Republicans To Spend July 4th Gearing Up For Battle
GOP politicos are working to galvanize public opinion against Obama’s major legislative initiatives.
And for Americans increasingly concerned about the increase in the size and scope of the federal government, the measure will give Republicans additional fodder to argue that Obama is fundamentally remaking the American economy in the image of European social welfare states. The Wall Street Journal explained:
The 1,200 page bill — formally known as the “American Clean Energy and Security Act” — will reach into almost every corner of the U.S. economy. By putting a price on emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, the bill would affect the way electricity is generated, how homes and offices are designed, how foreign trade is conducted and how much Americans pay to drive cars or to heat their homes. …
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers lobbied against passage. Groups that represent airlines, oil producers and mining companies expressed disappointment, saying the bill, if enacted, would lead to onerous new costs to consumers. “It will affect every aspect of the American economy, harming our ability to compete in the world and provide secure and affordable energy to American consumers and businesses,” the National Mining Association said in a statement.
Republicans will argue that, not unlike the Obama stimulus plan, the cap-and-trade measure is long on government and short on jobs.
And jobs are increasingly a worry for Democrats. Even liberal columnists like Bob Herbert complained:
Some months ago, the Obama administration and various mainstream economists forecast a peak unemployment rate of roughly 8 percent this year. It has already reached 9.4 percent, and most analysts now expect it to hit 10 percent or higher. Economists are currently spreading the word that the recession may end sometime this year, but the unemployment rate will continue to climb. That’s not a recovery. That’s mumbo jumbo.
Why this rampant joblessness is not viewed as a crisis and approached with the sense of urgency and commitment that a crisis warrants, is beyond me.
Then there is health care. Democrats are stalled over a funding mechanism and perplexed about how to sell the “public option” to the public. We have reached the point where a liberal columnist like Ruth Marcus sounds like a conservative critic of ObamaCare, pleading with Democrats to give up on “their focus on a public plan [which] will sap time, attention and political capital from more crucial questions about the overall structure of the new insurance ‘exchange’ that would allow those without employer-provided insurance to purchase coverage.”
What Republicans have yet to do is adequately explain their health care alternatives and convince the public that Obama’s plan will inevitably increase costs and decrease quality — as all government monopolies eventually do.
So while American families are watching baseball games and heading for the beach, Republicans will try to capture the public’s attention and galvanize public opinion in an effort to block Obama’s major legislative initiatives. Along the way they may find thousands of tea party protestors out for a repeat of their April 15 events — with plenty of evidence that Obama is bent on pursuing tax and spend policies which are precisely the wrong answer to what ails America’s economy.
For both political parties, the most important factors occur outside the Beltway — GDP, unemployment, home sales, the markets, and the public’s unease with a gigantic expansion of government.
As long as the economy remains in the doldrums and more and more Americans lose their jobs, Democrats will have trouble convincing the public that more of the liberal wish list is the way to restoring America’s economic health. And Republicans will then be poised (they hope) to argue that they tried their best to say “no” and to offer alternative policies which address the concerns of ordinary voters.
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Jennifer Rubin is PJM's Washington, DC, editor. She also blogs at Commentary’s Contentions.
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48 Comments
1. David Thomson:Why are we talking about a break? There are rumors that the members of Congress who voted for this horrible cap and trade legislation can switch their votes by July 2. Is this a fantasy? If not, we should immediately put a lot of pressure on these elected officials.
Jun 28, 2009 - 9:38 am 2. sheesh:I’m REALLY looking forward to the Tea Parties. I’m so proud to see the passion we started with the first Tea Party gaining such momentum. I know SO MANT people who brought their families and friends to the first Tea Party and I’m sure they’re gong to be doing the same this July 4.
How about an informal poll? Where is YOUR Tea Party going to be on July 4?
Jun 28, 2009 - 9:43 am 3. fear Obama:We got mail
My son works as an engineer for a nuke plant and they have a pool for the Cap and crap legislation rate increase-
His number is 15%.
Coal will double in price.
Not to worry-
Pres. Hopenchange will make our house payments and pay our electric bills.
Jun 28, 2009 - 9:53 am 4. Concerned:If the Republican party is sincere about their future, first they must repudiate what they have done. Right now there is not that much difference between the 8 Republicans who voted for this Energy bill, and the rest of the Republican party. They want their earmarks, they still want their perks, and will write legislation for the masses but not to include them. Until the Republican Party realizes that this is not about “power”, but much more seriously, it is about the future of our Republic, which is very much in doubt. If and when they wake up and realize the folly of their ways, we may recover, but the future is very much in question.
WAKE UP AMERICA, THROW THE BUMS OUT (BOTH PARTIES), AND START OVER WITH A FRESH BATCH OF LEGISLATORS WHO BELIEVE IN THIS COUNTRY, NOT MUST AMASSING POWER !!!!!!
Jun 28, 2009 - 9:57 am 5. Pat J:they’ll do a little teabagging and then get back to voting no on just about everything.
Jun 28, 2009 - 10:02 am 6. fear Obama:Forgot to mention the 2 percent increase for businesses.
The pool for that one is a first year 9% rate hike.
But you rich business owners need to be patriotic and pay your fair share…
Jun 28, 2009 - 10:02 am 7. Kriska:RE: #6
Just ran a projected 2nd Quarter earnings report–worst in seven years!! As a rich (HA!) business owner, barely made enough to pay my quarterly taxes! I wish I were as rich as the IRS thinks I am–No cook out this 4th–maybe Hamburger Helper!
Jun 28, 2009 - 10:32 am 8. zanne:Here is the vote:http://teapartypatriots.org/Members%20of%20Congress% Here is your state contact list:202010.xlsx.htmhttp://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm Send emails/fax.
Jun 28, 2009 - 10:33 am 9. Mongoose:Pat J: Take you vile insults somewhere else.
Jun 28, 2009 - 11:14 am 10. 1GooDDaDDy:5. Pat J:
Hey big mouth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PaHcZUHI00
Thanks.
Not Over.
Jun 28, 2009 - 12:14 pm 11. antaine:“they’ll do a little teabagging and then get back to voting no on just about everything.”
with what the democratic majority is placing up for votes? God bless every ‘no’ vote they can muster. A “yes” to any of this administration’s initiatives is a “yes” to the destruction of the USA, and no less drastic than that…
Jun 28, 2009 - 12:16 pm 12. David W. Lincoln:About the only option, baring a rear-guard action while the Repubs are the minority party in the House and Senate, is when they form a majority in either (or preferably both) chamber, they introduce
Jun 28, 2009 - 12:49 pm 13. Sherab Zangpo:legislation to amend what was passed, and render it
inert.
I am already pretty “galvanized”.
And if I may, I think that if you look at the two photos that I have just posted on my blog you will be galvanized too.
The Iran-Venezuela-Washington affaire.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Jun 28, 2009 - 12:54 pm 14. Meryl:they don’t have to “rally voters”
they have to start LISTENING TO THEM AND DOING WHAT THEY WERE SENT TO WASHINGTON TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE…
(Oh, sorry…lost my mind there for a minute…I was thinking that maybe they were serious…)
Jun 28, 2009 - 1:39 pm 15. Steve:With the recent house of congress passage of one of the worst bills ever to be conceived then I would think that “Tea Party’s” would be some of the most massive assemblies of concerned citizens of this nation.
Those that did not vote in the last election and those that actually voted for what we now have in government should see that what has happened to this country can not endure. Let the press know and your representative know that if they voted for anything sponsered by this administration that they will no longer be your representative.
After the next tea party and I hope that it is one of more to come and possibly a march into Washington D.C. stating that enough is enough, like the cartoon character Popeye often said “I have had all I can stand and I can’t stand no more!”
Jun 28, 2009 - 3:30 pm 16. Will:I’ll attend my tea party,you can count on that.
Jun 28, 2009 - 3:38 pm 17. sheesh:You know, during the last Tea Party, you all denied that Fox News had any role in promoting it. You all denied that Newt and his buddies had anything to do with funding it.
Well, it looks like you’re going to get your chance to prove it. Good luck with that whole “grass roots” thing.
Jun 28, 2009 - 3:47 pm 18. Evil Pundit:You can always tell what the trolls fear most, because it’s what they ridicule the most.
Jun 28, 2009 - 4:10 pm 19. Habu:There is a recourse and it is known as recall. Install a bunch of independents and their logo should be mistletoe on their shirt tails to let both parties know that is they can do as they represent their constituents.
Jun 28, 2009 - 4:48 pm 20. Steve:This accomplished Harry can crawl back into the desert and Nancey can pursue her career as a test pilot at the broom factory
When I see the name or handle sheesh I just go on with other comments. I always hated spreading manure to help grow crops because of the mess and smell but sheesh is even worse.
Jun 28, 2009 - 4:58 pm 21. D Foster:As long as there are enough Republicans available to Vote on Democrat Programs, like the 8 that voted for Cap & Trade, thereby giving Cover to the so called Moderate Democrats, there will never be a republican majority in Congress. No Conservative will vote for these politicians.
How a Illinois Congressman vote for the Cap & Trade is amazing. A leading Coal Producing State and Electric Power from coal and Nuclear.
The remaining “Repiblicans” are from New Jersey and New York. North East Liberals. Forgetabout them.
Jun 28, 2009 - 5:06 pm 22. FVazquez:If any one from the RNC reads these posts plese take my advice. KEEP IT SIMPLE and say it often. Soundbite is everything. A Successful Trotsky wrote that the right slogan was very important in swaying opinion.
Jun 28, 2009 - 5:16 pm 23. M. report:“The sun, not mankind, causes global warming.”
“Energy independence with old and new technology. ”
“A tax on gas for new energy jobs.”
“Cap & Trade gives money to Wall Street and takes from Main Street.”
@ Habu: Darn straight there is recall.
There is also shunning; Once the economic
consequences become clear to the populance,
these Congresscritters best friends will
cross the street to avoid them.
The Dems have this comfortable delusion that
Jun 28, 2009 - 5:44 pm 24. Pat J:political takeovers produce absolute, permanent power; When Clinton was first elected, the word was: “You just don’t get it. Its over; we won.”
Sound familiar ?
What they don’t get, is that there is what
amounts to a continuous referendum under the
US system, and that the US citizenry are not
as well domesticated, ah, civilized, as the European populaces.
The rule is at least as old as the Romans:
“When shearing sheep, or voters, it is wise
to stop when one reaches the skin.”
9. Mongoose:
Pat J: Take you vile insults somewhere else.
=======================
Now how was being insulting? The Republicans for the most part have voted no on everything despite what the American public, including those in their own districts, want what’s best for the country.
Or maybe it was the teabagging comment that got you? Maybe if some Republicans would cool down their adultery and concentrarte on serving the public interest a lot of people would take them morre seriously. Somehow I get the feeling Mongoose has no problem with teabagging.
Jun 28, 2009 - 6:03 pm 25. Robert:They need to make a stand instead of making noise. For all of their rhetoric Republicans have been impotent in the face of Obama’s agenda. We are quickly losing control of our contry and by proxy our lives. I sincerely hope that by the time this legislation comes to a vote in the Senate the American public has made their voices heard. We certainly cannot count on our representatives to do it for us. Great post.
Jun 28, 2009 - 7:20 pm 26. mudboss:Just a theory….Mark Kirk made a deal with the devil. That he would vote yes on the C&T and in exchange, the Dems will let him run as Democrat for the Burris Senate seat in 2010.
Jun 28, 2009 - 7:49 pm 27. Paul M Hupf:The GOP had better be doing and less talking. It takes more than “those dirty guys” to win an election. The GOP must first regain a real majority in at least one House of Congress, preferably the Senate. They must build from there, but not by carping; rather by convincing assertion of positive programs. There is no room for more Arlen Spectors and others like him.
Jun 28, 2009 - 8:27 pm 28. Typos_R_Us:It’s too late. The Jury box has been co-opted, the ballot box has been stuffed, the Soap box is being drowned out. All that is left is the cartridge box.
Jun 28, 2009 - 9:09 pm 29. Robohobo:All that is needed is a Spark, or a hero. Something to set off the anger and rage of fly over America. Someone to rally around. The Bi-Coastals think we will quit and go down without a fight.
Revolutions ALWAYS start when life becomes worse then death for enough people. I don’t think America is there yet, but another year and it will be.
Habu san! So good to ’see’ you as it were. I hope your summer is treating you well. Your insights are missed at BC.
sheesh and the other (paid or not troll) – You throw invective around still? Do you not realize that you won? That is what puzzles me about the Left. They made it a crusade to fling poo at each and every conservative they could for 8 years. So much so we labeled it as “Bush Derangement Syndrome” (h/t Krauthammer). Now you continue? Why? You just come across as plain old deranged. But, somehow, we knew that, didn’t we? sheesh & trolls – Look! Bright, shiny things over there! Go get ‘em boyo!
As for the GoP, they must purge the party and party appendages of all traces of the false conservative. Kathleen Parker, Colin Powell, Chris Buckley, the latest 8 defectors, etc. We don’t need a bigger tent, we need a stronger tent. One based on the real American traditions. God, The Republic, The Constitution, etc. Call right, right and wrong, wrong. Do that, get back to basic principles or cease to exist as a functioning party in this country.
The platform could start with two small items:
1. Term limits for Congress. Also, an end to the special health system for Congress and special retirement system. Make them go Medicare and Social Security. Watch those systems get fixed RIGHT NOW!
Jun 28, 2009 - 9:09 pm 30. Pappione:2. An amendment to the Constitution that mandates a balanced Federal budget. Failure to balance the budget becomes a recall act. Throw the bums out if they cannot balance the budget. No exceptions.
The March For Liberty Coalition has been working their tails off to put together a demonstration at the Upper Senate Park (just to the left of the White House) in Washington, D.C. We’ve had so many people and groups commit to attending that the Capitol Police have advised us not to “March” to that park because they don’t want traffic jammed up. We’ll comply, but we will fill that park to the hilt!! I hope to see you there!
Jun 28, 2009 - 9:57 pm 31. Realist:Steve that also goes for ’sheesh’s’ alter ego ‘The Stranger’ and others too they all sing from the same deluded PC Moonbat hymn book and think they are being oh so clever and cutting when what they really are is pathetic.
Jun 28, 2009 - 10:34 pm 32. Steve Smith:Jennifer, I like your writing and appreciate your unflagging optimism. The GOP finds itself in retreat and, properly, is fighting a series of rearguard actions. You have just described the latest of these. These defensive actions carried out by the retreating GOP army cannot produce victory but they can influence some important details of the administration’s legislation. If done well, the defence will eventually create a stable platform from which to go on the offensive.
All the talk and arm waving and circular firing squads in the world won’t produce a new GOP. It’s the grunt work of creating an effective opposition in response to the Administration’s actions that will spark ideas and test them at the same time. That is how the GOP can renew itself.
Of course, you know that. It seems to me that is the underlying theme in your writing. I’m just saying keep on going because you are doing a good job.
Jun 28, 2009 - 10:59 pm 33. Rachel Peepers:Jennifer, if you haven’t seen this video, I think you should check it out. In my book, it pretty much says it all.
This guy’s video on you tube has been so popular that Obama
called him personally. He said that he was very disturbed with the video and
invited him to the White House. Obama also said he wanted the White House to
handle the Press and not to talk about the video or the White House visit.
That’s interesting.
Watch it now. This may be the best six minutes invested in
your future. You may have to turn your Sound Control up some.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpEyA
Regards, Rachel
Jun 28, 2009 - 11:26 pm 34. Gary Ogletree:Pat J: Go suck teabags with Anderson Cooper and Chris Matthews. If you had anything worth saying, you wouldn’t parrot the clueless. We, on the other hand, will be partying for liberty on the 4th. Up the Revolution! El pueblo, unido, jamas seran vencido! And a pox on any politicians who want to appropriate the Tea Party. This means you, Newt, etc., etc.
Jun 29, 2009 - 5:54 am 35. shaun fischer:So the big republicans are going to show up at Tea Parties and act as though this was their idea, and how we as the little people should feel blessed that we have them as such stalwart, fearless, leaders! Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Reagan Conservitive,but I’m tired of these pretenders trying to hone in on this truly grassroots protest. They want pictures and videos of themselves attending these rallys to use in upcoming campains. Nothing more nothing less!They want to bloviate about how they are going to fight the Obamatrons,while at the same time they couldn’t even give a swift kick in the butt to the 8 turncoats who crossed the aisle and voted yay for the bigest, devastatng money grab in the history of this country.They talk tough, then, hide under their desks like frightened children during a thunderstorm.Last time some of these Media whores showed up they were booed off stage.Let’s do it again. THIS isn’t about politics , it’s about doing whats right!! We saw this in the last election cycle when many of these so called conservatives couldn’t wait to blame Palin for their own spineless,lets be friends,boot licking attitude that turned them into losers.ENOUGH time to send a loud message to these mini Kings and Queens,your days are numbered,cause we got your number.
Jun 29, 2009 - 6:00 am 36. pelaut:Throw every one of the Nelson Rockefeller Country Club pseudos out.
Jun 29, 2009 - 6:02 am 37. sheesh:If they louse up your 4th parties with their shifty speeches, turn your back on them.
Turn every darned one of them out — including “leader” Beaner.
Scat Patrol reporting in from Republican front lines… conservative fascination with all things poo continues unabated . . .
20. Steve:
When I see the name or handle sheesh I just go on with other comments. I always hated spreading manure to help grow crops because of the mess and smell but sheesh is even worse.
New evidence that scat obsession in place at highest levels of Republican party . . . John “The Turgid Crybaby” Boehner on Climate Bill . . . “Hey, people deserve to know what’s in this piece of shit.”
Theories connecting scat frenzy with repressed gay urges gaining homentum . . . sorry, momentum.
More soon . . . very soon.
Jun 29, 2009 - 7:26 am 38. sam:# 33 thanks!!!!
PLEASE WATCH AND LSITEN TO THE UTUBE VIDEO..AND PASS IT ON!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpEyA
We have become a nation of arm chair quarterbacks..do nothings!!..big mouth , no action.
We are pulling out of Iraq and such…we lost thousands of brave people over there, we didn’t win!!..Give it a few months and it will be business as usual in Iraq, just as in Iran..we didn’t win!! period! I don’t care how the press spins it…we’re so “politically correct”, our press distorts and accuses, we follow like lap dogs!!.. get out on the fourth, find a tea party!!!
Cap and trade went by with no fight..I don’t believe most of our nation even understands this!! once again something huge passes in Washington and our leaders didn’t read it!!!…and it’s not good…
OMG!! we’re more consumed with the death of a singer than the state of our nation!!!!
If your rep/senator voted for any of BO’s bills , you KNOW THEY DIDN’T READ IT AND DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY VOTED FOR, THEY SOLD US OUT!!
” VOTE THEM OUT”!!! if you can’t get to a “tea party” that Obama and the press make fun of….show them in 2010 and vote as many out as you can!!!
Please watch…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpEyA
Jun 29, 2009 - 7:26 am 39. sheesh:31. Realist: . . . “Steve that also goes for ’sheesh’s’ alter ego ‘The Stranger’ . . . they are being oh so clever and cutting. . .”
Why, thank you. As you can see, that quote-editing course I took at Fox News is really paying off.
Jun 29, 2009 - 7:28 am 40. JED:4. Concerned:
WAKE UP AMERICA, THROW THE BUMS OUT (BOTH PARTIES), AND START OVER WITH A FRESH BATCH OF LEGISLATORS WHO BELIEVE IN THIS COUNTRY, NOT MUST AMASSING POWER !!!!!!
I am with you fellow. What Obamanation promised was to “change business as usual in Washington politics”. What we got was the same old self interest, Potomac Two Step, Beltway power junkies on steroids.
Jun 29, 2009 - 7:42 am 41. myth buster:To me, the Tea Parties means throwing off the yolk of the influence of Royality, being controlled and taxed by proto-European powers, and returning to the principles of The American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, and government of the people, for the people. What we have now is government by the government for the government, in the best interests of the governing bribing the people for votes.
Who uses 1000 kWh/month? Someone who watches a plasma TV for 3-4 hours a day.
Jun 29, 2009 - 10:38 am 42. Pat J:@35. shaun fischer:
Hmm that’s odd. I don’t see any mention of Republicans attending tea parties in the article.
Jun 29, 2009 - 10:53 am 43. Blarty Blarckleblart:I’m sure everything will be okay after y’all have your little tea parties.
Jun 29, 2009 - 2:56 pm 44. Gary Ogletree:43: That’s all you got? No wonder you hide your identity.
Jun 30, 2009 - 3:59 am 45. Blarty Blarckleblart:No wonder you hide your identity.
You expect anyone to believe a loving mother would curse her child with a name like “Gary Ogletree”?
Jun 30, 2009 - 8:32 am 46. Gallifet:Join a Patriot group! (www.TeaPartyPatriots.org)
Jun 30, 2009 - 9:44 am 47. Pat J:Tell your republican representative to support the
tea party movement or you won’t support them! How do you like our new allies in Central America?
Will Republican moderation change this?
46. Gallifet:
Jun 30, 2009 - 2:17 pm 48. Delia:Join a Patriot group! (www.TeaPartyPatriots.org)
————————
Do I get to weat a funny hat? Is it made out of tinfoil?
47. Pat J:
“Do I get to weat a funny hat? Is it made out of tinfoil?”
~
“Weat a funny hat?” Hey, smegma breath, your tin foil bikini is blinding me with science and causing my microwave oven to spark.
Jul 1, 2009 - 11:05 pm