Rahm to GOP: It's War

[Pirate Smile]

Daily Kos

Rahm to GOP: It's War

by Maimonides
Wed Aug 19, 2009 at 06:32:41 AM PDT

The Democratic Party is a famously fractured, unruly, and often self-defeating political party. We are defined as much by our ideology as by are arguments about what that ideology actually means.

Rahm Emanuel, centrist, DLCist, political sucker-puncher, deployer of f-bombs, and White House Chief of Staff, is a controversial figure among the party faithful. Some consider him a capitulator and a corporatist traitor, others a masterful tactician and hard-nosed realist. But whatever your opinion of him, his appointment by President Obama, and his record, the fact remains that he's a general of our armies. And despite months of bashing heads on the left and trying to woo the right, he's sending a new message this morning to the GOP: IT'S WAR.

The Republican leadership has made a strategic decision that defeating President Obama's health care proposal is more important for their political goals than solving the health insurance problems that Americans face every day.

- Rahm Emanuel

With Kyl indicating there will be no GOP support for addressing the health care crisis, with Grassley, after months of political fellatio, stating clearly that he won't be the one to break with the GOP pack and vote for health care reform, we are at an end to negotiations. Our team, against the better judgement of many, has offered the GOP concessions, amendments, a chance to state their case, an opportunity to participate in the crafting of a bill that is required if our nation's long-term fiscal solvency and the health of its citizens is to be maintained. It is both a moral and an economic imperative.

And the GOP, in the full glare of the hot August sun, under bright, bored media scrutiny, has spat in the face of the American people. They have lied to them, twisted the debate, stoked racism and paranoia. They have manipulated the old, the ignorant, and the outright dangerous into a repulsive frenzy of political petulance.

They have played their hand, their cards are on the table for all to see. And now the Democrats, secure in the knowledge that anyone who had any constructive expectations about the honesty of the GOP's negotiations, their willingness to put politics before country, their cynical, mendacious and malicious manipulations of the public, those persons are now convinced.

Sun Tsu maintains that men fight their best on "killing ground," when they have no choice but to fight their hardest or be killed. The Bedouin say that the it's "me against my brother, me and my brother against our cousins, me, my brother and our cousins against the world." We are at that point, politically. We are on killing ground, with no choice but to fight. We are brothers and cousins who fight bitterly amongst ourselves. But now the enemy is upon us, and has offered us no recourse, no negotiation, nothing but vitriol.

And so join me in saying it: IT's WAR.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/8/19/757384/-Rahm-to-GOP:-Its-War

[xultar]

1. IT IS ABOUT GODDAMNED FUCKING TIME! Jebus H. Xmas. WTFF took so long!

[WeDidIt]

7. Two reasons it took so long

1) They cannot enter into budget reconciliation until September 15, so they had to stall for time. This also explains why they agreed to push the vote back until after the August recess. They needed the recess to get the bill closer to the budget reconciliation date.

2) They needed the Republicans to be the ones who threw bipartisanship under the bus. They got that from Grassley in spades because he first admitted to a town hall meeting he was only negotiating to stall the process and then admitted he wasn't going to vote for any HCR bill even if everything he negotiated for is included. This could only happen in an environment of town hall meetings during the August recess.

From where I sit, this all was planned. Also, since they'll be using reconciliation, expect the public option the be the major cost cutting intiative in the bill. So much so that any effort to remove it from the bill would mean the bill could never be paid for and thus the initiative is germaine to the budget.

[rurallib]

17. Grassley's exploits this week will come back to haunt him next year

in what I hope is the last fucking time we hear that name in Iowa.

[Itchinjim]

54. This Iowan sez:

Fuck Chuck!

[xultar]

18. I can't believe getting raked over the coals like that was a plan, not to mention

the blue-hairs getting all crazy. It will be really hard to get them back.

But if you say so.

[WeDidIt]

25. After HCR is passed and all the doom and gloom shit doesn't happen

everything goes back to how it was in April.

This will put the Democrats into high favor next year when the bluster of the REpublicans doesn't pan out. They may try to run against HCR, but when people don't see death panels or granny getting kicked to the curb, the preceptions will change.

[kenfrequed]

28. Or...after our Dems chicken out...

Will things go back to what they were like with the Liebermann fall out? Where the damned DLC crowd that lectured us constantly on strategy turned out to either be totally frigging wrong or completely insincere.

Funny how few conservative democrats stepping up to bat and honestly openly stating "I was wrong"

[cui bono]

72. We still need to have the public option in there.

If Obama doesn't get the blue dogs in line it may not happen.

[BonnieJW]

84. And when all the medical bankruptcies stop...

That's when we will have won. When people don't have to postpone necessary medical treatment because they just don't have the money for the doctor or even the co-pay. When people stop finding out they have stage 4 cancer because they have had regular physical exams and preventive treatment.

[MadMaddie]

48. I don't know.

there had to be some calculation that the Repugs were up to something.

The Repugs were waaaaaaay to confident now that I think about it, they basically screwed themselves in a corner and there is no where to go. They have proven to at least 70% of Americans that they never had any intention of fixing the healthcare system.

It is interesting to think about...

:hi:

[DrZeeLit]

80. As Ron once said to Hermoine, I say to Rahm... "You're scary. Brilliant, but scary"

[The Stranger]

90. This could be the best post here I have read in 6 months.

You seem to explain some things I simply could not understand.

[KittyWampus]

20. it took exactly as much time as needed for the Republicans to hang themselves

and end up exposing themselves utterly as contemptible blivets.

[Window]

102. They really showed their true colors for everyone to see. I agree with Rahm,

"IT'S WAR."

[Uncle Joe]

49. They were waiting for Grovelbot's lubricated android ass to lead the way. n/t

[roguevalley]

55. ditto. I am on my face over the lunacy of waiting until they scored

enough lies to sink a battleship. Jeez.

[cyclezealot]

99. Really.. Reminds me of the week John Kerry let the swiftboaters , swiftboat him

Without a response.. What Democrat does not realize politics is a blood sport.. All we have to do is remember Swiftboating and Kenneth Starr. Is Obama too young to remember. We've been on this non partisan kick thinking the Goopers are fair minded. And now polls show GOP election prospects seem improved for 2010.. Is it too late to catch up..
. Hope Rahm is good coming back to play in overtime.

[blm]

103. This is more appease the left for now language from Rahm - Rahm will still work against the left

just as Schumer does - doubletalking their positions the whole time.

[blondeatlast]

2. This is going to leave a permanent scar on the RRRepublicans.

Middle America is waking up to the fact that the RRRs are not on their side.

[WeDidIt]

14. They shouldn't be surprised. This is how Bush got what he wanted

Rahm is only doing what the Republcians did numerous times during the Bush administration.

[Prophet 451]

57. And they'll cry foul over it

This is the same Republican party that threatened to eliminate the filibuster while they were in power and then started filibustering absolutely everything as soon as they were out of power. Their hypocracy knows no bounds.

Hmmm, wonder if I've got enough popcorn to last until this thing gets passed...

[invictus]

3. Yeah, whatever, Rahm. Fool me twice ...

[Frustratedlady]

4. Finally! Nice doesn't always do the job...

The Repugs have plowed their field of hate and sowed nothing but putrid disagreement, so it is time for them to reap the benefits.

I see a new day comin'.

[rudy23]

5. Rahm's war strategy---camaflouge yourself so you look exactly like your opponent.

Rahm Emanuel--the last guy I want in the trenches fighting next to me. The absolute last---wait, just remembered Joe Lieberman. What's the diff?

[KittyWampus]

22. Your strategy- stand up on the front lines early on screaming "MEDICARE FOR ALL"

and summarily get shot down in a blaze of glory.

[rudy23]

27. That's not mine, but nice strawman, Rahm defender. nt

[invictus]

34. +1

[SIMPLYB1980]

30. +1

[walldude]

45. And that's worse than Rahms strategy of back door dealing with insurance

companies to kill the public option in exchange for campaign contributions? He's a prick. He's not on "our side", he cares about nothing but his power and position. Last night he found out if he wants to keep his power and position he's going to have to get with the program.

[Bryan Sacks]

86. shot down by WHO? By OTHER DEMOCRATS, you must mean.

because the Republicans can't shoot anything down. Never could in this case.

[lisa58]

6. YES!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Uh-huh. While telling the left to STFU and leave the poor Blue Dogs alone?

And, caving at every opportunity?

[Political Heretic]

12. Yeah ITS WAR...... to get what the Blue Dogs want.

[WI_DEM]

9. that's what many here don't understand is that democrats are not a party exclusively of liberals

but of many factions and has always been this way throughout its history. That said good that they are now going to give up on trying to achieve some kind of accord with the GOP who won't budge.

[NYC_SKP]

13. Moreover, the POTUS is the leader of all Americans and ought not to be too partisan.

Regardless of how Bush may have behaved, Obama is the rednecks' president, the union members' president, school teachers' president.

It's classy and appropriate to express truths and desired directions, but also to allow Congress chances to participate, or not, as the case may be.

I'm impressed.

:patriot:

[nolabels]

89. And the babysitter for large group of dysfunctional loons

Baby-sitting Tips
Information Provided by the Police Department
(snip)
Although children need you in case of an emergency like fire, injuries, or sickness, they need you for play, too. The good baby-sitter is a good player. Here are some things children play at and dangers to watch for.

* The infant is discovering his body. He likes to throw, hold, drop, tear, grab, roll. Some dangers - puts things in his mouth, helpless in water, and can easily smother.
* Toddlers are getting into everything. The toddler likes to bang, push, pull, put in, take out, jump, draw, and color. Some dangers - swallowing things, falling, matches and lighters, heaters, poisons, and the stove.
* From the age of three on, children like active physical games, arts and crafts, blocks, pretend, games of skill, and reading. Some dangers: street dangers, falls, stoves, heaters, matches and lighters.

Bring some things to play with like a notebook, magazines, colored paper, color markers, tape, and a flashlight. Surprises for the children will make the job easy for you and fun for them. Make a game of putting things back in their place.
(snip)
http://www.phoenix.gov/police/babysi1.html

[Political Heretic]

15. what many here don't understand is that democrats are dominated by corporate interests

Just like every other facet of Washington politics.

this whole "not all the party is liberal" canard is simply a puerile distraction.

You either stand with the working class or you stand with corporate shilling interests.

That simple.

[demwing]

100. I find that when people break things down into black or white choices

that the truth ends up greyed out. Nothing in life is so simple that you can divide it in even halves.

[kenfrequed]

26. A few things

1) When you are a major part of Democratic voters- Union workers, Teachers, activists, the working poor, and minority ethnicities you should expect your party to occasionally stand up for you. The mysterious magical mystery tour of 'third-way-blue-dog-new-DLC-democrats' contains many donors but very few actual voters.
Also the Dixiecrats left decades ago, stop running 'the southern strategy'

2) Look at the issues and the polling if you consider both than the majority of the US population would be considered liberal. Now Run that way, Talk that way, and Vote that way and we will stay in power.

3) We won. And the campaign used the most progressive sounding language in decades with a candidate that had decent progressive stance prior to and during his legislative career. We took that at face value. Also we did not vote for Rahm Emmanuel.

4) Strategically speaking,accomadating Republicans has rarely given a pay-out. Less so now that their moderates have given up the ghost and they are nothing but idealouges. They will hold out to the bitter end and the only way their core hyper conservative tools will abandon them is if they do compromise. They see it a better strategy to cling to their base and weather the 'Great blue wave' until enough people become disenchanted with the democrats.

[demwing]

98. You're right. It too simple to see at first.

But it's the proof we are the party that best represents America.

Why? Because we are the party that looks and acts like America. We are the party that brings together every color and every station, every gender and every creed. We welcome each minority, and the majority, and create a tough balance. We are the melting pot of politics. Of course we don't always agree with each other. Some say that getting the Democrats to agree with each other is like herding cats. But even there, when we are at our most fractured, we disagree with each other the way American's disagree--with civility, respect, dignity. At our best, and at our worst, we are the party that most clearly represents a microcosm of the entire United States.

Let the Republican party represent the hard conservative right, and let the Greens represent the hard liberal left. That's niche marketing.

The Democratic party can represent all American voices, and we can do so without promoting a unity built on group-think. Creating a cold comfort of consensus through conformity? That's not the America we know. That's not the America where we live. No, we promote a unity through a shared commitment to liberty, equality, and democratic principles. We reach consensus from the bottom up, not the top down. Uniting a few hundred million voices -- without losing the individuality of those voices -- is not always going to be a painless task, but it is the right thing to do. And thats also the American way. Doing what is right, rather than what is convenient.

[NYC_SKP]

10. The genius of this is that it was the Right Approach. Let everyone have a chance to participate.

And then after they (predictably) FAIL to do the right thing....

Smack them down and get it done.

:donut:

[Cha]

53. They did what they had to do

in spite of all the impatience coming from the people who wanted this done, Yesterday.

[Political Heretic]

11. WAR FOR WHAT - MORE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD CORPORATE SPONSORED BULLSHIT?

Just curious.

Woooo hooooo ITS WAR!! RAH RAH RAH!!!

Oh wait... still not discussing getting the health care American people actually deserve. :(

[natrat]

64. exactly and the incredible thing is all these morons buy into it, unbelievable

[girl gone mad]

70. +1

[rocktivity]

16. Well played, Mister President

You hung back, gave the Rethugs enough rope, and right on cue, they hanged themselves! Now you're free to go launch your entire agenda without GOP help--after all, you TRIED to be fair!

:headbang:
rocktivity

[Gman2]

19. Boop boop,, out go the lights.

They have been constructing a huge republican glass jaw. Oh, how it gleams in the summer sun. They even allowed them a little hubris. This, is going to be fun. Maybe they have a few more sex fiends they can reveal, to change the subject. Either way, I got my jawbone of an ass, and I got a thousand names.

[nc4bo]

21. GOOD! Let's get on with it, right fricking now! nt

[piratefish08]

23. war?? so far we haven't even raised it to "playground scuffle" status......

ACTION Rahm, not words.

DC - get the insurance co's and pharma the FUCK out of your wallets!

[redqueen]

24. Well that's encouraging. (nt)

[kentuck]

29. It's been "WAR" to the Repubs from the beginning...

It's good to see some folks open their eyes.

[tj2001]

31. WAR imminent. Keep your powder dry!!

Must Keep Your Powder Dry At All Times

[Ilsa]

32. DU needs a new flag of the GOP, one with all of those

corporate logos, this time with insurance companies', hospitals', and pharma logos.

[DU GrovelBot]

33. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

This week is our third quarter 2009 fund drive. Democratic Underground is
a completely independent website. We depend on donations from our members
to cover our costs. Please take a moment to donate! Thank you!

[Voice for Peace]

96. grovelbot is so cute nt

[Iggo]

35. FARGIN WAR!!!

[KeepItReal]

36. ROTFL!

Nicely done
:-)

[GeorgeGist]

37. Childish nonsense.

[SoCalDem]

38. Me, to Rahm: STFU

This is the ONE things that gripes my soul about dems.

THEY JUST CANNOT STOP SAYING WHAT "THEY'RE-A-GONNA-DO"..and then they.......

cue crickets:grr:

[walldude]

44. He's such an ass. Spent the last few weeks back door dealing with

the insurance companies trying to kill the public option in exchange for insurance companies dropping donations to Republicans.

He's all about keeping his job, cares nothing for the people he serves.

[Bryan Sacks]

87. he's a vile piece of shit

which won't keep the Stockholm-Syndrome types here form identifying with him.

[Hugin]

39. saddle-up... WE RIDE!

:D

[SlowDownFast]

40. *Yawn* n/t

[demwing]

101. Thanks, that was enlightening...

You couldn't even say why you were yawning?

[Marr]

41. Will Mr. Emannuelle notice when most of his picks choose to fight on the other side?

I wonder.

[leftstreet]

42. It's WAR against the working class n/t

[Sebastian Doyle]

43. If the United States had declared "war" the way Rahm Emanuel did, in 1941

We would all be speaking Japanese today. And Rahm himself probably wouldn't have been born at all.

[Zix]

46. Good.

This should be interesting.

[MadMaddie]

47. It's about time!!

The gloves are finally off and history will show the Repugs at this moment in time anti-American citizen and pro-corporation even as the corporations strangle the life out of America.

:grr:

[lpbk2713]

50. Their de facto leader set the stage early on ...

... when he said he wants Obama to fail. There should be no misunderstanding on either side.

Link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/nov05election/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=34773

"So I'm thinking of replying to the guy, 'Okay, I'll send you a response, but I don't need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails.' (interruption) What are you laughing at? See, here's the point. Everybody thinks it's outrageous to say. Look, even my staff, 'Oh, you can't do that.' Why not? Why is it any different, what's new, what is unfair about my saying I hope liberalism fails? Liberalism is our problem. Liberalism is what's gotten us dangerously close to the precipice here. Why do I want more of it? I don't care what the drive-by story is. I would be honored if the drive-by media headlined me all day long: 'Limbaugh: I Hope Obama Fails.' Somebody's gotta say it."

[rucky]

51. Their Ass is Grassley!

[CanonRay]

52. Amen

Finally. I've been saying this for at least six months.

[Umbral]

56. I'd make a comment about that blog, if I knew what the fuck it meant.

or who Maimonides was or what his connection was to Rahm Emanuel or why going to war with a entity that cant prevent heath care reform is even necessary. They want to win the war? Pass comprehensive health care legislation, sign it into law and rub it in the GOP's nose. War won.

[Prophet 451]

58. WAR! Huh, good god y'all...

...what is it good for?

[Whisp]

59. both inspiring and awakening words

gawd I love that little snake Rahm. you sure want that guy on your side

[Whisp]

60. dupe

dupe

[graywarrior]

61. Republicans understand WAR.

[Octafish]

62. It's made them very, very rich.

Know your BFEE: Money Trumps Peace. Always.

Carlyle! Cough.

[gtar100]

104. They fantisize about being powerful and mighty but they don't really _understand_ war.

They bumble their way into them, unnecessarily flame the violence, and then take no responsibility for their actions. Their understanding of war is shallow at best and incredibly dangerous to everyone.

[Name removed]

63. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Monk06]

65. The US health insurance industry should be tried for racketeering just like the mob

They are a danger to the security of the United States
just like the five families


* The Gambino crime family
* The Bonanno crime family
* The Genovese crime family
* The Lucchese crime family
* The Colombo crime family

And the sixth crime family Kaiser Permanente

[Odin2005]

66. Get ready, boys and girls, we charge the enemy at dawn!

[proud patriot]

Right on

Are we going to DC

[proud patriot]

67. Right on

Are we going to DC

[steven johnson]

68. Go Git'em Rahm! nt

[flyarm]

69. isn't this the same Rahm that declared war on progressives by telling them to "shut the F up"?

or did he call progressives "F"ING" stupid"???????

ahhhhhhhh yes..he called many of his base and that of this administrations base..F'ing Stupid.......

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/rahm-slammed-dems-attacking-other-dems-as-f-king-stupid-sources-say/



Well I no longer listen to a frigging thing that a$$ hat says!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



Ambinder: White House “Won’t Buckle” To Liberal Demands For Public Plan
By: Jane Hamsher Wednesday August 19, 2009 2:33 pm

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/08/19/ambinder-white-house-wont-buckle-to-liberal-demands-for-public-plan/
I know people are reluctant to believe that the President has no plans to include a public option in his health care bill, but according to Marc Ambinder, that is indeed the truth:

The White House and Senate Democrats won't buckle to demands from liberals that they revise their health care strategy, officials said today.

Liberals are demanding the inclusion of a public plan. The White House won't "revise" their strategy to accommodate them.

Glenzilla:

The attempt to attract GOP support was the pretext which Democrats used to compromise continuously and water down the bill. But -- given the impossibility of achieving that goal -- isn't it fairly obvious that a desire for GOP support wasn't really the reason the Democrats were constantly watering down their own bill? Given the White House's central role in negotiating a secret deal with the pharmaceutical industry, its betrayal of Obama's clear promise to conduct negotiations out in the open (on C-SPAN no less), Rahm's protection of Blue Dogs and accompanying attacks on progressives, and the complete lack of any pressure exerted on allegedly obstructionists "centrists," it seems rather clear that the bill has been watered down, and the "public option" jettisoned, because that's the bill they want -- this was the plan all along.

Max Baucus (who is negotiating the White House's bill) today reaffirmed his commitment to have a "bipartisan" bill. Since Republicans will never sign off on a public plan, that's not-so-subtle code for "no public plan." And any time anyone says that, including President Obama, that is in fact what they're saying.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

would this be the same Rahm?????

Rahm Emanuel's profitable stint at mortgage giant Source: Chicago Tribune

Before its portfolio of bad loans helped trigger the current housing crisis, mortgage giant Freddie Mac was the focus of a major accounting scandal that led to a management shake-up, huge fines and scalding condemnation of passive directors by a top federal regulator.

One of those allegedly asleep-at-the-switch board members was Chicago's Rahm Emanuel—now chief of staff to President Barack Obama—who made at least $320,000 for a 14-month stint at Freddie Mac that required little effort.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-r...

[ShortnFiery]

79. When the progressive dems don't back down on the public option, will we hear

a collective "popping sound" as Rahm-bo and the rest of the corporate executive branch cronies pull their heads out of their ass.

IF the progressive democrats do NOT stand firm, I'm done with this party - hook, line and sinker.

It's insane to support a party who woos you with promises then figuratively "beats you like an abused wife" once they get elected. :(

[Swamp Rat]

71. DING! DING! DING!

GAME ON!

[MissDeeds]

73. It's about time

These people cannot be reasoned with. This nonsense about a team of rivals, reaching across the aisle, and building consensus doesn't work with them. They're out of touch and, for the most part, totally nuts.

The voters sent a clear message in November: We're mad as hell and we don't want Republicans calling the shots any more. Obama would do well to finally acknowledge that and act accordingly.

[lib_wit_it]

74. Right, cause we were all thinking it was gonna be totally Kumbaya, and the Rs would join hands with

the Ds and pass single payer by August. Who could have imagined that the Rs would be uncooperative. Nice catch, Rahm!

[nyc 4 Biden]

75. Just to be clear..Rahm never actually said "It's War," correct?

That would be bad ass.

[Homer Wells]

76. K and Freakin R!!!! nt

[rosesaylavee]

77. It's been war for going on 15 years.

Welcome to reality Rahm.

[ShortnFiery]

78. Too bad Rahm-bo cares only about WINNING and Corporate Greed instead of the American People.

If the Executive Branch doesn't take a moment to pull their collective "head out of their ass" then they will lose power in both 2010 and 2012.

Hey Rahm, if you think it's wise to constantly serve the CORPORATE blue dog democrats above the interest of your base who canvass and campaign for you, you are sorely mistaken.

These conservative democrats think that the base of the party is stupid. They are making a FATAL miscalculation for the health of their beloved GREED and INCREASING POWER. :thumbsdown:

[bluescribbler]

81. Armed and ready

Pen is full of ink. This could be the GOP's Waterloo, or perhaps their Little Big Horn.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

82. Sorry. I don't trust Rahmbo! It's not the Repukes that he needs to be declaring

war against. It's these milquetoast, Lilly-livered cowardly DemoCRAPS that will bring this presidency down. The Repukes will never compromise so leave them out to pasture. It's the pro-corporate crooks on the Democratic side that need reeling in. And with Rahmbo being a DLCer himself, I won't hold my breath.

[DireStrike]

83. Rahm did NOT SAY THAT - he didn't even IMPLY it

Or if he did, that Kos poster chose not to repeat the pertinent quote.

STOP ascribing your own wishes into things that (supposed) Democrats say.

Even if Rahm did say something like this, it would CERTAINLY only be because he was forced to, and he would definitely assure his masters in the dark backrooms that it was only for show.

[stlsaxman]

85. Why am I filled with doubt... "once bitten" syndrome? Why should I believe him?

[BlueJac]

88. A DLCer said that..........I don't trust Rahm at all

[kirby]

91. "after months of political fellatio" - LOL n/t

[midnight]

92. So is this the time they will give every American access to

medical treatment?

[asthmaticeog]

93. *** RAHM DIDN'T SAY ANY SUCH THING. THE KOS POSTER SAID "IT'S WAR." ***

We make fun of the GOP for being slow learners, but evidently we're not such good fucking readers on this side of the aisle either. Jesus fucking FUCK, people, learn to goddamn read.

[Bluenorthwest]

94. Except Rahm did not say that at all

Not that it would have meaning if he did, but this routine of claiming quotes we wish for is getting tired. He just did not say that. He simply declared what has been obvious to those of us outside the Beltway Boys Club from day one. He's certainly not quick on the uptake.

[RBInMaine]

95. Damn GOOD ! The R's have had enough time to work with us. They will NOT. FRAME this as such:

WE are FOR reform. Republicans are AGAINST reform. Plain and simple. Case fucking closed !

Dems/Obama need to state their position, stand the hell by it, fight for it, and convince the majority they are right. The RePUKES are have stated they are even opposed to co-ops. They are opposed to a trigger date. They WILL NOT support ANY kind of meaningful reform. They just want to defeat Obama and Dems on this to make them look weak so they can gain seats in 2010. It's all politics to them. NOTHING more. DRAW THE LINE IN THE SAND THE FRAME THE DEBATE THE RIGHT WAY !

[JHB]

97. Yow! Are we having WAR yet?

I would have expected to hear more bellowing elephants by now.