Bush has already blown any chance for "bi-partisanship".

[Don Vito Corleone]

Chafee and Biden have already indicated they will block the Bolton nomination in committee - he will never even make it onto the Senate floor. Good for Chafee going out in a blaze of glory. Bush should be ashamed of himself, but he doesn't seem to be capable of that emotion.

 

[Thump553]

This Gates situation is understandable, but pressing ahead on Bolton now is a slap in the face. Bolton is a lightning rod for criticism and a classic GWB appointment-appoint someone to an institution who despises it and will do his/her best to destory it or make it less effective. We have seen this over and over again (EPA, SEC, etc.).

Thank God for true statesemen like Lincoln Chafee, who has vowed to continue to oppose this nomination for the good of the country. It's a shame a good man like that lost his seat solely because of the clowns in charge.

 

[LegendKiller]

I love how people say that the Dem's would be wasting 2 years on investigations and such.

Newsflash. If the Dems uncover rampant executive abuses they have no choice but to impeach a President who has undertaken crimes against the Constitution and violated his oath in every way.

As a result of investigation *AND* of impeachment, they could just point to the fact that the Republicans did nothing to curb an out of control executive.


"See, they played you for suckers voters, they used, abused, and discarded you like trash. We exposed them for what they are."

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: ntdz
Bush never got a chance for bipartisanship, his party has controlled congress since he's been President, with the except on 2000-2002 when Democrats had a razor thin margin in the Senate...

Do you understand what you just said? It's up to the party in power to make concessions to share that power. Being bipartisan doesn't mean you just give in to the rulers, but that you meet somewhere in between. Bush and company have never done that, if anything they took that power and went even farther to the right. Paybacks a bitch, isn't it?

 

[Lemon law]

I find it very sad to see what I think are the trend lines---almost Nixon all over again. In the case of Nixon---Nixon was always out for himself---and never out for the Republican party
he was the titular head of. But during Nixons's entire tenure, the Repubs were a minority party.---and Nixon's policies dominated the landscape.---until watergate brought Nixon down.

GWB is somewhat similar---but unlike Nixon, he has always enjoyed Republican majority party support---and has himself alone to blame for being the author of a democratic power shift in the legislative branch in this recent election----overnight---the GOP as a party has ceased to matter---which will leave the President dangerously isolated.

At the very moment when he needs the support of the GOP and its base the most---he repeats the mistake of not consulting with them on nominees---a kind of Harriet Myers all over again---as he knee jerk flip flops---fires Rummy---and nominates Gates---and then to confirm how delusional he is---he talks about getting Bolton through.---leaving the question---what inputs does the GOP as a whole have with GWB now?

But my fear now becomes----it will shape up as GWB&co. neo-cons against the entire world---as an increasingly isolated GWB listens only to his fellow neo-cons---who fill his head with rosy predictions about how his ideas cannot fail---if he just sticks to his guns and stays the course.---making it almost probable that GWB will cheerfully invoke dictatorial powers.

I certainly hope cooler heads will prevail---but GWB is now driving himself into a corner---and could become very delusional soon.

 

[Genx87]

Oh please like democrats have tried in the past 6 years to be anything but obstructionists.

See my sig for the democrat theme song since 2000.

This whole Bolton thing is effing hilarious. The guy has been there for 2 years and none of the promises of doom and gloom have come true, but lets oppose him on principal.

 

[LegendKiller]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Oh please like democrats have tried in the past 6 years to be anything but obstructionists.

See my sig for the democrat theme song since 2000.

This whole Bolton thing is effing hilarious. The guy has been there for 2 years and none of the promises of doom and gloom have come true, but lets oppose him on principal.

As opposed to being rubber stamping knob polishers?

There is a *HUGE* difference between being obstructionist for the good of the country and being obstructionist just to do it.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Oh please like democrats have tried in the past 6 years to be anything but obstructionists.

See my sig for the democrat theme song since 2000.

This whole Bolton thing is effing hilarious. The guy has been there for 2 years and none of the promises of doom and gloom have come true, but lets oppose him on principal.

He was appointed in Aug 2005, won't be quite 18 months when his recess appointment term ends. Regardless Bush acted in a totally partisan manner and sidestepped congress by using a recess appointment, which of course was nothing new. This thread is about partisanship which the republicans have practiced for over 5 years. You say the democrats were obstructionists, I say they were excluded from government, guess it depends on your view. Hopefully both sides can work together now to find some common ground and by together I don't mean far right or far left agendas, but something closer to the middle. Worse case is the Republicans don't play nice and heads roll.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity

Originally posted by: Genx87
Oh please like democrats have tried in the past 6 years to be anything but obstructionists.

See my sig for the democrat theme song since 2000.

This whole Bolton thing is effing hilarious. The guy has been there for 2 years and none of the promises of doom and gloom have come true, but lets oppose him on principal.

He was appointed in Aug 2005, won't be quite 18 months when his recess appointment term ends. Regardless Bush acted in a totally partisan manner and sidestepped congress by using a recess appointment, which of course was nothing new. This thread is about partisanship which the republicans have practiced for over 5 years. You say the democrats were obstructionists, I say they were excluded from government, guess it depends on your view. Hopefully both sides can work together now to find some common ground and by together I don't mean far right or far left agendas, but something closer to the middle. Worse case is the Republicans don't play nice and heads roll.

For some reason thought he apppointed him right before the 04 elections. Either way none of the concerns voiced by congress have come true about the guy.

He used that recess appointment because the democrats wouldnt allow a vote on the matter. In other words were obstructionists.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Well, according to Newsmax Bolton will probably step down in the next month or so, so it won't matter.

 

[yowolabi]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity

Originally posted by: Genx87
Oh please like democrats have tried in the past 6 years to be anything but obstructionists.

See my sig for the democrat theme song since 2000.

This whole Bolton thing is effing hilarious. The guy has been there for 2 years and none of the promises of doom and gloom have come true, but lets oppose him on principal.

He was appointed in Aug 2005, won't be quite 18 months when his recess appointment term ends. Regardless Bush acted in a totally partisan manner and sidestepped congress by using a recess appointment, which of course was nothing new. This thread is about partisanship which the republicans have practiced for over 5 years. You say the democrats were obstructionists, I say they were excluded from government, guess it depends on your view. Hopefully both sides can work together now to find some common ground and by together I don't mean far right or far left agendas, but something closer to the middle. Worse case is the Republicans don't play nice and heads roll.

For some reason thought he apppointed him right before the 04 elections. Either way none of the concerns voiced by congress have come true about the guy.

He used that recess appointment because the democrats wouldnt allow a vote on the matter. In other words were obstructionists.

So because he hasn't destroyed the world, that means he deserves his position? Congress is given the power to approve appointments for a reason. If a guy isn't the right one for the job, he doesn't get in. Bush sidestepped the approval process once, this time he can't.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: DonVito
Chafee and Biden have already indicated they will block the Bolton nomination in committee - he will never even make it onto the Senate floor. Good for Chafee going out in a blaze of glory. Bush should be ashamed of himself, but he doesn't seem to be capable of that emotion.

Republicans have a 2 man advantage(10-8) in the Foreign Relations Committee.
A 9-9 vote in the committee should still head to the Senate floor.

I think the other Rep to hold it was George Vionovich, but he decided not to vote in the committee to allow for a Senate vote, unlike Chafee who voted with the Dems.

 

[Zebo]

Dems will never impeach Bush. They are pragmatic peoples, soft, don't like conflict and prefer to work though political process even if being stabbed in back for 6 years. It's just a differenent psychology. Same type that wants to understand criminals rather than execute them. If anything republicans will if a bombshell drops.

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: sandmanwake

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Pelosi should tell reps: First time Bush vetos = Instant Impeachment/Investigations hearings

Time to spend some capital now that the Americans have spoken

(They got away with murder on our constitution etc. time to fix this, and of course, payback is hell)

It'd be pointless. The Democrats don't have the numbers to succeed with an impeachment.

Of course they do. All that is required to impeach is a simple majority vote in the House.

Now, obtaining a conviction is another matter entirely, requiring as it does a two-thirds majority in the Senate.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
As posted by sandmanwake----It'd be pointless. The Democrats don't have the numbers to succeed with an impeachment.

How quickly we forget Nixon---when the last tapes came out---and Nixon was shown to be the liar he was---it was the Republicans who shouted loudest for Nixon's removal.

Either GWB is going to get with bi-partisanship---or he is going to be the roadblock that must be removed---GWB has already received his big wake up call dope slap from the American public---and if he tries to usurp power and go against the constitution, and further loses public support---the GOP may well lead the impeachment GWB movement.---and GWB could get the old heave ho with incredible speed.

Very few people ever grow up so undeterred by any reality---and when they gain this type of political power---they are always accidents waiting to happen.

I bet all the girls like you when you talk all forceful......lol
Never happen!!mpeachment....rofl...hahaa

 

[Lemon law]

Never happen!!mpeachment....rofl...hahaa

-------------------------
JEDIYoda......


Well JEDIYoda-----someone has to be the next cock sure Zendari---and here I thought ole Non Prof-John had it all wrapped up---but just keep saying never---in advance of any evidence,
and you could be the next Zenadari---and just edge ole John and Zendari out as the current record holder---the least credible person on P&N.

 

[BoomerD]

Chimpy McFlightsuit's idea of bi-partisanship means that Y'all can play with my football, but y'all gotta play by MY rules, or don't play at all...He's not going to give any more to a Democratic congress than his handlers let him, and that will ONLY be as much as makes them look good, not what is best for the country...

 

[Jhhnn]

Rightwing spin on this one should be pretty interesting. Already is, really, considering that Dubya and his congressional cronies have always ascribed to the Grover Norquist definition of bipartisanship- date rape.

When Dems expedited the appointment of hundreds of Bush court nominees, blocking only the most egregious wingnuts, the repubs responded in their usual bipartisan manner, threatening to break the rules of the Senate to have it all, forced Dems to accept most of the whackjobs... When House Dems balked at some of the Repub shenanigans, House Repubs threatened to abolish the traditional 60/40 split of project funds, hose Dems completely...

As the majority, repubs have rather consistently played the bully, abused their position, denied Dems any input whenever possible... Claims to the contrary are hogwash. NCLB was just window dressing, since they've never fully funded it... The so-called senior drug benefit isn't about seniors, at all, but rather a giant porkbarrel for big Pharma...

Because the party leadership, including Bush, actually occupies the very far right ideological fringe, they're pretty much incapable of compromise. If they do, it'll only be because they're forced...

Which they will be- hopefully in a constructive manner- gently and firmly, as when disciplining a recalcitrant child... their extended bout of willful self-indulgence having been halted by the electorate...

 

[TheSlamma]

I wish both parties would go away and make room for people who take it issue by issue.

 

[piasabird]

Only thing I ever hear from Democrats is, "I hate Bush", so why would President Bush talk to them. They have no plan and no clue.

 

[glugglug]

Originally posted by: Wheezer
Wasting the next 2 years trying to impeach the President will not endear them to the voters that put them in power.

Not proceeding with impeachment will prove the criticisms right that they have no backbone. Showing instead that they DO have this backbone would help the voters gain more confidence in the dems with regards to security.

 

[Lemon law]

Which kinda spotlights where the conservative agenda went wrong---it started with being a minority party asking how to increase its represenatation--and progressed to repubs=right and dems=wrong.

And then progressed to a total kill any democrat---and once that happens any question about bi-partisanship---or questions about having a wise policy agenda flat out cease to exist.

Leaving only raw power as the holy grail.---with 2006 being the year the American voter finally
had enough of this open two party warfare. Which party is less partisan in the next two years will say
much about the 08 elections.

 

[daniel49]

Originally posted by: techs
So Bush picked a new Sec. of Defense. And didn't consult with even one Democrat.
Then Bush announces he will try and get Bolton thru the Senate in a lame duck session.
I say Bush has already shown his stripes. He doesn't care one wit about working with the Dems and the Dems should start by filibustering all Bush appointments until the new Congress comes in.

Does he even know what the word means?

Yes, its not his first rodeo.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: daniel49

Originally posted by: techs
So Bush picked a new Sec. of Defense. And didn't consult with even one Democrat.
Then Bush announces he will try and get Bolton thru the Senate in a lame duck session.
I say Bush has already shown his stripes. He doesn't care one wit about working with the Dems and the Dems should start by filibustering all Bush appointments until the new Congress comes in.

Does he even know what the word means?

Yes, its not his first rodeo.

Nope, you're right...he's been a clown in a couple of them...