GOP Leaders: Vote However You Need To For Reelection

Politico:

Republican Senate leaders -- terrified by the prospect of losing five or more seats in November -- have freed their members to vote however they need to vote to get reelected, even if that means bucking the president or the party's leadership.

On at least four votes over the past month -- Medicare, housing, the GI Bill and the Farm Bill -- Republican leaders haven't even bothered whipping members to toe the party line or back President Bush's veto threats. Instead, a GOP leadership aide says leaders have told vulnerable senators that it's all right to "get well" with voters by siding with Democrats on anything but energy and national security.

It's unusual for rank-and-file members to get a green light to blow off their party leaders. But these are unusual times for Republicans. They are genuinely worried they could get their clocks cleaned in November. The prevailing attitude: It is better to lose some big votes now than big races in November.

This helps explain why so many Senate Republicans are taking flight from President Bush and their own leaders -- and doing it loudly and proudly.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[BabsfromKS]

The chickens are deserting the sinking ship and the rats are coming home to roost.

[lthuedk 1]

Too late, swifty. The people have your number. http://www.light-to-dark.com/swiftboating_with_mitch.html

[NoSandwiches]

Am I the only one who is disappointed not that they are pandering to their voters back at home, but that they usually vote against the interests of their voters as they toe the party line and are finally "released" to vote the way they believe their constituants would want them to? They need perission from their masters...er...leaders to do so. That is why the Republicans have been sucessful in the past--they toe the line, they stick to the official talking points, and they crucify those who step out of line. John McCain is only a "maverick" viewed through this distorted lense. In Republicanland, one vote not with the party is being a dangerous liberal. How sad.

[syllepsis]

Republicans= foul-weather friends.
This is not commendable steadfastness. This is because they will only consider doing their jobs with the threat of electoral Apocalyse hanging over their heads.
It's no substitute for a viable Government, but we're on the right track. If only that threat of electoral Armageddon could be used without simultaneous financial, military and Constitutional Armageddon inflicted on us peons.
On the bright side- if the GOP can demonstrate a learning curve, then so can the Democrats....

[sdfalconer]

dogs barking can't fly without umbrella ...
Love that movie ... any hoo ...
That's what I love about Obama. He goes with his GOOD judgement, not just party line. He even ticks off democrats at times. They all start freaking about him moving to the center ... but being able to change your mind after thinking about things from all angles, THAT makes sense to me. Why is it so hard in politics???

[leonardse]

My wife claims Mitch McConnell looks like "a girl". A rather ugly one at that. Let's hope his constituents dislike him enough to dump him!

[JackND]

He looks like a cross between Church Lady and Mrs. Doubtfire.

[osage]

In other words, screw the voters. Tell them whatever you have to get elected. Forget what you believe in. Forget what you've told them or promised them in the past. Lie and cheat your way to victory may be the only way you can win.....so for god's sake......do it!

[BabsfromKS]

"This is MacdonutsCainy, and these are the days of our lives."

[Liberoservative]

with sprinkles

:D

[bola47]

nice photo of mitch mcconnell. sorta looks like my very mean high school principal and that was 50 years ago.

[syllepsis]

Interesting. In good times, Republicans enforce shark-like conformity. In bad times, they are free to vote with Democrats to "save themselves."
Let's look at how Democrats vote. In bad times, they fall over themselves mimicking the GOP's strategy (voting for the AUMF, Patriot Act, etc., ad infinitum). In good times- and these are GOOD TIMES for the Democrats, in fact better than they have been in generations- they still can't discipline themselves, splitting the party on FISA, Mukasey's nomination, offshore drilling, etc., etc.

[soithoni]

They can blow off the party line on "anything but energy and national security." Interesting, those two and only those two. hmmm... are they connected, I wonder?...

So Nancy... what'ya say... is IMPEACHMENT back on the table, hon? Looks like you could almost do it by voice vote...

ITMFA !!

[syllepsis]

The Democrats do not back impeachment. The assault on the rule of law, as a blogger observed recently, is strictly BIPARTISAN.

[JeanPaulSatire]

"Save yourselves! Things're getting dangerous -- I've already lost my chin, and lord knows what I'll lose next!"

[Cynth]

...any vestiges of dignity he has left?

(Love your username, BTW)

[RAYINNJ]

Does anyone else see that the republicans march "lock-step" to the beat of their "masters" - i.e., the leadership and corporations rather than the people they represent? This is so dangerous! Reminds me of fascists during the 1930's! You can see why though. If anyone expresses "freedom" apart from the republican line of the day, they are ostracized and denigrated to no end by the party! That is truely "un-Amerian" and certainly NOT what the Founding Fathers envisioned. Doesn't sound too patriotic does it!

[syllepsis]

The terms used by the Founders were "juntos" and "cabals."

[BBurgess]

The GOP--The Party of principles. They are not even trying to hide their hypocracy these days!

[ibsteve2u]

[bq]
Instead, a GOP leadership aide says leaders have told vulnerable senators that it's all right to "get well" with voters by siding with Democrats on anything but energy and national security.
[eq]

Oh, I get it - in an effort to demonstrate to America that their local Republican Representative or Senator is not in fact wholly-owned by an organization other than the people who elected them, the GOP leadership has given America's Republican Representatives and Senators permission to act as if they are not wholly-owned by the GOP itself.

Hey, America - need something from your Republican Senator or Representative? Don't forget to float it past the GOP party leadership first!!!!

[trollsbwild]

Hey, Mitch.


BOO!