Posted on 12/17/2010 1:48:09 PM PST by roses of sharon
UPDATE, 4:11 p.m.: In an interview with me just now, Senator Bob Corker doubled down on his contention that if Dems move on DADT, Republicans will be less likely to support START.
"I felt like momentum was growing for START," Corker said, adding that since Reid announced he was holding votes on DADT and DREAM, it has had a "chilling effect."
"I'm watching support for the treaty erode, because of highly partisan political issues being brought up solely because activist groups in the Democratic Party want this done," he continued.
Corker said he wasn't issuing a personal threat, and was merely commenting on the reaction of his Senate GOP colleagues. When I pressed Senator Corker on whether Republican Senators would really base their decision on START on whether Reid held a vote on DADT, Corker didn't answer directly.
"That being thrown into the middle of this debate is causing many Republicans to want to see START pushed back and candidly is causing them to oppose it," Corker said. "This is hardening them against passage of this treaty."
(Excerpt) Read more at voices.washingtonpost.com ...
Call your Senators!
I have been calling to also stop The Dream Act (amnesty). These evil people.
They shouldn’t pass any of that cr@p.
I hope the GOP plans to oppose everything on the progressives’ lame duck wish list.
Amazing that they are even trying....usually Rep Senators just lay down and take it.
True! This Pubbie makes it sound like they ‘will’ pass START if DADT is withdrawn.
Can’t trust a Congress Critter. Guess they never learn.
YES Stop The Dream Act!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone that votes to ratify START should be considered a Traitor.
Remember,Remember,the 2nd of November.
Don’t trust a word Sargent writes but if, if RINO Corker is growing a spine and his GOP colleagues get smart maybe they will derail all 3, Start, Dream and DADT! That would be the best Christmas present ever!
If you try to shoot me in the foot I won't shoot me in the knee. Such a threat!
Dream on! The Republicans want all of this stuff passed so that they can say they passed some of Dear Leader’s agenda before the crazies take over the House and infiltrate the Senate in January. They are much more compatible with the Democrats and their Messiah than they fear they will be with actual conservatives.
(agree about Sargent..but I have read some reporter tweets on the same rumors..here is his previous post)
For days now there have been rumors circulating on the Hill that Republican Senators are privately threatening to derail the START treaty if Dems go through with plans to vote on the repeal of don’t ask don’t tell. I had chalked this up to the usual mix of paranoia, spin and misinformation that always intensifies when a major vote looms.
But on the Senate floor a few moments ago, Senator Bob Corker basically said this publicly: He said that moving forward with DADT “poisons the well” on START, adding that it would make it less likely that the START treaty’s future is going to be “successful.”
According to a transcript sent over by Corker’s office, the Senator first referenced Harry Reid’s announcement last night that he would be holding votes on DADT and DREAM. He then proceeded to deride those issues as “partisan” payoffs on campaign promises, and added that he had met with GOP colleagues this morning and left persuaded that proceeding with those votes were putting START at greater risk:
“I have to tell you what this has done. I’ve been in three meetings this morning. What’s happening is it poisons the well on this debate on something that’s very, very important. I don’t want to see that happen. I’m not someone who comes down here and says fiery things to terrorize and divide. But I’m hoping that saner minds will prevail...
These issues that have been brought forth are absolutely partisan political issues, brought forth to basically accommodate activist groups around this country. I’m hoping that those will be taken down or I don’t think the future of the START treaty over the next several days is going to be successful...I’m hoping that’s going to change.
This isn’t really a threat on Corker’s part. Rather, he’s saying — in a more-in-sorrow-than-in-anger way — that his GOP colleagues will be less likely to support START unless Reid drops his plan for DADT and DREAM votes right away.
In other words, Repubs are saying, throw us a bone and we’ll pass START for you.
This allows the Repubs to pass START and then excuse themselves when they get home.
Refuse to do any more business until after Christmas. If the Dems want to pass it without you, let it be on their heads. They won’t because they don’t have the nerve; they need cover from at least a few Repubs so they can claim it was “bipartisan”.
I don’t know much about the details of the treaty, but it seems pretty clear that a significant number of the Republicans in the Senate believe that it’s no longer needed. It just doesn’t seem to be all that important.
More damn deals! These damn senators don’t get it. I know what they’re trying to accomplish. Carrot and stick, but by God, START is a *dream* act for the Russians, DADT is a *dream* act for the homosexuals, and the DREAM ACT is AMNESTY!
How about gathering the damn Republicans together to stand against ALL THE DISASTEROUS LEGISLATION?
No, that’s too much to ask of traitors like Collins, Lugar, Snow, Brown and lameduck-spiteful losers.
We held a valid election in November. We, the People, spoke loud and clear.
Now dammit, the Republicans currently seated, need to respect November’s vote! Clearly.
Call the arrogant, corrupt bastards and tell them precisely that.
DON’T PASS ANYTHING MORE IN THIS LAME DUCK SESSION.
NOTHING.
Reminds me of the saying when I was a little boy: “Give them an inch, and they’ll take a mile.”
Any Repulsican that votes for either will be dealt with appropriately. We’ve had it with this cr*p.
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