December 31, 2009
AN INCONVENIENT VOTING RECORD.... Almost immediately after some congressional Republicans started trashing the Obama administration for the failed Abdulmutallab plot, Democrats noted that 108 House Republicans -- including Boehner and Pete Hoekstra -- opposed funding for the Transportation Security Administration, including money for screening operations and explosives detection systems.
It's worth noting, however, that it's not just House Republicans, and it's not just this year.
Some of the same Republican lawmakers currently criticizing the President for softness on terrorism voted back in July 2007 against legislation that, among other reforms, provided $250 million for airport screening and explosive detection equipment.
The Improving America's Security Act of 2007 was a relatively non-controversial measure that effectively implemented several un-acted-upon recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. Eighty-five Senators voted in favor of the bill's passage. Seven missed the vote (several of whom were on the campaign trail, including Barack Obama, John McCain and Chris Dodd).
Eight Republican Senators, however, voted against passage, including Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Tom Coburn (R-Okl.) Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), James Inhofe (R-Okl.) and Jon Kyl (R-Ari.).
Now, those eight far-right senators -- which includes, of course, Jim DeMint, who is blocking a vote on the nominee to head the TSA -- knew the legislation was going to pass with strong bipartisan support. They also knew it had been endorsed by members of the 9/11 Commission and the Bush administration.
They even knew that the sure-to-pass legislation included key measures on cargo inspection, transportation security, aid to states and local communities, and funding for airport screening and explosive detection equipment.
But they all voted against the Improving America's Security Act anyway, and never actually explained why. They must have felt pretty strongly about their opposition, though, under the circumstances.
Something to keep in mind the next time DeMint & Co. start claiming the moral high ground on national security issues.
—Steve Benen 8:30 AM
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Remember next time DeMint claims the high moral ground?
DeMint couldn't hold the low moral water. He has nothing that can be identified as a moral.
They have no shame, they are Republicans
Posted by: madstork123 on December 31, 2009 at 8:46 AM | PERMALINK
They will vote against anything that appears to increase the power of government - and then turn around to criticize government for not applying its power.
The rep's of the Right have long since stopped making any sense, and are presently engaged in investigating how many different corners they can paint themselves into, at the same time.
If the consequences weren't so serious, it would be pure entertainment.
Posted by: SteinL on December 31, 2009 at 8:48 AM | PERMALINK
"they all voted against the Improving America's Security Act "
For what it's worth (not much?), Joe Scarborough has said that, as a newly elected member of the House, he was told by a seasoned veteran that the voters never punish you for voting "Nay".
It does seen that voting FOR something is used more often in campaign attack ads. . .
Posted by: DAY on December 31, 2009 at 8:50 AM | PERMALINK
From the desk of Senator James DeMint:
It is with complete displeasure that I learn of your trashing of my ownership of the moral high ground in our political disputes with the democrat party and The Chosen One.
It should be obvious to you that I, as a republican, do own the moral high ground. As I am opposing the Muslim, Socialist, illegitimate president and the Jesus hating, anti-christian democrat party; with the exception of you shills for the anti-christian party, everyone realizes that I have the moral high ground.
As we enter the next decade, our country faces the greatest peril and greatest danger in its history. We are at war with the most dangerous enemy ever faced by our country. The dangers presented by this enemy dwarf those previously faced against Hitler, Mao, and the Soviet Union.
When engaged in such an important battle against this powerful and dangerous enemy, it is critical that we win and defeat this enemy. Any tactics employed against this enemy are therefore legitimate and acceptable.
And, after we defeat The Chosen One and the democrat party, we republicans will return to our rightful power and control and resume our God given right to rule this country!
Posted by: James Demented on December 31, 2009 at 8:58 AM | PERMALINK
The folks who listen to a DeMinted soul, have some soul-searching to do themselves.
In our frenzy for fear factors, we have casually treated security (air-ports especially) with the same idea that privatization works, that contractors can get the job done right.
The fiasco in Iraq has been a private-mercenary-contractor heaven with billions of dollars gobbled up in a greedy fashion.
Same with the TSA and parts of its operations.
The damn machines cost too much.
What if that plane had gone down in flames?
Is the hatred so vile on the right that they would be gloating over Obama's defeat as the smoke cleared from the wreckage?
Obama is not a god. But he expects the rest of us to be doing our jobs.
DeMint is not doing his, nor were folks in the security gravy train.
Posted by: Tom Nicholson on December 31, 2009 at 9:13 AM | PERMALINK
Mein Gott ! Himmel das was einem guten Rant !
Posted by: FRP on December 31, 2009 at 9:13 AM | PERMALINK
"In our frenzy for fear factors, we have casually treated security (air-ports especially) with the same idea that privatization works, that contractors can get the job done right."
And it was private contractors who allowed 19 people to board planes on 9/11 and the rest is history.
Posted by: Dave on December 31, 2009 at 9:35 AM | PERMALINK
As with all things politically hypocritical, if the liberal news media does not report said hypocrisy, is it really hypocritical? Did it really happen? Especially when this is all ancient history, like 4 months ago.
Posted by: terraformer on December 31, 2009 at 9:41 AM | PERMALINK
Jon Stewart has outlined an Olympian republican crusade flip . One sentence average for the vigorous Olympic hypocrites to judo their former values . Life in the flip lane , reversed enough so it will blow your mind , transmission that is . Ivory tower E. coli saints .
Posted by: FRP on December 31, 2009 at 9:59 AM | PERMALINK
Eight Republican Senators, however, voted against passage, including Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Tom Coburn (R-Okl.) Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), James Inhofe (R-Okl.) and Jon Kyl (R-Ari.).
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So how come the faces, like mugshots, are not being shown 24/7 on the cable news shows while at the same time explaining what these hypocrites have done ? How come they are not, in mass, on the Sunday news shows being grilled about this ? Instead with get the non stop persecution of Obama by the likes of Candy 'just one more biscuit' Crowley sniveling, with the crumbs of the biscuits still on her putrid heifer mouth, about 'security mom's' who will be voting in 2010 for Repiglicans because of the 'weakness' of Obama and the Democrats on protecting America.
Posted by: stormskies on December 31, 2009 at 10:39 AM | PERMALINK
Most of the legislation DID pass via the 9/11 Act, and everything you mention is with respect to DOMESTIC aviation security, which was not the problem in this case. TSA also funded and deployed the "puffer" explosives trace detection portals (they were unreliable) and put a solid effort to get millimeter wave technology (the whole body scanners) deployed but ran up against privacy advocates on both side of the aisle. I am NOT a Republican, just someone who finds the misinformation, or misleading information, infuriating.
Posted by: Binswah on December 31, 2009 at 10:59 AM | PERMALINK
Binswah: you are of course making the argument that is okay to be strong in denouncing terror readiness overseas and apathetic about domrestic terrorism. These are two sides of the same coin. They are denouncing Obama while working to undermine security to make him seem weak. They don't actually care about public safety, only political theater. Save your fury for something more logically supportable.
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Posted by: Heloise on March 13, 2010 at 7:58 AM | PERMALINK