The Gang of 14, Blogged Down In the Middle

Washington Post .com ^ | 5/29/05 | Howard Kurtz

[Libloather]

The Gang of 14, Blogged Down In the Middle
By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 29, 2005

It was the perfect storm for the blogosphere, an issue on which both right-wingers and left-wingers could rise up in rare unison and smite the craven offenders.

Both sides hated, castigated and otherwise took a dim view of the last-minute deal this week that averted a nuclear showdown over Senate filibusters.

Let the mainstream media praise as bipartisan statesmen the mushy moderates who cobbled together the compromise. Many bloggers were infuriated, castigating the so-called Gang of 14 (and especially John McCain) as knaves and turncoats.

**SNIP**

"What a hideous deal!" declared John Hinderaker of the conservative blog Power Line . "The Democrats have agreed to cloture on only three nominees, and they have made no commitment not to filibuster in the future, if there are 'extraordinary circumstances.' Of course, the Dems think any nominee who is a Republican is 'extraordinary.' "

The Anchoress pulled up her anchor: "It's gonna be a long cold day before the [GOP] sees a dime of my money. A long. Cold. Day." The Republican majority, she wrote, is "spineless."

Joe Dougherty, aka Attaboy , announced: "I will now do everything in my power to see that John McCain's chances at the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 are non-existent. . . . This man is not a Republican or a conservative. He is a curse on the party and the movement and he must be removed from the political landscape." By nonviolent means, hopefully. (Liberal blogger Lawrence O'Donnell , a television writer with no fear of hyperbole, hailed McCain for "the bravest political act of the century.")

But almost no one was popping champagne corks on the left...

[Libloather]

It was another reminder, as if one were needed, of the yawning gap between the establishment press, which loves moderates and moderation, and the cyberworld, which tends to be driven by partisan passions.

And its always neat to watch Senators pick which they'll respond to most - Big Media - or the voters...

[Lijahsbubbe]

Yes, an editorial in the St. Paul Pioneer Press exclaimed that McCainiac proved himself a leader. Major hurl.

[ByteMercenary]

* "As far as the criticism is concerned, none of us care about public
opinion," claimed John McCain, on Fox recently.

In other words, all your letters, phone calls, & e-mails are ignored.

*Laura Ingraham web-site

[Lijahsbubbe]

That's incredible. I can't stomache that McCain. And I really do believe he is nuts.

[Hardastarboard]

And I really do believe he is nuts.

May I be so kind as to provide some validation to your worldview? You're right.

[Farmer Dean]

As if these 14 weren't bad enough,imagine my thoughts as George Voinovich broke down the other day. I'm sitting there thinking about how I voted for the guy-a mistake that will not be repeated.And it looks like Dewine is falling apart too.Sometimes it hurts to live in Ohio!

[Bigh4u2]

"As far as the criticism is concerned, none of us care about public
opinion," claimed John McCain, on Fox recently.

Then your in the wrong business John because you are supposed to be representing 'public opinion' and criticism is part of it.

Time for you to go!

Thanks for the quote ByteMercenary!

[Bigh4u2]

your = you're

[ClancyJ]

The only good thing about this mess is we are separating the chaff from the wheat.

McCain has had three attacks on us conservatives - no more.

I don't care how many times someone brings up the fact he is a POW - he is not the man I want leading in my party.

[international american]

McCain madman bump!!

[DumpsterDiver]

Just to add to your post.

Laura Ingraham's  Lie Of The Day:

"As far as the criticism is concerned, none of us care about public opinion," claimed John McCain, on Fox.

THE TRUTH:

ALL John McCain cares about is public opinion. The man would vaporize if he wasn't in front of a camera!

[skyhawk9211]

McCain is a war hero - but a political loser -

If he were nominated - he would be Crucified by the MSM - Count on it!!!

[purpleland]

It is more than obvious career politicians in both parties do not answer to the will of constituent citizens. Politicians serve ideological and special interest masters.

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Monday, May 30, 2005
The Arrogance of power

County officials abuse public trust by using taxpayer money to fight term limits

Politicians hate term limits nearly as much as they hate accountability. They complain term limits dump "experienced" people out of office and encourage a steady stream of newbies. They hate being forced to keep on their toes, to be constantly figuring out how to stay on the public's good side and on the public payroll. Still, local and state voters have consistently backed term limits to make sure they have a lever to force out entrenched, and often unresponsive, pols. And those elected to represent the public ought to accept the vote of the people, or risk being seen as arrogant and contemptuous of the public's will. [http://heghinian.blogspot.com]

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