Shelby's Office Confirms Holds. "Terra...Terra..."

[jefferson_dem]

Shelby's Office Confirms Holds, Lashes Out At Obama
Evan McMorris-Santoro | February 5, 2010, 11:25AM

Sen. Richard Shelby's (R-AL) office has confirmed to TPMDC the reports that Shelby has placed a hold on President Obama's nominees over a pair of government programs set to be based in Alabama. He did not confirm that Shelby has taken the rare step of blocking all of Obama's nominees, as was reported yesterday.

"Sen. Shelby has placed holds on several pending nominees due to unaddressed national security concerns," Shelby spokesperson Jonathan Graffeo said in a statement. "Among his concerns" are the progress on multi-billion dollar defense contract that would see planes built in Mobile, AL and Obama's decision to scrap a $45 million FBI improvised explosive device lab Shelby secured an earmark for in 2008.

Graffeo lashed out at Obama's decision to cancel the lab, which he says "impedes" the ability of the military and intelligence agencies in their efforts to fight terrorism.

He said the decision was part of a pattern on the part of the White House to put political concerns over fighting terror. Graffeo also suggested the holds were no big deal.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/shelbys-office-confirms-holds-lashes-out-at-obama.php

[iceman66]

If the Senate leadership had any balls

they'd put a hold on ALL earmarks for Alabama until this asshole stops obstructing nominees.

If . . .

[iceman66]

1. double post n/t

[DrToast]

2. They should build them some place else now. That's all he wants, right?

[sasquatch]

4. Dayton is a nice place to do that

[Andy823]

3. Only one way to go

RECESS APPOINTMENTS! Bush did it, and so can president Obama. We can't let idiots like Shelby stop this country from going forward! I don't know how many recess appointments you can do at one time, but if it is possible the president should appoint everyone who is being held up at one time and get this over with!

[brand404]

5. Recess Appointments...correct...but will Obama try? Pattern says...No.

Let's hope he AT LEAST gets this over and done with. But as baffling as it is i am guessing Obama will try to appease yet another republican and just allow this thing to be held up until he and the democrats give him what he wants. I will be SHOCKED if a recess is done!

[Jennicut]

6. National Security Concerns? For Alabama only? Total bs.