AP news:
Frustrated liberals are asking why a Democratic-controlled Congress and White House can’t manage to close the Guantanamo prison or keep new gun-rights laws from passing.
After all, President Barack Obama pledged to shut down the military detention center on Cuba for suspected terrorists. And Democratic control of the government would suggest that any gun legislation leads to tighter controls on weapons, not expanded use.
Even as they grouse, however, liberal lawmakers acknowledge that no one factor explains last week’s disappointing back-to-back votes in Congress.
The Obama administration is focused on other priorities, they say. Party leaders don’t want to endanger Democratic lawmakers from conservative districts by stressing divisive issues such as gun control.
On Guantanamo, many say, Obama and his allies were caught napping as Republicans stirred public fears about relocating suspected terrorists.
“I think it’s one of the few times that he didn’t think it all the way out,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., an unabashed admirer of the president.
“One of the few times that he didn’t think it all the way out” and was caught napping? Rofl!
Is it the vast right-wing conspiracy that forced President Obama to not think it all the way through and sign an executive order within a week of being sworn into office to close Guantanamo? An EO that was all window dressing and no substance? No plan in place first as to what to do with the detainees? If not Gitmo, then what?
Democrats control the presidency and both houses of Congress.
Apparently, fewer registered voters want to identify themselves as Republicans (doesn’t mean conservatives suddenly exchanged ideologies for liberalism, of course).
So what’s the problem?
Two votes in Congress last Wednesday dismayed many liberals and exposed the limits of their influence even with Obama as president and Democrats holding solid majorities in both houses.
The Senate voted 90-6 to join the House in blocking the transfer of any prisoners from Guantanamo. Harsh treatment and indefinite detention of suspects there have sparked worldwide criticisms of the U.S. government and helped al-Qaida recruit volunteers, said Obama, who pledges to close the prison early next year. Lawmakers say they want more details on where detainees will be sent.
Also Wednesday, the House voted overwhelmingly to join the Senate in letting people carry loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges. More than 100 House Democrats and 174 Republicans voted for the gun measure, which was attached to an Obama-backed bill imposing new restrictions on credit card companies.
More popcorn, please.
A former fetus, the “wordsmith from nantucket” was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1968. Adopted at birth, wordsmith grew up a military brat. He achieved his B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (graduating in the top 97% of his class), where he also competed rings for the UCLA mens gymnastics team. The events of 9/11 woke him from his political slumber and malaise. Currently a personal trainer and gymnastics coach.
The wordsmith has never been to Nantucket.
“, Obama and his allies were caught napping as Republicans stirred public fears about relocating suspected terrorists.”
It’s all the Republicans fault? How many Democrats voted for the Gitmo closure funds? Three?
“The Obama administration is focused on other priorities”
No kidding. The socialist takeover of American banks and the auto industry is a full time job.