Members of Congress often disagree, but the rules of the house floor require that a level of civility and respect be adhered to. And as was reported yesterday, Allen West broke, stomped and totally dismantled those rules with his letter to Debbie Wasserman Schultz, calling her “vile” and saying that she’s not a lady.
Today, Mrs. Schultz responded, proving that she apparently was the adult in the room. When asked how she felt about what West had to say, Schultz replied that his comments did not faze her, and that Mr. West is under a lot of pressure, saying;
“It’s not really surprising that he would crack under pressure.”
It is left to be seen whether the Republican controlled House of Representatives and Speaker John Boehner will reprimand Allen West for his outrageous behavior.
It was just a matter of time before this came out. A top Republican aide is sending around an email stating that President Obama’s endorsement of the “Gang of Six” just “killed” the bill from passing.
The so-called “Gang of Six” is composed of three Republicans and three Democrats, all working together to come up with an alternative plan to the negotiations going on in the White House in regards to raising the debt ceiling. Because of the plan’s close resemblance to what the President originally said he wanted in any deal – at least $4 trillion in cuts and changes in the taxes for the rich to allow for revenue increases – Mr. Obama came out on Tuesday and praised the efforts being made.
What it says is we’ve got to be serious about reducing discretionary spending, both in domestic spending and defense. We’ve got to be serious about tackling health care spending and entitlements in a serious way. And we’ve got to have some additional revenue, so that we have an approach in which there’s shared sacrifice and everybody is giving up something.
So for us to see Democratic senators acknowledge we’ve got to deal with our long-term debt problems that arise out of our various entitlement programs, and for Republican senators to acknowledge that revenues will have to be part of a balanced package that makes sure nobody is disproportionately hurt by us making progress on the debt and deficits, I think is a very significant step.
And that almost endorsement triggered the email from the anonymous aide. Politico reports;
A Senate Republican leadership aide emails with subject line “Gang of Six”: “Background guidance: The President killed any chance of its success by 1) Embracing it. 2) Hailing the fact that it increases taxes. 3) Saying it mirrors his own plan.”
No surprises here, really. It was just a matter of time. Anything this President endorses, even if it was originally a Republican idea, gets these same Republicans to run for the hills.
Michele Bachmann thought the event was over. Apparently, that was the plan all along – after the main political event was over, approach the microphone, make your statement, then exit the stage to extremely loud music, loud enough to drown out any questions reporters might toss your way.
The plan was in effect. Bachmann approached the podium and made her statement. It was a response to a piece on the Daily Caller about the migraines she often gets. The migraines that sometimes leave her “incapacitated” for days. Bachmann made her statement: “I’m prescribed medication that I take on occasion whenever symptoms arise and they keep my migraines under control, but I’d like to be abundantly clear, my ability to function effectively has never been impeded by migraines and … will not affect my ability to serve as commander in chief.”
She turned away from the microphone as the music started blasting. The plan was in full effect. Reporters were shouting questions to no avail, the music was doing its job.
But Brian Ross wouldn’t take the hint. The ABC News investigative reporter just wanted to get one question answered, “have you ever missed a house vote because of your migraines?”
The following recollection is from Time correspondent Michael Crowley as he described, to CNN’s Lisa Sylvester, the drama that unfolded next:
“As soon as she finished the statement, they turned the PA system on really loud with the music playing so loud that it was really hard to even try to ask her a question if you wanted to,” Crowley said. “But Brian [Ross], you know, started asking, you know, in a kind of dogged voice, ‘Have you ever missed a house vote because of your migraine – have you ever missed a roll call vote.’ And she ignored him and walked away quickly.”
Crowley continued: “Brian started to chase after her, you know, just repeating the question the way a reporter does … but there was nothing particularly unusual about it. And then at one point, she kind of went behind the stage she was on – her car was parked there – and Brian sort of went around behind the stage as well.”
Then the account turns especially dramatic: “A couple of guys really just came at him [Brian Ross],” Crowley said. “There were a few cops there and there were what looked to me like two bodyguards…and their hands were on him. They were…sort of manhandling and pushing him and you know at one point it looked like they were kind of holding him back, pulling him away from her as he was just trying to ask her this question. And she just ignored the question…And got in her car and drove away.”
Crowley’s account of what happened was confirmed by ABC News.
In the first recall election in Wisconsin, a Democratic Senator manhandled his Republican opponent, convincingly defeating the sorry sap by a 2 to 1 ratio. With 65% of the polls reporting, the Associated Press called the election for Senator Dave Hansen, Democratic Senator for Green Bay.
“Scott Walker and his cronies pulled out all the stops trying to defeat Dave Hansen,” said the Wisconsin Democratic Party, “and the people of the 30th Senate District said loudly and clearly Tuesday, ‘Enough!’”
And former Democratic Senator Russ Feingold sent his congratulations via the Twitter machine, saying;
“Congratulations to WI Senator Hansen on his victory. We are one step closer to stopping Gov. Walker’s agenda. Forward.”
Hansen’s win on Tuesday now leaves eight more recall elections – 2 recalls for Democrats and 6 for Republicans. Most of the other recall elections will take place in August.
To win control of the upper chamber, Democrats need a total of three wins. By taking control, Democrats can block most of Governor Scott Walker’s policies.
Soon after taking office in January, Scott Walker began a series of far-reaching policy initiatives, including stripping public workers in Wisconsin of their collective bargaining rights. That move triggered massive protests throughout Wisconsin, leading to the present recall efforts. Walker himself would be eligible for recall in January of 2012.
Allen West wrote a scalding letter to Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, calling her the “most vile, unprofessional and despicable member of the US House of Representatives.” The Republican congressman was responding to what he thought was an attack from Schultz, when she took to the floor of the House today, after West had spoken.
The discussion was about the Republicans Cut, Cap and Balance legislation, one that West supports. Debbie’s only mistake, was apparently questioning “the gentleman’s” support for the legislation.
“The gentleman from Florida, who represents thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, as do I, is supportive of this plan that would increase costs for Medicare beneficiaries, unbelievable from a Member from South Florida,” Wasserman Schultz said. She made the point that the legislation “slashes Medicaid and critical investments essential to winning the future in favor of protecting tax breaks for Big Oil, millionaires, and companies who ship American jobs overseas.”
Although Schultz did not mention West by name, West showed his total lack of decency and attacked Debbie in this letter, posted below.
From: Z112 West, Allen
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM
To: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Cc: McCarthy, Kevin; Blyth, Jonathan; Pelosi, Nancy; Cantor, Eric
Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz
Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional ,and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. Focus on your own congressional district!
I am bringing your actions today to our Majority Leader and Majority Whip and from this time forward, understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior……which dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign hqs, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach.
You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!
Steadfast and Loyal
Congressman Allen B West (R-FL)
Way to beat up on a woman Mr.West. Did you learn that in your “honorary” days in the military?
President Obama will support a recent bill to repeal DOMA – Defense Of Marriage Act. In so doing, the President is signalling his acceptance of marriage as between two people, not necessarily a man and a woman. In answering a question today from Metro Weekly, the White House Press Secretary Jay Carney had this to say about the President’s support of the repeal bill called Respect of Marriage Act.
I can tell you that the President has long called for a legislative repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which continues to have a real impact on the lives of real people — our families, friends and neighbors. He is proud to support the Respect for Marriage Act, introduced by Sen. Feinstein and Congressman [Jerrold] Nadler [(D-N.Y.)], which would take DOMA off the books once and for all. This legislation would uphold the principle that the federal government should not deny gay and lesbian couples the same rights and legal protections as straight couples.
On Monday, The Daily Caller filed a report claiming that Michele Bachmann suffers from severe migraine headaches that have led to hospitalizations in the past, and leaving her “incapacitated.” The online publication did not list their source for the information, but apparently, there are some truths to the report, as Bachmann herself rushed to set the record straight.
She did not deny the story, but said in a statement, “let me be abundantly clear – my ability to function effectively has never been impeded by migraines and will not affect my ability to serve as commander-in-chief.”
The Minnesota Republican frequently suffers from stress-induced medical episodes that she has characterized as severe headaches. These episodes, say witnesses, occur once a week on average and can “incapacitate” her for days at time. On at least three occasions, Bachmann has landed in the hospital as a result.
In her statement, Bachmann says that her episodes are easily controlled: “Like nearly 30 million other Americans, I experience migraines that are easily controlled with medication.”
Bachmann is running neck and neck with Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination to run against President Obama in 2012.
Although it’s unfortunate to hear of Bachmann’s suffering, one has to wonder how she would handle the rigorous demands of the Office of The President, when she can’t handle the two-week-work, one-week-off schedule of the House of Representatives.
His name is Grover Norquist – The author of a pledge that over 230 Republican House members, 41 Republican Senators and more than 1,100 state officeholders, from state representatives to governors have signed. The Pledge forces these members to promise that no matter what the circumstance, no matter how dire the situation, they will not raise taxes.
Norquist appeared on Hardball with Chris Mathews yesterday and defended his position and that of the signers of the pledge. He was asked many times by Mathews to describe any scenario where he would allow the signers to do what’s right for the country instead of holding to the pledge, but Norquist managed to sidestep the question, choosing instead to bark the same old talking point that the pledge is “what the American people want”, despite recent polls that show over 70% of Americans disagree with Republicans on this matter.
America must raise its debt ceiling from $14.3 trillion by August 2nd to meet our financial responsibilities worldwide. Republicans, who for decades have tried to cut spending on programs benefiting the poor and middle class, turned down over $3 trillion in those cuts offered by Democrats because taking that offer would mean they must agree to closing some tax loopholes for millionaires.
Congressional Republicans have made a pledge of allegiance to Grover Norquist, instead of making it to the Flag of The United States of America.
How important is it for America to pay its bills? It is so important, that the United States Constitution demands it.
Well former President Bill Clinton is voicing his opinion, and according to what he Joe Conason, he would invoke the 14th Amendment – “without hesitation, and force the courts to stop me.”
“I think the Constitution is clear and I think this idea that the Congress gets to vote twice on whether to pay for [expenditures] it has appropriated is crazy,” Clinton said in an interview with journalist Joe Conason.
Clinton said he would turn to the Constitution “if it came to that,” but doesn’t think that Obama will need to. “It looks to me like they’re going to make an agreement, and that’s smart,” he said.
President Obama has not directly mention the 14th amendment as an option for getting the debt ceiling raised, and is presently negotiating with Republicans to get it done through Congress.
We’ve all heard Mitt Romney’s claim that while he was governor of Massachusetts, he was known as a ‘job creator’. Well, that’s Romney’s claim, but it’s simply not the facts. The DNC has put together a little video shedding some light on Romney’s boast. The fact is, that out of all 50 states, Romney’s economic policies came in at number 47th in job creation.
Americans are paying attention. In a new poll conducted by CBS, 71% of Americans are against the way the Republicans are handling the debt ceiling issue, with only 21% giving the Republicans their approval.
President Obama and the Democrats received a little better rating, with 43% approving and 48% disapproving of the way they’re handling the crisis. But what’s troublesome for Republicans is the polling of their own supporters, where voters identifying themselves as Republicans are turning against their leaders. The report claims;
Even half of the Republican respondents (51 percent) voiced disapproval of how members of their own party in Congress are handling the talks. Far fewer Democrats expressed disapproval of their own party’s handling (32 percent) or President Obama’s (22 percent) of the urgent quest to raise the nation’s debt limit ahead of a looming default on Aug. 2 if action isn’t taken.
He is one of the richest man in America… in the world for that matter, and if the Republicans get their way, Warren Buffett would be the perfect example of the rich in America who will directly benefit from their no-tax policies. But Mr. Buffett is operating in the realm of reality, and he knows that what the Republicans are trying to do – balance the budget on the backs of the poor – is simply not possible. Warren Buffett is speaking out, saying that the Republicans are “playing Russian roulette” with America.
Today Mr Buffett, 80, hit out by claiming the GOP strategy was like a deadly game of chance involving passing around a six-chamber revolver loaded with a single bullet.
‘Five times out of six to raise the debt limit might not be dangerous, but the sixth time could have catastrophic consequences,’ he said at a Wall Street mogul conference in Sun Valley, Idaho.
He added that Republicans were ‘trying to use the incentive now that we’re going to blow your brains out, America, in terms of your debt worthiness over time.’
‘You’re playing with fire when you don’t need to play with fire,’ he also said, adding: ‘We raised the debt ceiling seven times during the Bush Administration,’
The U.S. ran into its $14.29 trillion debt ceiling on May 16, but has since used spending and accounting adjustments, as well as higher-than-expected tax receipts, to continue operating without impact on government obligations.
The Treasury has set August 2nd as the deadline for raising the debt ceiling past the $14.2 trillion mark. Republicans, many in congress who saw no problem raising the debt ceiling for previous Republican administrations, are now the stumbling block, and seem willing to see America default on paying its debts, a move many economists predict will be catastrophic worldwide.
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By agreeing to this, we can analyze browsing behavior and unique IDs on this site. Declining or revoking consent may affect certain features.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
