Republican: Important for GOP to avoid 'witch hunts'

[sabra]

Source: The Hill

Republicans need to execute rigorous oversight of the Obama administration but also avoid the pitfalls of going on "witch hunts," a key GOP lawmaker said Wednesday.

Rep. Jeff Flake (Ariz.), a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said that House Republicans need to "proceed with caution" in terms of their investigations into the Obama administration during the next Congress.

"I think all of us should proceed with caution in terms with what might be viewed and what would be kind of witch hunts going on," he told NPR. "And I'm sure that (committee chairman-in-waiting) Darrell Issa will be careful of that. We saw too much of that in the 1990s."

...

But Flake cautioned that it could be difficult for GOP leaders to rein in the wishes of some of its newest members, who rode in on a wave of anger with the economy and Obama's policies.

"I think that you cannot underestimate the difficulty that's going to come with trying to corral this bunch," the five-term congressman said.

"And that I think that's certainly a healthy situation, to have people come with an outside perspective, because certainly, the go-along-to-get-along attitude that we've had as Republicans for far too long has to be challenged," he added. "But that doesn't minimize the task that Speaker Boehner will have."

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/127683-republican-important-for-gop-to-avoid-witch-hunts

[Lochloosa]

1. Those statements are aimed directly at the Tea Baggers...

[foxfeet]

5. And we need to make sure that the public understands that Tea Bagger = Republican.

We need to do it every time they start up with their BS, over and over and as loudly as we can.

[pasto76]

9. exactly. "Thanks for the votes, now go home"

only took two days. wow.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. No shit.

It heartens me to see that at least one Republican understands what they're up against.

Have fun governing!

And good luck with the Tea Baggers.

NOT.

[yourout]

3. Good luck with that.

I will give credit for attempting to understand what they are up against.

[SpiralHawk]

4. "Giggadittoes on that. Smirk." - Christine O'Donnell (R - RepubliBagger)

[UrbScotty]

6. He's gonna get teabagged in 2012 (nt)

[kestrel91316]

7. No, no, go right ahead with as many witch hunts as you can drum up -

just don't think the people won't notice, and judge you for it.

[Rozlee]

26. Yep. Clinton's fav ratings shot up to 80% the day after he was voted to be impeached

Maybe it was because it was over sex and people got sick of it. But, if Rethugs go after Obama, they won't be able to overcome their basic nature and some will let their inner KKK out and speak their racists minds. They'll wind up shooting themselves in the foot the way Gingrich, Hyde and Lindsey Grahams did in the 90s.

[gratuitous]

8. I heard Flake make these same comments last weekend

He knows as well as you and I do that there's no way the witch hunts will be reined in, but at least he said they shouldn't happen, or shouldn't dominate the political sphere. He and his like-minded Republican colleagues - if any there be - will do nothing to stop the witch hunts once they get going.

[pasto76]

11. yeah they've campaigned on this hysteria, and already know their jobs and credibility are on the lin

[Solly Mack]

10. lolololololololololol

"...the go-along-to-get-along attitude that we've had as Republicans for far too long..."

[niceypoo]

12. Republicans dont care about consequences

...and it has steadily gained them power for the last 30 years

[SnowCritter]

13. Scorpion and the frog

I wonder if they'll be able to overcome their own nature?

[matt819]

14. They can't help it

It's in their very nature. The problem, of course, is now the witchhunts will be directed at Dems (from the Republicans and teabaggers) and at the Republicans (from the tbaggers). The battle between the tbaggers and the republicans should be interesting. What's the bet on whether the tbaggers will toe the RW line or if they'll forge their own course. Let the games begin.

[snot]

15. Why should they? It's always worked for them before.

[MilesColtrane]

16. So Flake's the Good Cop.

Meanwhile Bad Cop Boehner is meeting with his henchmen trying to figure out just how to ratfuck the White House.

[still_one]

17. Yup, starting and investigation to disprove global warming sounds like that is what you really want

to do

Why don't I believe your intentions are honorable Mr. Flake?

[The Stranger]

18. And the Pelosi Disaster INSISTED on taking impeachment off the table.

Enraging.

[Iliyah]

21. They are some

nasty group of people. I would love to see the witch hunt turn on them. They would cry foul and of course try to be the victim. Say what you will about the Dems, but being cowards they are not.

[Tx4obama]

19. What exactly is it that they plan on investigating? n/t

[sadbear]

20. "...its newest members, who rode in on a wave of anger with the economy and Obama's policies."

Bullshit. The tea party wave is not that sophisticated. It's about visceral hate of President Obama, the man, not his policies.

[Drale]

22. They dont want to go on a witchhunt

they already had one witch in Christine O'Donnell, and where there is one there is many. AHAHAHA :rofl:

[McCamy Taylor]

23. LOL. Their base is going to demand a witch hunt. It is what Fundies do and want.

They are going to get 100 e-mails a day from people telling them to get the n----- out of office. You think they will listen to any voice of reason? McConnel (who is not going to be in charge of any house of Congress) keeps foaming at the mouth about getting rid of Obama.

:rofl:

[moonbatmax]

24. Say WHAT???

...the go-along-to-get-along attitude that we've had as Republicans...

:wtf:

If the last two years is what Republicans call "go-along-to-get-along,"
I'm not sure I want to see what they call "mad-as-hell-not-gonna-take-it-anymore!"

No, wait...

That just MIGHT make 'em look Bat Shit Crazy enough for people to notice. Finally!
At least, the ones who remember what a real olive branch is...

:cry: I just love this country! :choke:

[yellowcanine]

25. "And I'm sure that (committee chairman-in-waiting) Darrell Issa will be careful of that."

Not going to the bank with that assessment. Issa has no history of "being careful." Why should we expect him to change his stripes now?