[2/3/09]Democratic support -- will become more apparent as the Senate spends Tuesday offering amendments to legislation designed to help our damaged economy. Democrats are not all of one mind about whether to demand accountability from officials in the former administration.
For accountability -- The Raw Story: "Schumer signals support for prosecution of Bush officials*" (1/25/09). Betmo says, "Schumer is my senator :) I hope Gillibrand learns quickly." To quote the story's opening:
Echoing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's words one week ago, New York Sen. Charles Schumer said Sunday that he could support prosecution for Bush officials that participated in torture or broke other laws.For Obama -- Think Progress: "Lieberman: I pledge to ‘do everything’ in my power to help Obama be a great president.*" (1/21/09). But a recent TP story makes it clear that his heart may not really be into the effort: "Lieberman jokes about water-boarding at black-tie dinner#."
For Daschle -- Though Politico reports that Democrats are pretty solidly behind Tom Daschle's nomination for Secretary of HHS, Republicans are refusing to say whether he has their votes. ProPublica investigates.
Democratic opposition -- Many Democrats in both the House and Senate are listening to the opposition to certain spending proposals from their constituents back home.
To the stimulus bill -- Politico says that 9 of 11 House Democrats who voted against stimulus hold districts carried by Senator McCain in 2008. Both sides continue to push for change. Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska "remains undecided about the bill#," according to Think Progress. Jon says,
"I am concerned that the Dems are acting in a vengeful attitude that will negate all the good will shown by the nation for the new administration. The Dems have at least 4 years so why are they stuffing frivolous items in the bailout? "
Republican support -- A great deal of the proposed spending to stimulate our failing economy will be funneled through state treasuries.
From Governors -- The GOP governors have been supportive of the stimulus package currently being debated in the Senate. They, understandably, want it passed#.
Republican opposition -- Republicans in Congress are in the process of trying to find their way home. Right now far too many of them are resorting to knee-jerk opposition to any Democratic initiatives.
To economic stimulus -- As of Monday the White House is still seeking Republican votes, banking on adding infrastructure spending to the stimulus bill. Items have been stripped from the bill as a result of widespread Republican opposition#. The Raw Story reports that "McCain opposes economic stimulus package*" (1/25/09). Betmo says,"The honeymoon is over with McCain, I guess."
To closing Gitmo -- This story is from Think Progress: "Boehner's Alternate Reality: Gitmo#" (1/22/09) To quote:
Asked during a news conference for his reaction to the order, House Minority Leader John Boehner made it clear that he wasn’t even sure why anyone would want to close the prison in the first place. After all, he explained, the detainees there get “more comforts than a lot of Americans get”To the idea of global warming -- Think Progress headlines, "Inhofe Declares Victory Over The U.N.-MoveOn-Soros Global Warming Conspiracy#." (1/22/09). Senator James Inhofe appeared on Bill Bennet's radio show and said that he prevailed because people are now calling it climate change, and that "more scientists are skeptical of climate change than those who believe in it."
Hat Tip Key: Regular contributors of links to leads are "betmo*" and Jon#.
(Cross-posted at The Reaction.)
My “creativity and dreaming” post today is at Making Good Mondays.
Technorati tags: news news and politics politics congress democrats republicans economy
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