Bipartisanship reduced in House because rethugs can't smoke, don't socialize?!

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lawmakers-rank-pelosi-the-most-partisan-dem-2009-05-04.html

Dems' effective one-two punch
By Michael M. Gleeson and Bob Cusack
Posted: 05/04/09 08:24 PM

snip//

Republicans in the lower chamber said they were exasperated by Pelosi’s promise to make the House more bipartisan, noting her decision to strip them of some procedural rights they had during the last Congress. They also took issue with her decision to ban smoking in the Speaker’s Lobby, which is an area just off the House floor where members congregate during votes.

That move, one member said, has reduced bipartisanship in the House because some Republicans and Democrats used to smoke cigars after a vote.

“That really makes a difference, because it takes about 30 minutes to smoke a cigar,” the lawmaker said.

Pelosi has rejected Republican charges of partisanship.

In March of this year, Pelosi said that “some people think there seems to be a market for saying that I am very partisan, and that I don’t give the Republicans their opportunity. That simply is not true.”

Still, Pelosi claims the barbs don’t affect her: “I’m in the arena. We have big issues. I can’t be bothered about what they say about me. All I’m interested in is getting the job done. And I really want to get it done in a bipartisan way.”

Many members have said bipartisanship in the House has been hampered by the fact that few legislators socialize with one another.

After the last vote of the week, most members are racing to make their planes back home, they noted.

Decades ago, more members would stay in Washington and would attend weekend social events with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

“Members used to live in the same {Washington} neighborhoods,” Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) said. “They used to go to the same churches. … This business of flying in and out erodes the civility of the House.”

One of the few ways to really get to know a member of the opposing party is on codels, or congressional delegation trips, several lawmakers said.

Molly K. Hooper contributed to this article.

[louis-t]

1. So, we pay them to stand around socializing and smoking

cigars? You know they're not smoking the 25 cent stogies.

[babylonsister]

3. I also wonder if they're smokin' Cuban contraband. nt

[Skidmore]

2. Remember when they whined because they had to start working 5 days a week

instead of 2 or 3?

[Donnachaidh]

4. pukes gotta have that smoke after cutting taxes for the wealthy

They KNOW they are f*cking the middle class, and they enjoy a good smoke after the fact. :sarcasm:

[Sgent]

5. I actually kinda believe this

I can't remember how many people I've met and socialized with while standing outside for a cigarette.

[PufPuf23]

6. Congress is more a reality soap opera than

Representative democracy. Most are even above the law so make-believe TV and written pundits. The idea of bi-partisan cigar smoking after passage of a Bill is an ironic caricature. hahaha grrr