McConnell Shuts Down Senate; Whines About Nominations
The Politico: (I know, I know)
Overshadowed by the hype of Barack Obama's victory lap on the Senate floor today is a simmering dispute between Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell over President Bush's remaining judicial nominees.
McConnell has essentially shut down the Senate floor this afternoon by forcing the Senate clerk to read aloud the entire 500 page global warming bill. So if legislative language is your thing, turn on C-SPAN and watch the Senate at its best, or worst, depending on your perspective.
McConnell (R-Ky.) believes Reid (D-Nev.) has backtracked on a promise to clear a significant number of Republican judicial nominees, but Democrats are becoming more and more hesitant to give Bush judges a lifelong appointment to the federal bench in the waning months of this White House.
"The Democratic majority has refused to honor its commitments," McConnell said. "It apparently believes that commitments do not matter in the United States Senate, and that actions do not have consequences."
One of those consquences, apparently, is a complete shut down of the Senate.
What a WATB. Harry Reid says that they need to grow up:
Devoid of ideas for addressing global warming and unwilling to work with us to strengthen our weakening economy and energy policy, Republicans have now resorted to changing the subject with inaccurate attacks. [..] Senate Democrats have treated President Bush's judicial nominations with far greater deference than President Clinton's were afforded by a Republican-controlled Senate that denied hearings or floor consideration for almost 70 Clinton nominees. Three-quarters of President Bush's court of appeals nominees have been confirmed, while only half of President Clinton's appellate nominations were confirmed. Last year the Senate confirmed 40 judges, more than during any of the three previous years with Republicans in charge, and today's federal judicial vacancy rate is the lowest it has been in years.
Uh oh, Larry Craig with nothing else to do all summer.
Mitch McCrackpot!
great mugshot.
i'm STILL trying to figure out how the MINORITY leader can pull this stuff... and why punish the clerk?
good for reid have some balls for a change
Two words: Bitch McConnell.
I'm sure a stern letter will follow.
from TP.
"Jim Manley, spokesman to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NY) has responded to McConnell:
Senator Reid pledged a good-faith effort to have the Senate consider three court of appeals nominees before the Memorial Day recess, with the explicit caveat that achieving that goal depended on Republican cooperation. The Senate did, in fact, confirm Virginia Supreme Court Judge Steven Agee to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in May, and Chairman Leahy expedited Judiciary Committee consideration of two nominees to Michigan seats on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. These nominations were the result of many years of negotiation between the White House and the Michigan Senators.
Unfortunately, Republicans on the Judiciary Committee objected to expedited consideration of the Michigan nominees. As a result, it was impossible to have the Senate consider these two additional nominees before the recess, despite Senator Reid’s best efforts."
Me too.
How can a Republican minority control and overpower a Dem majority but a Dem minority can't do squat against a Republican majority?
I am from Kentucky, and let me be the first to apologize for my state sending this jerk to the Senate. We are hoping to get rid of him this year. DITCH MITCH 2008'.
Sounds like another case of IOKIYAR.
@7 Hit submit too early.
McConnell did this despite the ones responsible for holding up the nominees are his fellow republicans.
These are the folks Americans are blindly supporting and reelecting when our government is broken.
Shutting it down will save billions.
Thinking these same corrupt people can fix the government they broke is insane.
Imagine if the Democrats had been doing this during the whole Bush term in office, or even since 2006 would have made me happy.
As far as Miss McConnell, cry me a river you hypocrite. Grow up and be a leader for the good of the country. With the shape this country is in it's time to put the country ahead of your party and president. But at least we know that after the 2008 elections you'll be all hell bent for the Constitution, the rule of law, oversight, and fiscal constraints. Because if we've learned nothing it's that the Republicans only care about those things when a Democrat is in the White House.
this guy's an old queen
Judging by the photo Mitch McConnell looks like an adult. So why is he acting like an 8-year old?
Hate to say it, but the dumbass might have a point. Shut it down until January.
A pants-wetting criminal, like the rest of the GOP.
Feckless losers.
So McPlasticface is full of shit? I'm stunned!
This is the most spineless senate I've ever seen in my life. God, I wish our democratic politicians had half the guts republicans do. We never filibuster them, we make promisse to put fundamentalist judges for life onto federal benches. There is something really wrong here.
Kyle @ 9:
Thanks, Kyle. "Mary" McConnell is indeed over-ripe and due to be taken out with the trash.
And let's spell out those initials: McConnell = Whiny Ass Titty Baby.
katy @ 3:
Why didn't the Democrats pulled shit like that when they were a minority. And why do they let this mf'ers control the Senate.
If they were mature grownups, they wouldn't be republican.
"The Democratic majority has refused to honor its commitments,” McConnell said. “It apparently believes that commitments do not matter in the United States Senate, and that actions do not have consequences."
The minority leader then added, "Action without consequence is the sole province of my party. If they think they can behave like we always do, well, just fuck the lot of them."
Harry Reid said:
"Three-quarters of President Bush’s court of appeals nominees have been confirmed,
while only half of President Clinton’s appellate nominations were confirmed."
All this proves is the Democrats are more gutless (and, worse..) than the Republicans.
Sad, but true.
Read this:
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/04/clyburn-clinton-supporters-flood...
in 2002 i accept full responsibility of what happened. i voted for mcconnell over his opponent for a few reasons, one was that kentucky democrats as a whole were not only uninspiring, but they pretty much were/are republicans in blue clothing. the second was that he is an alum of the university of louisville and was/is and active contributor to uofl.
not this year though. while the backwards hicks out in the state will do us a double disservice voting for grampy mcold and obstructionist mitch, i can pretty much assure all that kentucky 3 is not only going to reject grampy mcold and obstructionist mitch, but we're also going to tell bush's favorite congressperson anne north(r)up that she is a 3 time loser and needs to go home now and stay there.
hood @ 21:
When the Democrats tried to filibuster, the Republicans threatened to dispense with the filibuster altogether, and simply rule that a majority vote could end debate. Unsure that they would ever be a majority again, Democrats caved. Stupidly.
Now that the Democrats are in charge (sort of -- Traitor Joe Lie-to-Dems has been fucking that up for us), Republicans filibuster EVERYTHING. Only these days, filibuster is done by gentlemen's agreement. The minority simply informs the majority that it wants to filibuster, and nothing else is required. After that, the majority requires 60 votes to pass legislation instead of 51.
Once we have a Senate majority in earnest next year, Traitor Joe should be relegated to the basement, stripped of his chairmanship and seniority, and the Democrats absolutely must bring back the genuine filibuster. We won't have a filibuster-proof majority next year, but we sure as hell can tell the Republicans that they'll have to commit to all-night, non-stop talking on the floor if they really and truly feel strongly enough about something to filibuster. Then, once they've talked themselves blue, we can pass legislation.
What a sad sorry looking mug on that guy!
Mitch McConnell: Archetype of a neocon fuckwit. God I hate that pasty old church-lady face of his.
The Democrats should never have set the precedent of allowing so many Bush cronies on the bench, now Republicans will settle for nothing less than complete capitulation. We've already witnessed how the Bush regime has distorted the justice system into a partisan weapon used to falsely prosecute and railroad political enemies (Siegleman), suppress the Democratic vote (the Supreme Court's voter ID ruling), and to cover up the corruption and malfeasance of the Republican party. We can't afford to let more far right wing ideologues from the Federalist society turn our entire justice system into a Kafkaesque nightmare.
From the usually Republican friendly RasmussenReports.com, Republican Senate incumbents in trouble:
Mississippi Senate: Musgrove (D) 47% Wicker (R) 46%
Kentucky Senate: Lunsford (D) 49% McConnell (R) 44%
Minnesota Senate: Coleman (R) 47% Franken (D) 45%
New Hampshire Senate: Shaheen 50% Sununu 43%
Alaska Senate: Begich (D) 47% Stevens (R) 45%
North Carolina Senate: Hagan (D) 48% Dole (R) 47%
Texas Senate: Cornyn 47% (R)Noriega 43% (D)
The Good Lord and Diebold willing...
mitch's got re-elections problems,
this ain't gonna help.
I say "Keep on keepin on McConnell" Read the bible out loud next. In fact, someone hand him and the Repubs the dictionary. That way, we can ensure NO ONE is appointed for the next 6 months until a Democrat is in office and most of the Congress is Democratic. PLEASE keep showing us how ineffective and petty you have been and continue to be......it's so......YOU.
Oh just hope and pray that this worthless individual is in the soup line after November. He has proven to be worthless to the USA.
New word. Repobstructions.
Ron @ 35:
Or haw about, repobstructioncants.
You mean, like the prior commitments the United States made that apprently don't matter on the world stage once the Bush administration took office?
Note to 14, Joe, Above: I'm an old queen too, but that doesn't mean I'm a Republican asshole. What exactly does sexual orientation and age have to do with the subject at hand?
Ron @ 36:
Or repobstructionCONS.
DITCH Lipless MITCH 08 !!
Screw 'em. The repubes meld up Clintons appointments for six years. What gaul! There should not be one judge that gets a vote from here until 1-20-2009.
Sorry they "held up Clinton's appointments for six years". The repube Senate upset me so much it still affects me 14 years later.
Is it just me?....but my gaydar goes off when I look at Mitch
Just like McCain, Senate GOPeers suffers from piss poor memory. Phil Grahm held up Clinton's judicial nominees during his last two years as president.
A pathetic whining Republican can shut down the entire Senate. Our great Democratic "leadership" cannot. The Democrats do nothing for the past two years and expect Americans to run right out and vote in another one?
I usually don't like to do personal jabs, but am I the only one who thinks that McConnell must have a prosthetic face?
No matter what crap they pull, there should be absolutely no compromise for a group so willing to politicise the justice department and play fast and loose with the Constitution. The Republicans have truly showed everyone what kind of people they really are during this Bush's presidency. It is time to believe them!
F#ck McConnell, he is a whinner with his balls in his mouth.
it's time to swallow McConnell you asshole.
at least the clerk has just finished reading the damn thing. when i just tuned to c-span, they were asking for a quorum.
Let this old bloodhound be exposed for how he enjoys wasting the tax payers money and the Senate's time with such bull shit actions.
I have zero respect for this neocon, repug scumbag, and I would like to the have press do their job and expose this son-of-a-bitch for the partisan hack he is. This infuriates me!
We should draw the line, not one more, stall till BHO wins and is sworn in.....
Does Harry really think the Dem base is naive enough to fall for this? He may as well have a sign pinned to his chest:
Harry's virtual sign on chest:
He looks like he's gonna cry.
Someone needs to make him actually do it.
Look at that face. Pathetic.
Call the WAAAAAAAAA-bulance for this loser please.
Re-PIG-lics are the biggest wet-their-pants, cry-babies on the planet - and McConnell leads the pack.
*
I'm surprised some of the above posters are pointing the finger at McConnell. The question everybody should be asking is:
Why the hell did Harry Reid originally agree to clear the Repubs judicial nominees? And the really smart ones would ask: Does Harry's sudden show of a millimeter of spine have anything to do with his upcoming re-election bid?
hood @ 21:
I hate to make excuses for the Senate Democrats, but I think Lie-berman is holding them hostage. He must be threatening to caucus with the repukes which threatens to swing all the committee chairs to the regressives.
Just think. Come November there will be less of these America destroying bastards.
filibuster proof! Filibuster proof! Onward progressive soldiers!
Mitch McConnell is just another traitor and will be gone to that big lobbyist money basket on k street soon.
His Democratic opponent is Bruce Lunsford. Maybe the people of Kentucky could give him some support. I have my hands full here at home.
“(The Democratic majority) apparently believes that commitments do not matter in the United States Senate, and that actions do not have consequences.”
Damn . . . and here I thought Mitch didn't have a sense of humor.
The only way the Democrats can lose is if they appease Mitch. And we all know how the Republicans feel about appeasers. Just ask the brilliant Kevin James. This ain't rocket science gang.
Oh Please!!!! give me a break the Rethugs crying about the Dems not honoring a promise. Good god does anyone remember back just 2 or 3 years. God I only pray that I live long enough to see McConnell and a lot of the other Republican criminals frog marched out of Washington D.C. and that includes the majority of the Bush Administration.
It would make me very, very happy if no more judicial nominations were confirmed until after 1/20/2009. Zero, zip, zilch, nada.
Suck on THAT, Mitch.
JC
This Machine Kills Fascists @ 52:
Let's hope that the voters throw out every one of these fuckwit crybabies, they think it's tough now,they'll need a tanker truck of Prozac in November when their sorry ass gets stomped.
mCstutters ruininning mate
Shut the fucking place down then. We'll all be better off. And while you're at it, shut down the stock exchanges too.
And Yet... @ 20:
What are the chances they will throw this closeted pasty face out?
How could anyone in this country vote for an asshole like this? Especially after eight years of Chimpy?
Mikeinmd @ 31:
How can Al Franken be trailing Coleman in Minnesota? Don't believe it.
Kentucky, get rid of this asshole.
Somebody call a Whaaaambulance!! Elections have consequences.
I think poor Mitchie-poo oughta be looking for a job...because the next time around, he's not going to be in the Senate. He ought to be in Brushy Mountain trying to talk his way out of a confontation with his cellmate.
When they circumcised Mitch they threw away the wrong piece.
Thank goodness this asswipe will be gone soon.
Mr. McConnell. Poster boy for queer old Republicans...
Look, it's a flatworm.
Kyle @ 9:
If only our other choice wasn't Bruce "Corporation Wrecker" Lunsford. I would be very enthusiastic.
Problem: I used to work for Bruce. Wouldn't turn my back on him in broad daylight.
The more Mitch McConnell is whining and pouting, the more I trust that Democrats are doing their job.
I'm with those who say, let McConnell do his worst. It's better to shut the Congress down 'til January. Anything decent that gets passed now will be vetoed by the Fuehrer. and probably lots of terrible stuff -- like FISA "reform" -- will get passed in the spirit of "compromise" (i.e., bending over for a good ass-fucking, yet again, as we were trained to do by Gingrich and Rove all those years ago). So: read that bill, Mitch! Oh wait, I didn't get that ... could you read it again? And again? And again ... ??
Mitch McConnell is yesterday's news. He has his position because he's easily controlled by the backroom power in the Party, hasn't made any video diagnoses of comatose citizens, tied any dogs to the roof of his car or even been caught soliciting sex in a men's room.
Just another right wing can rattling in the dark. Pay him no mind.
Chipwich @ 75:
Is that what he's doing in that picture?
Oh. I thought he was gathering nuts.
Maybe Bush should try nominating some competent jurists, instead of far-right wing hacks.
Nahh, that won't happen.
Tell Mitch not to worry, the D's don't want power, with BHO as the candadate they will lose the whole thing.
All I can say to the D's is Unfreeken real.
Mat 10:36
The dems have refused to honor committments...... Fuck you Mitch! You don't know the first thing about what that word means...
If Harry Reid had any guts he'd send McConnell the following message...
Fine, Mitch, you want to hold the world ecology hostage over your pitiful bruised ego... FINE... As far as ANY republican appointment or initiative going forward from here on out??? You get nothing! N.O.T.H.I.N.G!!!!!! Your boy Bush?? He's done, finished! Your day is done as well, and the democratic party along with the American people are through putting up with you types working to undermine the nation for your own agrandizement.......
Of Course Reid ain't got any guts..... Damn shame... Maybe he's such a simpleton he really doesn't get that he's the MAJORITY leader....... Clueless bum....JD
Reid needs to grow a spine. What a worthless POS.
I thought Democrats were in control. You'd never know by the way things are run. Harry Reid should be replaced immediately. And Mitch, with antics like this, you are the one that will be "dead meat". I will have raise a toast to Mr. Feingold when you are the one that's "dead meat".
WTG McConnell. The global warming scam is just that a scam to steal our money and redistrubite the wealth.
The Earth COOLED last year more then the TOTAL it warmed over the last 10 years.
Idiot dirt people
And all you fools that don't know how the Senate is run.. please recall that Dems shut down the Senate in 2003, 2004, and 2005 by threatening filibuster over judicial nominees. (not actually doing it tho since they are wuses)
LoL. Let Hussein Obama win .. he wont get NOTHING done. LoL.
jackdamage said it best
Fine, Mitch, you want to hold the world ecology hostage over your pitiful bruised ego… FINE… As far as ANY republican appointment or initiative going forward from here on out??? You get nothing! N.O.T.H.I.N.G!!!!!!
Those are the EXACT words that will be said to Obama come Jan 2009.
What comes around goes around.
And btw "world ecology" , you are no scientist. but you are a doofus that will believe anything.
I guess Morti, you just ain't going to get it till you turn on the tap and nothing but chemical residue comes pouring out... if that... You ain't going to get it till O2 canisters are being sold in corner stores so you can just freaking breath while running errands....
By then it will be too fucking late for any of us..... No, I ain't no scientist.. But at this point, one doesn't have to have a big shot degree in science to see what the hell is going on..... You better pull your head out of the sand and wake up dude, it's a hell of a lot later than you think.......JD
if only the senate could be shut down everyday!! its not like they are doing their jobs anyway (representing the people, keeping the Executive branch in check, etc..)
Quit your whining, ya big baby.
"Waaa! Democrats won't give us everything we want! Waaaa!"
You're lucky we haven't given you what you DESERVE --- incarceration.
Heed my advice. Go suck on your thumb in the corner and stay very, very quiet. There are plenty of people in this country who are finding the idea of bringing back a guillotine to be an attractive idea.
Waaaa Hooo! Fuck'n A right! Shut down the Senate you ignorant repig. In fact, shut it down until 2009. It will still be operating so chimpy can't pull a recess apointment, and nobody in their right mind would apoint the repig fuck ups he wants to be on the bench.
Morti @ 85:
He wont get nothing done, eh? The irony is lost on you, ain't it Bubba? Constructing sentences done make yer head hurt good?
Besides, you're missing a "no how" in there.
Morti @ 84:
Edumucate us good in science, Morti. Redistrubite some of yer leet know-how.
McConnell is without a doubt one of the smarmiest punks ever to disgrace public office.
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