Posted on 04/02/2009 10:16:38 AM PDT by Domandred
Rep. Walt Minnick, Idaho's best liaison to the Democratic majority, surprised his colleagues and some Idaho institutions with the news he wouldn't bring federal dollars to his district through the widespread but controversial use of earmarks.
--- SNIP ----
Minnick said he would not push for earmarks - specific spending authority placed in congressional bills - for at least one year. He said he would try to bring money to Idaho by helping businesses and agencies win competitive grants offered in the stimulus package.
The Republicans who dominate Idaho's delegation were skeptical of his motives - even though all have criticized the practice.
Rep. Mike Simpson said going after federal grants is no different than going after earmarks - they come from the same pot of taxpayer money.
"The only difference between the two is who allocates money - your elected representative or some bureaucrat in the Obama Administration," Simpson said.
(Excerpt) Read more at idahostatesman.com ...
I know I'm probably going to get flamed for this but Minnick is actually doing good (so far) on his voting. Can't remember what it was but on one vote he even voted no when Rep Simpson should have.
Currently I gotta rank him in the "good guy" Blue Dog Democrat category.
As I said before the real tell on Minnick will be how he votes on any anti-gun legislation.
Concur. Given that he ran on a pro-gun platform a vote for, say, the re-enactment of the AWB will cost him his seat and he knows it. But so far no big complaints.
Ping!
Minnick did vote for the mandatory volunteerism act.
So did Simpson...
I take that back he didn’t it looks like on the roll call. One of the threads posted here at FR on that day had him in the Yea column.
Simpson or Minnick?
Okay yea Simpson wash wishy washy.
Looks like he voted FOR the House version (Roll call 140), but voted against the version with senate amendments (Roll call 169).
So kinda like the earmark thing, we really don't know where Simpson is going to go.
Thanks for asking. I got my public ed back in the day when a dollar was still worth 95 cents. High school of that day was worth at least two years college today.
I’ve had that tagline for almost 8 or 9 months now and you’re the first person to notice it. Boy, those must have been the good ol’ days of formal schooling.
Despite his good votes on economic issues, Minnick's votes on the so-called "GIVE Act" and his support for illegal scumbag aliens belie his claim to be a moderate. Maybe John McGee will run against him in 2010.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
John McGee? I think Bill Sali is considering running again.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
psttt - he voted yes on a 3.5 trillion dollar budget.
Pelosi has all those blue dogs whipped so bad their tails are tucked up between their legs so far they will never come out!
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