Posted on 11/26/2006 3:56:06 PM PST by Mr. Brightside
Democrats say no liberal plans in next Congress
Sun Nov 26, 1:23 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three Democratic congressmen who are about to take important leadership posts said on Sunday they plan to pass popular legislation blocked by Republicans but would refrain from pushing some of the most controversial elements on the liberal agenda.
The three, appearing on Fox News Sunday, are among the most liberal Democrats who will take over key committee chairmanships when Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives in January.
Rep. Barney Frank (news, bio, voting record) of Massachusetts, who will take over the U.S. House of Representatives committee that covers banking and other financial institutions, mentioned raising the minimum wage, providing cheaper drug coverage for the elderly and providing more affordable housing and help with college tuition as the focus of Democratic legislation.
"Our first efforts are going to be to do those things that I think the mainstream of America wants," Frank said. "Some things have become liberal because the right wingers who control the Republican party have abandoned them to us."
Asked about his opposition to the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy toward gay service men and women, Frank, one of the few openly gay members of the House, said he would fight discrimination but that issue was "not what we're going to begin with."
"Democrats like winning elections," said Rep. John Dingell (news, bio, voting record) of Michigan, the incoming chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the longest serving member of the House.
"We want to win elections and we're going to do our best to do so," he said. "This doesn't mean to get into any extreme positions on any matter. We'll do what makes good sense."
Rep. Charles Rangel (news, bio, voting record) of New York, who is about to become chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee which handles tax matters, said, "We don't want really a fight with the president. What we want to do is to prove we can govern for the next two years."
While he stood by his proposal to bring back the military draft to spread the burden of the Iraq war more evenly throughout U.S. society, Rangel said he would not push the issue and recognizes the obstacles to it ever passing.
He pointed out that Democrats' majority in House and especially in the Senate was thin and in the end President George W. Bush always had the power to veto what Congress passes.
The DUmmies must be livid.
Flash: Bears begin using indoor plumbing!
They would be livid if the article backed up the headline.
But Barney Frank simply says that they will not "lead" with gays in the military.
And Rangle still says he is going ahead with his plan to institute the draft.
Of course they don't have any plans for being responsible....the only plans they have is to investigate anything and everything to keep President Bush from trying to do anything.....
I kind of feel that he is on to them tho, and I don't think its going to work to the libs favor....I think Missus Pelosi will be the one running around, not President Bush...
As far as "Farney Frankel" he hasn't got enough sense to blow his 'brains' out...
and Rangel is not to far behind....they just want news coverage to make them feel important and of course the MSM will be happy to do that for them....
The Bay Area folks already think Pelosi is a hard, pipe-hitt'n conservative. This bit of news should really get them uncorked.
It's interesting to note that they realize that implementing much of their platform would cause them to lose the next election.
Depends on the definition of "liberal"!
Most Dems don't think that Barbie Streisand or Howie "Screamin'" Dean are liberal!!
The next two years
Gad, that cartoon nails it!
And voters like the dopey guy in the cartoon expalains the recent elections.
Of course, Ol' Barney will blow just about anything else...
"Liberal" is too Conservative. The better question is whether they pursue Marxism or head straight to Stalinism.
Of course thats what they SAY...There is a story that if you drop a frog into hot water, it will jump out. But if you slowly warm up the water, then the frog will stay there until it boils ...
Democrats are like muslims. Lying to non-democrats is encouraged and to be rewarded.
Just moderate positions like raising taxes, pulling out of the war on terror, and approving a gay marriage bill. And, of course, abortion as usual. And more taxpayer subsidies for stem cells. And a global warming initiative. And amnesty for any illegal aliens who make it over the border.
Tell me a another lie.
These idiots know they don't belong there. This old fruit knows it better than anyone.
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