GOP Senator Bunning Threatens To Resign To Hurt His Party

[babylonsister]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/27/jim-bunning-threatens-to_n_170665.html


Nico Pitney

Jim Bunning Threatens To Resign From Senate To Hurt GOP


February 27, 2009 07:10 PM


The Louisville Courier-Journal has another bombshell about Sen. Jim Bunning, the embattled Republican who is increasingly going rogue in an effort to hold onto his seat.

In recent weeks, Senate Republican leaders have walked right up to the edge of declaring open war on Bunning. Minority Leader (and fellow Kentucky senator) Mitch McConnell and others reportedly believe Bunning is likely to lose his reelection race in 2010, and so are trying to nudge him into retirement by sending signals that the party establishment will not back him.

Bunning has responded aggressively, threatening to sue the Senate Republicans' campaign arm if it doesn't fully back his reelection.

And now the latest: Bunning "reportedly said privately that if he is hindered in raising money for his re-election campaign he is ready with a response that would be politically devastating for Senate Republicans: his resignation."

The Kentucky Republican suggested that possible scenario at a campaign fundraiser for him on Capitol Hill earlier this week, according to three sources who asked not to be identified because of the politically sensitive nature of Bunning's remarks.


The implication, they said, was that Bunning would allow Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat, to appoint his replacement -- a move that could give Democrats the 60 votes they need to block Republican filibusters in the Senate.

"I would get the last laugh. Don't forget Kentucky has a Democrat governor," one of the sources quoted Bunning as saying.

"The only logical extension of that comment is, '(Make me mad) ... enough and I'll resign, and then you've got 60 Democrats,' " said another source who was present at the event.

Read the full story here.

A Democratic Senate aide told the Huffington Post's Ryan Grim: "Bunning has always been a loose cannon. It's just surprising that Mitch McConnell decided to light a match so close to him. With only 41 Republicans left, you'd think they'd be a little more careful not to actively alienate members of the caucus."

[MH1]

1. ..

:rofl:

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. A day just ain't a day...

Without the sound of Bunning's Exploding Braincells.

[KamaAina]

8. They must be AAA-sized Braincells

if not hearing aid-sized.

[Mz Pip]

3. Do it.

Please. I love it when republicans act like Eric Cartman. "Screw you guys! I'm going home!"

Go ahead and play by 4th grade playground rules.

60 seats! Yay for us! :bounce:

We'll take it, thank you very much and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[WeDidIt]

4. And with 41 Senators in the Caucus, Michael Steele is actively considering alienating another three

by going after Snowe, Collins, and Specter.

[Optical.Catalyst]

5. Let your conscience be your guide Mr. Bunning

Stick it to the Republicans because as a party, they won't be around much longer.

[Hardrada]

6. Go for it. Jim! Get a condo in The Villages.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

7. EX-cellent!

[Kansas Wyatt]

9. Come on Mitch, smoke that punk's ass.

You don't have to take that shit! How dare he threaten you.
:bounce:

[iamjoy]

10. A Word To Lieberman Bashers

To all the true progressives who thought the Democrats should tell Lieberman to take a flying leap - well, this is what the Republicans are threatening to do to Bunning.

A little prudence is not always a bad thing. If we make ugly compromises, well, the alternative may be just as nasty. Of course, in the case of Bunning what's bad for the Republicans is good for Democrats (and the country).

[Cant trust em]

12. If Bunning were on stage with Obama during election season

I'd agree with you a little more.

I can get along with centrists most of the time, but during election season we need to circle the wagons.

[Cant trust em]

11. This combined with Michael Steele threatening retribution

on Republicans who voted for the stimulus package.

I like to think of it as republicans digging their own grave are looking for bigger shovels.

[Ocracoker16]

13. Bunning is a jerk, but listening to him is fun

First, he was going to sue. Now he says he would resign leaving the Democratic governor of Kentucky to appoint someone quite possibly a Democrat to his seat. Then we would have 60 votes which could allow us to really make the life of the Repubs hard.

[tanyev]

14. Yeah, that'll show 'em!

:applause:

[norepubsin08]

15. Adios Motherfucker

you were an asshole when you were a ball player and and evn bigger asshole as a senator!