Quote of the Day
Posted in Main Blog (All Posts) on July 19th, 2011 4:39 am by HL
Quote of the Day
“Even those who believe government should be small enough to drown in a bathtub have to admit that a total shutdown of even the most basic and essential functions of government is scary.”
— Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), quoted by The Hill, attacking Republicans’ position on raising the debt ceiling in graphic terms.
Bush Spokesman Considers Senate Race
Former Bush White House deputy press secretary Scott Stanzel (R) is mulling whether to challenge Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) in a race next year, the Seattle Times reports.
He said he won’t decide until after he gets married in September.
A Missed Opportunity for Republicans
David Brooks follows up his previous article on the behavior of Republicans during the debt ceiling negotiations with another scathing piece to “identify the people who decided not to seize the chance to usher in the largest cut in the size of government in American history.”
“The Beltway Bandits. American conservatism now has a rich network of Washington interest groups adept at arousing elderly donors and attracting rich lobbying contracts… The Big Government Blowhards. The talk-radio jocks are not in the business of promoting conservative governance. They are in the business of building an audience by stroking the pleasure centers of their listeners… The Show Horses. Republicans now have a group of political celebrities who are marvelously uninterested in actually producing results… The Permanent Campaigners. For many legislators, the purpose of being in Congress is not to pass laws. It’s to create clear contrasts you can take into the next election campaign.”
“All of these groups share the same mentality. They do not see politics as the art of the possible. They do not believe in seizing opportunities to make steady, messy progress toward conservative goals. They believe that politics is a cataclysmic struggle. They believe that if they can remain pure in their faith then someday their party will win a total and permanent victory over its foes. They believe they are Gods of the New Dawn.”
Vilsack Launches Bid Against King
Former Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack (D) officially launches a bid for Congress against Rep. Steve King (R-IA) today in a video focusing on “civility, responsibility and respect,” reports David Catanese.
Key line: “That’s why we need leaders willing to lower their voices and start lifting their sights.”
“It’s a message tailor made for moderates and independents and a not so subtle swipe at King who is known for his sharp tongue and combative rhetoric… Vilsack has a three-city tour scheduled for Tuesday to officially kick-off what will be one of the most closely watched House contests in 2012.”
