Ken Blackwell: GOP Must Defeat Job-Creating Stimulus Because It Will Ruin GOP’s Election Chances»

[babylonsister]

Mind-boggling.

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/01/16/blackwell-blocks-jobs/


Blackwell: GOP Must Defeat Job-Creating Stimulus Because It Will Ruin GOP’s Election Chances»


In an article published on Townhall today, RNC Chairman candidate and former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell urges congressional conservatives to oppose the reinvestment and recovery stimulus plan promoted by President-elect Obama. Though he offers standard conservative arguments against the plan — including a screed against the growth of “big government” — Blackwell seemed most concerned about the political benefit Democrats might see from successfully boosting the economy.

He warned that the bill, which calls for 80 percent job creation in the private sector, could create 600,000 new federal jobs — a problem because it would make it that much harder for for Republicans to win back Virginia:

While only a few details are known, one overlooked issue is that it could create a major electoral advantage for Democrats at taxpayer expense. That would be unacceptable for what is being touted as a nonpartisan measure, and gives Republicans yet another reason to oppose it if not restructured. <…>

But most federal employees, that are not political appointees, vote Democrat. Since Washington, DC is the seat of government, whenever new federal bureaucrats are created many live in Maryland and Virginia. In 2008, Virginia went Democrat for the first time since 1964, and Mr. Obama won it by 130,000 votes. Creating 600,000 new jobs might help cement Virginia in the Democrat column, making it harder for Republicans to retake the White House.

Blackwell cites House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) as his source for the 600,000 “bureaucrats” figure. In fact, Obama’s council of economic advisers predicts that the plan would create about 240,000 government jobs, compared to, for example, 700,000 in mining and construction. And of course, there’s no reason to assume the bulk of government jobs would be created in the D.C. area, though the District — which has the 6th highest unemployment rate in the nation — could use the new jobs.

The bottom line is that, in an economy that lost 1.2 million jobs last year, Blackwell’s biggest concern is to block the creation of new jobs because those newly-employed Americans might vote Democratic.

[Joe the Liberal]

1. Typical........

Republicans have always put themselves and politics first, they could care less about America.

[BlooInBloo]

2. (shrug) Republicans have hated America longer than I've been alive...

I wouldn't expect that to change *now*.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Uh .... Blackwell was Ohio SecState, not governor

[babylonsister]

4. Edited, thanks. nt

[mwb970]

21. He ran for governor, and lost by the biggest margin ever.

I think he got 35% of the vote or some such. He is completely worthless, but you already knew that.

[Joe Chi Minh]

5. What election chances....?

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Hmm sounds familiar... going over to the history book on the shelf

opening to chapter on FDR and Great Depression

THOUGHT SO

[stillcool]

7. too bad it's not a 'news' story..

I like that he's honest. The more overt the better.

[muntrv]

8. These are the same morans who say that US needed another 9/11 to

appreciate Chimpy.

[TroglodyteScholar]

9. Good for Americans = bad for GOP

Big surprise there....

[Kansas Wyatt]

10. Assholes like him do not belong in government...

Let alone in any decision making process within it.

Blackwell deserves to have his words printed off, with his home address, and handed out to people in unemployment offices around the country. Not that I would ever condone such a thing happening... cough, cough.

[TheKentuckian]

13. Republiscum don't belong in government because they do not believe in it

on general principle.

[chill_wind]

11. We can't ever quit shining a bright light on these corrupt GOP cockroaches

no matter how upside our present fortunes might be right now.

They are organizationally scattered, but far from gone.
They will never reform. Seems they only get crazier.



K & R

[Number23]

12. Damn.

Blackwell's just the only one honest (or stupid) enough to broadcast what so many Repubs obviously think to the world...

one overlooked issue is that it could create a major electoral advantage for Democrats at taxpayer expense.

How the hell is doing the job you were elected to do at the expense of taxpayers?

[benld74]

14. Do the GOP EVER think of testing each other for taking drugs? I mean damn!!!

[Odin2005]

15. They are scared to death that Obama will restore people's faith in government.

The Reaganist "drown the government in a bathtub" program relies on people thinking the government is bad and incompetent. They know that if Obama succeeds in restoring the proper functioning of the social contract between The People and our government they are fucked politically.

[Trajan]

20. I saw David Brooks on PBS Newhour today ....

And he related that Obama's favorable rating with rank-and-file REPUBLICANS is at 59% .....

59% ..... of GOP respondents ....

I think that some of the borderline moderate repukes have bought into Obama's speeches that emphasized inclusion and hard work by all, and they could very well cross the line for good, if Obama can meet some measure of success ....

While some of Obama's moves prior to taking office have been poorly received here, there is emerging evidence that he is forming a formidable center-left coalition by spending some of his political capital on the opposition ... He seems to be peeling off the low hanging fruit of the moderate GOP rather easily in this honeymoon ....

I have personally been disappointed with a few initiatives by the PE since the election, but I must admit: This guy is executing a masterful political play that could very well set the national tone for the next two decades, or more ....

Frustrating, and brilliant ....

Maybe the nominal Dittohead-suckers are seeing through the idiocy promoted by the rabid snake oil salesmen on the right .....

[proud patriot]

16. Wow my reaction to reading that was revulsion

:puke:

[Juche]

17. Fine by me

Combine the stimulus with a strong union movement via EFCA and a meaningful universal healthcare reform law and the democratic party will enjoy majorities for a generation. Fine by me. If Ken Blackwell wants to stop something, then full speed ahead.

[Tindalos]

18. Just when you think they can't sink any lower...

Why am I surprised by this? I should know better by now that the GOP has not a shred of humanity left.

[lostnfound]

19. Like Gingrich's comments against Clinton's health care plan.

Republican politicians care about Republican politicians.

[maryf]

22. Blackwell?

sure its not Blackheart?

[The Backlash Cometh]

23. If the Republicans hadn't of fucked up so badly, we wouldn't have

had a need to make these massive federal employments. That's the downside of free market. When you leave it to the other side to clean up the mess, those who created the mess shouldn't expect their personal situation to get any better.

[gratuitous]

24. Isn't that just peachy?

For years, as Democrats and Progressives watched the Bush administration enact catastrophic policy after horrific decision, we predicted that the result was going to be . . . well, catastrophic and horrible. Which is precisely what happened time after time. For our trouble, we were rewarded by the Republican cheerleaders and their media toadies with accusations of "wanting the president to fail." As if the logical, inevitable outcome of a ruinous decision could be averted by simply believing it was going to turn out all right.

Blackwell's red crayon scratchings show, however, that Republicans were engaging in their usual projection: A good policy change can't be allowed to happen because it would demonstrate that Democrats are competent and know what they're doing. Monkey wrench it! Who cares if people are starving in the streets? Better that the population should suffer than that they be helped and perceive that it's because of Democratic policies. As usual, the Elephant flies above the Eagle in the GOP.

This screed probably doesn't meet the legal definition of treason, but for anyone who loves the United States and cares about its people, the odor is unmistakable.