Despite the Ass-kissing, Stimulus Plan Passes Without a Single Republican Vote

[blackascoal]

House Passes Obama’s Stimulus Package

WASHINGTON — The House voted, 244-188, on Wednesday evening for President Obama’s package of federal tax cuts and spending worth $819 billion and meant to jump-start the economy out of its worst crisis in decades.

Although the president’s legislative victory was no surprise, given the Democrats’ 255-to-178 advantage in the House, the lack of any Republican support was a disappointment for Mr. Obama. The vote came hours after Mr. Obama declared that “we don’t have a moment to spare” just after conferring with business leaders at the White House.

Before voting on President Obama’s plan, the House rejected a stimulus measure offered by Republican members that focused more on tax cuts. The vote against that measure was 266 to 170, almost entirely on party lines.

The Senate, where the Democrats’ advantage was also increased by the November elections, is expected to debate economic stimulus measures next week. Considerable public debate and private negotiations could lie ahead, given differences between the White House and Congress, and Democrats and Republicans.

-- more at link
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/us...a.html?_r=1&hp

Just as I expected, Obama has over-estimated his God-like powers of persuasion. Like the political neophyte that he is, he doesn't seem to understand the basic nature of American politics.

Rest assured that republicans will be doing everything in their power to make sure the economy does not recover with this package .. because if it does, it will eternally seal their doom.

Obama should have spent more time rewarding those who've supported him and shoring up his own base instead of giving the finger to the left and slobbering all over right-wing ass.

[Topspin]

We'll he certainly has justification for a good bitch slapping that is overdue.
Wife just informed me that her income keeps us just under Obama's cap to get the check.
WOOT!!!

[FUCK THE POLICE]

Obama's post-partisan disaster.

He has political capital. He should use it to do what's right. As long as he's doing what's right and he has a majority of the house and senate, that's all he should care about. He shouldn't pander to the conservatives that got us into this mess. It's as if the allies, after the conquering Germany, nicely asked the Nazi's what they thought needed to be done. Absurd.

[Onceler]

"Obama should have spent more time rewarding those who've supported him and shoring up his own base instead of giving the finger to the left and slobbering all over right-wing ass. "

That's an interesting characterization.

This stimulus package is surely a more left-wing stimulus package. You make it sound like he tailored it for them & they still rejected him.

I don't think you know how to react yet to the fact that Obama is kind of governing from the left right now.

[Topspin]

He's should go turbo-Lib in a huge way next and do it with a Nancy Pelosi foot up Jonn B's ass.

[Cancel7]

House Passes Obama’s Stimulus Package

WASHINGTON — The House voted, 244-188, on Wednesday evening for President Obama’s package of federal tax cuts and spending worth $819 billion and meant to jump-start the economy out of its worst crisis in decades.

Although the president’s legislative victory was no surprise, given the Democrats’ 255-to-178 advantage in the House, the lack of any Republican support was a disappointment for Mr. Obama. The vote came hours after Mr. Obama declared that “we don’t have a moment to spare” just after conferring with business leaders at the White House.

Before voting on President Obama’s plan, the House rejected a stimulus measure offered by Republican members that focused more on tax cuts. The vote against that measure was 266 to 170, almost entirely on party lines.

The Senate, where the Democrats’ advantage was also increased by the November elections, is expected to debate economic stimulus measures next week. Considerable public debate and private negotiations could lie ahead, given differences between the White House and Congress, and Democrats and Republicans.

-- more at link
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/us...a.html?_r=1&hp

Just as I expected, Obama has over-estimated his God-like powers of persuasion. Like the political neophyte that he is, he doesn't seem to understand the basic nature of American politics.

Rest assured that republicans will be doing everything in their power to make sure the economy does not recover with this package .. because if it does, it will eternally seal their doom.

Obama should have spent more time rewarding those who've supported him and shoring up his own base instead of giving the finger to the left and slobbering all over right-wing ass.

I agree with everything you said, but just want to add that Digby made a great case today that this was all for the Bluedogs who were threatening to vote against it en mass, and that would have killed the bill. So one thing that the grassroots can do is take those bastards out one by on in primaries. The ones in districts that have a 50% chance or greater of going dem even with a more progressive candidate.

And, even I was surprised that not one R broke ranks and voted for it. Boy this really shows you that the Double Authoritarian theory about R's is true. They like to boss people around in public, but what they really, really love, is taking orders.

Can't get enough of that.

[Onceler]

"They like to boss people around in public, but what they really, really love, is taking orders."

And they are taking them from Limbaugh right now. This was his advice, and they're taking it.

Fine with me. If the economy recovers and does well, a 100-150 seat majority for the Dems wouldn't shock me.

[evince]

Its day 9, he is trying.

The Rs are showing the American people they cant be trusted to put country first.

They are about to overplay their hand and get sent to the basment.

[cawacko]

"They like to boss people around in public, but what they really, really love, is taking orders."

And they are taking them from Limbaugh right now. This was his advice, and they're taking it.

Fine with me. If the economy recovers and does well, a 100-150 seat majority for the Dems wouldn't shock me.

Leaving aside whether voting for the stimulus package was right or wrong, from strictly a political standpoint, what do you believe the Republicans would have to gain by voting for Obama's package? (not a rhetorical or attempted gotcha question)

[Cancel7]

"They like to boss people around in public, but what they really, really love, is taking orders."

And they are taking them from Limbaugh right now. This was his advice, and they're taking it.

Fine with me. If the economy recovers and does well, a 100-150 seat majority for the Dems wouldn't shock me.

I can't get over the whole Limbaugh thing. Hasn't that guy jumped the shark yet? It's nice to know that an impotent sweathog (no offense yurt) is calling the shots in this country.

[Cancel7]

Leaving aside whether voting for the stimulus package was right or wrong, from strictly a political standpoint, what do you believe the Republicans would have to gain by voting for Obama's package? (not a rhetorical or attempted gotcha question)

Are you out of your mind? You do understand that we could be headed into an actual, real live, look ma no fucking jobs for anyone, depression right??

[Damocles]

The definition of "putting the nation first" does not include "vote for whatever Obama says is good."

I disagree with you Desh. I think they set the nation first, spoke against what they believe was wrong and voted as they felt was right. I prefer people who will stick to principles against great political opposition than sheep willing to go with whatever because it's Obama.

[evince]

Leaving aside whether voting for the stimulus package was right or wrong, from strictly a political standpoint, what do you believe the Republicans would have to gain by voting for Obama's package? (not a rhetorical or attempted gotcha question)

Helping fix the mess they created.

[Onceler]

Leaving aside whether voting for the stimulus package was right or wrong, from strictly a political standpoint, what do you believe the Republicans would have to gain by voting for Obama's package? (not a rhetorical or attempted gotcha question)

It's not too hard to imagine how a voter who has lost their job or is otherwise freaking out about the economy might feel more sympathetic to the party that just failed for 7 years if they could show a little unity in a time of crisis.

But, it doesn't matter to me. The main idea is that if this works, they'll look petty, and stupid, and they'll have given potential opponents endless fodder for a very effective ad campaign.

[cawacko]

Its day 9, he is trying.

The Rs are showing the American people they cant be trusted to put country first.

They are about to overplay their hand and get sent to the basment.

How is voting against this not putting the country first? Is one anti-American to have problems with the package?