December 18, 2009
WHEN MCCAIN'S BAD MEMORY AND MCCAIN'S HYPOCRISY COLLIDE.... In a memorable exchange yesterday, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) was pontificating on the Senate floor when he his allotted time elapsed. He asked Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), who was presiding over the Senate at the time, for an additional minute. Franken, somewhat sheepishly, declined.
As it turns out, Franken had been instructed by the Senate leadership to run a tight ship yesterday, and not let senators exceed their allotted times. It wasn't personal or ideological -- Franken was following the leadership's instructions because of a very limited, pre-holiday schedule.
These pesky nuances (i.e., reality) are apparently lost on conservatives. Fox News bashed Franken today. And Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) took to the floor yesterday to express his outrage.
"I've been around here 20-some years. First time I've ever seen a member denied an extra minute or two to finish his remarks.... I just haven't seen it before myself. And I don't like it. And I think it harms the comity of the Senate not to allow one of our members at least a minute. I'm sure that time is urgent here, but I doubt that it would be that urgent."
As it too often the case, McCain didn't know what he was talking about. He was complaining without knowing about the instructions from the leadership, and worse, he made it seem as if Franken was the first to presiding officer to deny a senator additional time when other senators had also been denied additional time earlier that same day.
More to the point, Faiz Shakir found this great example.
Unfortunately, McCain's memory is suffering. In fact, McCain has engaged in the very same behavior that he was criticizing Franken for yesterday.
On October 10, 2002 -- just ahead of the looming mid-term elections -- the Senate rushed a debate on a war authorization giving President Bush the power to use force against Iraq. The resolution ultimately passed the Senate after midnight on an early Friday morning by a vote of 77-23.
During the course of the frenzied floor debate, then-Sen. Mark Dayton (D-MN) spoke in favor of an amendment offered by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) that would have restricted Bush's constitutional powers to wage war against Iraq. After a minute and a half, Dayton ran of time.
When Dayton requested 30 additional seconds, McCain refused. It wasn't personal; McCain was "strictly adhering to the rules" because of time restrictions.
McCain, in other words, lashed out at Franken for doing something routine -- which McCain himself has also done.
—Steve Benen 3:35 PM
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Another time to be thankful McCain isn't President
Posted by: Jamie on December 18, 2009 at 3:38 PM | PERMALINK
I may have done it, but I didn't SEE myself do it.
Posted by: John McCain on December 18, 2009 at 3:41 PM | PERMALINK
Isn't it so sweet how Johnny always runs to Joey's defense. They're so cute together.
Posted by: doubtful on December 18, 2009 at 3:45 PM | PERMALINK
God, I love the Internet. Liars are immediately called out.
Posted by: Bob M on December 18, 2009 at 3:49 PM | PERMALINK
All Together Now:
IOKIYAR!!!
Posted by: martin on December 18, 2009 at 3:49 PM | PERMALINK
did mccain say comity? or comedy?
Posted by: just bill on December 18, 2009 at 3:50 PM | PERMALINK
To be fair, the left didn't find it that routine if they plastered it all over the Net. We liked it for the same reason McCain hated it -- Franken told his boy Lieberman to STFU.
It was shocking to both sides of the aisle for the same reason: someone actually stood up to Lieberman for a very routine reason, and that lack of sycophancy is what had McCain up in arms and us cheers.
Posted by: Memekiller on December 18, 2009 at 3:54 PM | PERMALINK
The only reason McCain made a stink was to get his mug on Faux Newz.
Posted by: JohnDoe on December 18, 2009 at 4:03 PM | PERMALINK
He only cared because it happened to one of his 2 BFF. (Joe and Lindsy Graham.) That it happened to anyone else doesn't matter, can't have anything happening to his BFFs
Posted by: mishanti on December 18, 2009 at 4:12 PM | PERMALINK
Better sit down, Steve. I've got some bad news.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/the-sunday-show-line-ups-33.php
Posted by: converse on December 18, 2009 at 4:16 PM | PERMALINK
I sure hope somebody can dig up that video.
Posted by: DR on December 18, 2009 at 4:24 PM | PERMALINK
McCain has some nerve after the treatment they gave Bernie Sanders when he offered the single payer amendment.
The senate really needs to be reformed. Perhaps strict public funding for Senate seats?
Posted by: Doug on December 18, 2009 at 4:51 PM | PERMALINK
I saw McCain whining saying "I just haven't seen it before myself. And I don't like it".
Well, nobody in the history of the United States has seen obstruction in the form that McCain is a willing participant. There has never been a time when EVERYTHING was filibustered requiring 60 votes. And in my time, there has never been a time when literally EVERY POSSIBLE delay tactic was used just to eat up time.
That doesn't seem to bother McCain one bit! What a surprise.
Posted by: Mark-NC on December 18, 2009 at 5:01 PM | PERMALINK
This is no county for that old man.
Posted by: ComradeAnon on December 18, 2009 at 6:57 PM | PERMALINK
Actually McInsane, what has never been seen is a member of congress yelling out "You lie!" in the middle of the president's address to a joint session of congress but, you didn't soil your Depends over that so STFU
Posted by: Banana-Eating Kungle Monkey on December 18, 2009 at 8:34 PM | PERMALINK
Sheesh, people! How can you expect a man, who can't remember how many houses and cars he has, to remember what he did/didn't do (or say) the day before yesterday? I bet his most important issue of each day is to remember whether or not he's had his BM, depending on which, a dose of Metamucil might/might not be indicated.
Posted by: exlibra on December 18, 2009 at 8:53 PM | PERMALINK
Whenever I feel discouraged, disappointed, or even disgusted that Obama is not living up to his campaign promises- not doing enough, fast enough- I think about the frightening alternative of a McCain/Palin administration. Immediately, I feel very relieved, hopeful, and proud and a lot more willing to cut Obama some slack. Progressives need to keep in mind that progress is a slow process, especially in the current political, social, and economic climate.
Posted by: Carol A on December 19, 2009 at 11:54 AM | PERMALINK