Some say Bunning, in frustration, hinted he may quit GOP seat

[kpete]

Source: The Courier-Journal

Some say Bunning, in frustration, hinted he may quit GOP seat

By James R. Carroll and Joseph Gerth • The Courier-Journal • February 27, 2009

WASHINGTON — Already in conflict with his party’s leaders, Sen. Jim Bunning has reportedly said privately that if he is hindered in raising money for his re-election campaign he is ready with a response that would be politically devastating for Senate Republicans: his resignation.
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The Kentucky Republican suggested that possible scenario at a campaign fundraiser for him on Capitol Hill earlier this week, according to three sources who asked not to be identified because of the politically sensitive nature of Bunning’s remarks.

The implication, they said, was that Bunning would allow Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat, to appoint his replacement — a move that could give Democrats the 60 votes they need to block Republican filibusters in the Senate.

“I would get the last laugh. Don’t forget Kentucky has a Democrat governor,” one of the sources quoted Bunning as saying.

Read more: http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090227/NEWS01/90227025

[tridim]

1. Blackmail is apparently also a Republican value.

[drmeow]

5. I would call it fighting fire with fire

since the Repuke leadership has survived on blackmail for years.

[damntexdem]

36. Yeah, but in this case I approve of it.

Especially if he carries through on his threat.

[roguevalley]

39. Bunning appears to be suffering from some form of alzheimers. He could do this

[KamaAina]

2. Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!

:bounce:

[Infomaniac]

21. LOL! I had the same thought. Do it already!

[Cha]

3. Wow! If this is true

then bunning's in the running for the "eat your own" award.

I missed that whole brouhaha about what he and his fellow repukes are fussing about?

[eleny]

4. They don't want him to run again because they don't think he can win reelection

From the article...
"Bunning has been in a bitter battle with McConnell and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, over the 2010 Kentucky Senate race.

Bunning wants to run for a third term, but McConnell and Cornyn have sent clear messages that they want Kentucky’s junior senator to stand aside over concerns that he won’t be re-elected."

[Cha]

6. Thanks, eleny, for pointing that out.

And, why do they think he wouldn't be re-elected? Isn't he enough of hypocritical liar for them? And, a former baseball star!

[recoveringdittohed]

18. Bunning barely won last time in 2004

In 2004 Bunning beat relatively unknown Daniel Mongiardo by only 1 percentage point. In the campaign Bunning made some strange statements which made it appear that he might shall we say be mentally losing his fastball. With the political climate (fortunately) much less favorable to the GOP in 2010 Bunning looks vulnerable.

[Cha]

30. Thanks, I read the wikipedia

on him and it sounded like he's gone off the track..can't have that.

[Jefferson23]

7. Oh my! Will be interesting to see if Bunning gets what he wants from this threat.

[aquart]

31. He's not nuts if he's managed to put the GOP in a bind like this.

Smart like a fox, in fact.

[Historic NY]

8. waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!.

[40ozDonkey]

38. I've been drunk for weeks.

Best. Bender. Ever.

[havocmom]

40. I am so stealing that image

:thumbsup:

[iandhr]

9. Bunning leaving

A KY as a Democratic governor. I do not want to get my hopes up as the old saying goes. "If it sounds to good to be true it probably is

[tridim]

13. That phrase works for everything except President Obama.

[iandhr]

14. ah Touché

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Beanball!!

eBay

[iandhr]

12. ball four

[Jack Rabbit]

27. That was Jim Bouton

Bunning was a better pitcher than Bouton.

[mwb970]

11. Resign now, you frackin' jerk.

Go away! The sooner the better. And take your ball with you. What a typical republican jerk.

[williesgirl]

15. lol - you need to read the comments following the article! rec'd

[MasonJar]

16. This will make it much harder for Cornyn and McConnell to keep

pressuring him. I hope he resigns or gets to run. He will not win. I do not want the Ky. GOPers finding another candidate, especially if it is David Williams. That would be horrific. He is a nightmare. Bunning is much preferable so y'all can imagine easily how grotesque Williams is, and Bunning cannot win anyway.

[LiberalFighter]

17. I will believe it when I see it.

I think that Bunning is making a threat that he won't back up.

[BrklynLiberal]

19. It would be appropriate since he never should have been elected...

[dodger501]

20. Doesn't he have a few marbles rolling loose?

Thought I heard that . . .

[Deep13]

22. Related story: the new R. mascot is the lemming. nt

[sonias]

23. Do it Bunning!

Please do it. That would teach that ass-hat Cornyn!

:rofl:


Sonia

[Left Coast2020]

24. Bye-Bye Jimbo.

Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya! :hide:

[No Elephants]

25. One comment following the article is that the Governor would not end his career

by appointing a Democrat. That is a possibility, too.

Interesting dynamic.

[alfredo]

34. His Lt Governor is the man most likely to challenge bean ball bunning.

[Omnibus]

26. Oh, he's opened a whole DRUM of worms.

Now EVERY Repub in a state with a Democratic governor will realize they hold their caucus hostage. And since they're self-centered assholes, most of them will try it.

Chuck Grassley, Arlen Specter, Mitch McConnell, Kit Bond, Judd Gregg, Olympia Snowe, Sam Brownback, Pat Roberts, Susan Collins, George Voinovich, Lamar Alexander, Richard Burr, and Bob Corker all have Democratic governors that (I think) can appoint replacement senators. Suddenly, the Repub sled has 13 more lead dogs.

Mike Enzi of WY has a Democratic governor, but he can't wield this threat, since his governor has to pick a senator from a list of three Repubs. Sorry, Mike!

I'd love to see more and more Repubs making this threat. Anything to break up their current hive-mind behavior.

[No Elephants]

29. Excellent point. Anyone making popcorn, or is it my turn?

[awoke_in_2003]

33. I say we switch to nachos. nt

[No Elephants]

35. Only if there's an emote for that. (Popcorn, I can leave or take, but I have an emote addiction.)

[radfringe]

28. sounds like another NOPer having a hissy fit to me

NOPer leaders will figure out someway to kiss the boo-boo and keep him in the Senate long enough to find another NOPer to run against Bunning in the primary.

[Bandit]

32. Old saying where I come from "Either Shit or get off the Pot"

:shrug: Time to spend more time with the family I reckon.

[ArbustoBuster]

37. I thought that was a code phrase.

Isn't "I quit to spend more time with my family" the GOP code phrase for "I was caught in a hotel with a hooker and ten bags of blow"? If it isn't, then they probably need to stop saying they're quitting to spend time with the family every time they're about to be hauled into jail...

:evilgrin: