How Taxpayers Are Bailing Out The GOP Because Michael Steele Is Incompetent
The Republican Party has planned two big initiatives this week. They are set to filibuster an extension of unemployment benefits for the tens of thousands of Americans who can't find work.
At the same time they've launched their rebranding effort ahead of the 2010 elections. The effort is called "America Speaking Out." It's a fairly expensive campaign with a new website, produced videos, integrated voting tools and an expensive set at the Newseum to launch the effort.
The whole thing would be fine and Democrats could just spend their time mocking the odd platform ideas (like repealing Section II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) if it was being paid for by a party committee like Michael Steele's RNC. Except that Republicans don't want Michael Steele anywhere close to their election platform. They decided to run the entire project from their minority offices in the House of Representatives.
That means that everyone reading Crooks & Liars is paying for the Republican Party's 2010 election re-branding efforts and helping foot the bill for the Party's platform in 2010.
They can't even claim that the effort isn't about the 2010 election. Kevin McCarthy, the NRCC's recruiter for 2010, said it was all about the 2010 elections in an appearance on ABC News this morning.
"There are a number of seats that you get just by being 'no,'" Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the California Republican spearheading the effort, told ABC News. "But you don't get a majority by just being 'no'. You've got to say what you're for."
Eric Cantor, the GOP's No. 2 in the House, said this about their new effort:
"Look, we understand we were fired in 2006 for a reason," Rep. Cantor said in an interview. "We have learned and we have grown. The election gives us a chance to say we get it."
Here's the deal. The RNC is going broke. The national committee is bleeding staff. The RNC's online operation is actually the worst political effort in politics at the moment, their website is actually still in Beta and they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to build it. They don't have the experience or the money to launch a Party re-branding effort. And Republicans in Congress hate and distrust Michael Steele. They don't want him to anywhere near their 2010 message.
And because of that taxpayers have to pay for the GOP's 2010 re-branding effort. By my estimation, the cost of the website, the video, the staff time, and the glitzy launch today at the museum may have cost taxpayers at least $100,000 -- and it's only the first day.
All that taxpayer money because the House Republicans don't trust Michael Steele and the RNC.
The Republican Party thanks you for bailing them out.
this one is pretty cheap.
agreed, 700 BILLION vs 100 thousand. let them have this one.
bail me out!
me-oww!
lying scum 100k they will be back to rob you for 100 billion!
What this country needs is more lesbian-bondage-themed night clubs.
I'd like 100K to f*ck things up.
NOBODY 2012
the $700 billion...so I do not think this should be a gimme!
It has more to do with the fact that real republicans nationwide are opening their eyes and see that the GOP elected DC incumbents have done NOTHING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE..ONLY FOR CORPORATIONS!
Steele is being used--just like all the big funders that were made fun of by Mcconnell and his group last month! Another example of shameless usury by the GOP Beltway crowd!
Results and solutions are not part of the Obstructionist GOP agenda!
for being incompetent. I think that all republicans in office are incompetent.
That's what republicans are best at, pointing fingers at others for their own failures.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
You got it , to top it off they then do / say anything to keep others from fixing the disasters and the messes they created .
Insanity , it is what it is , there is no understanding it .
. . . they still get to put up one of the two choices we will have in nearly every election come November.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
"Right Wing and Nutted Up America Speaking Out"
Fixed it for them. Those fucks. As if only their voices and opinions represent the country.
I guess they need to be reminded about the 2008 loss, that they're losers, they don't represent 'America' anymore than I do.
me-oww!
They're just pissed off because they could not steal this election like they did the previous two .
Insanity , it is what it is , there is no understanding it .
"That means that everyone reading Crooks & Liars is paying for the Republican Party's 2010 election re-branding efforts and helping foot the bill for the Party's platform in 2010."
You need to explain HOW we are the ones that are paying for it?
Then explain how it doesn't violate the Hatch act?
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
Thanks for asking that question about why we are paying for it, I was just about to ask the same thing. I guess I don't understand these things well enough.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
We could use an update, kombiz.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
Instead of using the RNC or the NRCC; they are using money allocated for Congress, meaning they're using tax payer money that's set aside for communicating with constituents to roll out their 2012 agenda. That's how you are paying for it.
I don't know how it doesn't violate the Hatch act. Hopefully CREW or someone will challenge the congressional GOP on that fact. I think based on their statements it clearly violates the Hatch act.
Thanks!
And GO CREW! (they do stay on those things pretty well)
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
You seem to assume that "everyone reading Crooks & Liars" is a US taxpayer. Well, I'm not, for one, and I'm sure that you are vastly misunderestimating your non-US/overseas readership.
Not to mention those of your US readers who for whatever reason don't pay taxes. I've heard such people exist...
Fox News host asks Rep. Tom Price: 'Where do *WE* stand' in midterm elections?
When will government of the people, by the politicians, for the corporations perish from this Earth?
Not soon enough!
another host that "Graduated" from the Fox School of Journalism" CNN's Bill Hemmer.
what museum? Is it a real museum, or a restaurant or what?
me-oww!
fixing it now, it was newseum but i think it may have gotten changed in C&L's super duper spelling correction system.
I thought that was where it was. Same place they tape the ABC Sunday morning show, isn't it?
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
I thought I was having my usual 'problems with comprehension.'
:)
me-oww!
HA! I missed THAT one!
Talk about "problems with comprehension" I just took it at face value it was a museum.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
The People's money spent on everything except the People.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
But you understand they don't want any ideas other then their own!
Is that because republicanism is a mental illness?
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
Mind if I quote you?
Boehner said this morning on fox that the public doesn't believe Washington is listening to them so this is a way for the people to communicate their concerns to Washington. I guess he hasn't heard about phone calls, emails and the like.
Why would I believe they will read a website and respond when they haven't responded to any other forms of communication. They are just trying to get something going for the mid term elections because they are clueless right now.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
representatives have websites and email addresses.
I guess Boehner was telling the country that they don't bother reading emails and letters so this is a new way to be ignored.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
i just came from our site and none of the links worked. Maybe they're blocking me from all my comments earlier.
It'll probably be down before the sun sets tonight. Michael Steele is probably trying to install his little dancing icon on it.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
who knows a little bit about computers set up the site.
me-oww!
I wonder if this will end up on a "It's Your Money" segment on ABC News. Somehow I doubt it.
When I was injured as a firefighter in the line of duty in Ohio, I couldn't get worker's comp. Turns out that the State Republicans were using WC as a political slush fund as folk might recall.
No worries, when I pressed the issue the threatened to see that my pension was taken away....family values and all....
so I'm just shocked.
I worked for a republican one time and his secretary got sick and was hospitalized. He went to visit her in the hospital and ever took her flowers. Then he came back to the office and hired another secertary and called the one in the hospital and fired her. When she got out of the hospital she applied for unemployment. He fought it. Went so far as to go to a hearing and lied to the person at the hearing and said the woman had quit. I couldn't take it. I stood up reached across the table and grabbed him by his shirt and advised him he should tell the truth. He almost crapped his pants, ended the hearing and she got he unemployment. However I ended up out of a job. But I couldn't work for him any longer any way! LOL! sometimes it feels good even when it hurts you!
I too have worked for a few like that.
Good on ya!
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
I always thought it was illegal to use a public funded asset for political purposes.
Yes. It's a violation of the Hatch act as mentioned above. Now, will the House Democrats call a hearing on this or have they truly forgotten they are in the majority?
Even as the GOP spirals down the toilet, the floaters hang in there. Some crap just won’t flush. There will be a new wave of “independents”, “conservatives” and “tea-poddiers” that know they can’t be elected as Repubs.
They will come out polished and renewed in order to get elected. They will rig voting precincts and voting machines; they will initiate whisper campaigns and accusations. They will accept
bribescampaign contributions and if elected vote according to who paid the most. They will scream about “family values” while poking their interns and complain about the acerbic atmosphere of DC if they get caught. After serving a few years they will become lobbyists and deposit their multiplied winnings into the same offshore bank accounts where all the US jobs went.They will be rebranded. They’ll still smell like shit.
"They’ll still smell like shit."
Good thing we didn't step in it . . . (Cheech and Chong)
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
You summed it up nicely .
Insanity , it is what it is , there is no understanding it .
(read: if i were clinically insane), i wouldn't trust mr. steele either. really, can you blame them? he's been such a boon to the party during his tenure.
"America Speaking Out" , I wonder is this the same as the Ginrich / Repugs contract with America ? LOL . That one worked out real well , I suspect this will amount to the same thing .
Insanity , it is what it is , there is no understanding it .
Clearly it is completely improper for congressional members of either party to be using taxpayer money for partisan purposes. But consider that a number of White House staff are paid for just that very function. It stinks, but there must be an exception in the Hatch Act for elected employees of the federal government and their direct minions. I have wondered about this for a long time, since (blush) my days of watching the West Wing and at the same time realizing that Karl Rove was being paid with my tax dollars to do me in.
Rep. Cantor said in an interview. "We have learned and we have grown. The election gives us a chance to say we get it." What do they get? That saying No! No! No! like a petulant child produces results ? What new ideas and solutions have they come up with ? I just keep hearing socialism, lower taxes, and let's not forget the deficit and how we will end up like Greece. What a dipwad !
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