How many people knew that McCain introduced the amendment to kill the Buy American clause

[lxlxlxl]

See...this is one of those examples where the way an issue is 'framed' / explained / whatever, is done in a way to either protect Republicans or exposes how weak some of the Dems are in attacking the opposition.

THE MCCAIN AMENDMENT would have killed the Buy America clause in the stimulus bill. Why doesnt McCAin have to explain WHY HE HATES AMERICA, or explain to people why BUYING AMERICAN PRODUCTS IN THE SHORT RUN is bad for the country.

Instead, McCain was able to get on Couric last night and duck this issue completely. I dont know if he did the rounds to other shows, but he didnt have to answer one question on this. Same with free trade, the Republicans always pass NAFTA off as a Clinton Initiative when it was something that came straight out of AEI.

So what is the deal, are the Republicans protected by our media, or do Democrats not know how to explain their own opposition?

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

1. Before I fly off the handle, have a source to back up your claim?

I didn't get my morning paper yet, so I have to portion out my rage until then.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

3. It was McCain. here:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/02/04/obama-protectionism.html?ref=rss


The U.S. Senate rejected an amendment put forward by Republican Senator John McCain to strip the "Buy American" provision from the huge U.S. stimulus bill while agreeing to soften the language that had given rise to concerns of pending trade wars.

McCain's amendment had stated that the "utilization of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this act shall not be subject to any 'Buy American' requirement." It was voted down 65 to 31 on Wednesday night.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

5. Thanks.

Now if you excuse me I'm going to write some angry letters since anything else would probably get me arrested very quickly.

[pam4water]

9. I konw the the answer but I can't help but say it... Why do we have to get our news from Canda &

the BBC?

[JohnWxy]

11. HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY TO FIND OUR THE TRUTH. ( or the internet of course)

[lxlxlxl]

7. doubt its in any paper

strange isn't it? that something as obviously polarizing as killing the buy america clause would go so unnoticed?

[ErinBerin84]

2. McCain was on Couric last night?

Did she ask him why he NEVER SEEMS TO BE ABLE to vote in the Senate for ANYTHING? He's wisking away to Germany, conveniently, for this vote.

[pam4water]

10. Why is he going to Germany? Does Chancellor Merkel have a back arch or something?

Thank you folks I'm here all week.

[The Brethren]

13. Good point.

Since voting is one of legislators' important duties and responsibilities while in office. Imagine if you only did part of your job every week how long you have your job?


Stimulus Plan ("American Recovery and Reinvestment Act") full text: Orig. House version -- http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/RecoveryBill01-15-09.pdf Senate version -- http://appropriations.senate.gov/News/2009_02_02_The_American_Recovery_and_Reinvestment_Act_of_2009.pdf Spreadsheet of Senate compromise -- http://appropriations.senate.gov/News/2009_02_08_UPDATED_Appropriations_Provisions_of_American_Recovery_and_Reinvestment_Act.pdf?CFID=4043629&CFTOKEN=40573040 Text of Senate compromise version of fiscal stimulus legislation -- http://readthestimulus.org/amdth1.pdf

[patrice]

4. Some of both, but with a majority of the responsibility on Dems who CAN'T explain anything.

Certainly the inertia is with the Media, but Democrats have been just riding along for so long that they actually don't know how to get Socratic and work the questions that reveal to everyone what is going on.

[Life Long Dem]

6. 650,000 thousand first time filings signed up for unemployment

26 year high surge.

I never gave a shit this crook was a vet. I don't call McCain's serving the country as a service, as I don't describe Bush's supposed service in the national guard as a service to our country.

Like father like son with a photo-op service is not in my definition of serving your country. And the rest is propaganda. Just ask yourself how the government treats vets. Yet make sure you go with the honor of serving your country, photo-op or not.

[terisan]

8. Hasn't Obama backed off on this following Caterpiller's opposition & warnings from other countries?

European countries and Canada have made strong statements and pointed out that there will be retaliation.

If American corporations say they don't want the restriction and trading partner countries are threatening retaliation it is going to be watered down-because Dems want to do so.

The part for American workers is the projects where the work is done here--re-sodding the mall or road building, mixing concrete --these are the jobs for unions and American workers and the challenge will be to see that they go to American workers rather than imported labor.

The Democrats, as well as Obama, are perfectly free to stand up and defend the Buy America clause in its entirity and lay out the case for it, It would get big media attention. If they do not do this or make weak statements and let it go or water it down, it is because they do not want it in there.

McCain, I think is either doing the Dems a favor (for which he will get paid back) or trying to get credit with business. Our party is not politically weak-if they drop this clause it is because they want it out (but would like at the same time to make it seem like someone else's fault.

[JohnWxy]

12. Great Post. Tried to recommend but i was too late. Thank you for facts the media won't tell us.

BTW the M$M IS the public relations wing of the Republican party. That's why everyone is stampeding to the internet to find out what's really going on.