Posted on 06/18/2009 4:07:32 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Gitmo vote proves a doozy for Dems @ 6:16 pm by Aaron Blake
House Democrats have just taken one of their most difficult votes of the election cycle. And if you don't believe it, check out the roll call.
The 213-212 vote against today's amendment from Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) seeking to stop funding the closing of Guantanamo Bay prison split Democrats in a painful way.
In all, 39 Democrats voted with Republicans, and with just two exceptions, they are either Blue Dogs, vulnerable or eyeing higher office.
A couple key notes:
* The close nature of the vote cost Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) at least one bad press day. Sanchez was convinced to change her vote after Republicans requested a recount, and her vote effectively defeated the measure. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) was quick to pounce, labeling Sanchez "Pelosi's Puppet." Sanchez already has a challenger in state Assemblyman Van Tran (R), whom Republicans are high on.
* Reps. Artur Davis (D-Ala.) and Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), who are running for governor and Senate, respectively, both voted with Republicans. While those votes might have been OK in their liberal House districts, they probably wouldn't fly in Alabama and Florida. Reps. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.), who are eyeing statewide office, also voted with the GOP. But both are also blue dogs with conservative districts to answer to.
* The two aisle-crossers that don't fit the pattern were Reps. Mike Michaud (D-Maine) and David Scott (D-Ga.). Scott continues to face a well-funded challenge from GOPer Deborah Honeycutt, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) actually spent some money in his district in 2008, but his 69-31 victory over Honeycutt suggests he shouldn't have anything to worry about. Michaud is entrenched in his seat.
Right now Obama is waging a war on prosperity while canceling the war on terror.
Time is running out — if we don’t act soon it may be too late to regain our liberty or our security.
The country faces a nightmare: A doctrinaire socialist leads the nation and wants to use the economic crisis to put the government in charge of the economy.
He wants European socialism here in the United States . . . cars, banks . . . what’s next?
He wants Washington to run businesses and even control your salary.
It’s a CATASTROPHE.
“Sanchez already has a challenger in state Assemblyman Van Tran (R), whom Republicans are high on.”
Need to get some info on Tran. Perhaps donate to his campaign. I would love to see Sanchez lose big time.
Sounds like a stand up guy. Bears watching.
ping
GRRR I think this is a poorly written article. Who won? Dems or repubs? What is the result? Its impact?
Maybe too much time over the grill tonight.
The majority of the American people are against all this. Tea Parties have to be HUGE so the scum in DC get really nervous about clinging to the Fuhrer. Iran will be our model if it doesn’t change soon.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.