When it came time to pass an anti-war resolution, the Democrats were no better than a bunch of timid pre-teens on Halloween. That was the view Matt Lauer expressed in a colloquy with Tim Russert on this morning's "Today."Lauer: "The Democrats in the Senate failed to pass this vote so they could even debate this Iraq strategy and there's even some who are talking about possibly bringing up the idea of revoking the 2002 authorization to go to war. If they can't pass a kind of symbolic vote, how do they ever have the kind of strength to do something more serious?"
Russert agreed that "it's going to be very difficult."
Matt wasn't done: "Looking at what happened in the House . . . over the weekend, basically the House did pass this resolution saying they oppose the surge in troops, but put yourself in the position of Joe and Mary Smith, living somewhere across this country right now, and you've watched these politicians for more than a month talk about passing a symbolic vote. Does it amount to little more than them ringing someone's doorbell and running away?"View video here.
Acknowledged Russert: "the difficulty is, what substantively will change in the policy. And as of today, nothing."Was Lauer egging Dems to knock down that Iraq war door, or merely mocking their display of impotence? In either case, Matt administered a rough knuckle-rap.
Mark was in Iraq in November. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Republicans are still 'obstructionist' according to Lauer.
February 19, 2007 - 10:03 ET by acaiguanaRepublicans are still 'obstructionist' according to Lauer.
Still framing the debate as a Democrat win in the House and 'gridlock' in the Senate, I see.
What would the Republicans have to do to get credit for 'victory'?
Pass an alternative resolution? Oh, what? The Democrats won't let one be voted upon.
Oops.
ACA
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Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
"What would the Republ
February 19, 2007 - 10:45 ET by liberal_bug_zapper"What would the Republicans have to do to get credit for 'victory'?"
They would have to start prosecuting traitors as traitors and treat the battles in Congress as real battles and treat the Democrats as enemies of the United States of America.
While the credit might be accusatory, at least a victory would be a victory.
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"These are the times that try men's souls." ~ Thomas Paine
Not to worry LBZ
February 19, 2007 - 13:02 ET by Ten7sNot to worry LBZ. When the Shiite really hits the fan, the Liberals will once again come running to Conservatives for help (like 'door-bell-ringing' children running to their parents). That is of course unless they've already sold US all to Pharaoh while pretending that we're being killed by the AGW 'beast'.
Iraq Surge
February 20, 2007 - 10:34 ET by pbanks7Yeah, even my only Republican, Fred Upton, voted with the Weasels (no offense to our Marine Pilots). I have had the pleasure of voting against the Senate "Disarm the Services Leader" for many years. I wrote them all a nice thank you note:
To Representative Upton, Senator Levin and Senator Stabenow:
Thank you for putting a virtual “kick me” sign on my Purple Heart, Veteran son, his lovely wife, who is still serving in Germany, and all of their brethren. Your bravery and outpouring of support for them, their mission, and everything they stand for underwhelmed me.
At the height of the American Revolution Edmund Burke said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." We were losing the Revolutionary War during most of that conflict, against the most powerful military in the world. Your kind of statesmanship would have resulted in Washington, Jefferson, and their ilk being hanged for treason.
Given the state of current events around the world, Burke’s words are just as true today. Our enemies will surely take note of your resolve, and act accordingly. You took action, and voted for evil.
In response, I would like you to know that I support my congressional delegation, but not their mission, and I would like to see immediate de-funding and withdrawal of your mission in Washington, DC.
Patrick Banks,
Registered Voter,
Portage
Ignorance is bliss. It's easier to repeat a mindless slogan than to do some actual research.
Bwaaahahahahahahahaha!
February 19, 2007 - 10:04 ET by Six String SpiffAwww poor Matty! You thought the Dems were "United" and come to find out, They're not! This SUPRISES you?! Ahahahahahahhaha! The Democrat(ic)s can't even pass a "Non Binding Resolution to begin debate over whether they should have a debate!" Ahahahahah! You poor fool... See what happens when you lie so much you belive yourself? The Democrat(ic)s remind me of these creatures that can change their appearance at will.... like those shifty things in Sci-Fi movies.. Invasion of the Vote snatchers.. Ahhhhhh! Look out! It's an army of Killer Waffles!
Sure, I watch the MSM... Through a pair of crosshairs.
Media mad at Dems
February 19, 2007 - 10:10 ET by KatherineThe media, living a bubble, are misinterpreting the election results. Of course, they did help the Democrats win it, by hammering the non-Mark Foley story for weeks. However, their willingness to lose is not shared by the American people. And their desperation to push the Dems more and more on that issue with this nonsense and manufactured polls works to the Bush Administration's benefit. Lemings.
"their willingness to lose is
February 19, 2007 - 13:51 ET by rimsky"their willingness to lose is not shared by the American people"
I agree, Katherine. This, IMO, is the core of the problem. Our Senators and Members of the House are NOT representing their constituents. I refuse to believe that Americans want to LOSE this war!
Lauer
February 19, 2007 - 10:15 ET by iveseenitallLauer and Russert ( the perjurer)--rooting for America's defeat. Liberals make me sick. Russert and Biden should go on the road as The Perjerer and The Plagiarist.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
OUCH! Matt really slapped his
February 19, 2007 - 10:45 ET by americaneagleOUCH! Matt really slapped his friends' hands on this one, and he may have even been right! If you hate the war so much, are so concerned about the safety of the troops, and believe this to be an immoral, illegal war that you were duped into supporting then don't half-ass it...go all the way! And all the way is to defund the whole show, not go after measures that will have no real effect. Like Nike used to say...Just Do It!
Lauer: The Democrats in the S
February 19, 2007 - 11:04 ET by MassConservativeLauer: The Democrats in the Senate failed to pass this vote so they could even debate this Iraq strategy and there are even some who are talking about possibly bringing up the idea of revoking the 2002 authorization to go to war.
Talk about revisionist history !!! Is this so they can say they voted for the war before they voted against it? Hey John Kerry how did that strategy work out for you the last time??
Does it amount to little mo
February 19, 2007 - 11:06 ET by dervishDoes it amount to little more than them ringing someone's doorbell and running away?
Actually, in my part of the country, that's called "letting your mouth write a check your a$$ can't cash."
Remember JFK's youthful leade
February 19, 2007 - 11:10 ET by ucRemember JFK's youthful leadership results"
JFK turned our "limited" support of French and South Vietnamese into committed military support that I think the Pentagon Papers show him doing before consulting Congress or the Public.
Wiki on JFK: After Russian Leader took his measure of Kennedy he went and had Berlin Wall designed and constructed.
Don't forget JFK's wise and competent "Bay of Pigs."
How many years of Republican leadership does it take to fix or right the errors of Democrats? So is Congress' popularity higher than Bush's today? Last week when I looked Bush was at 34% and Congress was at 30%.
I Guess the Democrats could start argueing that some conflicts are waves of international change that Presidents can't be blamed for or held responsible for.
You've got to love this new d
February 19, 2007 - 11:11 ET by Al CzervikYou've got to love this new dem congress. Combining the corruption of William Jefferson with the effectivness of a non-binding resolution. Ah, the freedom of being unincumbered by the twin terrors of ethics and patriotism.
If I didn't know any better, I'd think they were talking about the UN.
Does anyone else think Hillar
February 19, 2007 - 11:19 ET by Prester JohnDoes anyone else think Hillary blew it with her "start withdrawing the trooops within 90 days" proclamation? Is this her attempt to get the anti-war types on her side now with the hope the MSM and the rest of the people will forget it by 2008?
A potentially huge mistake IMO.
Prester, I saw that Hillary call too.
February 19, 2007 - 11:28 ET by acaiguanaPrester, I saw that Hillary call too.
I've been watching this stuff now and I honestly believe no one is really listening to Hillary, Barack or Pelosi.
I mean, they are just babbling along and the MSM is reporting this stuff all as if it makes any difference whatsoever to Bush's war policy.
Where is the reporting on the surge?
Who knows? But I am of the mind that the cacaphoney of sound coming out of DC right now has turned everyone completely off and after the elections, the public is taking a rest.
A well deserved rest.
This is sort of like trying to sleep after working too hard and having a nagging wife whine to you about how you don't pay attention to her.
:-)
ACA
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Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
You mean no one is listening
February 19, 2007 - 11:39 ET by Prester JohnYou mean no one is listening except for the MSM.
I don't know which is worse, listening to the Dems and yakking away about Iraq, the 2008 presidential campaign (this morning on Fox News they were discussing the South Carolina GOP primary??!!!) or Britney's new hairstyle.
Lord have mercy on us.
You have that right Prester.
February 19, 2007 - 11:46 ET by acaiguanaYou have that right Prester.
If Britney wants to blast herself into oblivion and an early 'retirement' or death, I really don't care.
That has got to be the first time I every heard 'bald' referred to as a 'hair style'.
Good one.
ACA
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Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
Bald
February 19, 2007 - 13:04 ET by BBallleaperShame on you. If you'll recall in SpongeBob's "Salty Spitoon" episode the two geek fish discussing trivia at the counter of the Wienie Hut Junior's ice cream parlor have a discussion in which they conclude that a "shaved head" is indeed a hairstyle! Get with it!
lauer and russert. two of m
February 19, 2007 - 11:34 ET by buddyclauer and russert. two of my least favorite people. is russert mad at imus calling him a liar in the libby trail?
i am glad i didn't watch i had a big breakfast.
Look at the pot calling the k
February 19, 2007 - 13:07 ET by fosstenLook at the pot calling the kettle black. All Lauer and his ilk ever do is ring people's doorbells and run away.
That's why they get called the "Driveby Media."
Lauer is so blind to his own hypocrisy, he doesn't see the irony.
Well, duhhh... Did Lauer actu
February 19, 2007 - 13:26 ET by the_red_stateWell, duhhh... Did Lauer actually expect the Democrats to follow through on this? Did he actually expect them to change their personalities and grow a set in three months? They are nothing but gutless imposters who speak from both sides of their mouth (Broomstick One, Jefferson's cold hard cash, etc.) This is precisely why the Dumbocrats won't last in Congress...they will alienate the moderates who put them in power by waffling on their campaign lines and alienate the far left loons by not taking up their wacko agenda.
So, Matt Lauer has finally
February 19, 2007 - 13:56 ET by Dave RSo, Matt Lauer has finally figured out what most of us here knew even before the election. The democrats in congress are totally gutless.
I think it is time for the democrats to put their money where their mouth is and seek a real vote to cut off the funding. This childish game playing is becoming tiresome.
I hate newspapermen.....I regard them as spies.....If I killed them all there would be news from Hell before breakfast. -Gen. William T. Sherman
Lauer
February 19, 2007 - 14:01 ET by pocomocoIt’s obvious the Lauer can’t count. (he must have attended school in Maryland)
The resolution required 60 votes to pass. The are only 50 voting Democrats in the Senate, which means they couldn’t have passed it without a little help from their friends, aka RINOs. Lucky enough, there weren’t enough Republican turncoats to do so.
Lauer’s statement: "The Democrats in the Senate failed to pass this vote …………..”, shows how politically stupid he is.
Hey Reid,How's the medicine t
February 19, 2007 - 17:57 ET by midnight cowboyHey Reid,
How's the medicine taste B*tch.