Posted on 02/11/2009 3:29:34 AM PST by 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...
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Put political hacks on TV and they will not surprise you. They will do their job as, you guessed it, political hacks.
Eleanor Cliff stiill uses whatever TV time she can get defending the Clintons.
And tomorrow the sun will rise yet again.
This would make a good segment for cable. Have video asking each senator why they have shut down their phones, email, etc. from the people who elected them and/or are affected by their vote. Embarass them into re-opening their communication avenue with the people.
Sen. DeMint was on Hannity’s radio show yesterday and said they were taking phone calls/logging them in from across the country. He wasn’t afraid to hear from the people. Maybe the turncoat senators should be asked why they are so afraid.
“They were claiming all weekend “we cut $100 billion.” When in fact it was 42 billion? Whoop t doooo...”
It’s pretty sad when $42 billion is just chump change, huh? This is unreal.
Thank you.
Specter is a SINator, they have their own kingly health care, paid by the tax payer.
[Mr] T
Like a teenager with a new credit card...
“Pelosi is her own worst enemy. If she digs in her arrogant heels on this “thing,” she’ll blow the whole Senate deal sky high, which is exactly what we want.”
Lol, maybe we should start an e-mail campaign, demanding she does not give in to those evil Republicans :)
The only problem with this is that I don’t trust the RINOs enough that they’ll actually vote against this monstrosity, even in its most virulent form.
>Results of Calling so far today...
>
>Collins- Call goes right to voice mail. Is her staff not even answering calls???
>
>Voice mail box is full. Emails come back undeliverable. Is this democracy?
I was with Jim Rob when visited the Senate offices on Monday. WHile we were waiting in Collins’ office, I spoke with one of the three secretaries who were frantically answering the phone calls. I asked her why we couldn’t get through. She was very apologetic about the situation. Here’s how she explained their “system.”
They only have 3 incoming lines. If all three are busy, our calls go directly to voice mail (until that overflows also). As soon as one of the calls is finished, that line becomes free for another call. The only way you can get through is to just keep hitting the “re-dial” button on your phone — over and over and over. Maybe you’ll “get lucky.” I specifically asked if they could select the calls they choose to answer (I was fishing for the possibility that they only answer calls from their own state. She assured me they could not do that. FWIW, I do not believe she was giving me another of those “political” lies — I think this is really how it works — at least at Collins’ office.
The same thing seemed to be going on in Snowe’s office also — but we only saw 2 secretaries there. Could have been more behind closed doors, but I doubt it.
Clearly they are “staffed” and “connected” for “normal business,” not a deluge like they are getting.
-iMM
Bailout Barrack wants 850 Bil!
Defeat Porkulus!
I think your idea is a great one. I also called the Senator next door to Collins to ask them to please walk down to Collins office to mention to them that American citizens can’t get through to her office.
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
For example,
Senator Collins is at (202)224-2523
The next Senator listed on this website is Senator Conrad. So, I called Senator Conrad’s office. I asked them to walk down to Senator Collins office to let them know people are havinig hard time getting through. Senator Conrad’s office was willing. We would probably be better off letting other Republicans Senators know so they can place the pressure.
Why is there not more talk about Snowe? It seems the focus is always on Collins or Spector.
iMacMan,
Thank you for your thorough explanation of Senator Collins office. You have restored my faith. I will keep trying.
I appreciate your effort to give me this background. Thank you to your efforts too on your visit to D.C.
Exactly. How dare she and others take us for granted.
Was her father with the Mob?
LOL
Was her father with the mob?
I would like to have seen that.
I believe you are right.
Exactly
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