Politico
Reacting to Wednesday night’s vote in the House — where not a single GOP member supported the stimulus package — Kerry told Politico that “if Republicans aren’t prepared to vote for it, I don’t think we should be giving up things, where I think the money can be spent more effectively.”
“If they’re not going to vote for it, let’s go with a plan that we think is going to work.”
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If they thought it’s going to work , why would give the republicans a chance to get any credit for it.
the_nile on January 30, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Uhhh… then what did the Democrats just vote for?
Skywise on January 30, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Please do.
Own it. All of it.
Vashta.Nerada on January 30, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Good. Do that. We aren’t interested in working with communists anyway. Thanks for the nod, though.
What republicans should do at this point is run in the opposite direction of ANYTHING these criminals try to do. BE VOCAL, sway public opinion but do NOTHING in a faux bipartisan manner unless its a big move to the right.
Do the OPPOSITE of everything Obama wants and keep your hands and noses clean. Is this too much to ask?
Mommypundit on January 30, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Isn’t this what the Democrats were doing anyway?
MarkTheGreat on January 30, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Don’t you need sixty votes Mr. Kerry.
O/T Just heard on the news that Mr. Obama is going after Judd Gregg, R-NH for Commerce. Democratic governor will pick replacement. Not good.
Cindy Munford on January 30, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I have to agree. If they “don’t need Republicans anyway” – as they constantly remind us, then why is every Democrat bitching and whining about not having our support? Just get on with it already.
Go RBNY on January 30, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Hopefully, Gregg is smart enough to not board this oncoming train wreck.
Vashta.Nerada on January 30, 2009 at 10:40 AM
an @ss being an @ss.. is this really news?
gatorboy on January 30, 2009 at 10:42 AM
He means — and he’s paraphrasing Kos’s post earlier this week — that if Republicans aren’t going to vote, why make concessions on things like contraception funding and re-sodding? And he’s absolutely right. If you have the votes, then run through your bill in toto, who cares what the other side wants (I’m being serious, not sarcastic). But with great power, comes… well, you know. And that’s why the President has tried to get the GOP on board. He needs the rats back on the ship before this all goes down.
LastRick on January 30, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Exactly. The house just passed a bill Kerry ackowledges won’t work. Of course, his idea for what would work is even worse.
BadgerHawk on January 30, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Yeah, what is the GOP thinking, right Kerry? I mean, they still think this is a republic or something.
CP on January 30, 2009 at 10:44 AM
OWWWWWWWWWWN IT, douche bottle.
OWN. IT. ALL.
seejanemom on January 30, 2009 at 10:44 AM
They have every right to do so. We never really thought we would change their course. We’re just choosing not to board a sinking ship.
pifactorial on January 30, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Man, these guys are dumb.
Even with the help of the media, the Democrats are not going to be able to spin this monstrosity into something that looks worthwhile.
forest on January 30, 2009 at 10:45 AM
They just want the GOP on board to spread blame….Just.Say.No.
t on January 30, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Um, yes. Please do.
Hence, the vote that happened yesterday.
Can’t put anything by Kerry, can we?
Good Lt on January 30, 2009 at 10:46 AM
But smart way to load the congress in your favor. He can always fire the guy later and thus purge the republicans from the system.
jmarcure on January 30, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Or the other day or whenever it was.
Doesn’t matter – IT’S SOLELY THE DEMOCRATS’ BILL NOW. LIVE BY SOCIALISM, DIE BY SOCIALISM.
Ante up, bitches.
Good Lt on January 30, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Hey, our colleagues aren’t voting with us because they don’t like what we want them to vote in favor of.
So let’s just ignore them and expect different results.
Hence: Liberals = insane.
MadisonConservative on January 30, 2009 at 10:50 AM
If you dumb GOP hicks don’t get on board with this plan, we will just have to do things exactly the way we always intended, and to the extent that we promised our supporters.
Last chance.
Ok, just ONE more chance to get with it.
This is it, I’m not kidding, this is the last last-chance you will get.
Ok…now I really mean it….no more chances, this is it for you guys, it’s now or never.
*sigh*…will you please jump on?
Bishop on January 30, 2009 at 10:50 AM
O/T: Anyone else having trouble getting on AoS this morning?
LastRick on January 30, 2009 at 10:50 AM
silver lining could be a complete change over election in ‘10 should hope-n-change’s magic keep wearing off… and a subsequent defunding of some of these appropriation measures
grasping at straws here —-<<<
gatorboy on January 30, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Hanoi Jhon is still around? Did he ever release his medical records? rofl
ex-Democrat on January 30, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Exactly. Let’s hope.
Oink on January 30, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I think you are correct. My money is on the economy hitting bottom in spring 2010, which means that by the fall, it will still be bad. Despite the propaganda, people will have to know by then what damage these policies are doing.
Vashta.Nerada on January 30, 2009 at 10:59 AM
LastRick on January 30, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Yes, I have been unable to get on…..DOS attack???
t on January 30, 2009 at 11:04 AM
BTW, OT:
Mu.Nu is down this morning, so ACE and JAWA are both down.
Good Lt on January 30, 2009 at 11:05 AM
O/T: Anyone else having trouble getting on AoS this morning?
LastRick on January 30, 2009 at 10:50 AM
yes
unseen on January 30, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Bingo.
petefrt on January 30, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Those bastards! First Rush and now Ace. /sarc
Thanks everyone that responded.
LastRick on January 30, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Right, but the way he’s phrased it is as though he doesn’t expect the bill to work with those minor concessions. And sure, I would agree, except it’s obvious they didn’t listen to the Republicans this time around anyway.
Taking those two things out doesn’t count in a bill where those two contribute so little to the final costs.
Esthier on January 30, 2009 at 11:15 AM
It’s very plausible. I’m not convinced that enough time will have passed, but if the economy’s not much better by then, I can’t imagine people will still want the Democrats in power, assuming voters learn by then which party is in power. Before the election, polls had Republicans in power. We need to do everything we can to remind the public who’s responsible for all of this.
Esthier on January 30, 2009 at 11:18 AM
I totally agree with Kerry.
Ignore the GOP. Make the bill $4 trillion if it makes your heart happy. Hell, $10 trillion.
If $1 trillion in stimulus is good, $20 trillion will make it all awesome.
These panzy half-measures are starting to tick me off.
lorien1973 on January 30, 2009 at 11:19 AM
When the Republicans were in power did the Dems do anything but obstruct and oppose? Why should the Republicans do any different now that the roles are reversed?
Actually on the one hand I’m surprised The One is even courting Republicans at all given his control of both houses. I know its propaganda to show how post- and bi-partisan he is.
Republicans should just sit back and let the dems do everything themselves. If the don’t want to vote no, take a page from Barry O and vote “present”
Iblis on January 30, 2009 at 11:21 AM
From the intensity of the leftist attacks on Rush, and those who listen to him, one might suspect that Rush is having an effect.
Skandia Recluse on January 30, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Chew. Swallow. Repeat.
Every last bite.
CurtZHP on January 30, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Finally, a concise definition of bipartisanship from a Democrat.
littleguy on January 30, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Ace is down. DrewM acknowledged it on the new/old/kinda backup site.
Dawnsblood on January 30, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Kerry, quit your whining, own it…just think, as it works you can point to the conservatives and tell them how you actually reduced the cost of gov…but if it doesn’t, step aside and let the real “men” do the lifting, sweetie.
right2bright on January 30, 2009 at 11:53 AM
OMG! Pleeeeeese Donks, whatever you do, don’t listen to the great statesman-war hero-windsurfer John Kerry!! If you do we conservatives are totally going to be devastated!
Whatever you do, Donks, just have mercy and
don’t throw me in that… er, don’t listen to Kerry, pleeese!drunyan8315 on January 30, 2009 at 11:53 AM
He ran for president, remember?
Neither do I.
Aronne on January 30, 2009 at 11:59 AM
The only thing Obama promised voters was “change” and the only thing the DNC promised voters was “George Bush is bad.”
Unless by “supporters” you mean the Democrats’ special interest backers. In which case, why in the Hell would they expect any Republican to pitch in on their opponents’ payola?
logis on January 30, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Well, if the tables were turned, I think we’d all agree that the Democrats should be ignored. If we had the numbers they have, we wouldn’t need or want their input, especially if they were just going to vote no anyway. So Kerry has a point.
paul006 on January 30, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Halp us, Jon Cary!
Suddenly, getting “stuck” in Iraq doesn’t look like anything near the quagmire the “smart” kids have chosen for themselves.
Christien on January 30, 2009 at 12:16 PM
If anyone in DC has a keen appreciation of being ignored, it’s J F’n K.
DrSteve on January 30, 2009 at 12:19 PM
A long time ago, I read some corollaries to Murphy’s Law. One of them was “If more than one person is at fault then nobody is to blame”. Change “person” to “party”. Right now, BHO is looking for cover in the event his plan does not work out. Now, the House Republicans will be able to point out they were opposed to this “plan” in 2010. If things tank, they will look smart. If for some reason things go great, then they lose more seats.
duggersd on January 30, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Step 1: When Republicans are in power, get Republicans to give concessions.
Step 2: Blame Republicans for legislation they compromised on, and beat them in elections.
Step 3: When Democrats regain power, give Republicans no concessions, and demand that they vote for your legislation – so that you can blame them again.
OK, sure, I know that’s a total douche move. But be honest for a second here. Based on their past experience working with Republicans, can you REALLY blame Democrats for re-running the strategy that got them into power in the first place?
logis on January 30, 2009 at 12:24 PM
With any luck, Harry Reid will follow Thurston Howell III’s advice here and just try to ram through the Dem bill, no changes. Don’t give the WHIg compromisers a chance to save their bill and their political skins with some symbollic changes in the name of bi-partisanship.
This disaster of a bill is the best thing that could happen to the GOP, and is a much needed reminder for the electorate of what Socialist government in America looks like.
james23 on January 30, 2009 at 12:45 PM
He was for bipartisanship before he was against it.
Jim Treacher on January 30, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Kerry who?
I hope the left remembers this concept. I hope they remember it well.
madmonkphotog on January 30, 2009 at 12:59 PM
See, GOP? This is how you do things when you have control of the White House and both houses of Congress. You don’t offer olive branches and concessions to the other party and tiptoe around trying to give off a “bipartisan” vibe to an uncaring public. You ram your stuff through while you have the chance, you completely ignore the other party’s input, and you tell your opposition to suck it up.
If only our guys had been more like this when we had Congress and the WH. Should’ve flipped off the Dems and done whatever they wanted. That’s how the media painted the Bush years anyway. What bipartisan support for the Iraq War?
aero on January 30, 2009 at 1:01 PM
The problem was that when the republicans had the power(not quite the numbers the demos have now) they did nothing that they promised. they compromised their principles and worked with the demos(see McCain, John) on massive spending bills. They couldn’t even cut the funding for NPR. everything was spend, spend, spend. That is why they are out of power now – they not only worked with the demos, they became demos.
Corsair on January 30, 2009 at 1:46 PM
100% correct Sen. Kerry. Where was this spine in 2004 when you failed in every way running for President. Changes were made to the bill to appease the GOP and they still voted no. Senate Dems need to send a lean, mean bill with no business tax cuts, working class tax cuts and a ton of good, infrastructure, energy grants spending (and digitization of healthcare) and let it happen along party lines. No one cares about tax cuts for the wealthy anymore, seirously, so the GOP isn’t going to win in 2010 on that, especially when Dems are writing rebate checks to 95% of the country.
DeathToMediaHacks on January 30, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Careful, you’re getting some on your Che shirt.
Jim Treacher on January 30, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Damn.. how will I get my marching orders now?
DaveC on January 30, 2009 at 2:18 PM
The ironic thing is that if Republicans had done that, they’d still be in power.
Hopefully, we’re heading for another 1994 off-year Congressional Republican advance.
But how long will Republicans remember the lesson this time?
Washington is an incredibly myopic place. We can’t count on our so-called “leaders” for anything. We have to run the Republican Caucus through a crucible – and then KEEP their feet to the fire from then on.
logis on January 30, 2009 at 2:29 PM