September 21, 2011
— DrewM Lamar Alexander ("Lamar!" for those older enough to remember his failed presidential bid) has resigned as Chairman of The Republican Conference, the number 4 slot on the GOP leadership team.
Seems he wants to be free to sell out the GOP on a more regular basis.
“What I’m giving up is a seat at the table for more independence,” Alexander said Tuesday in an interview shortly after he announced his decision to resign as Republican Conference chairman.Alexander said he wants to steer the Senate back to its role as the chamber that forges the nation’s great compromises.
His decision marked an about-face in a legislative career that, for nine years, had been aimed at advancement up the leadership ladder. Alexander had been widely expected to mount a campaign to become Republican whip, the No. 2 position in leadership — a spot he lost by a single vote in a bid five years ago.
With Jon Kyl retiring at the end of his term after the 2012 elections, the number 2 spot will be open again. Lamar! probably figured with more conservative members in the freshman class and more on the way, he'd likely lose any bid to move up.
With two spots open in the leadership team, there's bound to be plenty of jockeying for position amongst Republican Senators.
Which brings us to the new blood in the leadership team...freshman Ron Johnson from Wisconsin. Come January, he's going to run for the number 5 spot which is, vice-chair of the conference. And it looks like he already has the votes lined up.
It doesn't matter if Senate Republicans are getting the message or the moderates are simply getting outvoted. Putting a freshman, who came up through the tea party route, in a leadership spot is definitely the good kind of CHANGE!
Consider this: The vice-chairmanship is currently held by John Barrasso of Wyoming. Barrasso got the job when Lisa Murkowski was stripped of the spot after her write-in win over Joe Miller. Just think, less than a year ago it was Alexander and Murkowski running the conference and soon it will be Barrasso and Johnson. That definitely represents an improvement for conservatives in the Senate.
Add in another expected influx of conservative freshman after the 2012 elections and maybe, just maybe, the Senate won't be the graveyard of conservatism in the near future.
There should also be a lesson in the success of a guy like Johson for tea party activists across the country. Vetting candidates matters, especially at the statewide level. You can get away with running more, er, eccentric candidates in safely crafted congressional districts but in statewide races, candidates matter. Look at some of the freshman who won in '10: Pat Toomey from PA, Johnson from WI, and Marco Rubio from Florida. To win in swing states with these kind of candidates, you need to pick wisely. In red states you have more latitude but even in Utah, Mike Lee is a solid guy.
Hopefully after seeing someone like Johnson beat Russ Feingold potential candidates will see it's possible for tea party oriented conservatives to win these races and do well in the Senate. Maybe that will get some novices with solid backgrounds and good stories to tell to step up and take a shot at running this time around.
One last note. I'm sure everyone is thinking, "What about Rubio for leadership?" Well, he's likely going to be the VP nominee (though as I've said, in some cases I like Ron Johnson for the spot) so running for a leadership spot when you won't be around doesn't make a lot of sense. Also, the Senate is notoriously a strange web of relationships and image. You just never know why somethings happen there and others don't. There is also the possibility he just didn't want the gig.
Speaking of Rubio, not that there was any reason to doubt it but he's still pretty damn popular back in Florida.
Posted by: DrewM at
04:04 PM
| Comments (156)
Post contains 674 words, total size 5 kb.
oh put a sock in it you go into battle with the army you have not the rino army you wanted
Posted by: newrouter at September 21, 2011 04:09 PM (xD4bD)
Posted by: bob at September 21, 2011 04:10 PM (1efte)
Posted by: Basement Cat at September 21, 2011 04:13 PM (81Wv7)
Posted by: Michelle Bachmann at September 21, 2011 04:16 PM (BcpOa)
Posted by: The Crackpot Firm of Paul, Kucinich and McKinney at September 21, 2011 04:19 PM (JEVge)
Posted by: Richard McEnroe at September 21, 2011 04:26 PM (qvify)
Posted by: toby928©: Perrykrishna at September 21, 2011 04:31 PM (GTbGH)
Always made me think of the QuikTrip ads with the dog. "Ain't that right, Lamar?!?" Always.
Posted by: HeatherRadish at September 21, 2011 04:34 PM (0vDuM)
Posted by: CAC at September 21, 2011 04:35 PM (JEVge)
What happened to the other (Troy Davis) post?
And, since nobody's said it yet, Obama is a SCOAMF.....
Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, TX at September 21, 2011 04:36 PM (0xqzf)
You know that that it's still possible to read the withdrawn post, just not the comments.
Pixy 1.0 is full of bugs.
Posted by: toby928©: Perrykrishna at September 21, 2011 04:36 PM (GTbGH)
Posted by: Flounder at September 21, 2011 04:36 PM (Kkt/i)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 04:37 PM (UlUS4)
Posted by: toby928©: Perrykrishna at September 21, 2011 04:38 PM (GTbGH)
For a relatively conservative red state, Tennessee sure has a couple of pretty weak Senators.Particularly LA.
Feel the power of the plaid shirt!
Posted by: Delta Smelt at September 21, 2011 04:38 PM (A0VTZ)
Posted by: willow at September 21, 2011 04:38 PM (h+qn8)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 04:38 PM (UlUS4)
Posted by: steevy at September 21, 2011 04:38 PM (fyOgS)
Posted by: willow at September 21, 2011 04:39 PM (h+qn8)
Posted by: that guy that doesn't read all the comments at September 21, 2011 04:39 PM (GTbGH)
Posted by: Flounder at September 21, 2011 04:39 PM (Kkt/i)
Posted by: Joejm65 at September 21, 2011 04:39 PM (XVBCD)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 04:39 PM (UlUS4)
Posted by: Racefan at September 21, 2011 04:39 PM (IXszZ)
Posted by: Miss80sBaby at September 21, 2011 04:39 PM (o2lIv)
No, it's Morecokeski.
Posted by: huerfano at September 21, 2011 04:40 PM (263hv)
Posted by: mike at September 21, 2011 04:40 PM (IBh7/)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 04:40 PM (UlUS4)
Posted by: Lady in Black at September 21, 2011 04:41 PM (ycuSb)
Posted by: Hrothgar at September 21, 2011 04:41 PM (i3+c5)
Posted by: Barack Obam-ace at September 21, 2011 04:41 PM (Jw7jn)
Same with Boehner
Both are losers and have been around to long to be independent
You're right, I do owe you a favor Mr. Democrat!
Posted by: mtich rapp at September 21, 2011 04:43 PM (p/VzK)
Posted by: Profiterole at September 21, 2011 04:43 PM (ychgM)
Posted by: Katy Beth at September 21, 2011 04:43 PM (15p9L)
Posted by: Roger Ebert's colon at September 21, 2011 04:43 PM (UqKQV)
Posted by: Racefan at September 21, 2011 04:44 PM (IXszZ)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 04:45 PM (UlUS4)
How's that shit been working out?
Posted by: The Missouri Compromise at September 21, 2011 04:45 PM (QaKuj)
Posted by: Racefan at September 21, 2011 08:44 PM (IXszZ)
i suspect this lady
What happened to the Coulter thread? I go to put another load in the dryer and pouf!
Posted by: Katy Beth at September 21, 2011 08:43 PM (15p9L)
Posted by: willow at September 21, 2011 04:46 PM (h+qn8)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 04:46 PM (UlUS4)
Posted by: Miss80sBaby at September 21, 2011 04:47 PM (o2lIv)
Posted by: Flounder at September 21, 2011 04:47 PM (Kkt/i)
Posted by: Katy Beth at September 21, 2011 04:48 PM (15p9L)
Posted by: Joejm65 at September 21, 2011 04:48 PM (XVBCD)
Posted by: tasker at September 21, 2011 04:48 PM (rJVPU)
Posted by: Joejm65 at September 21, 2011 04:49 PM (XVBCD)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 04:49 PM (UlUS4)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 04:49 PM (UlUS4)
Ron Johnson is the real deal. His plan for cutting $1.4 trillion from the federal budget over 10 years just from the parts of the government that fall under his sub-committee (Oversight of Goverment Management and the Federal Workforce) is brilliant. It includes $248 billion from attrition of 10% of the federal workforce from retirement; $133 billion from requiring federal employees to match the government's contribution to their defined benefit plan; $50 billion from eliminating bonuses to federal government management personnel; and all the way down to $115 million for reducing the size of the government's limousine fleet.
All of which begs the question: why do we have people getting paid bonuses and riding in limousines when we have to borrow from freaking China to pay for them?
Posted by: The Regular Guy at September 21, 2011 04:50 PM (nov+8)
Posted by: Joejm65 at September 21, 2011 04:51 PM (XVBCD)
As Jeff Katzenberg said at the "Coming To America"/Art Buchwald trial... "I'm not in show business, I'm in the business of EMBELLISHMENT."Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 04:52 PM (UlUS4)
Rubio for Senate. Yes. I don't want to see him drinking a bucket of warm spit for 4-8 years.
Can you imagine how much more powerful and dangerous Hillary would have been -- to Obama AND the rest of us -- if she'd stayed in the Senate? Different case, I know, as Obama had Hillary-crushing motives and presumably a Republican Prez would not have similar motives against Rubio, but the effect would come close.
Posted by: arhooley at September 21, 2011 04:52 PM (0mMS3)
i suspect this lady
What happened to the Coulter thread? I go to put another load in the dryer and pouf!
Posted by: Katy Beth at September 21, 2011 08:43 PM (15p9L)
well the timing is sure there............
Posted by: Racefan at September 21, 2011 04:52 PM (IXszZ)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 04:52 PM (UlUS4)
Posted by: mama winger at September 21, 2011 04:52 PM (R9bQ9)
or He always believes our time waiting is not important .
Posted by: willow at September 21, 2011 04:52 PM (h+qn8)
All of which begs the question: why do we have people getting paid bonuses and riding in limousines when we have to borrow from freaking China to pay for them?
Posted by: The Regular Guy at September 21, 2011 08:50 PM (nov+
If these perks did not exist, no one would want the hard job of being President!
Posted by: The Reluctant President Noblesse-Oblige Cincinnatus Obamus at September 21, 2011 04:53 PM (QaKuj)
Because they donated to Obama (either straight out, or via union dues).
Posted by: HeatherRadish at September 21, 2011 04:53 PM (0vDuM)
Posted by: nora at September 21, 2011 04:54 PM (VxqUc)
Posted by: Katy Beth at September 21, 2011 04:55 PM (15p9L)
Posted by: nora at September 21, 2011 08:54 PM (VxqUc)
--The running back from Iowa State?
I always liked him.
Posted by: logprof at September 21, 2011 04:57 PM (QaKuj)
Posted by: nora at September 21, 2011 08:54 PM (VxqUc)
Katy Beth went to put another load in the dryer and tripped over the cord and pulled the plug out.
Posted by: Racefan at September 21, 2011 04:58 PM (IXszZ)
Posted by: Joejm65 at September 21, 2011 04:58 PM (XVBCD)
Who knew losing the Heisman to Eddie George would turn a guy into a cop killer?
Posted by: HeatherRadish at September 21, 2011 04:59 PM (0vDuM)
Posted by: mama winger at September 21, 2011 04:59 PM (R9bQ9)
Posted by: Gimmee an O, gimmee a J... at September 21, 2011 05:01 PM (XVBCD)
Posted by: Ronster at September 21, 2011 05:01 PM (/ej8I)
we all come in to Drew's post , rearrange the chairs and talk smack
Posted by: willow at September 21, 2011 05:01 PM (h+qn8)
Re Ron Johnson's plan:
It's freaking brilliant, not least because it addresses the fundamental philosophical issue -- that we have a bloated governing class living high on the hog on the nickels and dimes paid in taxes by the rest of us, who usually don't have it so good. Reforming Medicare and Social Security, while essential to balancing the budget, are at bottom transfers of wealth from one set of citizens to another set of citizens. What Johnson is after is more pernicious: the transfer of wealth from the governed to the governors.
Posted by: The Regular Guy at September 21, 2011 05:02 PM (nov+8)
The Senatorial Suckers of Cock refuse to write a budget.
Posted by: toby928©: Perrykrishna at September 21, 2011 05:02 PM (GTbGH)
Posted by: Joejm65 at September 21, 2011 05:02 PM (XVBCD)
Well shit!
Posted by: Blue Falcon in Boston training for the ONT mudwrestling match at September 21, 2011 05:03 PM (ijjAe)
I'm gonna go make some decaf. Apologies in advance if plugging in the coffee machine makes the thread disappear.
Posted by: arhooley at September 21, 2011 05:04 PM (0mMS3)
Posted by: Katy Beth at September 21, 2011 05:04 PM (15p9L)
i'm voting with my dick
then i'm calling a doctor
[night nurse-only u can cure me of my curse]
Posted by: kilt at September 21, 2011 05:05 PM (FduBR)
Posted by: HeatherRadish at September 21, 2011 05:06 PM (0vDuM)
Posted by: Lady in Black at September 21, 2011 05:06 PM (ycuSb)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 05:06 PM (UlUS4)
Posted by: Katy Beth at September 21, 2011 05:06 PM (15p9L)
Posted by: Joffen at September 21, 2011 05:06 PM (EPcuy)
Is that cowboy the guy from O Brother Where Art Thou?
Posted by: USS Diversity at September 21, 2011 05:06 PM (aD5Kx)
Posted by: toby928©: Perrykrishna at September 21, 2011 05:06 PM (GTbGH)
They were two different things until Appropriations Chairman Rogers merged the two. During the debt debate, the Republicans demanded cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. Sometime after the conclusion of that debate, Rogers decided he would use the debt ceiling numbers to complete the concurrent resolution on the budget. In the meantime, the CR would give them the time to finish the budget, as the fiscal year ends in 9 days.
Posted by: Miss80sBaby at September 21, 2011 05:07 PM (o2lIv)
Posted by: Ronster at September 21, 2011 09:01 PM (/ej8I)
Democrats?
Its like Obama's no Bill Bill... you can't be pin'd down on an issue if you don't put anything on paper.
Posted by: Romeo13 at September 21, 2011 05:07 PM (NtXW4)
I looked away for a few minutes,
and a whole thread went *poof*
'cept for the comments input box.
I'm figuring, the whole question is prob'ly moot.
Posted by: franksalterego at September 21, 2011 05:07 PM (7/sDI)
Posted by: toby928©: Perrykrishna at September 21, 2011 05:09 PM (GTbGH)
They going to do it!
Posted by: Billy Bob,
what?
Posted by: willow at September 21, 2011 05:09 PM (h+qn8)
Posted by: LAI at September 21, 2011 05:10 PM (iVem0)
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 05:10 PM (UlUS4)
Posted by: Racefan at September 21, 2011 05:11 PM (IXszZ)
Didn't they get Kim Kardashian's tweet? She's protesting...protesting, I say...the execution.
Posted by: Lady in Black at September 21, 2011 05:12 PM (ycuSb)
No, the dude in GA who's about to take the state-sponsored dirt nap. Posted by: Joejm65 at September 21, 2011 05:13 PM (XVBCD)
Posted by: Lady in Black at September 21, 2011 05:14 PM (ycuSb)
*It's only 16pp and a good part of it is rules and disaster funding
Posted by: Miss80sBaby at September 21, 2011 05:14 PM (o2lIv)
Posted by: Ronster at September 21, 2011 05:15 PM (/ej8I)
Posted by: Blaster at September 21, 2011 05:16 PM (Fw2Gg)
Posted by: Joejm65 at September 21, 2011 05:16 PM (XVBCD)
But my finite supply of sympathy has been given to MacPhail's family.
Posted by: HeatherRadish at September 21, 2011 05:16 PM (0vDuM)
Posted by: Racefan at September 21, 2011 05:18 PM (IXszZ)
If she does, sing out.
I'll switch over.
Posted by: toby928©: Perrykrishna at September 21, 2011 05:19 PM (GTbGH)
Posted by: USS Diversity at September 21, 2011 05:19 PM (aD5Kx)
Posted by: toby928©: Perrykrishna at September 21, 2011 05:20 PM (GTbGH)
Posted by: Lady in Black at September 21, 2011 05:21 PM (ycuSb)
Romneys on Hannity
Posted by: concealed kerry or submit at September 21, 2011 09:15 PM
I'm watching Dateline on ID.
Posted by: arhooley at September 21, 2011 05:21 PM (0mMS3)
Posted by: Joejm65 at September 21, 2011 05:21 PM (XVBCD)
Re: The Troy Davis case. A liberal Facebook friend was bemoaning this guy's fate, and linked to a news article about it, which included this gem:
TV, free weight rooms, free health care, and meals like that. Damn, prison must look awfully good to a lot of law-abiding taxpayers out there. I had tomato soup and cheese and crackers tonight. What the hell ever happened to bread and water?Posted by: Palandine at September 21, 2011 05:21 PM (g7D8V)
Posted by: Racefan at September 21, 2011 05:23 PM (IXszZ)
He did not ask for a special last meal and instead will be offered the prison's meal tray, consisting of grilled cheeseburgers, oven-browned potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, cookies and a grape drink, the prison said in a statement.
He probably took the ordinary meal because the special-order had to comply with Michelle's new guidelines.
Posted by: arhooley at September 21, 2011 05:23 PM (0mMS3)
I couldn't the HQ to load any comments after the troy Davis thread comment.
I come back only to laugh my ass off as usual. Ya'll are so funny.
I figured someone tripped over the duck tapped cable that went to that thread. Either that or a hobo gnawed through another cable trying to break free yet again.
Thanks for the updates!
Posted by: nora at September 21, 2011 05:24 PM (VxqUc)
Posted by: Samuel Adams at September 21, 2011 05:24 PM (ulPNQ)
Where's the 1/2 cup sliced jicama with 1 TBSP low-fat ranch dip? Haven't these guys read Michelle Obama's healthy lunch plans?
Posted by: HeatherRadish at September 21, 2011 05:28 PM (0vDuM)
Posted by: Blue Falcon in Boston training for the ONT mudwrestling match at September 21, 2011 09:03 PM (ijjAe)
I would think that Israeli frogman teams, along with the deadly Mossad Joo sharks from the Red Sea will sink the Turkish navy before they even weigh (way?) anchors.
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at September 21, 2011 09:06 PM (UlUS4)
Why would the Turks weigh their anchors? Barcky could tell them that anchors are always heavy.
Posted by: Killerdog at September 21, 2011 05:28 PM (CZrbJ)
Posted by: USS Diversity at September 21, 2011 09:19 PM (aD5Kx)
---------------
Pretty much
Posted by: nora at September 21, 2011 05:28 PM (VxqUc)
He's planning Perry's downfall after tomorrow night and didn't beat up on Romney or even Bachman.
Posted by: Samuel Adams at September 21, 2011 05:29 PM (ulPNQ)
For those who still haven't met the jicama it is a vegetable humble, if not homely in appearance.
The more you know ...
Posted by: toby928©: Perrykrishna at September 21, 2011 05:29 PM (GTbGH)
Not surprising for the hawks among us (aka those who have not planted our heads up our rears) but a good reminder. The next story on the Related Stories box is almost as interesting.
U.S. says Pakistani spies using group for "proxy war"
I wonder why these "officials" are talking now. Is the Obaka trying to put pressure on the 'friendly' Pakis?
Posted by: we at September 21, 2011 05:33 PM (s1vtf)
Posted by: EyeTest at September 21, 2011 05:45 PM (ReC4P)
The House Rules Committee scheduled an "emergency" meeting on Wednesday night to approve a rule that would allow the House to consider a rule for legislation on the same day it is approved by the committee. Normally, rules for legislation are only considered on the House floor the day after being approved by committee.
GA_googleFillSlot("FloorAction_ContentSquare_300x250"); The so-called "same day" rule was quickly approved by Rules in a meeting that lasted about five minutes. If the same day rule is passed on the floor Thursday, the Rules Committee could approve approve a rule for a new continuing resolution, the House could vote on the rule, and then the House could consider the underlying resolution, all on the same day.
Posted by: Miss80sBaby at September 21, 2011 05:55 PM (o2lIv)
Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at September 21, 2011 06:53 PM (lNGfM)
Posted by: SFGoth at September 21, 2011 07:18 PM (g/WYX)
Posted by: Molon Labe at September 21, 2011 07:32 PM (S7K8x)
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Posted by: CAC at September 21, 2011 04:08 PM (JEVge)