena, at least they know what they are doing.
Mr_Magoo on September 8, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Nancy and Harry are holding a Press Conference right now. I’ve turned off the sound. It’s better that way.
kingsjester on September 8, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Left Coast Right Mind on September 8, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Wrong song. I thought we were singing Welcome Back Kotter…
Mr_Magoo on September 8, 2009 at 3:49 PM
hey congress!
up your nose with a rubber hose :-)
(yes,yes…showing my age)
cmsinaz on September 8, 2009 at 3:50 PM
I’ve turned off the
soundtv. It’s better that way.kingsjester on September 8, 2009 at 3:49 PM
;-)
Mr_Magoo on September 8, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Somebody gets it.
Shy Guy on September 8, 2009 at 3:52 PM
I don’t buy that. Where’s Mike Pence talking about Rep. Ryan’s bill? How about Chuck Grassley, Michael Steele, or Sarah Palin?
Even if it is an echo chamber you shout your ideas off of the rooftops. All that is heard is how the Democrats are evil. Each and every oppurtunity that a Republican is on air they should be talking about the alternative.
Instead, they are just saying no. Not good enough. Sorry.
Like I said before, saying “liberals suck” doesn’t automatically equal “GOP/Conservatives are cool”.
ckoeber on September 8, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Mr_Magoo on September 8, 2009 at 3:51 PM
You’re right. Then you don’t have to watch Nancy’s perpetual “deer in the headlights” look. I thought she had a zit on her forehead but it was her belly button sitting up there from all the face lifts.
kingsjester on September 8, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Yea, on a website somewhere that I have to hunt for.
That’s the winning marketing strategy! How about actually talking about plans like this every chance you get on air?
When Steele, Palin, Grassley, Ginrich, Boehner, etc are given the mic. we hear about the evil democrats instead of these plans.
ckoeber on September 8, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Nope NOTHING LEARNED!
They’re shrilling on how good this
is on Fox now.
Tomrrow is just a CYA for “O” to plead w/congress to vote AGAINST the people to
save his presidency at any cost to the people and the country!
xler8bmw on September 8, 2009 at 3:55 PM
We just all need to relax and settle down.
Cricket624 on September 8, 2009 at 3:56 PM
They forgot Specter’s townhall otherwise VERY well done.
Funny as heck!
gophergirl on September 8, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Mr._Magoo @ 3:43
I like Roy Blunt.
Scanning your link, I didn’t catch TORT REFORM.
maverick muse on September 8, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Can you say “Hubris”?
CynicalOptimist on September 8, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Ed I don’t know what aestas horribilis means but I don’t think any travel agent has that destination on their itineray! Ha Ha Ha
sonnyspats1 on September 8, 2009 at 4:01 PM
I dunno, this theme song seems to fit as well. The Congressional Carpetbaggers couldn’t cut it in the real world of townhall meetings during their recess, so they had to scurry back to D.C. where they are loved and fawned over by their colleagues and the inside-the-Beltway media. I can just imagine the Congressional chambers going quiet when someone walks in and everyone shouting out their name in unison when they recognize the new arrival.
House of Representatives: “BARNEY!!”
Barney Frank: “Afternoon everybody.”
Maxine Waters: “How was your recess Mr. Frank?”
Barney Frank: “I tell you, my constituency was all over my behind. If I didn’t like that sort of thing, I’d have been perturbed.”
**live studio audience laughter**
Left Coast Right Mind on September 8, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Ciro Rodriguez said a bad word at the end of the video. OM…MOMMOM..MA….
too bad I didn’t he didn’t catch any crab about it from San Antonio Express News.
Not surprised though either.
bombos on September 8, 2009 at 4:11 PM
The video is a fairly comprehensive compilation, but the music is so irritating I nearly shut it off after the third town hall clip.
Black Yoshi on September 8, 2009 at 4:12 PM
They are counting on the short attention span of the American people and figure if they can just hold out long enough, it will all blow over and it will be back to business as usual. Most of the time they are right in this assessment. I hope this is not one of those times.
tballard on September 8, 2009 at 4:12 PM
ckoeber on September 8, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Oh, yes – it sounds so easy when YOU say it. The GOP has been trying to get noticed but the MSM is not cooperating and at this point fighting against the proposed bill is the right thing to do.
And don’t forget it all started with 1) Pelosi telling all the Dems to not talk to the GOP sets a great precedent of bipartisanship; 2) Obama shutting them out; 3) their suggestions and amendments getting shot down; 4) the MSM giving all their free air time to Obama; to name a few.
Besides, what are the Dems worried about. They have the votes. There’s nothing stopping them from passing it.
Mr_Magoo on September 8, 2009 at 4:14 PM
BTW: I googled “GOP Health Care” and “GOP Health Care Task Force” popped up. Whew That was a tough one. Took all of .0001 seconds. Maybe you just don’t want to know.
Mr_Magoo on September 8, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Was he a lawyer in a previous lifetime?
Mr_Magoo on September 8, 2009 at 4:18 PM
We have to understand OUR place.
We must pay taxes CONTINUALLY.
Vote OCCASIONALLY.
Other than that, we are obliged to shut the F up.
Our elected officials possess knowledge SOOO much greater than ours.
Attention liberals: This is called “Sarcasm“.
kurtzz3 on September 8, 2009 at 4:29 PM
I am sorry to say that we get the Congress that we deserve. It is time to make some changes. No compromise. I think conservatives have been asleep, thinking that everything was going to work out okay….no more. We are now awake and paying attention.
d1carter on September 8, 2009 at 4:32 PM
“Oh, no cameras…I’m a public figure, but I’m thin-skinned and Liberal doesn’t come in 2-ply.”
Black Adam on September 8, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Bounce the chumps. Bounce the Republicans, bounce the Democrats. There’s not a one of them fit to pour piss from a shoe with instructions on the heel. Run yourself if you’ve got to – but bounce them all. Given their malfeasance and misconduct this summer, they’ve all signed their own pink slips.
Blacksmith on September 8, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Next to last fall break for most of you. Hope you enjoyed it. Need to pay attention or your’re going to lose your health insurance.
bluegrass on September 8, 2009 at 4:53 PM
You know, I’d love to vote my chump congresswoman out. Trouble is she’s in a 70% Democrat district. The dims could put a stuffed chihuahua up for congress and it would win in Sacramento.
Sacto_Dave on September 8, 2009 at 8:48 PM
I haven’t been active in a political campaign since 1972, when I supported Democrats due to Republican corruption. I instead wrote routinely and called my elected leaders on issues for 37 years. However, I am now a un-American, right-wing domestic terrorist, brown shirt Nazi/Klansman and evil monger working with the TEA Party mob to stop the destruction of our economy and system of government. I WILL be heavily involved in this next election cycle.
amr on September 9, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Great vid.
I especially like the last word at one of the town halls: “What a nitwit!”
That about sums it up.
PattyJ on September 9, 2009 at 11:18 AM
I thought trolls lived below bridges, not above them ;)
Buford Gooch on October 28, 2009 at 7:04 PM
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