Open Thread: The Do Nothing Senate
By NB Staff | February 14, 2012 | 10:46
Today's starter topic: President Obama has decided to run against the Republicans in Congress, blaming them for his failures. In fact, though, it is the Democratic-controlled Senate which has been the real "do nothing" house in this Congress:
[W]ith the exception of ObamaCare and the stimulus, Mr. Reid's energies have been exercised largely to prevent action, not take it. Remember Mr. Obama's jobs bill, and how he called on Congress to "pass this bill now"? When Senate Republicans pushed for a vote, Mr. Reid responded by changing the rules of the Senate to prevent one.
Over in the House, meanwhile, Republicans have been a hive of activity. Currently some 30 pro-growth bills languish in Mr. Reid's do-nothing Senate, lest the buck ever be passed to the president's desk. These include measures reflecting proposals endorsed by the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness—ranging from regulatory reform and tax simplification to reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy.
For the past two years, House Republicans have used their majority to block further expansion of the Obama agenda. They have also come up with real alternatives that they know will likely be vetoed by the president or stalled in the Senate. That too is part of the groundwork for this November's elections. For the message they are sending is that if you want change in Washington, you need more than a Republican-controlled House.
By adopting the do-nothing Congress meme, Mr. Obama implies that Mr. Reid and his Senate Democrats have failed. Memo to Messrs. Romney, Santorum and Gingrich: Now's the time to make that point from the right.
Is ithis a good point for conservatives to point out when President Obama tries to cast blame on them?
Comments
#1 ⇒ Nazzi and Harriet
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 10:54am.
But this President's excuse for his impotence is always that there's too much pressure on him to perform. That's why he sits in his office and writes fiction that draws no inspiration from the Constitution.
#2 => Cool, you give him too much credit...
Submitted by vrwc13 on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 11:21am.
he sits in his office and writes
He may just sit in office (other than when he's fundraising, on vacation or playing golf) but to give him credit on writing anything... I think he's just a reader...
Remember, we have never seen anything he has actually written himself...
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
#3 ⇒ That's probably true, vrwc
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 11:31am.
I guess the tough job is really Valerie Jarett's. She has to balance nursing the young President and publishing the policies that were written before he was born.
#4 OOCH!
Submitted by almostacowboy on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 11:41am.
and ouch! :-)
#5 What?
Submitted by GeneralAl on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 12:57pm.
"I think he's just a reader..."
I think he listens to rap music and reads Dr. Seuss!
"Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away"!
#6 "...and reads Dr. Seuss!"
Submitted by vrwc13 on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 1:12pm.
Imagine...
they have come and:
now if the three of them will just:
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
#7 Sure! It's a great point for them to make, ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 11:19am.
... but they really need to drop the "My good friends on the Left" crap when they talk about their fellow Senators.
Conservatives need to start saying "They lied" instead of "They misled." A lie is a damned lie, and it ain't a "mislead."
You can either crush your enemy, or you can let them get the upper hand. Make no mistake. The left is the enemy of this country right now. Conservatives can accept that truth, or they can keep their Shiite eating little smiles on their face and continue to get their asses kicked.
So, go ahead and make the point that the House Republicans are passing bill after bill, and the Senate Democrats are stalling them, but get mad about it, and call a spade a freakin' spade!!
Boner and Mitch, Reid's bitch need to be replaced NOW.
#8 Newsbubba, I can't let your
Submitted by ThisnThat on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 1:51pm.
Newsbubba, I can't let your comments go by without a few astute replies to your 5 paragraphs. My 5 replies:
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
#9 Occupy protesters dispupt Santorum speech
Submitted by celator on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 11:45am.
Obama's Bolshevik Brigade, er, Occupy Tacoma protesters acted up during Santorum's speech in Tacoma yesterday. Two of the future homeless protesters were arrested after 30 minutes of yelling and chanting. Lots more of this to come, as we know.
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/02/13/1947278/santorum-calls-occupy-pr...
#10 And now, the MSM comments:
Submitted by ThisnThat on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 1:56pm.
And now, the MSM comments:
These MSM comments will be repeated throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
#11 The American public....
Submitted by almostacowboy on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 11:39am.
is fully aware that it is the Harry Reid led Senate that is the obstacle the President refers to when he says "the do-nothing-Congress" thanks to the highly effective counter-measures the RNC has taken in the form of newsprint, radio, and TV ads, and having high-visibility Congressmen, like McCain, Sessions, McConnell, Ryan, Coburn, and Cantor constantly pushing back at every opportunity..........excuse me for one second...........(what's that?........... Oh.)
Never mind.
#12 Yep. Reid hasn't put forth a
Submitted by celator on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 11:47am.
Yep. Reid hasn't put forth a budget proposal in over 1,000 days, and he's already made known he won't present Obama's current budget proposal to the Senate for markup.
#13 and....
Submitted by almostacowboy on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 3:37pm.
no one in the GOP will lift a finger nor raise a point.
#14 That would take balls, cowboy, ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 4:32pm.
... body parts sorely lacking in Republican Washington and the RNC.
#15 Maybe....
Submitted by almostacowboy on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 6:12pm.
they could borrow Nasty Pelosi's, 'cause Bubba, she's gottem!
#16 ⇒ We have no Justice Dept.
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 11:58am.
Hi! I'm Eric Holder and I'm investigating Rupert Murdoch while covering up my involvement in the murders of Agent, Brian Terry and more than 200 Mexican people.
#17 Obama
Submitted by HardRightTurn on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 12:22pm.
The do mo' harm president.
To more fully comprehend the Left, one must read “Leftism As Psychopathy” by John Ray, M.A., Ph.D. Caution, it might scare you a little bit.
http://jonjayray.tripod.com/psycho.html
#18 Obama
Submitted by HardRightTurn on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 12:22pm.
The do mo' harm president.
To more fully comprehend the Left, one must read “Leftism As Psychopathy” by John Ray, M.A., Ph.D. Caution, it might scare you a little bit.
http://jonjayray.tripod.com/psycho.html
#19 Did anyone catch Obama talking about
Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 12:39pm.
the payroll tax cut extension and use rising gas prices as another reason this "tax cut" must be extended? The reason for rising gas prices, according to the architect of Obamanomics? A strengthening economy.
We'll need to watch if the media runs with this theme: Gas prices on the rise because the economy is on such an upturn that demand is drastically increasing. Rising gas prices under Bush: bad economy. Rising gas prices under Obama: good economy.
Boggles the mind.
#20 ⇒ I caught it, Bob
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 12:49pm.
Seems Social Security isn't going broke quickly enough for Pres. Oblivion. Why he doesn't just defund it completely and blame it on Bush is beyond me.
#21 He also said, today, that
Submitted by ThisnThat on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 2:07pm.
He also said, today, that without the strong cooperation between the US and China, the economy would be in much worse shape today. Lest anyone needs reminding, here are some of China's actions over the past 3 years:
All things that bastard o'bama can't see.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
#22 Must be all those people
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 1:02pm.
Must be all those people getting back on the road, going to work.....
#23 It's from all those
Submitted by stratman on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 4:33pm.
It's from all those shovel-ready jobs finally coming to fruition. You know, all the ones for either staying above or burying all the BS Obama spews.
#24 bkeyser,
Submitted by Agnostic on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 1:13pm.
Bloomberg is telling us why prices are going higher and it is definitely not because of any lefty policies which are glorious for all. It is the resurrection of the Peak Theory to fit all needs.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/in-demand.html
#25 A 'strengthening" economy?
Submitted by almostacowboy on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 3:38pm.
I thought it was, "Under my plan energy prices would necessarily skyrocket."
#26 How Clintonian.
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 1:04pm.
Just keep in mind that Obama is running against a do-nothing Congress, not a do-nothing Senate.
#27 Media Matters - and the no-see-em "do nothing Senate" story?
Submitted by Gary Hall on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 1:41pm.
After yesterday's damning story on Media Matters, at the Daily Caller, the Obama WH can rest assured that the broad public will not be party to this discussion.
(;~/ gary
#28 If just 1/4 of this is true
Submitted by ricklail on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 3:19pm.
If just 1/4 of this is true about Media Matters and we could get it out to the public MESSNBC would be through. I tend to beleive that it is all true. This morning Alan Dorsowitchz (?) said that Media Matters could become Obama's Rev Wright of 2012. He has been getting anti-Isreal email fom MM. He was not aware of the connection with the WH. The MSM didn't report on Wright so why would they report this?
#29 ricktail - Media Matters
Submitted by Gary Hall on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 4:20pm.
If 1/4 of it is true? I didn't really see any new revelations in it, except for the particulars - naming of names, etc. I think we all knew exactly what was going on; that this concerted and coordinated effort is between Media Matters and the White to influence the message that the broad public is exposed to (or, in many cases not exposed to - because they don't report on that which is damaging to the D's or the Obama WH).
I think we all know, that if there was a Republican in the White House today, and a liberal group, like Media Matters had come out and done such a story saying this same effort was going on - that most everyone in the US would be talking about it today. And, there's be calls - from the media - to investigate the White House for trampling all over freedom of the press.
(;~/ gary
#30 Where's the news?
Submitted by ricklail on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 1:41pm.
I am wondering why NB is not covering The Daily Caller and the reports they are doing on Media Matters and David Brock. I know that MSNBC, the NYT and the Wash Po won't cover it because they on receiving their news from MM. Today they are writing about a Fox hunt. They were going after Fox if they had to find lawyers that would make up stuff to sue them.
#31 It could have something to do....
Submitted by almostacowboy on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 3:40pm.
with them (DC) pointing out Bozell's snit-fit after he wasn't given a prime speaking spot at CPAC.
#32 Dorshowitchz has gone after
Submitted by ricklail on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 3:53pm.
Dorshowitchz has gone after Media Matters.
http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/14/alan-dershowitz-media-matters-could-become-rev-wright-of-2012-for-obama/
#33 What's the use?
Submitted by jon_torlin on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 2:22pm.
I ran a quick errand into town today during lunch and was listening to Rush a little bit. Doesn't matter the subject, but after a few minutes, I got to thinking, what's the use of trying to warn people anymore? What's the use of trying to fight for the Constitution when those in power who SHOULD be fighting WON'T?(Bonehead, Can't Do It, and McCan't-nel)
Rush seems to be the only one that's disputing a lot of what's going on, and I'm sure some of the prime time shows on FNC are as well like Hannity, but if there was any real journalistic responsibility, the truth about what's going on with this bogus potus and his dictatorial actions would be coming out more. Instead, we are being besotted with these "truth teams" that are coming out paid for by Us Truly, the taxpayers.
It's like people are just plain giving up and accepting the crap that comes with the dictatorship, we just have to hope that the Lord Most High DuhOne will be benevolent and not put us to death at his whim. The People have it within their power to fight this, but they won't.
Has the devil really won this time?
-Jon
#34 Jon
Submitted by ricklail on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 2:34pm.
Right not the most vocal of the talk hosts is Mark Levin, the Great One. He was really going off on this truth carp of Obama's last night. So was Cam Edwards of Cam and Company. You can get him on NRAnews.com on the internet.
#35 America took a dramatic turn for the worse under Reid & Pelosi
Submitted by OxyCon on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 2:41pm.
It's high time that Dingy Harry pay the political price for his failed Senate leadership. He has been single handedly the worst Senate Majority leader in our time, and probably in American history. His only goal right now is to protect Obama...not the American people, and the country is failing because of his intransigence.
#36 If the economy is
Submitted by MrSnuggles on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 2:51pm.
If the economy is strengthening then is not the "do nothing congress" responsible? 2 full years Obama got everything he desired and nothing improved. One year of him getting nothing he wants and the economy improves?
The left has so contorted the truth that there is too much hypocricy for a mortal to see in one lifetime.
#37 Chip Off The Old Block (-head)
Submitted by stratman on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 5:00pm.
Other names this moron considered. I think I'Zheet M'Drurz would be fitting.
#38 Not abandoning it?
Submitted by jon_torlin on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 5:06pm.
Um, this guy's in for a rude awakening real shortly. It's Islam or death, there's nothing else. He'll either be killed or will have to kill his mother and father for being infidels.
-Jon
#39 Yup
Submitted by stratman on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 5:14pm.
Unless you share their delusions, radical Islam's idea of psychotherapy is a bullet to the back of the head.
#40 When you accept Mohammed you
Submitted by ricklail on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 5:10pm.
When you accept Mohammed you have rejected the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. You can't serve two masters.
#41 oh No!
Submitted by vrwc13 on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 5:52pm.
FOOD POLICE REJECT HOMEMADE LUNCH;
MAKE PRESCHOOLER EAT 'CAFETERIA NUGGETS'
h/t Drudge
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
#42 Defense Cuts ~ My Head is Exploding
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 7:21pm.
100,000 combat troops.....and 6 active squadrons. Oh yeah, and an 80% cut in our nuclear arsenal.
THAT'S GOING TO MAKE US SAFER.
What kind of an idiot invokes a Peace Dividend when we are at war?
Someone shoot me, I'm going to explode anyway.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
#43 J , Yea that; or china going to cut off the ipad
Submitted by upcountrywater on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 7:47pm.
heck all of our nuks, are duds as it is, no maintenance for 3 years.
Bowboy bowed how many times to the Chinese visiting b team?
How's bowboy's list of errors that leads directly to the destruction of America?
5 Trillion debt is his record; equal to our part in WW-2, worth of wealth destruction.
This is painful, to watch.
You Didn't Build That.
#44 Follow up on the Laptop Shooter
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 8:10pm.
I am so laughing.....particularly at "what I'd do differently".....not be smoking a cig, wear his Stetson, and have his boots nice and shiny.
Also, he's not talking to the media, and refuses to make any money off of this episode (well, maybe....if he can pump up the brat's college fund).
Check it out.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
#45 Blonde
Submitted by Radical1979 on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 8:23pm.
I had that up on FB. One of my friends took offense. Whoo did Bru tell her off! I love that guy.
#46 I heard about that, Rad
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:19pm.
Your FB kerfuffle. LOL, liberals *rolls eyes*.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
#47 Media Matters plans to attack Fox News
Submitted by Radical1979 on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 8:20pm.
According to Tucker Carlson, http://news.yahoo.com/media-matters-memo-called-hiring-private-investiga...
This should be grounds to take away their non-profit status.
#48 Hmmmm, who would benefit from this?
Submitted by Dan Diego on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 9:25pm.
"Vandals caused about $1 million in damage at the newly constructed Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond on Sunday, a police spokeswoman said.
The vandals spilled more than 20 gallons of paint onto carpets and floors, and broke every window in the auditorium, among other damage, French said.
"They made sure everything would need to be replaced," French said."
I'm willing to bet this school uses Union labor...
Vandals Cause $1M In Damage At Richmond Elementary