Republican Senate Takeover Gives Neocons, War Hawks Bully Pulpit

[Purveyor]

GOP eyes expanded Islamic State war, increased pressure on Russia and Iran, insiders say

By Guy Taylor - The Washington Times - Thursday, November 6, 2014

Republican insiders say legislation already is in the works to pressure the White House into expanding the war against the Islamic State and increasing pressure on Russia and Iran, as the GOP takeover of the Senate provides neocons and war hawks with their first bully pulpit since the end of George W. Bush’s presidency.

While there will be pushback from isolationist voices in the party’s libertarian wing, it won’t take center stage, according to senior Republican congressional advisers who say that after years of standing by while the Obama administration has pursued a “lead from behind” foreign policy, the GOP is now poised to push the White House toward a more decisive leadership posture on the world stage.

“What we saw Tuesday night was the American people moving the Democrats out of the way, because they certainly haven’t led on national security,” said one adviser who, like several others, requested anonymity in order to speak candidly. The adviser asserted that a “mandate” has now been established for

“Republicans to push certain foreign policy initiatives.”

Authorizations to send heavy weapons to Ukrainian forces battling pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine and sophisticated arms to moderate opposition rebels in Syria have “languished on the Senate floor” over the past two years because Majority Leader Harry Reid “wouldn’t let them through,” said one senior adviser to a key Republican lawmaker.

Those initiatives “will now go for up-or-down votes,” once Sen. Mitch McConnell assumes the majority leadership post and key committee chairmanships are filled by GOP critics of the Obama administration’s foreign policy — such as Sen. John McCain helming the Senate Committee on Armed Services, the adviser said.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/6/republican-senate-takeover-gives-war-hawks-neocons/#ixzz3IMlauLHC

[SamKnause]

1. From my personal observation

the Republicans are in charge whether they are the minority party or the majority party !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why was the Democratic mandate ignored in 2008 ???

Why wasn't the bully pulpit used by the Democratic politicians in 2008 ????

I have come to the conclusion that Democratic politicians do not know how to govern.

[Old Nick]

2. Like they didn't have it already with our compliant "news" media?

[blkmusclmachine]

3. The GOP is ALWAYS calling the shots. Even from the sidelines.

And the GOP intends to bankrupt this Nation for the sole benefit of the MIC. We'll all be dead and starving in the streets before they ever notice. Not like they'd ever care. They're in it for the people who paid to send them to Washington DC...and that WASN'T US!