Political Animal
Blog
Congressional Democrats are reportedly beginning to push a little harder for some kind — any kind — of economic stimulus as part of the debt-reduction talks. It’s more in line with the kind of “bargain” that makes political sense: Democrats get what they want (more jobs, stronger economy) in exchange for what Republicans say they want (long-term debt reduction).
Apparently, the Dems’ appeals aren’t going over especially well.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday morning … ripped Senate Democrats for calling for more stimulus spending as part of the deal.
“What planet are they on?” he asked.
Right. Those who are concerned about unemployment and a faltering recovery aren’t just wrong, in McConnell’s eyes, they might as well be on another planet.
If, however, you believe taking money out of the economy immediately, making public-sector job losses even worse, and focusing on a debt crisis that doesn’t actually exist are great ideas, then Mitch McConnell thinks you’re just being sensible.
Of course, it’s possible McConnell asked, “What planet are they on?” in more of a practical way. In other words, maybe the Minority Leader believes there’s so little GOP support for giving the economy a boost, the measures would never pass.
And if that’s the case, I’d like to introduce McConnell to a word that may seem foreign to him. It’s “compromise.” If Democrats are already prepared to go along with $2 trillion in spending long-term cuts, it doesn’t mean they’re extra terrestrials simply because they’re looking for ways to improve the economy.
Facebook
Twitter
T2 on June 23, 2011 3:44 PM:
I think we're going to start hearing a lot of crazier stuff out of blow-hards like McConnell and Boner. Both are on the record as saying the cap has to go up, but they don't have the guts to stand up to the lunatics in their Party. They are scrambling.
danimal on June 23, 2011 3:50 PM:
One immutable law of politics, circa 2011. If the GOP is squealing like a stuck pig, you're doing something right.
They only squeal when they know a proposal is (a) popular and (b) going to harm their political prospects or their donors.
c u n d gulag on June 23, 2011 4:00 PM:
"What Universe are YOU from?" Senator McConnell?
No 'respect' intended.
low-tech cyclist on June 23, 2011 4:01 PM:
I sure hope that's on videotape. If I were part of the Dem political brain trust, I'd be running a commercial with McConnell's remarks nationwide, with a Dem spokesperson saying the following:
"When we Democrats fought to include some money in the budget deal to put Americans back to work, Mitch McConnell said:
[clip]
"What planet are they on?"
[/clip]
"Mitch McConnell isn't just any old Republican, either: he's the Senate Republican Leader - the highest-ranking Republican in Washington.
"On this issue, he's speaking for the entire Republican Party. We Democrats want to do something about jobs. The Republicans think that's such a crazy idea, you'd have to be from another planet.
"If you think the government should be doing something about getting Americans back to work, vote Democratic next year. If you think that's a crazy idea from another planet, then by all means vote Republican when you get the chance.
"The choice is yours."
SYSPROG on June 23, 2011 4:01 PM:
How 'bout just asking 'what AMERICA are YOU from?'
mr. irony on June 23, 2011 4:28 PM:
"Do Republicans have any plans to do anything on.....unemployment..?" - CBS Face the Nation 6/19/11
"No." - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
GOP 2011: Sorry America...you are on your own !
kevo on June 23, 2011 4:30 PM:
The Republican political strategy against our sitting president - death by a thousand paper cuts!
McConnell and the rest of his craven ilk will stop at nothing to make President Obama a one-term president, and the only way to stop the cheap snarking that has permeated the Republican political playbook is to offer us Americans a comprehensive recovery program that articulates the woes we are experiencing now, inventories the efforts to date that have been thwarted by Republican obstructionism, and lays out a comprehensive, economically sound, policy that will "Get Americans working again!"
Put the proposed policies in the face of Republican obstinacy and begin to take back the national narrative that has perversely turned toward irrelevancy at the expense of efffective policy attempting to remedy our immediate economic woes.
Yes, the Democratic policy proposal, if they are capable of coming up with one, needs a good title -
"Yes, Let's get Americans working again!" may work, but I'm sure others could be offered! -Kevo
Th on June 23, 2011 6:23 PM:
I wish every Democrat who goes on tv would say that if the Republicans don't like the deal on the table, the Democrats are ready to vote on a clean debt ceiling increase bill any time.
bdop4 on June 23, 2011 6:54 PM:
My response: "We're on Earth. WTF are you?!"
Why is it that repubs make demands, but Dems make appeals? Steve, even you are falling into the MSM trap.
Repubs don't want compromise? Fine. It was a shitty deal to begin with.
Let's take it to the court of public opinion. This time, trash the bullshit deficit framework.
Th on June 23, 2011 7:44 PM:
When the stimulus bill was passed we had just lost 800,000 jobs two months straight. By June, the recession was over and a recovery was underway. The stimulus was an unbelievable success, Hen's tooth.
zeitgeist on June 23, 2011 7:55 PM:
over 3 hours and not one Republicans/Uranus joke? I'm clearly hanging out with people much more mature than I am.
zhongnol on June 24, 2011 4:47 AM:
surprise web:
== ¡ñhttp//www.jordansforking.com ==¡ñ¡ñ
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $30
exquisite watches $75
Tshirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste) $16
Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,Armaini) $15
New era cap $10
handbag $ 33
AF tank woman $ 17
So the commodities will have a big discount
FREE SHIPPING,accept pyapal
Opportunity knocks but once
welcome to: ====¡ï http//www.jordansforking.com====
Ohioan on June 24, 2011 12:35 PM:
Al Gore was right to criticize Obama in the Rolling Stone essay, on the president not using his bully pulpit well enough.
Gore talks about the green part of the stimulus, but the whole stimulus should be vigorously, ANGRILY defended. Otherwise GOP talking points will rule the day.