WP: GOP Fails to Splinter United Democrats

[Rose Siding]

Sunday, January 14, 2007; Page A01

House Republican leaders, who confidently predicted they would drive a wedge through the new Democratic majority, have found their own party splintering, with Republican lawmakers siding with Democrats in droves on the House's opening legislative blitz.

Freed from the pressures of being the majority and from the heavy hand of former leaders including retired representative Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), many back-bench Republicans are showing themselves to be more moderate than their conservative leadership and increasingly mindful of shifting voter sentiment. The closest vote last week -- Friday's push to require the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare -- pulled 24 Republicans. The Democrats' homeland security bill attracted 68 Republicans, the minimum wage increase 82.

"You're freer to vote your conscience," said Rep. Jo Anne Emerson (R-Mo.)....."Or, really, I feel free to represent my constituents exactly as they want me to be."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/13/AR2007011301189.html?nav=rss_politics

With this quote, Blunt the whip, sums up his opinion of our system of government:

"The Democrats will soon move from these issues that poll at 80, 90 percent to issues that really matter."

[Greeby]

1. Most of the issues that matter do poll at 80 or 90 percent

Like ending this war (alright perhaps not THAT high, but close enough)

[ck4829]

2. Even some Republicans are glad to be out of the majority

That's good to hear.

[billybob537]

3. Blunt

1. having an obtuse, thick, or dull edge or point; rounded; not sharp: a blunt pencil.
2. abrupt in address or manner: a blunt, ill-timed question.
3. slow in perception or understanding; obtuse: His isolation has made him blunt about the feelings of others.
–verb (used with object) 4. to make blunt; hebetate: He blunted the knife by using it to cut linoleum.
5. to weaken or impair the force, keenness, or susceptibility of: Wine first excites, then blunts the imagination.
–verb (used without object) 6. to become blunt.
–noun 7. something blunt, as a small-game arrow, a short sewing needle, or a short, thick cigar.
8. Slang. a cigar stuffed with marijuana.


I especially like #3&5

[speedoo]

4. heh. nt

[caseycoon]

5. Issues that really matter???

Wow!
Blunt REALLY has his head up his butt doesn't he?

Seems to me issues that poll at 80 to 90% REALLY MATTER!:grr: