Raise your hand if you laughed out loud when you saw that Nancy Pelosi's approval ratings in the newest ABC/Washington Post poll held steady and strong before, during and after her trip to Syria. And what of all the chicken little gasbags who claimed that the sky would soon be falling for the Democratic party as a result? Predictably, little has been heard from them in the way of recant.
An AP-Ipsos poll taken at roughly the same time period has her approval rating slipping from 51% to 46%, and based on this the WaPo's Paul Kane entitled his recent column on the topic "Pelosi's Approval Takes First Hit," which I think entirely misses the point. As he notes, the most recent portion of that poll was taken when the right wing noise machine was in high dudgeon over her trip to Syria. Kane blames the Democrats for not having her back, and it's true there weren't a lot of profiles in courage when it came to party pushback (As David Broder cattily sniffed in an online chat: "I think there is some criticism of Speaker Pelosi from other Democrats for some of her high-profile ventures, including the visit to Syria, but I hear of no move to replace her" — but then again, Broder considers Joe Lieberman a Democrat.) But just as guilty were press reports which parroted right-wing talking points while making no mention of the fact that Newt Gingrich had open splits with the Clinton administration over foriegn policy, or that Dennis Hastert had told Colombian military officials to “bypass the U.S. executive branch and communicate directly with Congress.”
I think it's more correct to state that given the omnipresent, blistering attack launched on her by those with big microphones, little public support from high-profile party members and shallow, bitchy reports delivered by a press with seemingly no long term memory, Pelosi's numbers held splendidly. It's a huge triumph, a resounding public vote of confidence in the way she's doing her job. The Codpiece in Chief, with a 35% approval rating in the same poll, would openly swoon for those kinds of numbers
They threw everything they had at her and they couldn't sink her. It was vicious and ugly and unfair (remember how everyone said the much-loathed Newt Gingrich was "taking his party down" during the 90s? Yeah me neither) and in the face of it, she held. Headlines everywhere should be blaring "Pelosi's Approval Ratings Withstand Media Assault," but that's probably not going to happen.
Update: Oh, the irony.
Related posts:
- Laura Ingraham on “This Week”: Dick Cheney “Cuts Through” on Afghanistan Because “His Numbers Are Going Up”
- RNC Ad Compares Pelosi to Pussy Galore — Time For Women to Exit the GOP?
- Was Porter Goss Briefed on Things Pelosi and Harman Weren’t?
- Teabaggers Attack, Obama’s Poll Numbers Climb
- Teabaggers to Burn Perriello and Pelosi Effigy, While Diane Watson Caves on Public Option
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Fitz, please???
It would have to be the media reporting that she had withstood their assualt. I expect Abu G. to remember something before that happens.
Jane!! Hope you and the Poodles are doing OK.
Nice post on Nancy. It has just got to frustrate the wingeres that a San Fran liberal is kicking butt on their “heros”. The Bushies are doomed.
I suppose you eagle-eyes already spotted this, but just in case:
it seems that Kucinich intends to introduce articles of impeachment against Cheney.
It’s only been postponed due to the shooting in VT…
And WTF is with the “senior Dem staffer” taking the wind out of this? Any bets on who they work for?
To admit that Pelosi’s ratings held would be for the beltway cognescenti to admit that they’re a batch of idiots. Ain’t happenin’. Besides, what’s a few facts among friends when a faux controversy is so much more fun and dovetails so nicely with teh Republic talking points of the day.
AZ Matt @ 2
Nice too that Pete McCloskey has finally jumped the fence. I think he’s the last Republican I ever voted for!
EPU’d:
Bush Think Tank
I want to see Pelosi President by the end of the year.
I said at the time of the trip that she was the only in the federal government who sounded like an adult. Somehow that must have gotten thru the R assault. Real people know what an adult sounds like, and it’s not like W, who is now to the point that his ratings drop every time he opens his mouth.*
I am very mad at the Ds for not getting her back.
*Watch for uptick on VTech appearance followed by MSM playing up the bounce & predicting demise of Ds.
spurious @ 6
my hand is up!
Gnome de Plume @ 7
Amen.
not only are the chattermonkeys clueless as to the shift that has taken place; but they are also proving themselves to be hugely uninfluential. why is g.e. paying fat tim those big bucks — they expect him to sway his audience; he’s failing spectacularly considering the time and efforts of him and nbc (mtp, hardball, today, nightly news).
spurious @ 6
Somehow that jumped before I could comment.
I saw the McClosky article and in the Central part of California that is news. I remember him as a rep having grown up in northern California.
From Waxman:
Schedule Change: Committee Will Consider Transportation Amendments on Wednesday
Tomorrow’s Oversight Committee business meeting for consideration of a subpoena to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been postponed. It will now take place on Wednesday, April 25.
Oh yeah ?
Y’all should take a peek at James Pinkerton’s column today…ummm…errr no link, but I read it in the NY Daily News….. it’s a beaut!
There was a very important reason the Bushist scum attacked Madame Speaker on the subject of her Syria trip.
Read about it in my post:
The Overton Window is framed in the wrong wall
I am of the firm opinion that Madame Speaker Pelosi is the best politician on The Hill at this moment in time. And what a good thing that is for our country.
BushFool the Younger better get wise quick or he might find the Speaker ’setting the table…’ for his wrinkly ass.
I’ve started paying close attention to politics only in past couple of years, so I knew nothing about Pelosi before she became Speaker. Must admit I was initially distressed owing to “SF liberal” label. I figured even if it weren’t true, Rs would get it to stick & she would be enfeebled by it.
Imagine my delight & surprise at the way things actually turned out.
Now, did those of you who knew her before think she would be this good as Speaker?
eCAHNomics @ 9
Well hope burns eternal and Kucinich’s news of kicking off impeachment of DeadEyeDick may resonate so well even the wimpiest dems may have to face reality. Just sayin’ if nothing else this could be a sleeper and golden opportunity for the netroots and our beleagured nation.
Perhaps this information on the Speaker for the ^Majority^ signals a change for the better!
Gnome de Plume @ 8
Pelosi for President 2007
How is this for approval:
If I could vote for her right now for President of the United States I would!
AZ Matt @ 14
He helped one of my brothers get CO status during the Vietnam war. Good guy.
“Ignore” is actually the Conservative strategy when hoisted by their own petards (what IS a petard anyway). Actually, “authoritarian” is a more apt word.
The strategy works likes this.
Authoritarian: “Up is Down!”
Reality-based observer: “No, actually, up is up and down is down. Observe.” reality=based observer demonstrates effects of gravity.
Authoritarian: “Well anyway, green is red.”
This forces the RBO to address the second falsehood, leaving the first one still hanging unacknowledged. It’s a way of not conceding the argument and making sure that false statements remain “up for debate.”
bdu @
4
Because you can’t have the impeachment before you have the investigation!! If you rush to the impeachment without sufficient sworn evidence AND sufficient support across the isle *you lose*! We *must* build a public case for impeachment that has citizens on both sides of the isle *demanding* that their congressman support impeachment! Kucinich? I love Dennis, but this is a case of premature eja*ulation. Patience! It’s only been 3 months!
Speaker Pelosi did one thing we know to be unusual these days. She actually put herself in the company of others in the world who have important things to say. She probably did a lot more genuine listening than anything else. Imagine that!
I don’t know what to make out much else in re her trip. Did she embrace other ideas expressed in the Iraq Study Group report. I hope not.
But diplomacy is never a bad idea. Who knows, she may have helped, by the timing of her presence alone, with a peaceful resolution of the British soldiers in Iran ordeal.
All in all it sure is nice to have an adult in the arena.
So thank you Nancy
Joe Shit, the ragman @
16
Uh, he writes for Newsday… “a mean, nasty, Republican” rag.
(Pls pardon OT… EPU’d)
——————————
Feeling adventuresome? Interested in who else is in the FDL community, and where they are? Maybe get in touch with them via anonymous message?
Hope to see you on our unofficial FirePup Fan map. Pls don’t forget to pick the right pin for yourself, and to add a fun “shoutout” and maybe a pic.
——————————
… and now we return you to your regularly-scheduled thread… :)
Elliott @
21
Yes, this is what my new bumper sticker says, thanks to Newspaperbrat! I still have not been able to place it, though. Today is a muddy rainy yucky day. I need a clear glorious spring day to inaugurate my bumper and to annoy my neighbors.
BobbyG @ 7
Great pic Bobby G
OT & EPU’ed re: Opera browser
To Christy:
Thank you Christie, got the e-mail and got it here. I think it was sitemeter running slow (whatever sitemeter is :) and I think the cookie and/or image I mentioned came from their site directly while loading FDL. Whatever, Opera is up & running great. I think the multiple pagewidth reformats have ended too, now that I think about it.
Thanks so much to all involved!
huff, puff, puff…phewwww, been chasing the EPU train for what seems like miles!
:)
I’ve said this before and I’ll keep saying it until the democrats get with the program;
THE MORE WE CRITISIZE THIS PRESIDENT, THE HIGHER OUR RATINGS
period
the democrats have to get with the program, the president is a moron, his policies are moronic, they are pure failure and that failed policy and strategy has not changed, the American public don’t want any more of what we know is failure
the vast majority of the American public are NOT morons and they get it
HEY, DEMOCRATS, CALL THE PRESIDENT OUT, CALL CHENEY OUT, LAUGH IN THEIR FACE AND YOU WILL PROSPER!
brendancalling @ 24
A “petard” is a small bomb from the middle ages that was hand carried, with the fuse LIT, to, for instance the castle gates, where it was placed where it would hopfully do the most good for the besieging forces. Needless to say, many of these petards would unexpectedly go off whilst being carried hither- hoisting said bomb carrier into the air by his own petard.
OT but ON the media elite that go after our Nancy, here’s from an account of a shower for MSNBC Norah:
shenanigans at Politico
did they serve cocktail weenies?
(Kathleen would be Tweetie’s wife)
Gnome de Plume @ 29
Yes, one that’s CRISP and CLEAR and FRESH! — like our Nancy!
If there’s a new President before 2009, the most likely person is the person that replaces Cheney.
Pelosi for President!
I, sometimes, am amazed that we won in ‘06. The machine working against us is immense. As for Speaker Pelosi, I LOVE her. And her ratings should be even better. She is doing a wonderful job. And everytime she gives one of her no-nonsense replies to Bush (”take a deep breath”)I applaud her. I only wish we weren’t fighting the entire MSM.
The Dems have to wake up and realize that their views ARE mainstream. They have to stand and espouse their liberal views and be proud of them. I promise, they won’t be sorry.
I welcome Supreme Overlord Empress President for Life Pelosi and the Imperial Clonetroopers who will free us from the bondage of The Old Republic(an).
Badwater @ 36
which is either liarman or mccain
now that’s a tough choice
perris @ 40
True, but either’s a better choice than the Preznit.
Maybe the expectant mother will stay home and take care of the twins until they’re in college.
While I want to applaud and support Mz. Pelosi in her FINE efforts with Syria, her threat to go to Iran, and SOME of the ‘lite’ pressure she’s delicately applied to the ShrubCo Theocracy, I find KUCINICH’s effort at drafting and calling for articles of impeachment to REALLY WORTHY of my support AND sheckels!!!
The Iraq War Funding bill dropped the language about doing Iran, due to Pelosi’s and Levin’s pulling that language.
Why? A*P*C!!!!!
Levin is the esteemed SenatorialSlut who has taken the MOST money from A*P*C, Pelosi and Reid both have ALSO taken GOBS of A*P*C money, and so has Sen. Sci-Fi.
Until the back of A*P*C’s influence, intimidation, harassment, coercion and outright thuggery tattics are dealt with, NOTHING much can really move forward to change USA foreign policy behavior, and THAT is all going to impact what our DOMESTIC policy is, forever.
You want our civil rights back? Force A*P*C to register as an alien entity and monitor every sheckel they parcel out and NAME NAMES of every person who gets one of their checks.
Cuz money talks, oil rules, and the petrochem’s, MIC and ANY government official are all in biz for each other.
Reform, hell, REVOLUTION, MUST start with eliminating the decisive and devisive influence that Israel lobby wields, which is a STRANGLEHOLD on this nations progress BACK to a more Constitutional Founding Father’s.
Harumph.
Pelosi This (and I’m a CA boy).
GO KUCH!!!!
Edited ** by Mod
perris @ 40
it’s Pelosi!
Badwater @ 41
Only by the slimmest of margins…
Badwater @
36
No, we do a quick two, one – get rid of Cheney and before a new Veep can be found, we dispose of Chimperor.
Sally @ 42
now that the Republicans are gonna be gone
we take them both out at the same time.
Elliott @ 34
What does it say about me that I don’t know a single name on the list? Places me on the Z-list?
http://www.lindysgraphics.net/…..si07f1.jpg
lindy did this a few weeks ago, really good, for someone who wanted a pelosi bumper sticker…………
Elliott @ 34
Juleanna Glover Weiss used to work for Ashcroft and was press secretary for Dick Cheney, and Marlene Malek is married to Fred Malek, who worked in the Nixon administration and at Nixon’s behest counted the number of Jews working at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Nixon suspected a cabal).
Breakin’ news OT
hmm…
secret serve accident
random OT, from the White Album, for Loofah Boy:
“hey, Bung-hole, O’Bill
What did you shrill
Bung-hole, O’Bill?
When falafel hunting with his elephant and phone
In case of accidents he always took his own
He’s the all American bullet-headed saxon mother’s son.
All the children sing:
hey, Bung-hole, O’Bill
What did you shrill
Bung-hole, O’Bill?”
Elliott @ 48
I wonder if you can do this? Wouldn’t they both have to be charged with the same thing?
Gnome de Plume @ 29
I have a new bumper sticker that says, Impeachment, it’s not just for blowjobs.
Pelosi is smart, and she’s tough, and she’s a grownup. Let the schmucks take her on at their peril. Oh, and I think Kucinich’s right, it’s time to get the I-word out into the dialogue.
Gnome de Plume @ 54
it can be done and has to be done, there is no other way to get these criminals out of office
then send them off to the world court and let them be held to the bar of justice by an interantioal tribunal
oh, poetic justice
that would begin to bring the intgrity of our nation back to the level it was before these morons brought it to ruin
OT:
Does anyone understand what is holding up the intel bill (for over 7 months now) in the Senate?
First they said she was in hiding; then they lied about her travel preferences and all the time attacking her patriotism
Attack away it seems to be working for us
Schlepped over from the last post.. A GOP disciple shows how they eat their young:
This is somewhat on point as criticism from the GOP is usually “smear the person [or Dems] regardless of where you stand on the issue.”
Gnome de Plume @ 53
Given that it would be hard to pin them on their treason and bribery, they would both likely be tried for impeachment under the catch-all “other high crimes and misdemeanors” as defined in Article II.
Jacqrat @ 27
OK, sorry…I work for the County & I read so many newspapers during the day, I just can’t remember which is which ! Besides, ain’t Newsday a “liberal rag” ?
Gnome de Plume@53
it’ll be a RICO/treason trial
— with treple damges to help restore our treasury.
Another excellent post Jane!!! Kane’s sheer gall was exposed but he is own rants: 53% approval for Pelosi; 41% approval for Newt 3 mos. after recieving the Gavel!! Ironically, It was Newt’s high water mark!!!
bilzim @ 56
amen
Pelosi’s “tantrum” comment was the perfect framing retort–GOP’ers as whining little kids.
Gnome de Plume @ 54
Why not — charge them both with endangering national secutity by betraying Valerie Plame and Brewster-Jennings. (I’m going on the theory that the “boss” is responsible for what his underlings do.)
Sparkles the Iguana @ 51
This is truly sickening. How do we combat this sort of thing?
bdu @ 60
since it’s not a trial based on facts or law, the senate can convict “because”…because they brought deliberate harm to this nation, becuase they were the most inept administration in the history of planet earth
“beccause” the president serves at the pleasure of the people and therefore at the pleasure of congress and therefor if he brings displeasure he should serve no more
I wish Hillary would take lessons from Pelosi. With Nancy’s grace and Hillary’s brains we would be able to return to the land of the living in no time.
perris@68
I like the sound of that!
You mean stop Norah from having sex?
perris @ 32
DING! DING! DING!
Gnome de Plume @ 70
Seriously, if HRC had half a brain she would abandon her support for this insane war and make amends for her vote.
perris @ 68
And you’ve got a much better chance of it going somewhere if you present facts and law to back up your “because”…
Joe Shit, the ragman @ 16
I sent him an email with the following subject line (& no contents):
um, Pelosi’s approval is 51%
kgc @ 59,
People see what she’s doing right. Then they see the whiny boys club bitching at her. She’s a winner, and people like her.
Gnome de Plume @ 69
Hillary’s not that smart. She’s diligent & studies hard.
Way-back machine: Nancy Pelosi’s first speech on the House floor was about AIDS, a word which had yet to be uttered there, iirc.
TeddySanFran @ 78
if a democrat is elected in 08 and it is not clinton, pelosi will be the first female president of the United States of America
god bless nancy pelosi, god bless the USA
eCAHNomics @ 78
It is wise to remember that BB (Before Bill) Hill was a born and raised Illinois republican – am just sayin’ this ole brat was a daddy’s girl too but happily my daddy was a faithful democrat.
I disagree. I think she may be smarter than Bill, but that she has to hide her brains under a bushel, like many a smart woman has been known to do.
My parents tried to raise me as a good republican, but they failed. And not just with me, but with every one of my siblings.
Gnome de Plume @ 81
Reminder: I was 2 years ahead of her at Wellesley. I diddn’t know her but I know the type very well. Didn’t like them then, and don’t like them any better after 40 years. They’re smart enough, of course, but far from being THAT SMART.
Elliott @ 34
Nancy Bagley is the daughter of extremely wealthy Democratic donor Smith Bagley. Beth Dozoretz is a very wealthy Democratic fundraiser. I just found this comment about Beth Dozoretz from the lips of Imus:
Gnome de Plume @ 82
Which makes her vote for war and refusal to concede that mistake so inexcusable and/or republican lite IMHO.
Thanks to everyone who illuminated the who’s who of Norah’s Big Shower
Badwater @
36
That would presuppose the Chimperor could actually nominate someone who could be confirmed.
Sparkles the Iguana@84
MCCORD: They were at the White House on Clinton’s final night when a raft of the pardons were being decided on, including the one for Denise Rich’s ex-husband, Marc Rich. This is according to Secret Service logs just obtained by the Washington Post. They were there on the last night, President Clinton’s last night in office, Denise Rich and Beth Dozoretz, both at the White House.
I’ll be darned!
Great post, Jane! The worm is really turning now–our Dim Son King’s tactics just don’t do it any more. Nice to see Nancy get ahead of the curve.
Elliott @ 71
I like the sound of that!
If the Decider uses the Google and finds this site, he’s not going to like reading things like this.
Many a smart person has been known to do really, really dumb things. Just look at Bill and Monica. I think Hillary is book smart, but that Nancy is people smart in addition to being book smart. Hillary seems to be stuck in that finger-in-the-wind polling that the Clinton WH was known for. It worked in the ’90’s because of the rising tide of Rethugs. It doesn’t work now that we are in the ascendant.
You go girl!
dakine01 @ 88
Nixon managed to do that so, with all the ex-Nixon people guiding him, the Decider may be able to do that as well.
Badwater@90
it’s a good thing for us he doesn’t know how to use the toobZ
Badwater @ 91
If the Decider uses the Google and finds this site, he’s not going to like reading things like this.
He can read?
;~)
OT but worth noticing (from LA Times website):
Suspects accidentally dial 911 while trying to reach drug dealer
Two Pomona drug suspects were arrested this morning after mistakenly dialing 911 when they were actually trying to reach their drug dealer, police said.
“No one said criminals are smart,” said Pomona Police Sgt. Michael Olivieri.
The 911 call came in about 3 a.m. today. Police believe the suspects, Paul White, 38, and Ryan Ogle, 25, were trying to page their drug dealer with an emergency request, using the code “911.” Instead, they got the emergency dispatch center.
Police traced the call and, as is standard practice, sent a patrol car out. Officers found White and Ogle standing next to the pay phone and a car outside the Pack A Bag convenience store, Olivieri said. A run of the car’s license plates showed it was stolen. So officers moved in to arrest the pair in the 1000 block of West Mission Boulevard. A search turned up drug paraphernalia, a set of burglary tools and a shaved ignition key, Olivieri said.
[rest snipped]
If they voted, would they be GOoPers?
Washing ton Post ABC Poll
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Nancy Pelosi is handling her job as Speaker of the House?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
4/15/07 53 35 12
Gnome de Plume @
83
Fortunately, my parents tried to raise me as a fairly liberal dem. It worked beyond their dreams for my sister and me. Unfortunately, my older brother failed the lessons and is a ditto-head.
There hasn’t been an annual Intelligence Authorization Bill passed in the Senate since FY 2004. For the last few days, the Senate has been twiddling its thumbs (no session at all on Friday) because the Republicans in the Senate, while pretending they were willing to proceed to finally vote on the FY 2007 authorization bill, have been blocking it – and forcing cloture votes – at every turn, at the insistence of the Executive Branch.
Just now (6:10 p.m. EDT), the cloture motion to close debate on remaining non-relevant amendments, so as to proceed to a final vote for passage of an Intelligence Authorization Bill was defeated by a vote of 50 Yeas, and 45 Nays.
This bill had important new oversight provisions in it, endorsed by both the Intelligence Chair Rockefeller of West Virginia and Vice-Chair Bond of Missouri, covering operations of the $44-billion dollar annual expenditures of our Intelligence Community. [This is the authorization bill that is not sent to the President for signing, but which authorizes the actual legislation to follow.] It became apparent that Vice President Cheney very much did not want this bill to pass, and he whipped Republican Members of Congress, against their better judgement, to fall in line, to prevent this bill from proceeding to a vote on final passage. [The feeble excuse offered by Bond, who wouldn’t buck the string-pullers in the White House, is that they need still more time to debate amendments, even though their objections have wasted days of time that could have been spent on amendments; that is just a tissue-thin cover story.]
The Republicans in the United States Senate just voted on a political party line dictated by the White House, to continue to ignore the secret operations of our intelligence agencies in the Executive Branch, on orders from the Executive Branch, thereby negating key reforms and improvements and preventing vital Congressional oversight of the Executive Branch intelligence operations. Those Republican Senators who voted ‘No’ must not be allowed to forget this or live this down — we must hold them to account for this clear dereliction of duty, in violation of the Constitutional separation of powers and its safeguards for the liberty of the American people.
Gnome de Plume @ 91
Ding. Ding. Book smart is a perfect shorthand for the type. They were grade gubbers in college & not interested in anything going on outside of their schooly pursuits.
Also agree that the 90s are over–way over. And won’t return anytime soon. Hillary’s dated & not smart enough to know it.
P J Evans @ 96
That has GOT to be the most popular place in town to meet your dealer!
Gnome de Plume @ 92
IIRC, Nancy’s father was a mayor of Baltimore. Nothing like East Coast big city politics for a training ground.
Good God, if they gave James Pinkerton an enema he’d fit in a cigar box afterwards.
The man has no shame.
pow wow, Thank you, I needed that.
bdu @ 4
You see the problem is with jury selection. The jury for impeachment is the Senate by a 2/3’s majority. So unless or until you have a whole big chunk of disguted Republican Senators who cannot be blackmailed or bought by Cheney willing to vote honestly, you have no hope of winning the verdict.
You have to build this prosecution brick by brick, just like Watergate until there are enough Rep. Senators willing to vote for the truth.
Kunick is suffering from premature indictment syndrome. I’m sure hteres a blue pill for that too.
I’m sorry, but to do it now looks immature and reckless and he runs the risk of making Leahy and Waxman and Conyer look as if they are silly as he is.
This kind of cheap grandstanding is totally counterproductive and if he is this incometant he should just STFU.
Serious people are trying to do a serious credible and meanigful jub and this yahoo comes along to play for a little attention.
He’s a fucking saboteur!!!
This is a very good sign.
I have no statistical evidence to support this, but extensive personal observations lead me to believe that the average centrist American (i.e. those not committed to the left or right) has become extremely cynical of the MSM and the political leadership. They see reports like the shit-on-Pelosi campaign of a couple weeks ago, or the Bush-is-an-inspiring-speaker campaign that is going on today, and they just scoff.
This isn’t to say that they still aren’t susceptible to the right wing lying smears — for example, the gore-Al-Gore campaign of a few weeks ago did chip away at his ratings — simply because the MSM tends to present one side of these stories. However, the centrists seem to be linking the MSM to the economic royalty (to borrow a term from FDR) who rules this country.
This is a good thing. Now if only the Democrats could take advantage of it.
Badwater @ 94 says:
Nixon could do it because Gerald Ford actually was a decent human being. Anyone remember the pics of him making toasted English muffins for breakfast? I don’t really see that many comparable folks in today’s Republic minorities in house or senate either one.
Elliott @
95
Not to worry. No crayons? No dubya.
anony @ 107
They are. That’s exactly what Nancy did.
looseheadprop @ 106
Nixon relied on that for everything up until the “smoking gun” tapes were released. Prior to those tapes, it was still a “partisan witch hunt” and it wasn’t until after that AUH2O and the other senior Republic senators went and told him he was toast.
looseheadprop @ 106
But impeaching a president over a blow*ob looks so fucking credible and adult.
Edited by Mod *
Completey O any T, but when the president came out with his “I’m the decider” line, I immediately thought of the “I’m a survivor” song:
I’m the decider,
I’m the decider,
Original thoughts come
From my speechwriter.
Back to fixing dinner.
The guest list for a Seymour Hersch party would be interesting.
bdu @
4
Hooray for Kucinich!
The senior Dem staffer must be someone with DLC. Rahm Emmanuel?
Bob in HI
dakine01 at 111
That’s my point. When the slow careful painstaking investigation revealed the smoking gun tapes, THEN they had a case that could win in the senate, so REPUBLICAN senators told Nixon to resign or else tey would vote to convict in his impeahment trial.
First you build a case that will persuade your jury.
You know in a regular criminal case you have to make that decision knowing only the general broadstrokes of you likely jury pool.
In this instance you actually know the identies and many, many ffacts about the actual jurors themselves, so the indectment (articles of impeachment) and the order of proof (what you intend to offer as your evidence at trial) can be custom tailored in a way simply not possible in a regular criminal trial.
The House does not yet have a case that can be won before THIS jury (this Senate).
Kuch is shooting his wad WAY WAY too early and with predictably disappointing results.
Like I said, he should take his cheap attempt at attention grabbing and get the hell away from serious people trying to do meaningful work lest his buffoon’s stain bleed onto them.
He is undermining serious work that might actually have a chance to produce meaningful results.
From James Pinkerton’s column that Jane links to at the end:
Gag me.
This is OT but amazing. Story @ TPM Muck:
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/ar…..p#comments
looseheadprop @
116
I totally agree with you. Right now, we’re at a point comparable to early ‘73 when the Senate Select hearings were held. Congressional hearings are just starting into these crooks so there’s a long way to go before there’s enough evidence to convince the kool-aid drinkers. Realistically, the best we can probably hope for is a continuing day-by-day, week-by-week drip of revelations discovered through hearings, document dumps and slowly uncovering all the rocks and shining the light on the cock-a-roaches. Patience in other words.
dakine01 @ 118
I agree. But IMHO it’s better than “best we can hope for”. I think the trickle through the dike has started and the hole can only get bigger. It’s just a question of what comes out and when. May they all get what they deserve!
The Speaker is doing the job. Can we imagine the pressure this person is under? I am pleased.
Is the President immune from criminal and civil trials until he is impeached? Or can we go after him that way. Or should we go after his friends…with benefits the war profiteering corporations that give to the GOP. If we start investigating war profiteering and start banning these corporations and their CEO’s, Board of Directors etc from EVER HAVING ANYTHING TO DO WITH A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT. My guess is a lot of people will hang bushie out to dry.
From the tpmmuckraker post referrenced above:
Emmet Flood, Special Counsel to the President
Anyone heard of him before?
Badwater @
94
But Nixon’s VP replacement did not win the next presidential election. Neither would W’s replacement VP. A VP impeachment/removal would be a crippling blow to the administration.
pres can’t be tried in a criminal case while in office- the supremes, though, decided that Clinton could get sued in a civil case- so that door is open.
Go Nancy! She’s got an awful tough fight on her hands with all those Democrats trying to get her to drop the conditions on the Iraq funding bill. Don’t let them grind you down!
FYI, new Jane thread
rwcole @ 125
Isn’t there a lesser burden of proof in a civil trial, and after the Clinton trial ANYTHING GOES!
I’m curious to know how the legal folks here feel about the fact that the White House is insisting that the RNC turn over all the subpoenaed emails to them first.
conniptionfit @
25
Well, Patrick Fitzgerald did an investigation, and put a cloud over the OVP. And there’s been plenty of evidence accumulated. Please also remember that “impeachment” is not a trial, but an investigation itself.
What we need is a committee like those of Waxman, Leahy & Conyers that picks up the trail that Patrick Fitzgerald was following. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence seems the logical place; they have been holding hearings, but behind closed doors. They need to open the doors and let the cameras in!
Bob in HI
eCAHNomics @ 18
Yes. I lived in the East Bay area, near SF, when she was first elected and we got a really good look at her.
The Los Angeles Times ran a really nice article on her yesterday, entitled “The Extreme Moderate”, very complimentary, here:
http://www.latimes.com/news/op…..;cset=true
Today there were 4 angry letters to the editor, 2 from liberals and 2 from conservatives all furiously decrying Nancy Pelosi as either too liberal or not liberal enough.
bdu @
61
The Libby trial disclosed that Cheney & Bush most likely were involved in the conspiracy to out Valerie Plame. This would tie them both to the same crime.
Bob in HI
THE BELTWAY PUNDITS ARE ALWAYS WRONG
ALWAYS
IF THEY SAY THE SUN’S OUT OPEN YOUR UMBRELLA CAUSE IT’S RAINING SHIT
And I am so inspired to get to see Nancy Pelosi this Friday at the Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Hartford!! A standing ovation is waiting for her. Unlike this little weenie we call a senator here in CT.
loosehead prop:
i always agree with you, but this time i don’t.
kuchinich said he only runs for president to draw attention to issues, no other agenda………
and impeachment can be brought repeatedly…..if at first you don’[t succeed….i’m not an impeachment advocate, but i don’t fault him for it. i wonder what he knows that we don’t…….he’s not stupid, in spite of what the press says, he’s way intelligent, no dummy……..i wonder what he’s bringing out into the open doing it now. that’s what i wonder. i don’t condone it, i wonder what he has in his card deck.
if N. Pelosi goes along with an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran she can no more call herself a ‘liberal’ or ‘progressive’ than she can call herself a spotted owl.
re: Kuchinich introducing articles of impeachment against Cheney.
Hey, doesn’t he know we’re supposed to ‘hold our powder’ until there’s a free chair in the powder room?
All Spkr. Pelosi has to say to make a huge difference is this: “impeachment is always an option”—much in the same way as Bush says military invasion is always an option.
You would see a dramatic change in public sentiment about investigations and impeachment (meaning far broader support and pressure on all levels of elected government).
Impeachment is ALWAYS an option, Spkr Pelosi—just like war. And you should say it at least once or twice a week.
Duh… on the poll it says NET. What’s that?
eCAHNomics @ 84
Hill’s what the French call a ‘bon eleve’. Sounds like a compliment, but it’s not one you’d like to have if you lived there.
looseheadprop @ 106
Exactly. It’s all about him. And he was a lousy mayor of Cleveland to boot.
OT but maybe not. According to TPM the White House has asked the RNC not to accede to Conyer’s subpoena on the grounds that it has an ‘interest’ in the e-mails.
Here we go again. Thank God it’s still only April (the cruellest month).
Ya gotta read the comments to that Pinkerton column at Newsday…
Best comic relief all day!
TPM had this wonderful little posting in Election Central. a poll showed that the majority of Americans want Nancy to conduct the war over Bush as well as our Foreign Policy.
They want a general Pelosi and Sec of State Pelosi.
looseheadprop @
116
Well, once again I’m late to the party, and this response will probably sink into the Black Hole of EPU space, but I am frustrated that the whole of Congress is not up in arms over the unConstitutional depradations of Cheney-Rove-Bush.
Your strategy needs to have more action from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. They’ve been conducting hearings, but behind closed doors. Those doors need to be opened!!!
I worry also that the SSCI chair, Jay Rockefeller, may be too much under his uncle David’s influence (Uncle David is a New World Order guy who seems to care little for Democracy, and favors plutocracy.) The SSCI committee is important because of Cheney’s involvement with the Plame leak, and because they’ve got security clearances. Jay Rockefeller really needs to step forward here.
Bob in HI
“Kane blames the Democrats for not having her back, and it’s true there weren’t a lot of profiles in courage when it came to party pushback “
It remains highly probable the Speaker Pelosi requested no overt support from the caucus Dems.
Power is in NOT needing a defender. She has proven that she didn’t need it, and if she asked for none, she showed even more strength.
So, since she didn’t need it, why would you presume that this ‘profiles in courage’ snark is appropriate? Speaker Pelosi has gonads of steel, and the caucus LOVES it. Plenty of them would be only too happy to defend her. But to defend would have been to show weakness, and she didn’t need to play it that way.
“All Spkr. Pelosi has to say to make a huge difference is this: “impeachment is always an option”—much in the same way as Bush says military invasion is always an option.”
Amazing how much SMARTER Speaker Pelosi is than such nonsensical thinking.
WE DON’T HAVE THE VOTES.
The hangovers of the 109th Congress of Rapepublicans are STILL THERE, and they will not vote impeachment until the scandal is dramatically bigger. Rep. Kucinich has a long history of grandstanding — he’s not doing himself any favors in the caucus by breaking discipline in this STUNT.
However, the days of Cheney’s retirement for health reasons are not far away. And the nomination of Chevron Rice for VP is the next card in that deck.
so the argument is that Kuchinich needs to get a big bunch of Republicans on board to impeach Cheney?
What about having a vision of what is right?
Love it, well put.
I think the EYE word HAD to be uttered in public, in order to get the masses used to hearing it.
I don’t think Kuch’s introduction of it will hamper ANY further investigations ongoing, or those being crafted for future launch.
And, it has now put him FAR apart from Shilary, who will lead us and the country to COMPLETE defeat in the ‘08 Elections if she’s selected by the Dem’s.
Nope, Kuch has done NO harm, and there’s no foul. But, the WORD, the EYE word, is now in the clear and present open!!! N Thass a beautiful thang.