Senator George Voinovich----A Real Asshole

[louis c]

Here's the rub, my DU friends. George Voinovich could have done the right thing, morally, ethically, patriotically and politically, but he failed to do so, because he's an asshole.

He's a relatively moderate Republican Senator from Ohio. His voters are not much unlike Pennsylvania's. They have been hit extremely hard by this economic crisis created by his party, and he has to move toward the middle to win reelection.

We are going into a vote tonight where the Senate needs 60 votes to break a filibuster. Voinovich's Ohio colleague, Sherrod Brown is back in Ohio attending his recently deceased mother's services.

If Voinovich was any kind of a man and anything but a half-wit politically, here's what he could do. Tell Sherrod to tend to his grieving family and stay in Ohio. Voinovich could then vote to break the filibuster, giving the stimulus plan it's 60 votes (also not forcing an ailing Ted Kennedy to report). After the filibuster is broken with Voinovich's 60th vote, he can then vote against the package, because only a simple majority is necessary. He can announce his opposition but explain his vote as a humanitarian gesture to his Junior Senator.

Only an asshole would do otherwise, and obviously, George Voinovich is an asshole.

[librechik]

1. when you're right, you're right

he's an a hole

[Renew Deal]

2. Sherrod, not Jerrod

And it's not a filibuster vote. It's a procedural vote because this is going to expand the deficit.

[louis c]

5. Thanks, corrected on edit

I must have been thinking of the "Big Valley".

Shows my age.

[Renew Deal]

9. Otherwise, I agree.

It makes total sense. I wonder if Sherrod asked. Either way, Voinovch should have offered.

[Siwsan]

3. Maybe someone has a photo of him, with a goat

Just saying - there's got to be SOME vaugly plausible reason for these jerks voting against the best interest of the country.

[wryter2000]

4. Don't forget John Bolton

Voinovich voted him out of committee and then pleaded in tears! on the Senate floor that Bolton shouldn't be confirmed because he feared for his children if Bolton went to the UN. You can't get much more assholeish than that.

[opihimoimoi]

6. Them GOPers are so busy saying nasty things and whining..its become a habit...thats all they do

[louis c]

24. Establish the nuclear option

and then who needs them?

if we are going to be held responsible for getting us out of the financial crisis, then let's do it our way.

[Hello_Kitty]

7. Actually, this vote is for the stimulus. It needs 60 b/c it's a budget item.

So this is it. It either gets 60 votes or it's back to the debate.

[louis c]

10. Either way, he can vote, explain and announce.

Everyone but the hard core right wing would understand. He would look like a hero, and cover both sides. sometimes the right thing to do helps you, politically.

[Hello_Kitty]

12. Supposedly if they don't get to 60 now they will hold the vote open for Sherrod Brown.

He's expected to be back around 10:30 or so.

[MercutioATC]

8. Riiiiight....because Democrats play so nice.

Please, this is politics. If Teddy can crawl out of the grave to cast a vote for the Dems, Sherrod Brown can fly back to Washington to push a button.

...and Voinovich has absolutely NO moral obligation to help Dems pass this bill.

[Siwsan]

11. His moral obligation is to the country

[louis c]

14. Then he should vote for it, regardless. Right Newbie.

And if he doesn't, two years from now we'll pick up anther Senator on our way to 65.

Don't you agree?

[Siwsan]

16. I don't argue

Especially with people who choose to name call.

[louis c]

18. Newbie is a term of endearment at DU

when someone has so few posts as you. There is no insult intended.

Your opinion is certainly welcome. But to call opposition to the stimulus bill "moral", which puts you on the same side as Hannity, Rush, O'Riely and the RNC, is certainly a curious position to take on this particular web site.

Wouldn't you agree?

[Siwsan]

19. Let me clarify

I am tired of this rapidly developing trend of the opposition voting against on issues for purly partisan reasons. Voinovich has a history of doing just that. I do not believe that the entire opposition is voting their conscience - well, for those that have one, anyway. They are following instructions. I'm not applying any morality to the bill, itself. That was your interpretation. And, it is the height of offensive to be put in the same company as that group you mentioned. I think that was a horrible leap, on your part.

[louis c]

20. OK, OK.

I feel in my heart that a Dem in the same position would vote and explain for his colleague, especially from the same state. If I was advising a Senator, like Voinovich, in an instance like this, I would pull the heartstrings of my home state. Announce my opposition to the bill, bow to its inevitability, and spare my colleague the unneeded trip in the circumstance of his mother's death. Now, if the vote for passage was not inevitable, then I would not offer this humane gesture, since my first responsibility is to my conscience. But, because it is inevitable, the situation unique, and the bill itself not based on morality (Pro-life or pro-choice: death sentence: civil rights and the like) but an inevitable spending bill, the choice, in my mind, is easy. Don't force my colleague to come to Washington to cast a vote while mourning his mother's death when the bill will pass in a day or two, anyway. What's the point. Voinovich would look like a human being.

[MercutioATC]

25. Correct...and he doesn't support the bill because he believes it's bad for the country.

Therefore, he is morally obliged to vote against it.

[louis c]

13. It's going to pass anyway.

the only way it doesn't is if something catastrophic happens to Brown that prevents him from returning to Washington. Even if the votes weren't there tonight, they would be there in a day or two. What do they gain? The fight is over for them. All the Repukes are accomplishing is inconveniencing a colleague at a time of emotional crisis, (the death of his mother).

I bet that in similar circumstances a Democratic Senator would do it, especially if it was Obama. not only is it the right thing. It's the politically savvy thing.

[mod mom]

15. You'd probably enjoy The Brothers Voinovich by Bob Fitrakis

http://freepress.org/departments/display/17/2004/714

His assholeness goes way back!

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MrSlayer]

21. Haha! This is politics not the Boy Scouts.

These guys are in it to win it, by any means necessary. If that means the country has to fall harder in order for them to get back into power, that's exactly what they will work for. There is no room for compromise or chivalrous gestures in Congress and the sooner we figure this out and steamroll these assholes as they have done to us, the better off we will be. They have failed, the people voted for us and we should start acting like it.

[louis c]

22. It's not just the right thing to do..............

but it's good politics. from a strictly political view point, I'm glad no one on Voinovich's staff thought of this gesture. As for acting like we won, I'm all for it. I think we should use the nuclear option in the Senate and abolish the filibuster. Majority rule. But we better do a good job, because a non-filibustered Repuke Senate, coupled with a Repuke House and Prez could really suck. I'm of the opinion it should be "winner take all". After all, if we have the responsibility we might as well have the authority. I don't want to get blamed for having to water down our positions so they fail, and then we take all the blame.

[we can do it]

23. A Total Asswipe Who Never Answers His Phone

[FLAprogressive]

26. he doesn't have to answer to the voters anymore....he's retiring. n/t