McConnell Admits the GOP is Opposed to Libya Campaign Because Obama is President

The deranged politics of the right wing, spelled out

PoliticsJune 2011 • Views: 35,989

Somehow, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell let the truth slip out yesterday: McConnell: GOP Would Not Voice Opposition To Libya Campaign If Obama Was A Republican.

MCCONNELL: The only thing I can tell you at this point is that there are differences. I’m not sure that these kind of differences might not have been there in a more latent form when you had a Republican president. But I do think there is more of a tendency to pull together when the guy in the White House is on your side. So I think some of these views were probably held by some of my members even in the previous administration, but party loyalty tended to mute them. So yeah, I think there are clearly differences and I think a lot of our members, not having a Republican in the White House, feel more free to express their reservations which might have been somewhat muted during the previous administration.

If you needed any other evidence that the GOP puts partisan politics even above issues of national security, Mitch McConnell just told you exactly what drives today’s Republican Party.

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101 comments

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:01:53am

At least he is being honest, for a change. And I firmly believe what he said applies to the opposite situation, as well.

anonymous gun expert Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:02:32am

It’s even sadder to think that many Republicans support this and believe it’s OK to always fight “The Liberals.”

louis Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:03:15am

Do you really think the Democrats are any different?

Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:04:03am

House Vote:
Noes:
Repub. 225
Dems 70
Ayes:
Repub: 8
Dems: 115
[Link: clerk.house.gov…]

McConnell didn’t need to open the suck muscle. It wasn’t going to pass.

Feline Fearless Leader Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:04:17am

re: #3 louis

Do you really think the Democrats are any different?

Yes. I do not recall a serious effort in the House getting off the ground to impeach GWB.

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:05:51am

re: #4 Cannadian Club Akbar

House Vote:
Noes:
Repub. 225
Dems 70
Ayes:
Repub: 8
Dems: 115
[Link: clerk.house.gov…]

McConnell didn’t need to open the suck muscle. It wasn’t going to pass.

Because you are never doing it for the current President you oppose. You are preserving the range of action for the next guy you support.

anonymous gun expert Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:06:55am

re: #3 louis

Do you really think the Democrats are any different?

Yes I do.

122 Year Old Obama Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:07:23am

re: #3 louis

Yes. Yes I do.

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:07:31am

re: #3 louis

Do you really think the Democrats are any different?

are you, louis, any different from a mollusk

i submit that you are not

Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:07:31am

re: #6 imp_62

Because you are never doing it for the current President you oppose. You are preserving the range of action for the next guy you support.

Eggzactly.

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:08:11am

re: #10 Cannadian Club Akbar

Hey how is your job sitch? Get something set?

rahmanager Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:08:48am

That seems very niave of you to say. You could replace the R with a D and it’s the same conversation.

Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:08:54am

re: #11 imp_62

In the hopper.

Varek Raith Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:09:31am

MBF is out in force.

steve_davis Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:10:27am

Note that the guy in the White House is not apparently the leader of the free world and our president. He’s “the guy who is not on our side.”

Kragar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:10:37am

re: #12 rahmanager

That seems very niave of you to say. You could replace the R with a D and it’s the same conversation.

Which is exactly why we stopped funding Iraq and Afghanistan years ago…

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:11:00am

re: #7 Iwouldprefernotto

re: #8 SteelPH

Hold on; are you two really saying that you believe Democrats are less institutionally partisan than the Republicans? On an individual level, there may be more independent thinkers (though I would have to be convinced of that), but I don’t really think that rallying to or against a President based on party lines is restricted to one party.

m0nkeyb0y Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:11:14am

re: #3 louis

Do you really think the Democrats are any different?

Hmm, let’s see.
When Bush diverted from Afghanistan to Iraq a few reasonable Democrats raised legitimate questions and were quickly accused of being terrorist sympathizers and traitors.
They then almost all rolled over and supported the Iraq misadventure.

So no, I do not believe Democrats, as a rule, are exactly the same.

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:11:41am

re: #13 Cannadian Club Akbar

In the hopper.

Good luck with it. You’ve been banging away at this for a while - you deserve a break.

wrenchwench Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:12:07am

re: #3 louis

re: #12 rahmanager

Image: sleeper.jpg

Need a plural version.

Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:12:31am

I’ll bet Mitch McConnell really sucks at poker.

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:14:07am

re: #21 Cannadian Club Akbar

I’ll bet Mitch McConnell really sucks ~~at poker~~.

FTFY
Slow pitch over the plate - and it’s outta here!

Kragar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:14:12am

re: #20 wrenchwench

re: #12 rahmanager

Image: sleeper.jpg

Need a plural version.

Is it kwizach haderachs or kwizach haderi?

Varek Raith Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:14:22am

re: #21 Cannadian Club Akbar

I’ll bet Mitch McConnell really sucks at poker.

GO FISH!
-McConnell

Killgore Trout Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:15:05am

295-123: House Votes Down Resolution Supporting Libya Intervention

. But just look at the numbers — there’s more going on. Only eight Republicans voted to “authorize the limited use of the United States Armed Forces in support of the NATO mission in Libya.” Among them: Rules Chairman David Dreier, possible vanity presidential candidate Thaddeus McCotter, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King, and Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers. Meanwhile, 225 Republicans voted no. (Steve King and Michele Bachmann found themselves on the opposite side; he’s a yes, she’s a no, as she’s said on the trail.)

Charles Johnson Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:15:06am

re: #12 rahmanager

Last comment, a year and a half ago:

Hurry up global warming, it’s dumping snow like crazy! Al Gore was in town last month, and of course we have been having lows teps since. It’s the funniest thing how snow storms seem to follow global warming conferences whether it’s in Copenhagen or DC.

Kragar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:16:04am

re: #26 Charles

Last comment, a year and a half ago:

Well, he’s consistent.

recusancy Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:16:24am

re: #3 louis

Do you really think the Democrats are any different?

There’s a reason the Democrats are considered unorganized. They don’t fall in line.

Varek Raith Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:17:38am

re: #26 Charles

Last comment, a year and a half ago:

Heh, I remember that gem.

Charles Johnson Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:17:41am

re: #25 Killgore Trout

Yep, they’re very good at enforcing party discipline, especially with a black President.

BishopX Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:18:11am

I think that both parties do what McConnell is talking about. It’s certainly true for both parties that when the White House is on their side they tend to be less public with their opposition to administration policies. There is simply not much mileage to be gotten out of party infighting, despite what the democratic party handbook says.

Charles Johnson Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:19:53am

I know the Magical Balance Fairy is desperately flying around here, but I think the Democratic Party is demonstrably less likely to choose politics over foreign policy.

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:19:53am

re: #26 Charles

Again, without supporting any individual statement here, especially of posters I don’t know, I believe that on an individual basis, Democrats are more likely to vote independently on an issue. But as a group, parties are always striving for co-ordinated action. The GOP just happens to be better at putting sheep in place and then herding them. It is the “curse” of the Democratic party to have more elected representatives who think for themselves. I think Reid would love to have more sheep, and Pelosi would have liked to have had an easier time enforcing discipline over healthcare and Dodd-Frank.

Varek Raith Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:20:59am

As a party, Dems are about as coordinated as a herd of cats.

anonymous gun expert Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:21:00am

re: #12 rahmanager

That seems very niave of you to say. You could replace the R with a D and it’s the same conversation.

When Democrats try to impeach a Republican President for getting a blow job, we can talk.

When Democrats accuse the president of not being born in this country, we can talk.

Fact, most of Obama’s appointments to the federal bench are being blocked by one or two Republican Senators.

Jeff In Ohio Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:22:00am

Other McConnell hits:

“President Obama needs to decide between his goal of higher taxes, or a bipartisan plan to address our deficit,” Mr. McConnell and Mr. Kyl said in a joint statement. “He can’t have both. But we need to hear from him.

“Where in the world has the president been for the last month?” Mr. McConnell said. “What does he propose? What is he willing to do to reduce the debt and to avoid this crisis that is building on his watch? He’s the one in charge.”

Steve Benen demolishes him.
[Link: www.washingtonmonthly.com…]

And not to be undone as Kentucky’s premier brain dead senator, Rand Paul has the cost benefits economics of preventive measures explained to him by socialist Bernie Sanders:

Youtube Video

Killgore Trout Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:22:17am

re: #33 imp_62

Again, without supporting any individual statement here, especially of posters I don’t know, I believe that on an individual basis, Democrats are more likely to vote independently on an issue. But as a group, parties are always striving for co-ordinated action. The GOP just happens to be better at putting sheep in place and then herding them. It is the “curse” of the Democratic party to have more elected representatives who think for themselves. I think Reid would love to have more sheep, and Pelosi would have liked to have had an easier time enforcing discipline over healthcare and Dodd-Frank.

I think that’s spot on. As I recall that mentality also applies to Dem voters too. They are much more likely to vote independent or Republican than their counterparts.

Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:22:41am

re: #34 Varek Raith

As a party, Dems are about as coordinated as a herd of cats.

You just knew this was coming.

recusancy Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:23:11am

re: #33 imp_62

Again, without supporting any individual statement here, especially of posters I don’t know, I believe that on an individual basis, Democrats are more likely to vote independently on an issue. But as a group, parties are always striving for co-ordinated action. The GOP just happens to be better at putting sheep in place and then herding them. It is the “curse” of the Democratic party to have more elected representatives who think for themselves. I think Reid would love to have more sheep, and Pelosi would have liked to have had an easier time enforcing discipline over healthcare and Dodd-Frank.

You seem to be making the case against what you’re arguing for.

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:25:06am

re: #38 Cannadian Club Akbar

You just knew this was coming.

And then there is this:

Being herded by the sheep. What it must be like to be the Democratic Whip

Killgore Trout Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:25:07am

re: #39 recusancy

You seem to be making the case against what you’re arguing for.

I do think that it is a pain in the ass for party leadership.

Jeff In Ohio Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:25:15am

re: #33 imp_62

Again, without supporting any individual statement here, especially of posters I don’t know, I believe that on an individual basis, Democrats are more likely to vote independently on an issue. But as a group, parties are always striving for co-ordinated action. The GOP just happens to be better at putting sheep in place and then herding them. It is the “curse” of the Democratic party to have more elected representatives who think for themselves. I think Reid would love to have more sheep, and Pelosi would have liked to have had an easier time enforcing discipline over healthcare and Dodd-Frank.

It’s the nature of political parties to be partisan. IT’s the nature of the current GOP to act really stupid.

kirkspencer Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:25:38am

As I pointed out when this was raised last thread, the last time the house voted against foreign ventures this way was 1999, while Clinton was president, on actions in Bosnia. They also objected to Somalia.

Bush pere started Somalia, was in and out of Panama in less than 60 days, neither of which gives us a measure. However, there was Desert Storm, and more usefully Desert Shield. Were they defunded/voted against? Umm, no, they weren’t.

To those of you saying both parties do it, I say it’s a shame facts have a liberal bias.

louis Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:26:14am

#18
Let’s see. You think the democrats are different because they roll over and don’t stand up for their principles. We disagree because I think the Republicans rol over plenty, too.

#5
I don’t recall a serious attempt to impeach President Obama. The Democrats opposed George Bush on many issues just because he’s a Republican. That’s politics.

#9
You must be a very clever fellow to come up with that retort. A mollusk, imagine.

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:27:42am

re: #39 recusancy

Not really arguing any position. My statement is that the Democratic leadership would exercise the same control as the Republican leadership, if only they could. Then I explained why they probably can’t. I am pretty agnostic when it comes to preferring one party over the other - I vote for individuals. As far as I can tell, political parties are akin to gangs; some are just more successful than others.

Varek Raith Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:28:15am

re: #44 louis

#18
Let’s see. You think the democrats are different because they roll over and don’t stand up for their principles. We disagree because I think the Republicans rol over plenty, too.

#5
I don’t recall a serious attempt to impeach President Obama. The Democrats opposed George Bush on many issues just because he’s a Republican. That’s politics.

#9
You must be a very clever fellow to come up with that retort. A mollusk, imagine.

Examples.

rwdflynavy Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:28:16am

re: #28 recusancy

There’s a reason the Democrats are considered unorganized. They don’t fall in line.

I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.
Will Rogers

recusancy Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:28:24am

re: #41 Killgore Trout

I do think that it is a pain in the ass for party leadership.

I agree. My point is you can’t argue that the Dems are just like the Repubs on falling in line and party-over-country when you are also saying it’s hard for the Dems to keep their members in line.

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:30:53am

re: #48 recusancy

I agree. My point is you can’t argue that the Dems are just like the Repubs on falling in line and party-over-country when you are also saying it’s hard for the Dems to keep their members in line.

The failure to achieve something is not the equivalent of not desiring to achieve it.

spocomptonite Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:31:49am

re: #3 louis

Do you really think the Democrats are any different?

The last time I can remember Democrats banding together to vote on something entirely on partisan party lines was when they voted “present” on a ridiculous Republican Budget just to call Republican’s bluff on being serious about the budget and watch them panic when they realized it might actually pass.

As for Republicans, name me a SINGLE WEEK since ~2009 that didn’t have them voting as one united bloc against anything Obama wanted. Even when it was a compromise in their direction, or even something they themselves had wanted as little as a few years ago.

So, yes, I’d say they are different. Balance fairy is very unbalanced.

FemNaziBitch Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:32:08am

Hey all!

How is the day going?

wrenchwench Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:32:32am

re: #44 louis

#9
You must be a very clever fellow to come up with that retort. A mollusk, imagine.

He is, actually.

We have a new feature since you were a regular. To the right of the name on the comment you wish to reply to, there’s a ‘reply’ button and a ‘quote’ button. They’re very clever features.

Varek Raith Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:33:15am

@52,
LIES.
:)

Political Atheist Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:33:26am

In matters of national and international policy the partisan driven option is nearly always the wrong choice. When it is the correct choice, coincidence is having a banner day.

Anyone disagree with that?

darthstar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:33:48am

“their reservations which might have been somewhat muted in the previous administration”…somewhat? Try non-existent, absent, invisible, imaginary…Go ahead, McConnell, find some examples of people “on your side” who voiced disagreement with the previous administration, however muted it may have been.

Asshole.

Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:33:55am

re: #52 wrenchwench

He is, actually.

We have a new feature since you were a regular. To the right of the name on the comment you wish to reply to, there’s a ‘reply’ button and a ‘quote’ button. They’re very clever features.

re: #52 wrenchwench

He is, actually.

We have a new feature since you were a regular. To the right of the name on the comment you wish to reply to, there’s a ‘reply’ button and a ‘quote’ button. They’re very clever features.

re: #53 Varek Raith

@52,
LIES.
:)

Better?

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:34:19am

Fail. When a newspaper publishes an article on the creation of spy schools, you are NOT doinitrite!

Kragar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:34:49am

re: #56 Cannadian Club Akbar

Somewhat.

Varek Raith Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:34:57am

re: #55 darthstar

“their reservations which might have been somewhat muted in the previous administration”…somewhat? Try non-existent, absent, invisible, imaginary…Go ahead, McConnell, find some examples of people “on your side” who voiced disagreement with the previous administration, however muted it may have been.

Asshole.

RON PAUL!
…
That’s all I got.
:P

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:36:18am

re: #51 ggt

Hey all!

How is the day going?

Tensions are rising as we flock to the twitching body of a near-troll, waiting to beat him to death with his own words.

martinsmithy Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:36:47am

The Republican party’s shameless political calculus is a reason I am getting pessimistic that the debt ceiling will be raised. They probably think they will be more likely to get into the White House if they destroy the U.S. economy.

FemNaziBitch Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:36:51am

re: #60 imp_62

Tensions are rising as we flock to the twitching body of a near-troll, waiting to beat him to death with his own words.

Geez, and I just had lunch.

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:37:30am

re: #62 ggt

Geez, and I just had lunch.

Oh, c’mon. Have a little troll - it’s wafer thin.

FemNaziBitch Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:37:44am

re: #61 martinsmithy

The Republican party’s shameless political calculus is a reason I am getting pessimistic that the debt ceiling will be raised. They probably think they will be more likely to get into the White House if they destroy the U.S. economy.

The Economy is the ONLY issue on which they might have a chance at POTUS. So they want it as bad as possible in 2012.

Kragar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:38:02am

re: #63 imp_62

Oh, c’mon. Have a little troll - it’s wafer thin.

Better…

FemNaziBitch Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:38:10am

re: #63 imp_62

Oh, c’mon. Have a little troll - it’s wafer thin.

Are you going to cook him with Garlic?

recusancy Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:38:13am

re: #61 martinsmithy

The Republican party’s shameless political calculus is a reason I am getting pessimistic that the debt ceiling will be raised. They probably think they will be more likely to get into the White House if they destroy the U.S. economy.

It depends on if the press does their job and doesn’t ride the fence, afraid to admit that one side is to blame.

darthstar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:38:35am

re: #59 Varek Raith

RON PAUL!
…
That’s all I got.
:P

Ron Paul doesn’t count. He wins straw polls and his fellow Republicans pretend they didn’t happen. They like that he’s officially part of their party, and his district in Texas is a safe seat, but they can’t wait for him to retire.

darthstar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:39:09am

re: #65 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Better…

bring a bucket.

HoosierHoops Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:39:25am

Our Dem party HQ is pretty social in Norman..We have Chili and cornbread nights once a week.. Lunches at local restaurants with a local Congressman or State pol once a month that talks and takes questions.
2 weeks ago we did a Art Fair at Campus Corner with wine and a walk to check out some awesome Galleries here. Very Social and progressive talk of solutions we should vote on.. There are a lot of cool Liberals that are great people at OU. They call it a blue island in the middle of a sea of red called Oklahoma.

Varek Raith Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:39:42am

re: #68 darthstar

Ron Paul doesn’t count. He wins straw polls and his fellow Republicans pretend they didn’t happen. They like that he’s officially part of their party, and his district in Texas is a safe seat, but they can’t wait for him to retire.

RON PAUL!
/Paulian
;)

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:40:19am

re: #64 ggt

The Economy is the ONLY issue on which they might have a chance at POTUS. So they want it as bad as possible in 2012.

Being responsible for a sovereign default is a wobbly platform from which to stage a presidential race. I think the economy, with 1.9% annualized growth, is in bad enough shape without having to artificially induce debt default.

Martinsmithy Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:40:21am

As for the question regarding Libya, in a charitable light McConnell’s statement could be interpreted thus: he would have more confidence in proper implementation of a strategy in Libya conducive to U.S. interests if a Republican President he trusted was at the helm.

Someone with the competence that George W. Bush showed in Iraq …:)

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:41:33am

re: #69 darthstar

bring a bucket.

Even though, “a bucket for m’sieu” is said at the beginning of dinner service. After the administration of the after dinner mint, m’sieu explodes as the staff run for cover.

FemNaziBitch Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:42:11am

re: #72 imp_62

Being responsible for a sovereign default is a wobbly platform from which to stage a presidential race. I think the economy, with 1.9% annualized growth, is in bad enough shape without having to artificially induce debt default.

Well, for the white folks watching Fox News, their perceptions are a little skewed. They’ll also be the first to tell you that the POTUS/government doesn’t affect the econ0my—or some such …

Because, you know, if women just got married and stayed at home, everything would be fine. They wouldn’t be getting all uppity and taking jobs from good men.

kirkspencer Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:43:05am

re: #64 ggt

The Economy is the ONLY issue on which they might have a chance at POTUS. So they want it as bad as possible in 2012.

And to that end, DeMint just told Republicans that if they vote to raise the debt limit they would not be re-elected. [Link: abcnews.go.com…]

I don’t think the character who said it is better to reign in hell than serve in heaven was supposed to be considered a hero and role model.

ProBosniaLiberal Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:43:10am

re: #70 HoosierHoops

Count me in for one of the dinners when I get back.

Just no pork. :P

Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:44:05am

bbiab.

HoosierHoops Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:45:09am

re: #77 ProLifeLiberal

Count me in for one of the dinners when I get back.

Just no pork. :P

Awesome…You know where HQ is on Main Street? Just sign up for the mailing list to keep you updated on events..We are raffling off a 32” TV right now

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:47:48am

re: #76 kirkspencer

re: #75 ggt

s with every election, 2012 will be about swing voters, not the base. FOX viewers are not voting Democrat, and Rachel Maddow viewers are not going Republican. The big issue is whether 4 years is long enough to make independents forget that GWB spent 8 years lying to us, reducing regulatory oversight over banks and oil (and, and, and) and generally running the country’ economy and reputation into the ground. Apparently, GOP leadership think that a sovereign default will be just the tonic to make people forget that many of the roots of our current problems reach back to GWB, even though BHO has not fully succeeded in putting things right.

HappyWarrior Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:48:14am

So Mitch is basically admitted many in his party are nothing but partisan hacks and yes I believe the Democrats are different. Considering that the Democrats strongly supported Bush on Afghanistan and many on Iraq. Real pathetic though considering all the crap McConnell and his fellow Republicans gave to any one who dared to question Bush’s Iraq strategy.

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:51:29am

re: #81 HappyWarrior

So Mitch is basically admitted many in his party are nothing but partisan hacks and yes I believe the Democrats are different. Considering that the Democrats strongly supported Bush on Afghanistan and many on Iraq. Real pathetic though considering all the crap McConnell and his fellow Republicans gave to any one who dared to question Bush’s Iraq strategy.

Yes, but…. The overall climate in the immediate post-9/11 years was not kind to politicians perceived as weak on defense and terror. The behaviour of politicians in that time might not be extrapolated as entirely common.

RogueOne Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:51:51am

re: #43 kirkspencer

As I pointed out when this was raised last thread, the last time the house voted against foreign ventures this way was 1999, while Clinton was president, on actions in Bosnia. They also objected to Somalia.

Bush pere started Somalia, was in and out of Panama in less than 60 days, neither of which gives us a measure. However, there was Desert Storm, and more usefully Desert Shield. Were they defunded/voted against? Umm, no, they weren’t.

To those of you saying both parties do it, I say it’s a shame facts have a liberal bias.

The majority of Dems voted against authorization for desert storm and the current Iraq war but they weren’t in the majority so they didn’t have the option to cut off funding. The no-fly zone over Iraq during clinton had congressional approval (under republican leadership). Clinton didn’t ask for permission in bosnia and the republicans let it go on for years before cutting off funds for “new” missions without congressional approval. In Somalia it was Sen. Byrd who cut off funding and in Haiti he didn’t ask for approval but they gave it to him anyway(again, republican house leadership).

Facts are a funny thing sometimes.

Robert O. Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:53:10am

The GOP was for military action before they were against it. But since President Obama made the decision to intervene in support of our allies, the GOP decides to throw the military under the bus.

shutdown Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:53:21am

re: #83 RogueOne

Before I move on to the next thread, I would point out that, while I generally agree with you, it is easier for a party to vote as a bloc when they are in a minority and know they will be out-voted. Politics….

SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:53:38am

re: #3 louis

Do you really think the Democrats are any different?

Yes. They have a record of supporting both Republican and Democratic presidents in their pet wars.

ProBosniaLiberal Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:54:58am

re: #79 HoosierHoops

Yep, drive by it all the time.

makeitstop Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:55:15am

Somebody get the MBF a sammich. The poor thing’s wings must be about to fall off.

And if she puts in for a raise, I move we give it to her.

RogueOne Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:55:46am

re: #85 imp_62

Before I move on to the next thread, I would point out that, while I generally agree with you, it is easier for a party to vote as a bloc when they are in a minority and know they will be out-voted. Politics…

I’m with you on this one. Both parties vote based on who holds the power. If this were a republican the dems would have voted overwhelmingly “no” and the repubs would have voted “yes”. it is what it is.

RogueOne Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:57:04am

re: #85 imp_62

The only difference I see is the repubs are generally more bloodthirsty when it comes to military affairs than dems. Bloodthirsty might be a bit of a loaded word but you know what I mean.

SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:57:06am

re: #23 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Is it kwizach haderachs or kwizach haderi?

I don’t know what the plurals are in Chakobsa. In the sents that Kefitzat Haderech is used in Hebrew, I don’t think you’d need a plural.

Political Atheist Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:57:59am

I think the Republicans supported President Clinton in the Serb air war, so that’s very different than this. Of course we have some Dems all upset about the war powers allegation…

SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Jun 24, 2011 10:59:12am

When Republicans roll over, they roll over in organized groups. Democrats wander around for a while, and each do it when they feel inspired. It’s the difference between a Chinese acrobatics team and Martha Graham.

RogueOne Fri, Jun 24, 2011 11:00:53am

re: #93 SanFranciscoZionist

When Republicans roll over, they roll over in organized groups. Democrats wander around for a while, and each do it when they feel inspired. It’s the difference between a Chinese acrobatics team and Martha Graham.

I think part of it is they used to try to protect the blue dogs. Now that there aren’t many of them left they’ll probably have an easier time keeping their caucus together.

Hal_10000 Fri, Jun 24, 2011 11:08:31am

My read on this was a little different. I think McConnell was more saying that Republicans would support a Republican president even if they were opposed to the action deep down. There has always been an isolationist wing of the GOP. When the WH is in opposite hands, they don’t shut up about their objections. In other words, they don’t oppose the war because Obama is President; they only supported past wars because Bush was. It’s a subtle but important distinction.

And in response to the “would Democrats do the same” I think the answer is a qualified yes. They have silently acquiesced to WOT excesses — the Patriot Act, surveillance, drone strikes, an unapproved war — that they objected to when Bush was President.

Ming Fri, Jun 24, 2011 12:13:21pm

I sometimes have to remind myself just how deeply many Republicans believe that President Obama is a truly evil person, a true enemy of the United States, dedicated to the destruction of America and Western values and everything good. The foregoing viewpoint is totally at odds with reality, but I’ve talked with quite a few “conservatives” who really believe it. So from that viewpoint, it makes sense that many on the right wing would not be worried at all about a default on the national debt, or whether or not the war in Libya is in our national interest. All they care about is defeating Obama in 2012. Period.

Spocomptonite Fri, Jun 24, 2011 12:30:07pm

re: #96 Ming

I sometimes have to remind myself just how deeply many Republicans believe that President Obama is a truly evil person, a true enemy of the United States, dedicated to the destruction of America and Western values and everything good. The foregoing viewpoint is totally at odds with reality, but I’ve talked with quite a few “conservatives” who really believe it. So from that viewpoint, it makes sense that many on the right wing would not be worried at all about a default on the national debt, or whether or not the war in Libya is in our national interest. All they care about is defeating Obama in 2012. Period.

I once wondered who outside the country would also side with the Republicans on that. I came up with White supremacists in Europe, North Korea, the Taliban and other fundamentalist religious groups, Saddam Hussein (if he were alive), and Pakistani propaganda. (Though many of those would think any U.S. president was evil, Obama or not)

Lovely bunch of foreign friends you have there, Republicans.

hicsuget Fri, Jun 24, 2011 12:56:00pm

re: #96 Ming

I sometimes have to remind myself just how deeply many Republicans believe that President Obama is a truly evil person, a true enemy of the United States, dedicated to the destruction of America and Western values and everything good. The foregoing viewpoint is totally at odds with reality, but I’ve talked with quite a few “conservatives” who really believe it. So from that viewpoint, it makes sense that many on the right wing would not be worried at all about a default on the national debt, or whether or not the war in Libya is in our national interest. All they care about is defeating Obama in 2012. Period.

This is true. Furthermore, if you were to replace “Republicans” with “Democrats,” “President Obama” with “President Bush,” and “2012” with “2004” or “2008”, you would also have a true statement.

Anyone who does not believe both parties are roughly-equally cynical, roughly-equally corrupt, and roughly-equally devoted to partisanship over the welfare of the nation, is part of the problem.

wrenchwench Fri, Jun 24, 2011 12:58:46pm

re: #98 hicsuget

Magical Balance Fairy, desperately seeking a place to land.

100

Amory Blaine Fri, Jun 24, 2011 1:14:31pm

All that name calling during Bushes Presidency where Republicans were calling Democrats traitors and appeasers. Looks like they were projecting.

101

Amory Blaine Fri, Jun 24, 2011 1:15:23pm

re: #98 hicsuget

Psst. Hey Hic. WMDs.

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McConnell Admits the GOP is Opposed to Libya Campaign Because Obama is President

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