"I am large! I contain multitudes!"
Joe Biden had an op-ed piece in the New York Times yesterday, in which he claimed that:
…the nature of the Recovery Act remains misunderstood by many, and misconstrued by others: critics have suggested that the entire $787 billion is being spent on pet programs. As the person leading the administration’s efforts to put the Recovery Act into effect, I want to set the record straight.
Our balanced approach recognizes that there is no silver bullet, no single thing, that can address the many and complex needs of America’s vast economy. The act was intended to provide steady support for our economy over an extended period — not a jolt that would last only a few months.
Mark Silva’s done a good job picking up on this:
“Since when?” asks the office of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), which already has been at work on this balmy Sunday morning looking up some of Biden’s and the president’s earlier comments on the subject.
As recently as June, at a roundtable in New York, Biden called the Recovery Act “an initial big jolt to give the economy a real head start.”
In March, the vice president said ”the Recovery Act, as we call it, provides a necessary jolt to our economy to implement what we refer as ’shovel-ready’ projects.”
And in November, as a new White House in planning was assembling its new economic team, President-elect Barack Obama said: “The most important thing to recognize is that we have a consensus, which is pretty rare, between conservative economists and liberal economists, that we need a big stimulus package that will jolt the economy back into shape and that is focused on the 2.5 million jobs that I intend to create during the first part of my administration. We have to put people back to work.
Gosh, it’s a good thing Joe Biden’s IQ is so frighteningly high. Otherwise, he might say things he’d regret later.
I do wish St. Sarcasm was still here. Sigh.
Damn those stupid facts like direct quotes, damn them straight to hell!!!
Oh, yes. St. Sarcasmotronic, wherefore art thou?
So the basic strategy: the economy failed to turn around on its own, now we’ll wait for the ship to right itself and we’ll credit it to the porkulus bill when it occurs. Of course the media will gladly spin it this way.
The economy will inevitably turn around, Republicans need to think of a strategy of attack once it does. Right now their reliance on “Where are the jobs?” may sound good, but it won’t do much good if unemployment starts dropping. We know if the economy recovers, the “Save the Lobbyists” act won’t have anything to do with it. Someone in the Republican party needs to be eloquent and state the obvious.
Another thing, with Obamacare on lifesupport, the inevitable Republican back-stabbing is coming. I’m just wondering who it will be that lets this thing pass in that inevitable “Gang of 14″ spirit. As I’ve said many times, the only difference between Republicans and Democrats is Democrats actually appreciate and respect their base.
Another thing, with Obamacare on lifesupport, the inevitable Republican back-stabbing is coming. I’m just wondering who it will be that lets this thing pass in that inevitable “Gang of 14? spirit. As I’ve said many times, the only difference between Republicans and Democrats is Democrats actually appreciate and respect their base.
Here are a few reasons I don’t think that is inevitable:
1. The GOP is slowly learning not to repeat failed strategies after two elections cycles.
2. Anger with the party’s squishy center is an an all-time high and their popularity, by poll numbers, is at an all-time low. There’s so much pressure on them, Arlen jumped ship. The Traitor Twins won’t even touch Obamacare, it’s so radioactive.
3. The grassroots are stronger–literally–than ever and possess a new-found autonomy from the institutional party, outside the election cycle (which is something new). They’ve been the main engine behind the opposition and have, despite the media’s blackout and cheerleading campaigns, fired up opposition to Obamacare.
4. The vigor has cowed the party leadership and gotten the GOP to actually mount an opposition.
Two things I’m increasingly growing tired of (I don’t direct these specifically at you, John): the navel-gazing doom-saying on the Right, looking to the institutional GOP for chances of hope. Right now, my work with Modern Conservative and AnyStreet is building a national infrastructure outside the GOP’s control. Others are doing as well. We’re having some clear-cut success. The tea parties have created a new generation of political leadership.
The next great challenge is the primary season, where a lot of new conservative blood is going to be challenging the squishy center. And we know which way the electorate is swinging.
I haven’t heard “the Traitor Twins” before, David. Are those the senators from Maine?
Yup. Used to be the Traitor Troika, but Snarlin’ Arlen went blue.
Ah, those women from Maine have to be a “cold hearted” brood of Rinos.
I hear when Biden turns side ways you can see into his ear hole where there is a one inch tall elf flipping people off. (OK that was borrowed from Dennis Miller but damn its funny!)
@ Eric: Yeah. I don’t mind trolls that wander in and stir up trouble. That’s kind of fun, particularly if the trouble they stir up is interesting. But when they just poke around for a day or two, then immediately fold in the face of opposiiton, that’s tedious and disappointing.
Totally with ya. Keeps us on our debating toes to varying degrees and I’m glad BarryO weathers the storms abd at least brings some ammo to the gun-fights. I respect that.
But Barry O isn’t a troll. I can’t stand trolls, myself.
My bad with the tense, meant “weatherED.” He seemed like a troll and turned out not to be, which I like.
Awww, guys I can feel the love. I was told by a cop once to not mistake his kindness for weakness. Even if I’m too nice, I can hold my own. My only response to this is admittedly lame, but here it goes. “Stay the Course” oh wait, I meant that it means we’re on course, but adjusting to the new course, so now we’re staying that course. Bushism
All politicians adjust to the changing landscape. I think it’s fun to point it out when they do.
Not love, Barry. Tolerance.
Well,we still have the Southern Arlen Specter…Lindsey Graham(RHINO-SC)
True, but that’s what primaries are for. A lot of RINOs are going to find it’s hunting season, come 2010.
“not a jolt that would last only a few months.”
The jolt from this may end up being the “shot heard round the world.” It definitely taxes my brain’s melting point when old Joe calls their approach, “balanced.”
Democrat definition of “balance”: Tax and spend.
David,here in the South we have what you would call TCVL Democrats(Talk Conservative,Vote Liberal)in the House…but brother,they are sh*tting their pants right about now
Hey, but they did spend a lot of money on canned ham. I’m sure that helped ’stabilize’ the economy like Joe said.
Huckabee guesthosted for O’Reilly on Friday, and had a “Sarah Palin — Did she destroy her political career AND the Republican Party AND all conservative values?” segment (bowl of milk, Governor Mike?)
– one of the talking heads was Biden’s ex-COS, or some such, who talked about how stupid Sarah was & compared her to a “Real Housewives”/reality show bimbo. Now, I don’t take that crap from anyone, but someone who works for Biden calling anyone else stupid and a bimbo? Look to your own wounds, Sir!
Margaret Thatcher had a line that went something like, “Being a lady is a lot like being powerful. If you have to tell people you are, then you aren’t.”
I’d say the same thing about intelligence. The fact that Biden needs to constantly tell people how smart he is, is a sure sign that he’s a dim bulb. (A CFL?)
You guys got the caption, right?
Hey, hey, hey…we did.
I said guys, Wankette. Girls are supposed to read poetry.
I got it, Mike!
But you’re a product of a functioning educational system, Fritz.
[...] to Daniel Serafin and Michael Kriskey for bringing this one to the forefront and to the folks at Hot Air for documenting it. In July 2009 [...]