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You are here: Home / Politics / Republican Stupidity / Spectering

Spectering

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John Sununu. Gordon Smith. Chuck Hagel.

Republicans are terrified of these Iraq war resolutions. If they vote for escalation they will wear it like an albatross through the ’08 elections. If they vote against it they will have personally buried their party’s signature issue. It’s an impossible position. Big surprise that three Senators who spoke brave words about holding the president accountable fold like a house of cards when the time comes to back up talk with action.

***

On a separate issue, Arlen Specter reminds the world why we call it spectering.

Reader Interactions

39Comments

  1. 1.

    Pb

    Now Sen. Specter (R-PA) says his staff was responsible for inserting that US Attorney provision into the Patriot Act. He didn’t know anything about it until Sen. Feinstein (D-CA) told him about it.

    Heh. So either (a) his staff really works for The White House, and he’s cool with that, or (b) it’s time to fire his staff? And then there’s always the third option, that Specter’s just a craven liar at heart.

    And yes, Tim, I was thinking about this yesterday, in just these terms–those GOP Senators are definitely spectering. And especially to Chuck Hagel, thanks for showing us all what you’re really made of, when push comes to shove–i.e., screw you, you craven GOP political hack.

  3. 3.

    demimondian

    Yah, that was kind of my feeling, Pb. So, Sen. Specter, you’re telling me that you don’t even know what is entered into the law books in your name? Doesn’t that worry you?

  5. 5.

    Nikki

    Don’t forget the mighty senator from Virginia!

    Personally, I think he’s outta there in ’08.

  6. 6.

    tBone

    And especially to Chuck Hagel, thanks for showing us all what you’re really made of, when push comes to shove—i.e., screw you, you craven GOP political hack.

    Seconded. I’m embarrassed now for defending him last week. Can’t imagine WTF he was thinking with this – now everyone hates him. Heckuva job, Chuckie.

    What a tool.

  9. 9.

    Jake

    Hagel (v) [Hageling, Hageled]: To blow a lot of hot air before an attack of cold feet. (see: McCained; Spectering; Republican Maverick.)

  10. 10.

    Newport 9

    This should also serve as a reminder to the good people of Pennsylvania. Voting Republicanist is always a bad idea, no matter how “moderate” the Republican says he is.

  11. 11.

    guyermo

    Hagel and Warner…filibustering their own resolutions.

    does that surpass voting for the resolution before voting against it?

  12. 12.

    Andrew

    Oh boy, McCain, Lieberman, Specter, and the rest of these guys who are such asses are going to be a depressing historical footnote one day.

    It’s probably just better to be one of the Senators That No One Has Ever Heard Of! Like Carper, Enzi, Isakson, or Lincoln. I bet their Senate colleagues don’t even know what these guys look like.

  13. 13.

    tballou

    I have read other comments on this vote and they seem to imply that this particular resolution had a number of amendments that may have been especially pro-Bush and that is why it got these no votes from Senators who we thought would vote yes. Does anyone know more details?

  14. 14.

    Tsulagi

    I’m not real keen on these non-binding resolutions. If you can get a quick vote, fine. If not, move on. If Dems think these resolutions are going to be lead weights on Pub candidates two years from now, I don’t see it. With some justification, they’d just be able to counter the resolutions would have no effect on Bush or the Iraq war so they didn’t want to waste time.

    Instead, put something up with teeth. Even baby teeth. Then call for the Republican patented Upperdownvote. Then if Pubs filibuster (likely), point that out two years from now. If the Specterers are somehow maneuvered or shamed into taking a vote, point out how they voted.

    I would think Pubs like McCain would be eager to do that. Surely they have faith that just a little surge cooking and more time will transform that shit pie into a blossoming cherry tree of democracy and religious freedom. Show how you stand.

  15. 15.

    Barry

    demimondian Says:

    “Yah, that was kind of my feeling, Pb. So, Sen. Specter, you’re telling me that you don’t even know what is entered into the law books in your name? Doesn’t that worry you?”

    As long as the checks cleared the bank, I’m sure that he doesn’t.

  16. 16.

    Steve

    It’s probably just better to be one of the Senators That No One Has Ever Heard Of! Like Carper, Enzi, Isakson, or Lincoln. I bet their Senate colleagues don’t even know what these guys look like.

    Poor Blanche Lincoln isn’t even a guy. Ouch.

  17. 17.

    Barry

    There’s a point to be drawn from this: except for very rare occasions, the GOP politicians have supported whatever Bush wanted. Even now, when he’s clearly on a ‘crash and burn’ trajectory, they’re still acting with remarkable discipline. If a Democratic president were to be in this situation, he’d face strong opposition from all of the Democratic Congressment who figured better him than them.

  19. 19.

    Richard Bottoms

    Seconded. I’m embarrassed now for defending him last week.

    Ahem.

    There are do bad Democrats.

    There are NO good Republicans.

    How is it you people can continue to be surprised to find that all Republicans are assholes? The only variable is as to what degree. Jesus.

    McCain can’t disappoint you, Hagel can’t let you down, Snowne won’t perplex you, if you stop believing that the Republican party is anything other than a club of greedy, inept, theocratic shitheads.

  20. 20.

    Zifnab

    If a Democratic president were to be in this situation, he’d face strong opposition from all of the Democratic Congressment who figured better him than them.

    That’s the great thing about being a Democrat in the 90s. You are firmly convinced that you’re not on the same sinking ship as all the other rats.

    Now, twelve years later the Republicans at least have the decency to all huddle together in one big fuzzy mass before they drown.

  22. 22.

    mrmobi

    OK, can we officially stop all the idiotic talk about how brave Chuck Hagel is now?

    Yes. What a putz! And I’ve been defending his opposition to the war. I guess he was kidding. Spectered again.

    My Senator, Barack Obama, has introduced legislation which sets a timetable to have troops out of Iraq by the end of March 2008. Along with Rep. Patrick Murphy (who served in Iraq) and Rep. Mike Thompson, here is what they said in introducing the new legislation:

    “Our troops have preformed brilliantly in Iraq, but no amount of American soldiers can solve the political differences at the heart of somebody else’s civil war,” Senator Obama said. “That’s why our plan not only stops the escalation of this war, but begins a phased redeployment that can pressure the Iraqis to finally reach a political settlement and brings all U.S. combat troops home by March of next year.”

    “Our troops have done an amazing job, but success in Iraq will only be achieved by the Iraqis themselves,” said Congressman Mike Thompson. “Sending more troops into the heart of Iraq’s civil war will only put more American lives at risk. This legislation provides a practical plan for ending the war as safely and quickly as possible.”

    “As someone who served in Baghdad with the 82nd Airborne, I can tell you that what’s needed in Iraq is a surge in diplomacy, not an escalation of force. This legislation seeks a much-needed political solution and puts forward a tough and sensible plan to end the war,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “We shouldn’t be sending American men and women to referee a civil war. Our troops have done their job, now it’s time to start bringing them home and to force more Iraqis to come off the sidelines and fight for their country.”

    The binding legislation ends President Bush’s escalation by capping the number of troops at January 10, 2007 levels, puts forward specific benchmarks for success in Iraq and establishes a timeline to redeploy our troops. Redeployment, according to the bill, would begin no later than May 1, 2007, with the goal of all combat brigades redeployed by March 31, 2008 – a date consistent with the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. Troops would be sent either home to their families in the U.S., to Afghanistan where more troops are needed to fight the war on terror or would remain in the region to train Iraqis, protect against more violence and perform counterterrorist activities. The Iraq War De-Escalation Act will refocus the efforts of American armed forces on Afghanistan and the hunt for Osama bin Laden and urges the president to send, within 60 days, a Special Envoy to Iraq to begin the important work of diplomacy with key nations in the region.

    Emphasis mine. Looks to me like there’s at least one Senator running for President who isn’t afraid to step up to the plate. Good on him, but he’d better get used to hearing his full name, Barack Hussein Obama, used by the knuckle-dragger/torture crowd.

  23. 23.

    cdb

    Not sure who the interviewer was, but on MSNBC this afternoon, they had on Senator Murkowski. She stated quite clearly that she voted Party over Principle. I wish I had recorded it.

  24. 24.

    Richard Bottoms

    Yes. What a putz! And I’ve been defending his opposition to the war. I guess he was kidding. Spectered again.

    Sounds like you are through being a sucker. Don’t feel bad, it took almost two years for John to get hip. And even then it was excrutiating for him to have his eyes opened.

    Being a yellow dog Democrat, I have of course enjoyed every minute watching conservatives dawning conclusion that they have been had. If it wasn’t for all the dead soldiers and Iraqis, my celebration would be near constant.

    But, I also believe their deaths may ultimately be worth something if it results in the total destruction of the Republican party and their theocratic hordes as a serious political force for the next couple of decades.

  26. 26.

    Mike

    Republicans are terrified of these Iraq war resolutions. If they vote for escalation they will wear it like an albatross through the ‘08 elections.

    It’s ok. They can wear Bush and the Iraq Catastrofuck around their necks. At this rate, the approval rate will be down to sub-20’s as even the Christian Wrong peel off slowly as he tries to build a legacy by giving in a little on the gays. The Rethugs will enjoy the minority status for decades to come. Poor Jebby….his older brother fucked him out of spite along with the old man, just to make sure no one could follow in his footprints as a 2 termer.

    I called Warner and Cornyn today and asked if they enjoyed being in the minority, since they had ensured they were going to stay in it. I called Collins a few days ago and suggested that her best election chances would be to flip Dem now and run as a Dem in ’08. Otherwise she would out altogether. She apparently got the message from me and others that she seemed to like the minority better too. She voted with the Dems this time around.

  29. 29.

    Ron Beasley

    In Gordon Smith’s home state, Oregon, the Republican leaning Newspaper which has been a Smith cheer leader took him to task. Now Smith was toast any way. He was all for the war until the Novemeber elections and realized his head was on the block in only two years.

  30. 30.

    Tsulagi

    Please let them form a third party, O pleeze!

    Hopefully Dobson would hear such a calling from the Lord. He could form the Anti Spongebob Society and run on the ASS ticket and platform. You know he’d get all the 28%ers.

  31. 31.

    The Other Steve

    I wonder if the Christian Right is willing to follow the Christian Right Leadership any more. Perkins, Dobson, etc. all took these guys down the path into Iraq, telling them the whole time it would help them ban teh gay.

    I don’t think they have any credibility left.

  33. 33.

    RSA

    But, I also believe their deaths may ultimately be worth something if it results in the total destruction of the Republican party and their theocratic hordes as a serious political force for the next couple of decades.

    That’s a nice ironic response to the argument that if we don’t continue in Iraq indefinitely, soldiers will have died in vain.

  34. 34.

    jake

    I don’t think they have any credibility left.

    We’re talking about the same mouth breathers who think backwards masking* makes sweet innocent teens into pagan worshipping sex fiends; look for naughty messages in Disney cartoons and would bar public schools from teaching evolution. Not to mention the whole bomb an abortion clinic to save lives crap. Dobson and Perky Perkins haven’t lost credibility with this lot, they’ve gained it. The fundies need to feel persecuted to assure themselves they are jest lahk Jay-sus and since they have a swollen view of their own importance, being laughed at or ignored = persecution. The more Uhmuricuh strays from the path of righteousness, the better they feel. You don’t think they really want us all sitting in church p-raisin’ the lord do you?

    *To those of you too young to know what backwards masking is: Scram ya little whippersnappers!

  35. 35.

    Bruce Moomaw

    While a hell of a lot of Congressional Democrats played these same little cute little two-faced games while LBJ was running the Vietnam War, it should be remembered that there were also a hell of a lot of Congressional Democrats who did NOT. It’s interesting that there is so much less of an honest opposition in the GOP, for whatever reason.

    As for Arlen Specter: well, my God. Anyone who accuses McCain and Lieberman of being two-faced has never looked at Arlen, for whom the phrase was obviously invented in the first place.

  36. 36.

    CaseyL

    As for Arlen Specter: well, my God. Anyone who accuses McCain and Lieberman of being two-faced has never looked at Arlen, for whom the phrase was obviously invented in the first place.

    Two-faced? Specter should be so consistent! No, he’s more cubist, “Senator Folding Down a Staircase,” with the staircase representing all the principles he’s abandoned over the years.

  37. 37.

    Zifnab

    The fundies need to feel persecuted to assure themselves they are jest lahk Jay-sus and since they have a swollen view of their own importance, being laughed at or ignored = persecution.

    I honestly think the Jesus Freak crowd is backing itself into obscurity with this whole “no sex, no cartoons, no gheys” thing, in much the same way that they backed themselves into a corner on music and divorce in the 60s. You make yourself more and more exclusionary, and you run yourself out of a congregation.

    All the revival crap in the 80s and 90s came from churches being more inclusive towards mainstreamers and xenophobic towards elements of society that weren’t really visible or already ghettoized.

    I mean, look at these nutcases pushing “the Quiverfull movement” of “have as many kids as your wife can spit out”. What percentage of America even attempts to follow that? How badly were the Harry Potter sales affected by “OMG! W1ZerDS! Satanies!” cries from the god-folk? These guys have scrapped together all this power and spent the past 20 years pissing it away on nothing.

  39. 39.

    Jake

    I mean, look at these nutcases pushing “the Quiverfull movement”…

    WTF? Don’t these people listen to what they say?

    Arrows go in a quiver and are meant either to kill or for recreational purposes. Are they producing flocks of little murderers for Jaysus? If not, what are these people going to use their little arrows for?

    Plus Quiverful Movement sounds like a porn movie.

    But I understand your point. As these people seek what they really crave (attention) the sane folks will get repulsed until it suffers the fate of any radical group that has become too scary for public consumption. They won’t shut up and they won’t matter politically and they won’t get air time (until some splinter group goes Jim Jones or blows something up) but neither will they go the hell away.

    The melt down is fun to watch though.

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