Why would the GOP bring it to the floor knowing that they had more than enough votes to kill it? Simple: To make the Democrats choke on it, of course. The public ison the GOP’s side of this issue, unambiguously, and with plenty of independent support, so this was Boehner’s way of twisting a few center-left arms and building negotiating leverage for spending cuts with Obama.
The Republican-controlled House voted 318-97 on the legislation that would have raised the federal government’s debt limit by approximately $2.4 trillion.
Under rules for the vote set by the GOP leadership, the measure needed at least two-thirds support to pass, ensuring it had no chance for approval.
The vote was scheduled by Republican leaders to show that any attempt to divorce an increase in the debt ceiling from spending reduction efforts — a move initially favored by the Obama White House — cannot win congressional approval.
Democrats called the move a dangerous political stunt that could rattle financial markets.
I don’t know why they imposed the two-thirds requirement. There was no chance that the Republican majority would let the bill would pass; raising the bar only gives Democrats who voted “no” an out with their base by letting them claim that the process was rigged to guarantee failure and therefore they felt no obligation to vote yes. Anyway, here’s the roll. Fully 82 Democrats voted with the GOP — among them Pelosi, Hoyer, and … DNC chief Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, which is all the proof you need of how nervous the White House is about being on the wrong side of this issue. More background from Philip Klein:
I was watching the debate and then the vote on C-SPAN.
To listen to her during the debate you would not know for sure which way Pelosi was going to go!
Thanks for the roll call list.
This is great. Reason prevails. Knock Obama and his minions out.
I read on the net that Obama is having quite a time raising the money he was hoping to get. In other words, Obama is not able to raise money as easily as previous. Tough times, I guess. And, more to the point, I read on the net that Obama is having an almost impossible time getting back his voters from 2008.
I would bet, if I were a betting person, that voters who voted for Obama are now aware of his macabre ways. Obama is a Muslim, Obama is hiding his past, Obama secrets his plans to thwart the people’s valid Constitutional rights; particularly gun rights.
My daughter voted for Obama. She’s young and was impressionable. That was then. I asked her if she would vote for Obama now and she said no.
Interestingly Obama has drifted far, far from his democratic base on the wars, economy, unemployment, jobs, etc. that even his base of Democrats is having serious buyers remorse. They will NOT vote for Obama again. Obama is not a shoe-in. Obama is a shoe-out!
Good, We do not have an undertaxation problem we have an OVER SPENDING problem!
As to raising cash from the unions, the unions are using that money to protect their political interests
and buy rioters. Although the Jews will continue voting for him there MAY be a drop in donations.
Meanwhile Gov Palin trumps The Won in the news…well, almost. Talking about Trump, what will be the topic over dinner tomorrow. And she met with Ironman Col West at the Bikers ride Memorial Day. And another Freebie with Biker protection at rallies…acorn ain’t gonna like this. This chick knows how to do things…
Mission accomplished:
Oh really? So the Ceiling won’t be raised? We won?
Come on, Curt, this is just a bone- a temporary bone – to the base. In the end, the era of GIGANTIC GOVERNMENT SPENDING will continue, unabated.
I got to hand it to you though, you can sling it with the best!
;->
Ivan, Curt did not write the article. This is the “Most Wanted” section.. where links to articles that others wrote of interest in issues… is posted for commentary.
Read before you sling you own “sheeeeet against the fan”, if you please. You owe Curt an apology.
I’ll be holding my breath in anticipation… /sarc
“But it still is another demonstration that Democrats are reluctant to vote for anything that could open them up to criticism, even when it means voting for policies for which they had previously expressed support.” By: Philip Klein 05/31/11 7:28 PM
This is the proverbial nail on the head…This is why Democrats/Liberals pass such silly hurtful [to the country] Liberal Policies. They don’t want their base to hate them and criticize them. Anything that will help [the country] even though it’s a [hard choice ] and unpopular to do, the Democrats/Liberals run for cover or demonize those who [need] to make the choices [winds up being Republicans]. Or the Democrats/Liberals are [bribed for their vote (s)]. Since the Democrats/Liberals are so afraid to make the hard choices, they [force the hand] of the Republicans to make the hard choices, so the Republicans wind up with all the criticism, and look like the [party of bad]. And the Democrats/Liberals look like the squeaky clean [good guys]… Sounds so juvenile on the Democrat/Liberals part doesn’t it? And what is so stunning is they have the nerve to lecture the Republicans and everyone else…
Hence one of the reasons we find ourselves in the turbulent times at hand…
@MataHarley:
He posted it. Thus, his not commenting on the article only leads a reasonable person to conclude he agrees with it.
If he doesn’t agree with it, he should say so.
Channeling Dr. John now, Ivan? Curt puts many things up for debate. He’s not so narrow minded as to assume a criteria for postings that it must be an echo chamber of his own personal beliefs. Nor does he owe you the disclosure of his own feelings.
And you, who whines about how people are jumping-the-gun rude, need only look at your own comment about Curt personally, who “…can sling it with the best! in order to get your own answer as towhy you get the reactions you do here.
@Ivan: Its a most wanted post Ivan. None of these posts are offered up with added comments, they are quoted and then you are given a link to read it all from whence it came. If I was going to put something up with my opinion on whether I agreed or disagreed then it would go up as a regular post.
@MataHarley: Why not let Curt speak for himself, or are you channeling?
Yo… Ivan… he already did, bozo. Guess I have the benefit of knowing Curt longer. Or at least being astute to the forum’s community here.
@Ivan: I did
Yo… Ivan… he already did, bozo..
Woah, I thought you said you were going to be civil in our discussions? REMEMBER? Oh yeah, now we see the real “Mata”. You just couldn’t hold it in, could you. I’m civil to you-no name calling-and you’re just as vitupritive as you’ve always been. So much for being civil to you, Mata.
Curt, take note of this, she’s the instigator.
Ivan, you weren’t civil in your first comment here and assaulting Curt. Gloves off… it’s not just to me. It’s anywhere. Live with it. You brung it on yourself. You will receive the same tone you deliver on threads. Period.
Oh please, for the love of God, what did I say that was so “OFFENSIVE”.
Did you not see the smiley face? Are you blind? I was kidding around with him! Dear Lord, you have such a thin skin.
Curt knew I was teasing with him, he doesn’t need you to defend him-esp. when he’s not being attacked.