Pelosi frustrated by Senate [Spector, Snowe & Collins threaten to pull out. Kill Porkulus]

Politico ^ | 02/11/2009 | By GLENN THRUSH

[Jim Robinson]

Nancy Pelosi had heard enough, thank you very much, after two enraged House Democrats rose at Tuesday’s caucus meeting to bitterly denounce the Senate’s take-it-or-leave-it offer on the stimulus.

It wasn’t because Pelosi wasn’t ticked off herself — quite the opposite.

“At a certain point, after a couple of members had expressed themselves, she asked that future speakers not address that issue because it was reminding her how angry she was,” said Rep. Anthony D. Weiner (D-N.Y.), who was in the room.

When Pelosi emerged from behind closed doors a few minutes later to address the press, she wore the broadest possible smile on her face. But her words expressed the grimmest possible resolve, as she girded for a conference committee battle on the stimulus destined to yield, at best, partial victory.

“Usually you go to conference and split the difference between the two houses — that may not be the case here,” Pelosi said. “At these conferences, my experience has been that the White House has a seat at the table — that they weigh in.”

Both Obama and Pelosi are hoping to restore significant stimulus spending eliminated by the Senate, especially $21 billion in school construction and technology grants, $10.3 billion in COBRA insurance and $8.6 billion in new Medicaid coverage for the unemployed.

The Senate passed its $830 billion stimulus bill Tuesday — but it wouldn’t have passed at all without the support of three moderate Republicans and a conservative Democrat who helped the Democratic majority obtain the 60 votes necessary to stop a filibuster.

Majority Leader Harry Reid’s solution has created its own set of problems for the speaker. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) all have publicly insisted that the measure emerge more or less unchanged...

[penelopesire]

I just caught that and it was pretty good. I am praying that this country wakes up before it is too late. Yesterday the Senate republicans requested that Pelosi and reid allow the conference to be televised so that the American people can have ‘transparency’ in what their governent is deliberating. It was a good move, but it appears that Pelosi/Reid don’t want America to view their play to play scams and homicidal ‘stimulus’!

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

Perhaps I am getting too cynical in my older age, but I read the article like it was all one big act among thieves to fool the sheeple.

I have seen several articles that claim that Obama wants a more "moderate" bill, but Pelosi is the "bad guy." Obama himself hints that he doesn't want some of the pork in the bill. I call BS. ACORN is not only very prominent in his past, but it benefits him directly. Payoffs, payoffs, payoffs.

[eleni121]

...Pelosi has to learn to get over herself. She is not Queen ...

---

Well given her origins (mob princess)I doubt she can do that.

[PhiKapMom]

Sixty votes are required on any bill in the Senate that adds to the deficit so this bill more that meets that criteria and why Pelosi is so mad.

Actually Collins said that last week if the House added back in the pork her vote was going to be NO on the conference bill. Dems cannot get this passed without 2 out 3.

Keep those calls going into the three asking them to vote NO on additional pork the House is going to add back in and make them keep their word. Tell them they are being doublecrossed by the RATs.

For the time being quit saying they need kicked out of the Party. After this vote, go after them with guns blaring if they vote YES. If they vote NO, then we need to back off because they woke up to the RATs.

Time for everyone to play the game of politics. You have to know when to back off and now is the time to make calls and don’t yell at the people on the other end of the line. The RATs are doing the job for us with Pelosi going over the top.

All you have to do is remind them about Pelosi and how mad she is at them because she wants everything added back into the bill. That should do it.

[GYPSY286]

and add Rendell - wish I could retire and move outta here. What a mess they’ve made. :(

[penelopesire]

The ole ‘good cop, bad cop’ routine. Other than the House and Senate republicans that have held a firm NO on this bill..the rest are nothing more than looters, liars, and lice!

[txmissy]

Which book?

[Exit148]

"-----she asked that future speakers not address that issue because it was reminding her how angry she was.”

Huh? I want reps to speak up! Who is she and her fragile psyche?

[penelopesire]

There you are! Just sent you a ping to the tornado thread checking on you. Glad all is well in your neck of the woods after last night!

[JoyjoyfromNJ]

contact info for Spector’s offices in Pennsylvania:
Erie, PA
Phone: 814-453-3010
Fax: 814-455-9925

Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: 412-644-3400
Fax: 412-644-4871

Harrisburg, PA
Phone: 717-782-3951
Fax: 717-782-4920

Scranton , PA
Phone: 570-346-2006
Fax: 570-346-8499

Lehigh Valley, PA
Phone: 610-434-1444
Fax: 610-434-1844

Philadelphia , PA
Phone: 215-597-7200
Fax: 215-597-0406

[wita]

and like anything else I haven’t always agreed with them,

I haven’t agreed with them enough not to be a member. I was a junior member and an adult member at least 5 times and each time an Arlen Specter moment caused me to not renew. The are moderate personified and that is one thing I cannot stand. They are famous for backing bad candidates of both parties.

[JoyjoyfromNJ]

Has anyone pointed out to Specter that under the healthcare rationing provisions, he himself would be dead due to his continued health issues (and trying to stay alive by newest treatments).

[Miss Didi]

[PhiKapMom]

Just saw the ping and answered. Everything went west, north, or south of us last night except some much needed rain.

When I saw the news last night I couldn’t believe the damage or the amount of hail in an area about 20 miles from here.

[Caribou]

Heard on Laura’s show this morning that only demoncrats were in the conference to reconcile the differences. No Republicans allowed. So much for “bipartisanship”.

[txmissy]

Ahhhh.....great. Makes sense now.

Thanks!

[a real Sheila]

Before the fall comes pride.
If ever there was someone so FULL OF HERSELF and full of pride, it is surely this woman!
SURELY SHE will not back down on getting every thing she wants!
I pray for her FALL! May it be swift and PAINFUL!
I consider her to be an even bigger danger to this country than BHO.

[Miss Didi]

Tom Coburn told Megan there was no way to kill it—and that the treasonous trio will still vote “yes” even if the House makes changes.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I sent this to all of the Senate staffers in the offices of Specter, Casey, Snowe, Collins, and threw in Ben Nelson, supposedly a "conservative" Senator from Nebraska, as well.

Dear Senator [name]'s Senate Staffers,

Please inform my Senator, [name], that the so-called "Stimulus" is like a display cart at Dollar City of unrelated items, some great bargains, some damaged and some useless, packaged together for quick sale.

It's a farrago of undebated programs, projects, proposals and loose ends, a hodgepodge of "whatevers" ---

• $300 million for "Neighborhood Electric Vehicles"?

• "National Coordinator of Health Information Technology?”

• Virtually unaccountable millions for "education" (did we ever find out what Obama's $100 million Chicago Annenberg Challenge actually accomplished for education?)

Plus hundreds of billions of dollars that won't even be spent in 2009. If that's the case, what's the big rush? Why can't we unpack this bill and actually analyze how we can get the most effective, fiscally-responsible result for every buck -- or every billion?

Please let's reject this reckless Omnibus-Spendibus approach and go back to evaluating each and every option like responsible grown-ups who know what the word "budget" means.

Please, Senator [name].

This "Stimulus" is a panic buy. It will only result in buyers' remorse --- and voter wrath when the bill comes due.

Don't do it.

Sincerely,

[signed]

---

Staffers' e-mail addresses:

For Susan Collins:

Steve_Abbott@collins.senate.gov;
Holly_Nesbit@collins.senate.gov

For Olympia Snowe

John_Richter@snowe.senate.gov;
Anna_Levin@snowe.senate.gov

For Ben Nelson

senator@bennelson.senate.gov;
melanie_rogge@bennelson.senate.gov;
Tim_Becker@bennelson.senate.gov;
Melanie_Rogge@bennelson.senate.gov;
jonathan_coppess@bennelson.senate.gov;
Dayle_Williamson@bennelson.senate.gov;
Kate_Howard@bennelson.senate.gov;
christiana_gallagher@bennelson.senate.gov

For Bob Casey

James_brown@casey.senate.gov;
Michelle_Shwimer@casey.senate.gov;
jofi_joseph@casey.senate.gov;
sara_mabry@casey.senate.gov;
jackie_erickson@casey.senate.gov;
kasey_gillette@casey.senate.gov;
Bryn_McDonough@casey.senate.gov;
morna_murray@casey.senate.gov;
richard_spiegelman@casey.senate.gov;
kendra_barkoff@casey.senate.gov;
open_positions@casey.senate.gov;
Nathan_Steinwald@casey.senate.gov;

For Arlen Specter

Scott_Hoeflich@specter.senate.gov;
Maria_Plakoudas@specter.senate.gov;
Christopher_Bradish@specter.senate.gov;
thomas_dower@specter.senate.gov;
seema_singh@specter.senate.gov;
corene_ashley@specter.senate.gov;
regina_campbell@specter.senate.gov;
gayle_mills@specter.senate.gov;

[CindyDawg]

It matters. Last night on the news a reporter was talking about how three Republican Senators support the bill and then started listing Repubulican Governors behind it. The Dems do not want to own this thing when it tanks.