Today's political theatre began at the House Financial Services Committee with Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) when she castigated the captains of the universe for raising her credit card fees, a rebuke that at once detailed both the depth of her banking industry knowledge and literary clichés (Tom Wolfe should sue her for brand impairment). Waters' comments were met with the classic deer in the headlights look from the eight assembled bank CEO's (and an unusual caution by Chairman Frank to "calm down").
But not to be outdone, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid stole the show on Capitol Hill at another meeting by rolling Speaker Pelosi in an embarrassing display of political chutzpah and backstabbing. The Politico comments:
According to a half dozen Congressional aides and members, Reid went before the cameras Wednesday to announce a stimulus deal before Pelosi had agreed on all the details of school construction financing."It's ruffled feathers, big time," said a House Democrat speaking on condition of anonymity. "The speaker went through the roof."
Added one House Democratic aide: "He tried to roll her and she knew it."
With friends like this who needs Republicans?
Conservatives can find encouragement in today's comedy of errors if they continue to coalesce around the principle of loyal opposition and rediscover fiscal sanity. Beginning with the market's overwhelming disapproval of Treasury Secretary Geithner's lightweight performance in the Senate yesterday, Democrats are off to an underwhelming start with a highly unpopular spending bill. The first several weeks of the new Democrat Majority of post partisan hope and change finds the Republicans unusually united while President Obama and the Democrats busy themselves in a their own knife fight.
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Filed under:
Barack Obama, Congress, Harry Reid, House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, Senate
Comments (9)
"Democrats busy themselves ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Michael Laprarie | February 11, 2009 8:37 PM | Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
"Democrats busy themselves in their own knife fight"
Personally I think that "circular firing squad" also captures the current state of affairs nicely. Good post, Hugh.
1. Posted by Michael Laprarie | February 11, 2009 8:37 PM |
Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Posted on February 11, 2009 20:37
2. Posted by _Mike_ | February 11, 2009 8:48 PM | Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
For some reason, this brings back memories of seeing the looting in N.O. except I see Reid taking the big screen out of Pelosi's cart while she's got her eyes on some other piece of loot.
2. Posted by _Mike_ | February 11, 2009 8:48 PM |
Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
Posted on February 11, 2009 20:48
3. Posted by MichaelC | February 11, 2009 8:51 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
"With friends like this, who needs Republicans."
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....
snicker................
3. Posted by MichaelC | February 11, 2009 8:51 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 11, 2009 20:51
4. Posted by epador | February 11, 2009 8:52 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
LOL Mike, still choking on that one.
4. Posted by epador | February 11, 2009 8:52 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 11, 2009 20:52
5. Posted by tarpon | February 11, 2009 9:07 PM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
They think the average American was at the Obama-Opera show.
5. Posted by tarpon | February 11, 2009 9:07 PM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 11, 2009 21:07
6. Posted by GarandFan | February 11, 2009 9:35 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Well, when you come down to it, with Maxine Waters you're not exactly talking high IQ to begin with.
6. Posted by GarandFan | February 11, 2009 9:35 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 11, 2009 21:35
7. Posted by DaveD | February 11, 2009 9:37 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Frankly, this has all become so weird I now believe I'm living in the Matrix. I am also trying to figure out whether Geithner is trying to be obtuse enough to intentionally shake the Market's confidence and have it tank more. I mean these folks are now relying completely on fear and uncertainty to get the Generational Theft Act of 2009 railroaded to a quick vote.
7. Posted by DaveD | February 11, 2009 9:37 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 11, 2009 21:37
8. Posted by JLawson | February 11, 2009 9:58 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
GarandFan -
With Maxine, I think you're talking about negative numbers. She walks in, and the average IQ of a room (no matter how many people may be in it) is halved.
That takes talent. (As well as natural ability...)
8. Posted by JLawson | February 11, 2009 9:58 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 11, 2009 21:58
9. Posted by Marc | February 12, 2009 2:30 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
"while she's [pelosi] got her eyes on some other piece of loot.
Yeah, a plastic surgeons office and 40 gallons of botox.
9. Posted by Marc | February 12, 2009 2:30 AM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 02:30