Thank You Jim Bunning

[kpete]

Democrats On Unemployment Blockage: Thank You, Jim Bunning
Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 1, 2010, 3:16PM


A trio of Democratic lawmakers took to the phones this afternoon to call out Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) for his decision to block a month-long extension of federal transportation and highway funds, a move government officials say will leave thousands out of work for the foreseeable future (not to mention the thousands of doctors that will see their income drop.)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) joined House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (SC) and DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen (MD) on the call. All three slammed Bunning for blocking the extension, but Van Hollen's take was a bit more nuanced. He began his comments to reporters by thanking Bunning for blocking the bill.

"Jim Bunning has done more to draw attention to the procedural abuses in the Senate than ever before," Van Hollen said. Compared with Sen. Richard Shelby's (R-AL) short-lived "blanket hold" last month, Van Hollen said Bunning's action has done far more to make the Democrats' point that the GOP is holding up the works in Washington.

"This is part of the wake up call for Americans that Republicans are abusing the rules in the Senate," Van Hollen said.

more:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/democrats-thank-you-jim-bunning.php?ref=fpa

[NJmaverick]

1. This is sure to backfire.

[liberal N proud]

2. This is what the Democrats need to do more of

Every time they GOP pulls a political stunt, they need to make sure the public knows it is nothing but a political stunt at the cost of the people.

It will be tough with the M$M but it needs to be done.

[Mass]

3. It's not Bunning, the crazy old man. It is the GOP. Corker, Sessions, and Kyl are with him.

Can they start to tell their stories straight. The GOP does not care about unemployment benefits.

[bullwinkle428]

4. Please please please let Jim Bunning be the "Terri Schiavo issue" of 2010!

I don't think there's much question that the whole Schiavo thing was the beginning of the end for the Repukes, not long after *'s "re-election"...

[DisgustedInMN]

5. To those of us..

... whom this isn't just some political football, those of us who now find ourselves with ZERO income, I find it utterly insulting that ANYONE, including our waffling, weak sister Klobuchar, sees that this is some sort of fucking "victory."

In my world, it just eliminated the only lifeline I had left. That these fucking people think this is a "good thing" and thank that fucking jerk for doing it, just plain PISSES ME OFF!

:grr: :nuke: :grr:

[Jennicut]

6. You will like what John Kerry said.

John Kerry

U.S. Senator from Massachusetts
Posted: March 2, 2010 09:28 AM

Too often -- the way it's played and the way it's reported -- Americans might think everything that happens in Washington is a game.

But look, this is anything but a game. The business before the Senate is literally life and death on many issues, and the parliamentary tricks to delay and obstruct the basic workings of our government have real-world consequences.

What am I talking about? Start with the latest example: one Senator's effort to delay the votes on some critically-needed legislation for Americans out of work and hurting in our economy.

A lot of people today are clicking on this news story about Senator Bunning.

Political theater? Much more than that. Here's what's at stake: 2000 federal highway workers were furloughed this morning, losing the pay that their families depend on and halting work on critical national infrastructure. Nearly 1.2 million could lose their unemployment benefits without an extension of that program, pulling away a critical financial lifeline.

This has to end.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-kerry/not-a-game_b_482093.html

[DisgustedInMN]

7. Did Kerry stand up...

... in front of the Senate to say this, or merely put it as an Op/Ed on Huffington? Senator Al got up and spoke for us in the chamber. Talk talk by 'em on net sites in all well and good, but preaching to the chorus at the HP does squat to make a real difference in my life.