Republicans Walk Out on Payroll Tax Vote, Cut Off C-SPAN Cameras

The GOP’s total abdication of responsibility

PoliticsDecember 2011 • Views: 30,347

This one’s a real jaw-dropper, as Republicans just walk out of the House without voting on the payroll tax cut extension … and then cut off the C-SPAN cameras. Unbelievable. Speaker Cuts Off C-SPAN Cameras When Dems Attempt To Bring Vote On Payroll Tax Cut.

Youtube Video

Even the Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal is aghast at this total abdication of responsibility by the Republican Party: Review & Outlook: The GOP’s Payroll Tax Fiasco.

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105 comments

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:39:46pm

Wouldn’t you love to be able to do that at your job? Just walk in, punch in, punch out, give yourself the next day off, walk out, and still get paid. Still have a job.

aagcobb Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:42:33pm

Is it any wonder approval of congress has reached an all-time low?

albusteve Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:42:48pm

re: #1 Slumbering Behemoth

Wouldn’t you love to be able to do that at your job? Just walk in, punch in, punch out, give yourself the next day off, walk out, and still get paid. Still have a job.

And play the markets like a fiddle

Varek Raith Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:43:02pm

[Link: twitter.com…]

Lidane Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:44:16pm

Because the best way for the GOP to defeat Barack Obama in 2012 is by giving him such an obvious weapon to beat them with.

///

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:44:50pm

For a second there, I thought the Sergeant at Arms was gonna brain someone with the Mace.

jaunte Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:45:05pm

WSJ Editors:
“After a year of the tea party House, Mr. Obama and Senate Democrats have had to make no major policy concessions beyond extending the Bush tax rates for two years. Mr. Obama is in a stronger re-election position today than he was a year ago, and the chances of Mr. McConnell becoming Majority Leader in 2013 are declining.”

erik_t Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:45:31pm

Petulant children. For all their prattle about old-fashioned family values, how ironic that what they most need is a terrifying barking-at from their fathers.

Sol Berdinowitz Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:46:20pm

Obama is being given a great chance to play his role as “The Adult in the Room”.

Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:47:33pm

I thought that the woman on MSNBC was gonna blow a gasket yesterday when one of the Repugs suggested that Obama should invite Reid and Boehner to the white house, pour some eggnog, have a cigar and watch it’s a wonderful life together and hash this thing out.

More on topic this should be on every news channel and part of campaign ads.

Lidane Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:48:22pm

re: #9 ralphieboy

Obama is being given a great chance to play his role as “The Adult in the Room”.

Just wait until the GOP nominates Newt Gingrich for POTUS. That’s when the fun will really start.

b_sharp Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:49:40pm

Buck. Oh Buck.

The children of the GOP need your assistance.

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:50:08pm

The House of Representatives: Representing lazy bastards that refuse to do the job they’re paid for.

*spit*

jc717 Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:52:34pm

Let’s see if there’s any consequence to their actions.
If the voters are stupid enough to not vote these bozos out next November, then there’s no reason for them to act any differently.

Gus Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:53:26pm

The headlines read:

• Republicans walk out on tax cut debate.
• Republican Speaker of the House pulls plug on public broadcast.
• Republicans raise taxes on millions of Americans for New Year.

Film @ 11.

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:54:18pm

re: #14 jc717

Let’s see if there’s any consequence to their actions.
If the voters are stupid enough to not vote these bozos out next November, then there’s no reason for them to act any differently.

Unless this story gets picked up by the major, televised news outlets, most voters won’t even know it happened. Sadly.

SanFranciscoZionist Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:55:21pm

re: #12 b_sharp

Buck. Oh Buck.

The children of the GOP need your assistance.

Has an antlered beam of light just been shot into the skies?

b_sharp Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:55:52pm

Is this another Frank Luntz choreographed moved?

I wonder if he suggested to them that when they find themselves out in the cold, they ‘spoon’ to keep from freezing their balls off.

h/t FBV.

First As Tragedy, Then As Farce Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:56:32pm

re: #15 Gus 802

In the Drudge Report Parallel Universe:

TAX FIGHT TURNS UGLY…
OBAMA PHONES IT IN…
Then goes Christmas shopping…

HAL2010 Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:57:14pm

GOP bashing the middle class and homosexuals on the same day.

Well done, idiots.

Gus Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:57:23pm

re: #17 SanFranciscoZionist

Has an antlered beam of light just been shot into the skies?

Image: tparade_bullwinkle.jpg

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:57:54pm

re: #19 negativ

I thought you were joking.

kirkspencer Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:58:31pm

re: #15 Gus 802

The headlines read:

• Republicans walk out on tax cut debate.
• Republican Speaker of the House pulls plug on public broadcast.
• Republicans raise taxes on millions of Americans for New Year.

Film @ 11.

You missed one. Republicans end unemployment benefits (extension).

That, I think, is the one that’s going to bite the hardest. Unemployment is worse in Red states than Blue, and it’s no respecter of party preference.

And they went and tied it clearly and specifically to themselves.

jaunte Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:58:32pm

re: #19 negativ

Step12: Conference Committee
If the second chamber to consider a bill changes it significantly, a “conference committee” made up of members of both chambers will be formed. The conference committee works to reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill. If the committee cannot agree, the bill simply dies. If the committee does agree on a compromise version of the bill, they prepare a report detailing the changes they have proposed. Both the House and Senate must approve the report of the conference committee or the bill will be sent back to them for further work.

Except, special constitutional crisis, cause OBAMA WENT SHOPPING!

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:59:32pm

re: #17 SanFranciscoZionist

Has an antlered beam of light just been shot into the skies?

You called?

Lidane Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:00:11pm

Here’s the Fox News spin on the story:

[Link: www.foxnews.com…]

b_sharp Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:00:30pm

re: #25 Slumbering Behemoth

You called?

Too funny.

Targetpractice Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:00:44pm

And the reason why Republicans are even in the House, after their leadership has punted on the payroll tax issue and called it a year? Because they’re exploiting rules concerning Congressional recess and recess appointments to prevent Obama from overriding the gridlock they’ve imposed on various nominees, including Cordray’s nomination to head the CFPB. So yes folks, this is how petty the GOP has become.

SanFranciscoZionist Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:01:22pm

re: #25 Slumbering Behemoth

You called?

I…I don’t even…

Huh?

What is that? How did you find it? Whaaaaa?

deranged cat Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:04:04pm

i have come out of a year long hiatus to say:
wtf? what assholes. i’m glad Hoyer took a good opportunity to call them out on the BS.

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:05:21pm

re: #26 Lidane

Here’s the Fox News spin on the story:

[Link: www.foxnews.com…]

What’s not seen in the video clip of the OP is that the adjournment happened immediately after the House finished reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Clock in, clock out, BAM!

jaunte Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:06:41pm

re: #31 Slumbering Behemoth

“Our Republican strategy is pretty simple, we’re going to stay here and get the work done now,” Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, a conferee, told Fox News. “Get the job done first, vacation later and that’s our message to the president.” [Link: www.foxnews.com…]

A little shaky on the execution.

SanFranciscoZionist Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:06:52pm

From Angry Black Lady, tweeted by LOLGOP: “The House GOP is holding a gun to its own head and saying “Nobody move.”“

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:07:32pm

re: #29 SanFranciscoZionist

How did you find it?

From clicking to an fro on the interwebs, and surfing up and down upon it.

wrenchwench Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:07:47pm

re: #33 SanFranciscoZionist

From Angry Black Lady, tweeted by LOLGOP: “The House GOP is holding a gun to its own head and saying “Nobody move.”“

You gotta see Blazing Saddles to really appreciate that…

b_sharp Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:08:29pm

re: #33 SanFranciscoZionist

From Angry Black Lady, tweeted by LOLGOP: “The House GOP is holding a gun to its own head and saying “Nobody move.”“

I just watched Blazing Saddles Monday night.
It made much more sense there.

wrenchwench Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:08:44pm

re: #30 deranged cat

i have come out of a year long hiatus to say:
wtf? what assholes. i’m glad Hoyer took a good opportunity to call them out on the BS.

Welcome back, re-hatchling.

b_sharp Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:09:21pm

re: #34 Slumbering Behemoth

From clicking to an fro on the interwebs, and surfing up and down upon it.

It was the ride of a lifetime!

Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:09:51pm

re: #35 wrenchwench

Problem with that analogy is A) they will shoot and B) the townspeople aren’t dumb enough to fall for it. They’re daring them to do it.

Ming Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:09:59pm

re: #28 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

And the reason why Republicans are even in the House, after their leadership has punted on the payroll tax issue and called it a year? Because they’re exploiting rules concerning Congressional recess and recess appointments to prevent Obama from overriding the gridlock they’ve imposed on various nominees, including Cordray’s nomination to head the CFPB. So yes folks, this is how petty the GOP has become.

What’s this? Obama won’t get to make recess appointments? Andrew Sullivan just linked to [Link: prospect.org…] which says: “there are 14 vacancies and 6 pending nominees on the circuit courts of appeal, along with 63 vacancies and 29 pending nominees on the district courts.” Will the House Republicans block every Obama nomination to every office in 2012? Can Congress do this if they never officially go into “recess”? (Given their childish behavior, “recess” seems like an appropriate term for their vacations.)

Targetpractice Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:11:21pm

re: #33 SanFranciscoZionist

From Angry Black Lady, tweeted by LOLGOP: “The House GOP is holding a gun to its own head and saying “Nobody move.”“

I was going to make a Blazing Saddles joke, but then I took an arrow to the knee…er, I mean, beaten to the punch.

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:11:45pm

re: #29 SanFranciscoZionist

I…I don’t even…

Huh?

What is that? How did you find it? Whaaa?

Actually, I like to peruse humor websites frequently. It keeps the spirits up. And when I find an absurd little tid bit like that, I file it away for future use.

Serendipitous, no?

wilburs Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:11:52pm

re: #26 Lidane

Here’s the Fox News spin on the story:

[Link: www.foxnews.com…]

The comments are hilarious, as always

Controlled by U.S. enemies, Democrats are bent on forcing us to swallow economy-killing, freedom-killing SCAMS. Everything they propose is a SCAM to pretend they are solving problems while only harming us more and more.

Republicans, on the other hand, are not perfect, but they are COURAGEOUS PATRIOTS, who are trying to defend us from U.S. enemies, including Obama and his comrades.

25 likes already

Bubblehead II Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:12:34pm

re: #26 Lidane

I noticed that they didn’t mention the C-Span cameras being turned off.

/Wonder why?

b_sharp Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:12:50pm

re: #43 wilburs

The comments are hilarious, as always

Controlled by U.S. enemies, Democrats are bent on forcing us to swallow economy-killing, freedom-killing SCAMS. Everything they propose is a SCAM to pretend they are solving problems while only harming us more and more.

Republicans, on the other hand, are not perfect, but they are COURAGEOUS PATRIOTS, who are trying to defend us from U.S. enemies, including Obama and his comrades.

25 likes already

The stupid, it burns!

SanFranciscoZionist Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:12:51pm

Liz Carbonell lays it out on Bradley Manning.

Gus Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:12:58pm

OT…

@TPM Talking Points Memo
Holder: Obama WILL issue signing statement with #NDAA [Link: tpm.ly…]

More splodey heads to come.

Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:15:06pm

re: #41 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

did that happen while you were chasing the person who stole your sweet roll?

Petero1818 Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:15:22pm

re: #16 Slumbering Behemoth

Unless this story gets picked up by the major, televised news outlets, most voters won’t even know it happened. Sadly.

I think you will see this in every Democratic ad for the next year. This is gold for the democrats.

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:15:43pm

re: #46 SanFranciscoZionist

Very well-written.

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:16:00pm

Well, I am off to get my car smog-checked before this coupon expires. Catch y’all laters.

_{gawt-damned tyrannical gov’t, always telling me what to do, trying to keep mai airs clean}

Targetpractice Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:16:00pm

re: #48 Dreggas

did that happen while you were chasing the person who stole your sweet roll?

Indeed, which is why he took a sword to the chest.

Gus Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:16:36pm

re: #46 SanFranciscoZionist

Liz Carbonell lays it out on Bradley Manning.

Nice.

Tweeted to #p2 #p21 #tlot #awesome #usarmy #usma.

Bubblehead II Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:20:13pm

re: #45 b_sharp

The stupid, it burns!

FTFY

wilburs Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:20:20pm

Since the comic possibilities of the present GOP field are now pretty played out, I suggest the GOP reinvigorate the debate by moving some minor league candidates up from last nights the NH “Lesser known candidates debate”.

The favorite has to be Tim Brewer, who claims we can solve all our problems by contacting Jesus using “afterlife orbs”

[Link: www.washingtonpost.com…]

after all, that makes as much sense as 999

Varek Raith Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:20:44pm

re: #52 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Indeed, which is why he took a sword to the chest.

Image: 2817729-1324264796.jpg

kirkspencer Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:21:14pm

re: #53 Gus 802

Nice.

Tweeted to #p2 #p21 #tlot #awesome #usarmy #usma.

Actually, some of the stuff coming out during the article 32 has me teed in entirely different directions.

That’s due to certain NCOs and Commanders who were told of problems with Manning and decided to do nothing.

Gus Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:24:10pm

re: #57 kirkspencer

Actually, some of the stuff coming out during the article 32 has me teed in entirely different directions.

That’s due to certain NCOs and Commanders who were told of problems with Manning and decided to do nothing.

That can be dealt with in a different venue. Whatever failures were committed upstream still doesn’t change the fact that Manning took an oath that he failed to keep. So effectively, “they let me do it” doesn’t change much of anything for Manning.

KingKenrod Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:25:29pm

What’s jaw dropping or unbelievable about this? They just called the session to adjourn, not to do business. They will have to work out an agreement with the Senate & President before wasting time on another vote.

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:27:14pm

re: #59 KingKenrod

Why’d they cut off the CSPAN cameras?

And why are they claiming that they’re working, when they’re not?

Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:28:28pm

re: #52 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

i was admonished by a guard in white run the other day for dropping a sword in the middle of town.

Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:29:34pm

re: #59 KingKenrod

What’s jaw dropping or unbelievable about this? They just called the session to adjourn, not to do business. They will have to work out an agreement with the Senate & President before wasting time on another vote.

another vote? They haven’t voted on anything yet. The cowards refuse to.

Surabaya Stew Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:29:43pm

re: #59 KingKenrod

What’s jaw dropping or unbelievable about this? They just called the session to adjourn, not to do business. They will have to work out an agreement with the Senate & President before wasting time on another vote.

For an issue as important as this, it shows a lack of good faith on the actions of the GOP house leadership.

Targetpractice Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:32:08pm

re: #62 Dreggas

another vote? They haven’t voted on anything yet. The cowards refuse to.

They’re not there to vote, they’re there to keep the lights on, so as to prevent Obama from making any recess appointments. They’re getting paid to basically continue the obstruction up until Congress starts work back up next year.

jaunte Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:38:03pm

Voice of Christian Youth America Warns Listeners Against Backing a Mormon for President

Eliason said that “Mormons do believe that Jesus and Beelzebub, or the devil, are kid brothers.” He went on to say that Mormons “believe that someday God is going to put you on your own planet and you will be a God in charge of your own planet,” warning that “if those things happen, who knows, we might have a president who would suddenly evacuate the White House and go to another planet and become a God!”

I don’t follow the logic. Wouldn’t you want to have been one of his supporters if that happens?

KingKenrod Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:38:38pm

re: #60 Obdicut

Why’d they cut off the CSPAN cameras?

Probably because Democrats could make statements that appear to be made in session when they were not, IOW make sound bites for themselves. This seems obvious.

And why are they claiming that they’re working, when they’re not?

Because they’re politicians?

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:40:07pm

re: #66 KingKenrod

Probably because Democrats could make statements that appear to be made in session when they were not, IOW make sound bites for themselves. This seems obvious.

Wow. You really think the Democrats would have just straight-up lied and pretended congress was still in session? What are you basing that accusation on?

Because they’re politicians?

Nope. It’s to block Obama from making recess appointments.

allegro Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:42:09pm

re: #60 Obdicut

Why’d they cut off the CSPAN cameras?

And why are they claiming that they’re working, when they’re not?

Because they’ve never seen anyone around them work and so never learned a work ethic. I think they should scrub toilets.

kirkspencer Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:42:25pm

re: #58 Gus 802

That can be dealt with in a different venue. Whatever failures were committed upstream still doesn’t change the fact that Manning took an oath that he failed to keep. So effectively, “they let me do it” doesn’t change much of anything for Manning.

Actually, it does potentially change things for Manning. It can change which of the charges are applied (there is no “violation of oath” charge, after all). It is information that applies as mitigating circumstances (not to guilt but to penalty).

Manning removed information from a secure location and shared it with unauthorized individuals. Obvious and even self-admitted guilt exists here.

But what’s the correct charge and what’s the penalty? And courts being courts, what are the facts of failures of command and the (possible) mistreatment of the prisoner in confinement going to do to the case when it gets to the appeal levels?

There’s a decent chance that Manning will end up with what most think is a slap on the wrist.

recusancy Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:43:18pm

re: #60 Obdicut

Why’d they cut off the CSPAN cameras?

And why are they claiming that they’re working, when they’re not?

They’re in session because they didn’t want Obama to make a recess appointment. But it’s biting them in the ass.

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:44:58pm

re: #66 KingKenrod

If all they wanted was sound-bites, why the hell would it matter if the cameras were on or off, by the way?

kirkspencer Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:47:49pm

re: #70 recusancy

They’re in session because they didn’t want Obama to make a recess appointment. But it’s biting them in the ass.

Yep.

Not to MBF, but the Democrats held pro forma sessions during Bush’s administration for this same reason. It’s an effective tactic in and of itself.

The weakness comes when there’s major, important legislation sitting on the table that gets ignored to do this, as is the current example. Blocking recess appointments doesn’t get much press — some venting from one side, some smirks from the other, and apathy from most.

Blocking tax cuts and unemployment benefit extentions? That’s not going to leave people apathetic.

KingKenrod Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:48:35pm

re: #67 Obdicut

Wow. You really think the Democrats would have just straight-up lied and pretended congress was still in session? What are you basing that accusation on?

You use “Wow”, but are you actually shocked a politician would be dishonest, or that someone posting on a blog would accuse them of being dishonest? Wow.

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:49:35pm

re: #73 KingKenrod

You use “Wow”, but are you actually shocked a politician would be dishonest, or that someone posting on a blog would accuse them of being dishonest? Wow.

Don’t be a shitbag, plz

Varek Raith Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:49:56pm

re: #73 KingKenrod

You use “Wow”, but are you actually shocked a politician would be dishonest, or that someone posting on a blog would accuse them of being dishonest? Wow.

Did you just hear that sound?
It was Obdi’s point flying right over your head.
;)

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:54:48pm

re: #73 KingKenrod

You use “Wow”, but are you actually shocked a politician would be dishonest, or that someone posting on a blog would accuse them of being dishonest? Wow.

What point would there be to pretending it’s in session on C-Span for ‘soundbites’? Wouldn’t be what they were saying “The GOP just adjourned without voting on the payroll tax cut”?

And do you get that the reason they’re adjourning immediately is because they’re not actually doing any work, but just blocking Obama’s recess appointments?

Gus Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:58:54pm

re: #69 kirkspencer

Actually, it does potentially change things for Manning. It can change which of the charges are applied (there is no “violation of oath” charge, after all). It is information that applies as mitigating circumstances (not to guilt but to penalty).

Manning removed information from a secure location and shared it with unauthorized individuals. Obvious and even self-admitted guilt exists here.

But what’s the correct charge and what’s the penalty? And courts being courts, what are the facts of failures of command and the (possible) mistreatment of the prisoner in confinement going to do to the case when it gets to the appeal levels?

There’s a decent chance that Manning will end up with what most think is a slap on the wrist.

That’s always possible. Maximum penalty as it stands now is life in prison. Technically it can also result in the death penalty but I seriously doubt the Army would ask for that. For many reasons one of which is that the Army hasn’t executed anyone in many, many years. At this point I think it’s kind of useless to second guess the court hearing. Right now they’re deciding if he’ll face a court martial. It’s in their hands.

In other Manning news the Raelians have named him an “Honorary Guide”:

Rael Names Bradley Manning “Honorary Guide,” Citing his Courage in Leaking Documents

I think it’s rather fitting and they should also include the ever humid looking Julian Assange.

recusancy Wed, Dec 21, 2011 1:59:37pm

re: #73 KingKenrod

You use “Wow”, but are you actually shocked a politician would be dishonest, or that someone posting on a blog would accuse them of being dishonest? Wow.

The only soundbite they are trying to stop the cspan camera’s from capturing is Republicans voting to raise the middle class’ taxes.

KingKenrod Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:01:53pm

re: #76 Obdicut

What point would there be to pretending it’s in session on C-Span for ‘soundbites’? Wouldn’t be what they were saying “The GOP just adjourned without voting on the payroll tax cut”?

And do you get that the reason they’re adjourning immediately is because they’re not actually doing any work, but just blocking Obama’s recess appointments?

Sound bites = official looking video, statements and such for evening news coverage, blogs, and campaigning. And certainly they would get more coverage doing this on the floor than elsewhere. It’s a stunt.

Yes, I get your point about recess appointments. Why you think I’m interested in that since it wasn’t my original point, I have no idea.

My original point was why anyone finds this jaw dropping or unbelievable.

recusancy Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:02:57pm

re: #79 KingKenrod

Some of us aren’t nihilists.

KingKenrod Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:03:48pm

re: #80 recusancy

Some of us aren’t nihilists.

If I’m a nihilist, you have nothing to worry about. :)

Political Atheist Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:05:36pm

Just in cast this did not come up, sorry for the drive by…
Paged.

Eventual Carrion Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:06:09pm

re: #79 KingKenrod

[snip]

My original point was why anyone finds this jaw dropping or unbelievable.

I find it more prickish and dooshnozzely. Maybe snotty and bitchy. Or juvenile and sophomoric. It isn’t the first time they have played this childish game (ala Jim Sensenbrenner) and it won’t be the last because they are little whinny scum suckers.

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:07:26pm

re: #79 KingKenrod

Sound bites = official looking video, statements and such for evening news coverage, blogs, and campaigning.

Which they can do without the C-SPAN cameras. So your response makes zero sense.

And certainly they would get more coverage doing this on the floor than elsewhere. It’s a stunt.

Really? Why do you think they’d get more coverage on the floor than elsewhere?

Yes, I get your point about recess appointments. Why you think I’m interested in that since it wasn’t my original point, I have no idea.

Because when I asked why they were showing up and then not working, your reply wasn’t accurate. Now you’re uninterested. Funny.

My original point was why anyone finds this jaw dropping or unbelievable.

Oh for fuck’s sake. It’s unbeleivable that the GOP is being obstructionist in order to not cut taxes. They live to cut taxes. But not, apparently, to cut taxes on those who work for a living.

You don’t find it unbelievable. Great. Maybe you just already think so badly of the GOP that this doesn’t surprise you. I still find it unbeleiavable that they can’t even live up to their ‘tax cuts rule!” pablum because it means working with Obama and the Democrats to do so.

You’re just using the reverse of the argument of personal incredulity, and it’s just as fallacious this way ‘round.

kirkspencer Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:07:47pm

re: #79 KingKenrod

Sound bites = official looking video, statements and such for evening news coverage, blogs, and campaigning. And certainly they would get more coverage doing this on the floor than elsewhere. It’s a stunt.

Yes, I get your point about recess appointments. Why you think I’m interested in that since it wasn’t my original point, I have no idea.

My original point was why anyone finds this jaw dropping or unbelievable.

(re what I emphasized) Because it was poor public display by the Republicans. They caught flatfooted and didn’t cover well at all. Yes, it’s a showboat on the part of the Democrats, but it’s effective showboat.

I suspect they’ll have a plan for Friday’s appearance in an attempt to recover. (There has to be a meeting every three days or it’s a “recess”.) The simplest would be to simply have the CSpan camera shut off with adjournment. Given a couple of days of preparation, what might work better is to allow the discussion to start, have some Republicans leave, call for a quorum, and have to “regretfully table the discussion till a quorum is achieved.”

recusancy Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:10:11pm

re: #85 kirkspencer

(re what I emphasized) Because it was poor public display by the Republicans. They caught flatfooted and didn’t cover well at all. Yes, it’s a showboat on the part of the Democrats, but it’s effective showboat.

I suspect they’ll have a plan for Friday’s appearance in an attempt to recover. (There has to be a meeting every three days or it’s a “recess”.) The simplest would be to simply have the CSpan camera shut off with adjournment. Given a couple of days of preparation, what might work better is to allow the discussion to start, have some Republicans leave, call for a quorum, and have to “regretfully table the discussion till a quorum is achieved.”

Why is it a showboat on the part of the Democrats? They want to pass the payroll tax cut extension. The Repubus walked out because they knew it would pass (they don’t have enough people there) and they’d be the ones voting against it.

KingKenrod Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:12:13pm

re: #85 kirkspencer

(re what I emphasized) Because it was poor public display by the Republicans. They caught flatfooted and didn’t cover well at all. Yes, it’s a showboat on the part of the Democrats, but it’s effective showboat.

Right on.

kirkspencer Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:14:52pm

re: #86 recusancy

Why is it a showboat on the part of the Democrats? They want to pass the payroll tax cut extension. The Repubus walked out because they knew it would pass (they don’t have enough people there) and they’d be the ones voting against it.

It’s a showboat because the house was adjourned.

Open. Roll call. Pledge of allegience. Motion to adjourn. Adjourn. Gavel. Heyer starts his speech.

Heyer knew it wasn’t going to be rejoined. A number of legislators had already left, and even if the speaker pro tem had decided to call for rejoining it would have closed on lack of quorum. (Which as already noted would have been a much smarter way to do it.)

When you’re playing for the cameras, it is showboating.

jaunte Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:16:37pm

Randall Gross @Tarkloon
RT @AFSCME: 160 million workers stand to lose #40dollars per paycheck in 2012 thanks to House Republicans:

kirkspencer Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:18:19pm

re: #89 jaunte

Randall Gross @Tarkloon
RT @AFSCME: 160 million workers stand to lose #40dollars per paycheck in 2012 thanks to House Republicans:

As I keep pointing out, the tax is actually the less ugly event.

A lot of long term unemployed are looking at losing benefits thanks to the house republicans.

Eventual Carrion Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:21:50pm

re: #90 kirkspencer

As I keep pointing out, the tax is actually the less ugly event.

A lot of long term unemployed are looking at losing benefits thanks to the house republicans.

Might be pretty ugly to the parents of kids that that $40 was to go to their lunch for school that pay period. To many people $40 isn’t that great of an amount (like a $10,000 bet), but to others it means having to do without something (and no I don’t mean that extra vacation to the Bahama’s with the Forbes).

KingKenrod Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:23:27pm

re: #84 Obdicut

Which they can do without the C-SPAN cameras. So your response makes zero sense.

They can take their own cameras onto the floor and make campaign videos? Why do you think they can do that?

Really? Why do you think they’d get more coverage on the floor than elsewhere?

Just seems obvious, don’t know why it’s a mystery to you.

Because when I asked why they were showing up and then not working, your reply wasn’t accurate. Now you’re uninterested. Funny.

My reply was accurate. Still not interested.

Oh for fuck’s sake. It’s unbeleivable that the GOP is being obstructionist in order to not cut taxes. They live to cut taxes. But not, apparently, to cut taxes on those who work for a living.
You don’t find it unbelievable. Great. Maybe you just already think so badly of the GOP that this doesn’t surprise you. I still find it unbeleiavable that they can’t even live up to their ‘tax cuts rule!” pablum because it means working with Obama and the Democrats to do so.

That’s an interesting point about the majority party being obstructionist. Not really unbelievable, and not what I was referring to anyway.

You’re just using the reverse of the argument of personal incredulity, and it’s just as fallacious this way ‘round.

So the original argument of personal incredulity was fallacious?

recusancy Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:23:37pm

re: #91 RayFerd

Might be pretty ugly to the parents of kids that that $40 was to go to their lunch for school that pay period. To many people $40 isn’t that great of an amount (like a $10,000 bet), but to others it means having to do without something (and no I don’t mean that extra vacation to the Bahama’s with the Forbes).

And it’s $40 per paycheck. Not total.

Targetpractice Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:24:02pm

re: #90 kirkspencer

As I keep pointing out, the tax is actually the less ugly event.

A lot of long term unemployed are looking at losing benefits thanks to the house republicans.

True, but the big point about the payroll tax fight is that the GOP has been playing the “tax cuts are life!” bit to the hilt since ‘09, so their hypocrisy when it comes to tax cuts that help the middle class, when they were willing to keep Congress in session every day through the holidays last year just to get the Bush Tax Cuts extended, is glaring to the point of being visible from space.

The GOP leadership only put the unemployment benefits into the same bill because they don’t want to be seen as throwing millions of unemployed folks to the wolves in an election year, even though they’d be totally okay with doing so any other time.

kirkspencer Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:26:51pm

re: #94 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

True, but the big point about the payroll tax fight is that the GOP has been playing the “tax cuts are life!” bit to the hilt since ‘09, so their hypocrisy when it comes to tax cuts that help the middle class, when they were willing to keep Congress in session every day through the holidays last year just to get the Bush Tax Cuts extended, is glaring to the point of being visible from space.

The GOP leadership only put the unemployment benefits into the same bill because they don’t want to be seen as throwing millions of unemployed folks to the wolves in an election year, even though they’d be totally okay with doing so any other time.

Yes, agreed.

And yet because they did, even though the immediate optics are bad (as you stated) the longer hit will be worse. Unemployment is not a respecter of political party, and thanks to this noise everyone knows it’s the R’s stopping them from happening this time.

Targetpractice Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:34:45pm

re: #95 kirkspencer

Yes, agreed.

And yet because they did, even though the immediate optics are bad (as you stated) the longer hit will be worse. Unemployment is not a respecter of political party, and thanks to this noise everyone knows it’s the R’s stopping them from happening this time.

The GOP rolled the dice on this and came up snake-eyes. Their hope was that the House bill would do one of two things once sent to the Senate: Die there or on Obama’s desk, giving them so much ammo for next year that they could start choosing the wallpaper for the Oval Office, or pass there and get signed into law, making them the saviors of Christmas for the middle class and getting Obama to bow before them yet again.

Instead, the Dems sent back a cleaner and shorter-duration bill to the House, declaring the House bill essentially dead but keeping the possibility of a payroll cut extension alive. Well, now Boehner was in a serious bind, because he’d only got the House bill through by knocking troops into line, something that they publicly refused to do for the Senate bill. So, the final attempt was to send it to committee, where the Repubs could again lean on the Democrats to agree to their terms. But the Dems are having none of it and are insisting that a two-month extension is better than nothing.

The GOP’s Faustian deal is coming apart and now the Devil’s come to collect his due.

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:41:13pm

re: #92 KingKenrod

So the original argument of personal incredulity was fallacious?

What was the original argument of incredulity trying to express?

What is your argument of credulity trying to express?

Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:42:01pm

re: #92 KingKenrod

Just seems obvious, don’t know why it’s a mystery to you.

Name, without Googling, the last thing before this you remember specifically as being said from the House floor.

TedStriker Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:45:16pm

re: #33 SanFranciscoZionist

From Angry Black Lady, tweeted by LOLGOP: “The House GOP is holding a gun to its own head and saying “Nobody move.”“

Sounds like what Bart in Blazing Saddles did when he rode into Rock Ridge:

Youtube Video

Seriously, SFZ…watch this movie. It’s a moral imperative! ;-P

100

TedStriker Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:47:22pm

re: #36 b_sharp

I just watched Blazing Saddles Monday night.
It made much more sense there.

Bart: “Oh baby… you are so talented! And they are so DUMB!”

Hehe…

101

makeitstop Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:50:10pm

Totally OT: In case it hasn’t been mentioned, today is Frank’s birthday.

Youtube Video

102

moderatelyradicalliberal Wed, Dec 21, 2011 2:53:42pm

Republicans are just horrible. They hate the president more than they love the country.

That is all.

103

Wozza Matter? Wed, Dec 21, 2011 6:44:47pm

Proof these people have no souls.

Comment left at The Hill on this topic -

FANTASTIC…the GOP and the Tea Party are doing exactly what the people elected them to do.

Elections have consequences…and the libtards will lose even more in 2012 when we take the House, the Senate and the White House!
BY honest abe on 12/21/2011 at 11:49

104

John Vreeland Wed, Dec 21, 2011 7:15:18pm

What I find utterly bizarre here is that you can make a decent argument why the tax holiday is just silly and ought to disappear, but I don’t hear any of them actually making that argument. I believe this is just a tax holiday for employers, not workers. Is there any evidence that it has had the intended effect?

105

Tigger2 Wed, Dec 21, 2011 9:34:37pm

re: #103 wozzablog

Proof these people have no souls.

Comment left at The Hill on this topic -

I think “Honest Abe” just might be in for a rude awakening in “12”

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