Bipartisanship my ass!! Dick Lugar declines ride w/Obama on AF1

[bridgit]

My colleague Carol Lee reports that Indiana Republican Senator Dick Lugar won't accompany President Obama to his home state tomorrow, despite an invitation from the president.

Indiana's other senator, Democrat Evan Bayh, will be aboard Air Force One, along with six current and former members of Congress, one of whom, Brad Ellsworth, voted against the House bill.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/09/dick-lugar-turns-down-oba_n_165118.html?page=5

These pissy old republicans; and the young ones too for that matter, are going down in history like spoiled, indignant children. Lugar...a guy that sponsored along with Obama a nuke non-prolif bill turns out to be stuck on stupid and caught in a web of republican partisanship.

It's a mystery to me how these people can shave the faces they see in their mirrors every morning - disgraceful conduct! Before the nation and the world, be rid of them!

[Still Sensible]

1. How does one render one's self irrelevant?

Yep, that's a good start.

[bridgit]

2. Whelp, there it is that's what I'm say'n...maybe republicans are like ghosts that don't know...

they're dead cause they are having one hell of a time moving on

[bertman]

3. How can they shave the faces they see . . .? It's called "denial".

[bridgit]

4. For real!

[Thrill]

5. I think Rush sent out the marching orders. The Indiana Governor didn't show up either.

Despite other Republicans from around their state showing up

[Davis_X_Machina]

6. Lugar's absence was benign....

he stayed behind with John Kerry and Nobel laureate Wangari Maatha in DC trying to save rain forests.

Seriously.

He can't be in two places at once.

[bridgit]

14. Sure, and if I had a grouping of errant cells I'd prefer they be "benign"

:donut:

[babylonsister]

7. He had more important things to do - I'd save the vitriol for someone

who actually deserves it...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/why-lugar-declined-that-air-force-one-trip.php

Why Lugar Declined That Air Force One Trip
By Elana Schor - February 9, 2009, 2:34PM


Ben Smith raised an interesting question this morning: Why did Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), whom President Obama has singled out as a valuable mentor, pass up the chance to ride to Indiana on Air Force One today?

Lugar's absence looked a bit amiss to Mike Tomasky and other wise heads, particularly since Rep. Fred Upton (MI) -- another Republican whose vote on the final stimulus bill is still within reach for the president -- did join Obama on today's trip. But as a Lugar spokesman explained to me, the senator had a pretty good reason to decline the Air Force One invitation.

Lugar, the longtime senior Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, was previously committed to joining panel chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai at a conference on protecting the world's forests from the devastating effects of climate change.

Lugar also wanted to stay in town to study up on the stimulus compromise that was announced over the weekend, his spokesman explained. Sounds like reason enough to remain in Washington -- especially if Lugar ultimately votes for the recovery bill.

[karynnj]

10. Here is a link where you can hear Wangari Maathai's talk to

students at Holy Cross. She is absolutely amazing.

http://www.holycross.edu/publicaffairs/features/2006-2007/maathai_audio

[bridgit]

13. See post #11

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8184734&mesg_id=8185771

[Connie_Corleone]

8. Please get all the facts first.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/why-lugar-declined-that-air-force-one-trip.php

Lugar, the longtime senior Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, was previously committed to joining panel chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai at a conference on protecting the world's forests from the devastating effects of climate change.

Lugar also wanted to stay in town to study up on the stimulus compromise that was announced over the weekend, his spokesman explained. Sounds like reason enough to remain in Washington -- especially if Lugar ultimately votes for the recovery bill.

[bridgit]

11. Facts? Sure. I understand DU has great sport understanding these things, 1) I am no fan of D. Lugar

So let's get that 'fact' out there right now. If others here at DU care to become his apologist/publicist, or press or itinerary secretaries that's fine, welcome to America, 2) If as a U.S. Senator; the people in my state were suffering due in great measure to the programs and edicts I myself agreed with forthrightly or as a summary matter via my republican pretzedent for the previous 8 years (?) I'd be desirous of being associated via my triangulation with the planting of trees ("He who plants a Tree loves others besides himself." k, whatever, Richard) beside Nobel Laureate' myself as well, and 3), and for me the more telling if & when I were not even as bipartisan as Arlen Specter for crying out loud this the day after:

The bill got through a procedural vote Monday, 61-36, one more vote than the 60 needed. The final vote is likely to come today. Bayh voted to end debate; Lugar voted “no.”

In addition, Lugar said, “the U.S. Treasury Department estimates that new net borrowing could increase more than three times from $788 billion in 2008 to as much as $2.5 trillion in 2009. This is more than 10 times greater than the level in 2006 or 2007. This raises serious questions as to whom in what countries around the globe will buy our bonds to cover this debt, especially with hostile trade provisions in place. Already, more than half of our treasury debt obligations are held by foreigners, most significantly by China and Japan, who are also facing financial difficulties.”

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090210/NEWS03/302109949/1002/LOCAL

(Jeepers, it's hard to imagine how China got involved :eyes:)

I think part of the problem has been for too long that Dem's seldom got the chance to put all their eggs in one basket when for the most part we've been putting them in the wrong baskets altogether. And Dick Lugar is to my thinking the wrong basket but thanks for playing, and have a lovely day, Ms. _Corleone

[karynnj]

9. Here is where Lugar was on Monday at a meeting showing bipartisan support on global warming

with Senator Kerry. This is important as the SFRC will lead the effort on global warming in the Senate. This was likely scheduled long before the invitation was issued. It would be nice if people like the author of the Huffington Post or Rachel Maddow had bothered to ask Senator Lugar's office for a reason or his schedule - assuming a sitting Senator has no potential conflicts is silly. (Stolen from a Tay Tay post on DU JK - thanks Tay Tay)

http://news.mongabay.com/2009/0209-avoided_deforestation.html

Kerry, Lugar: U.S. has opportunity to lead on climate, forest conservation


February 10, 2009

Bipartisan support for including forest protection as a solution to climate change

The United States can reassert itself as a global leader on the environment by supporting an initiative to fight climate change by protecting forests, said leaders from a broad range of political, environmental, development and business communities at a meeting on Capitol Hill Monday. Joined by senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Richard Lugar, the "Avoided Deforestation Partners" coalition called for Congress to include "strong tropical forest protection measures in U.S. climate change legislation" ahead of this December's climate conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"Deforestation is a critical national security challenge because of its connections with threats from climate change and food security," said Lugar (R-Indiana), the senior-most Republican in the United States Senate. "I hope the United States will show leadership in elevating these issues during the upcoming international climate negotiations."

"Tropical deforestation must be a part of the debate on both climate change and national security," added Kerry (D-Massachusetts), who currently serves as the Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. "Around the globe, millions of people have seen their land and livelihoods degraded by deforestation, increasing instability in already troubled regions. At the same time, deforestation continues to release billions of tons of carbon dioxide, accelerating the worldwide climate changes already occurring. America must set the tone for the rest of the world by including smart, effective forest protections in our own climate legislation this year and working to include international forestry provisions in the next international climate change agreement."

[bridgit]

12. See post #11

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8184734&mesg_id=8185771

[MadBadger]

15. Lugar was attending a conference on protecting the World's Forests, with John Kerry

Thats why he wasnt there.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/why-lugar-declined-that-air-force-one-trip.php#more

[bridgit]

16. See post #11

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8184734&mesg_id=8185771

[bridgit]

17. In fact anyone that meanders through see post #11

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8184734&mesg_id=8185771

[Debi]

21. Post #11 has nothing to do with your OP and why Lugar was not on Air Force One with President Obama

[bridgit]

24. But this one did and people continue to post it as though it is Biblical Scripture

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/why-lugar-declined-that-air-force-one-trip.php#more

[Debi]

26. Seems TPM agrees with the posters in this thread.

Not your OP.

[bridgit]

28. The www is capable of disproving any opinion you may have to offer...

that much is a given

[Debi]

30. I don't dispute your vitrol toward Lugar. Your OP is still dead wrong

Lugar did not refuse to ride on Air Force One with President Obama because he is a 'pissy old repbuclican'.

[bridgit]

33. Mmm, maybe fair enough, still...my OP expresses aspects of my opinion...

This being a Democratic 'message board', I would think that template regarding the Democratic expressions of same to be satisfied. But my OP did include a link to HuffPo http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/09/dick-lugar-turns-down-oba_n_165118.html?page=5 Another site linked here as though Biblical Scripture, or more to the point a supermarket's scriptural produce dept to be picked through yes; so that perhaps everyone's argument is with Arianna Huffington and not me, though even *that* is DU and I accept it, in fact...

I am nurturing the totality of it all right now :thumbsup:

[MadBadger]

19. First, stop directing people to post 11

Your response to that person comes off as angry, and some of us arent belittling you.

Secondly, he had a prior engagement, so he didnt go. I just dont see a reason to be upset by this.

[bridgit]

20. Oh fiddledeedee, your response to me is angry

Did you not realize your posting the same shit after everyone else? There is no more nuance to contribute and you missed an opportunity to visualize that :rofl:

[Debi]

18. I'd rather have Lugar working with Democratic Senators on other issues

than riding on Air Force One with the President. He'll have the chance to spend time with President Obama again.

[bridgit]

23. Now there you go, Debi...that makes the most sense to me

A little bit of time spent away from the errant (which I continue to equate with republican for a time), and *with* proper thinkers may be just the ticket for Mr. Lugar :)

[Debi]

25. But let's be clear - he didn't refuse to ride w/President Obama so he could cry in his coffee

with the GOP Leadership. He declined the invite b/c of a bi-partisan prior engagement. Your OP is still off subject.

[bridgit]

29. Great news, Ms. Debi, the stimulus would seem to have just passed...

:donut: the coffee is not to cry in, it is to wake up and smell :kick:

[Debi]

31. I never doubted it's passage.

Nor did I doubt the ability for some of the GOP to see the wisdom of working with our new President.

[bridgit]

32. I do agree, they will be hard but as a practical matter these are better days; have you seen...

this thread? http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8184939&mesg_id=8184939 It pretty cool :)

[IndianaGreen]

22. How come Indiana Democratic officials did not field a candidate against Lugar?

Lugar has been out of touch with local issues, he was vulnerable.

[bridgit]

27. IndianaGreen? I really don't know, but Lugar has been so successful at threading that needle...

Many here at DU seem to think his representation true enough so :shrug: