Hollings Set to Retire, Swipes at Bush

[shawn703]

<snip>

The decisions by Hollings and Miller confront Democrats with the need to hold on to both Southern seats while they drive to regain control of the Senate. Republicans control the Senate 51-48, with one independent.


Hollings acknowledged a changing political landscape in South Carolina, which has been voting increasingly Republican. The state House, Senate and governor's office all are GOP-controlled.


"It wouldn't be easy for anybody who's a Democrat in this state to get elected," he said.


Still, he used his retirement announcement to lash out at President Bush (news - web sites), calling him "a good fraternity brother" and the weakest president he's seen in his half century of public service.


"I say 'weak president' in that the poor boy campaigns all the time and pays no attention to what's going on in Congress," Hollings said. "Karl Rove tells him to do this or do that or whatever it is. But he's out campaigning."

<snip>

more...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=683&ncid=703&e=1&u=/ap/20030805/ap_on_el_se/hollings

[Flubadubya]

1. I really must hear this on audio...

I have not seen this on T.V., but I can just hear his voice in my mind now... old Foghorn Leghorn-like and all. "Kahl Rove's been a'tellin' hium to do this ah do that ah whatevah, but he's out a' caimpaignin'."

You go Fritz! You will be missed.

[Ernesto]

6. I heard it on NPR

It was great! Hearing the chimp getting roasted with that southern drawl was quite exciting. Too much Lott, Helms, Thurmond, etc. has turned me sour on the regional accent.

[sujan]

2. bye bye Disney Hollings

I wont miss you.

[lastliberalintexas]

3. Really?

I guess you won't miss the D behind his name when it comes to caucasing, controlling chairmanships and setting the Seante agenda either. :eyes:

[sujan]

4. nope

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&q=disney+hollings

If you can get a clue, I am not a yellow dog. I am not even a registered democrat. I just tend to like few of them.

[robbedvoter]

5. Then you must have the time of your life these days - GOP

is holding everything. And you are here because?

[sujan]

8. so your tunnel vision misgives

that anybody who's not a democrat is automatically a republican. And even if you're a democrat, you should stand by your representive, whether he's right or wrong. Good for you. Plus the website mission statement didn't rule 'democrats' only http://www.democraticunderground.com/about.html


And I quote:
"We welcome Democrats of all stripes, along with other progressives who will work with us to achieve our shared goals. While the vast majority of our visitors are Democrats, this web site is not affiliated with the Democratic Party, nor do we claim to speak for the party as a whole.
"

And you seem to patronize DU because?

[study_war_no_more]

12. welcome Sujan

Good reply!!!

[lastliberalintexas]

13. And the info that you gave

shows that he differs from any other politician how? Enlighten me please. Which oh-so-wonderful politicians do you actually like? And then please tell me how those people whom you support could actually get elected down here?

Well, if you "can get a clue" you might see that I didn't say a single word about you being a Dem. Personally, I don't care if you're a member of the Green, Independent, Dem, or Rainbow Worshipers party. If you're left or moderately left, then you should darn well want a left of center party or coalition controlling Congress. And if our #51 is Hollings, Breaux, Miller, or any other of the variously maligned Senate Dems, then I'm happy to have them. Just as I'd be happy to have Chafee caucas with us if it meant that we Dems (the only even moderately left party currently in a place to govern) would be in control of the Senate again.

Are Dems perfect? Of course not. But at this time, the choice is between the Dems or the repubs controlling Congress. Hmm. That might be a tough choice for you, but it's pretty easy for me.

Politics is about governing. If all you want to do is make a statement, then write a book.

[sujan]

14. re:

And the info that you gave shows that he differs from any other politician how?
> I didn't claim he was any different.

Enlighten me please. Which oh-so-wonderful politicians do you actually like?
> To mention a few: Russ Feingold, Ted Kennedy, Kucinich

And then please tell me how those people whom you support could actually get elected down here?
> None


Well, if you "can get a clue" you might see that I didn't say a single word about you being a Dem.
> I quote you:

I guess you won't miss the D behind his name when it comes to caucasing, controlling chairmanships and setting the Seante agenda either.

So? Whatever the hell that implied about my political stance. You did assume that I would be a democrat.


Personally, I don't care if you're a member of the Green, Independent, Dem, or Rainbow Worshipers party.
> Good

If you're left or moderately left, then you should darn well want a left of center party or coalition controlling Congress.
> I reserve the right not to support 'lesser' evils. I want more choice.

And if our #51 is Hollings, Breaux, Miller, or any other of the variously maligned Senate Dems, then I'm happy to have them.
> I simply dont care if they're democrats or republicans. As long as they fairly reflect my positions on various issues, I would have a favourable view of their affairs. In this case, the Great Sen Disney Hollings contradicted my positions on digital rights.

Just as I'd be happy to have Chafee caucas with us if it meant that we Dems (the only even moderately left party currently in a place to govern) would be in control of the Senate again. Are Dems perfect? Of course not. But at this time, the choice is between the Dems or the repubs controlling Congress. Hmm. That might be a tough choice for you, but it's pretty easy for me.

> Yes its easy choice for me too. I support neither.

Politics is about governing. If all you want to do is make a statement, then write a book.

> I might as well.

I reserve the right to bash anyone and I have facts to do so.

[Dulcinea]

7. Tha Dems have a pretty good chance to hold onto his seat.

That is, if Alex Sanders or the state treasurer (can't remember her name) runs.

The only way the Dems will keep Miller's seat is is Andrew Young runs & the Dem voters turn out in droves.

[NewJerseyDem]

9. State school superintendent might run

Inez Tenenbaum is the best candidate that we have there. She has won statewide twice already and won quite easily last year. I don't know what has happened to Alex Sanders. I haven't heard him mentioned at all so I don't know if he has ruled out running or not.

Georgia will be hard to defend but if the AG Thurbert Baker runs we may a good chance. Also, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin might be good. Roy Barnes is pushing moderate freshman congressman Jim Marshall to run. He might be good but if Cleland lost than I think that Marshall will probably lose.

[Merlin]

16. Can't believe that Sanders isn't a natural for this.

He came off very well in '02, though he lost. Seemed like a hell of a candidate.

[Clyde39]

10. Thank you.......thank you

Now, please get some others to join you in this badly needed citicism.

[inthecorneroverhere]

11. wish Hollings wouldn't retire

Hollings has been a much-needed voice in the Senate. I wish he would have re-upped for another term. He would probably have been re-elected, but it's going to be difficult to get a replacement Dem in the seat.

Has he considered national office i.e. VP?

[jiacinto]

15. Yeah

I wish he hadn't retired.

[laylah]

17. I read accounts of this today

in both my local paper and USA Today and neither quoted his best remarks.......go figger :silly: