Ace of Spades HQ

July 19, 2011

Senator DeMint Not Impressed With GOP Salesmanship Either
— rdbrewer

Republican senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader, is part of the problem, DeMint says. Instead of enabling conservatives to propose their solutions early on, McConnell made them wait until the Biden debt-reduction talks collapsed, leaving little time to rally behind counterproposals.
. . .
Â“Early on, Republican leaders in the House and Senate also said that we have to raise the debt limit,Â” DeMint says. Â“Unfortunately, we showed our hand.Â” Now, he says, Â“Republicans have our backs against the walls.Â”
Â“When I spoke to the conference months ago, I told my colleagues that the most important part of negotiations is when you put your proposal on the table,Â” DeMint says. But that never happened. The Â“difference in the sense of urgency among Senate Republicans,Â” he says, is troublesome.

It looks like Senator DeMint has an understanding of basic horse trading. To mix metaphors, you wouldn't tell the car salesman, "And that is all that I will pay... unless I have to pay some more," or "Rest easy; there is no way I will walk out that door." You couldn't get a deal after that. You'd look longingly at the showroom door, maybe get up to leave.

Likewise, you wouldn't tell the other side, "Relax, there's no way we'd shut down the government," or "Maybe we could just let you change the debt ceiling all you want and hope you choke on it." Your object is not to reassure your opponent or tell them what you might be willing to do in the end. Tension is your friend. Use it.

A salesman wouldn't last a week at Allen Merrill's New & Used on Route 66 in Yukon doing that kind of thing--starting a deal by announcing what he or she could or couldn't do.

These are basic errors, like starting a hand of poker by saying "Darn, I didn't get an ace."

Added:

Andy sent me this litany of McConnell negotiating errors from RedState yesterday:

Senator Mitch McConnell has lost almost every major legislative battle he has managed.
In the early Â’90?s, he managed opposition to the Motor Voter Bill, which encouraged groups like ACORN to register fraudulent voters. McConnell refused to filibuster the motion to take up the bill Â— something that would have served as a key delaying tactic.
Moreover, Sen. McConnell sat by idly as sponsors of the bill played Â“letÂ’s make a dealÂ” Â— offering amendment after amendment to buy off opponents of the bill. A bill, which initially had more than enough votes to kill it, ended up passing because of McConnellÂ’s ill-advised strategy.

Much more at the link.

Posted by: rdbrewer at 12:23 PM | Comments (151)
Post contains 455 words, total size 3 kb.

1 I have always relied on the kindness of Democrats.

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at July 19, 2011 12:27 PM (GTbGH)

2 When is McConnell up for re-election? He need to be primaried-as do many others.

Posted by: chillin the most at July 19, 2011 12:27 PM (6IV8T)

3 Jim DeMint caused the recession.

Posted by: Alvin Greene at July 19, 2011 12:28 PM (QKKT0)

4
ouch!

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 12:28 PM (sqkOB)

5 There better not be any tax increases, however disguised, in any deal. Better not be.

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 12:28 PM (Xm1aB)

6
btw, anytime you post about Contessa, you should include the vid with her caught putting on lipstick

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 12:29 PM (sqkOB)

These are basic errors, like starting a hand in poker by saying "Darn, I didn't get an ace."

Dude, deuces over treys is a pretty strong hand.

(Which means, given that I'm quibbling over a metaphor, that I agree with your basic premise.)

Posted by: Meiczyslaw at July 19, 2011 12:29 PM (bjRNS)

8 Come on DOWN!

http://tinyurl.com/43efvnv

Posted by: Allen Merril's New & Used on Route 66 in Yukon at July 19, 2011 12:30 PM (3Okgs)

9 McConnell isn't up till 2014, so forget it.

Hopefully someone decent will challenge him for leadership after the GOP takes over the Senate next year.

Posted by: The War Between the Undead States at July 19, 2011 12:30 PM (CL99U)

10 @7 Lipstick or herpes medication?

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 12:31 PM (Xm1aB)

11
Mitch McConnell is content being the minority leader. As long as he has a seat at the trough, he's happy.

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 12:31 PM (sqkOB)

12 "Darn, I didn't get an ace."

Don't make me call my bluff.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at July 19, 2011 12:31 PM (QMtmy)

13 Perry/Rubio Could we possibly get 16 years of that?!

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 12:32 PM (Xm1aB)

14 For such a praised political strategist, McConnell certainly makes a lot of errors.

Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at July 19, 2011 12:33 PM (o2lIv)

Don't make me call my bluff.

Yes, don't make me call my bluff!

Posted by: President Obama at July 19, 2011 12:33 PM (9hSKh)

16 I don't care if we default on 8/2--BRING IT. Better now than later. Why are we governed by jerks?

Posted by: ParisParamus-Hewitt at July 19, 2011 12:33 PM (cdCC7)

17 Hey, here's a deal that just popped into my head. I'll capitulate on taxes and our November '10 mandate and you treat the Senate GOP led by me like The Chicken. That's it and it's my final offer!

Posted by: Mitch McConnell, Super Genius at July 19, 2011 12:33 PM (r4t7/)

18 These are basic errors, like starting a hand in poker by saying "Darn, I didn't get an ace."

But warning your adversary against calling your bluff apparently works. No wonder these dumbasses shut down online poker.

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at July 19, 2011 12:33 PM (+lsX1)

19 @16 Not from the perspective of Washington insiders on both sides of the aisle.

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 12:34 PM (Xm1aB)

20 Remember, folks. The senate can stumble around with their shady cloak-room deals till the cows come home. But it will still have to go through the repubs in the House. I predict anything that McConnell trys to pull under the table will be slapped down.

Posted by: Soona at July 19, 2011 12:34 PM (r8rIt)

21 My problem is I don't even have anyone worthwhile to complain about//to. Kay Bailey has already announced her retirement- so that seat will be filled (most likely) by David Dewhurst (just based on him having won state-wide election a couple of times, not because he's necessarily better or my choice). I live in Arlington, so I have a new district- and Joe Barton is staying with his old one. So I'll have (most likely) Roger or Michael Williams as my rep.

So I don't have anyone who I can threaten to oppose in the election.

It's really frustrating when all this crap is going on, and you can't complain to/take it out on anybody.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at July 19, 2011 12:34 PM (8y9MW)

22 Bitch McConnell was one of those responsible for the passage of Osama Obama's economy-killing "health care" plan. He should have been hounded out of office instantly when he caved back then.

He makes Neville Chamberlain look like George Patton, the scummiest Obama ass-kisser from the NY Slimes look like a paragon of independent thought.

But before I can say anything nice about DeMint, I want to see him stand up and suggest a real solution to the current crisis, one that doesn't involve caving in to the Traitor-in-Chief and further fucking up what's left of the economy, and drawing the proverbial line in the sand.

Screw negotiations. Stand tall and fight. No more talk. It's too friggin' late for that.

Posted by: MrScribbler at July 19, 2011 12:35 PM (Qm45/)

23 21 @16 Not from the perspective of Washington insiders on both sides of the aisle.

About them not being errors? Yes.

Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at July 19, 2011 12:35 PM (o2lIv)

24 "12 Mitch McConnell is content being the minority leader. As long as he has a seat at the trough, he's happy." FTW

Posted by: Olliander at July 19, 2011 12:35 PM (6uiF7)

25 That's why I'm so proud to support the GOP. I can always tell everyone "Hey, we may be stupid, but we're not evil!" The VERY first response of the GOP to Obama's bluff-gaffe should have been "Well, now at least we know the President is bluffing."

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at July 19, 2011 12:37 PM (bxiXv)

26 These are basic errors, like starting a hand in poker by saying "Darn, I didn't get an ace." Here's another rookie error: folding three aces because the other guy says, "Yes, four aces!"

Posted by: t-bird at July 19, 2011 12:37 PM (FcR7P)

27
But it will still have to go through the repubs in the House.

True, but look at the spot that McConnell and the Republicans in the Gang of 6 put Boehner in.

If a "bipartisan" deal is reached, as shitty as it will be, the spotlight goes on Boehner and the House. They will be the obstructionists, the extremists, the racists, and the ones directly responsible for a govt shutdown/default/whatever if they don't sign on to the deal.

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 12:38 PM (sqkOB)

28 The senate can stumble around with their shady cloak-room deals till the cows come home. But it will still have to go through the repubs in the House.

And anything the Repubs in the House come up with will have to go through the Senate, which won't happen either. The GOP House is not in a position to affirmatively pass anything. Stalemate. Hence the cloak-room deals.

I don't like McConnell as leader but I don't blame him for trying to come up with what he can in an impossible situation.

Posted by: The War Between the Undead States at July 19, 2011 12:38 PM (CL99U)

29 Tension is your friend. Use it.

Wow I have to say, I have some serious issues with the price, the plumbing, the lack of safe electrical distribution, the dry rot in the basement, the pool in the back that looks like something from Lovecraft, and I'd like to seriously discuss these matters; but don't worry my spouse loves the place and no matter what happens will make me buy it.

Posted by: Republicans buying a house. at July 19, 2011 12:38 PM (0q2P7)

30

As Dennis Prager says:

"There are two parties in the United States: the Dangerous Party and the Stupid Party. I am a member of the Stupid Party."

Posted by: dan-O at July 19, 2011 12:38 PM (bRLuD)

31 I don't care if we default on 8/2--BRING IT. Better now than later. Why are we governed by jerks?

Posted by: ParisParamus-Hewitt at July 19, 2011 04:33 PM (cdCC7)

It's a reflection of the mindset of the states that elected them. We can only blame the people who put them there.

Posted by: Soona at July 19, 2011 12:39 PM (r8rIt)

32 Intra-party coup. DeMint takes over. Tea Party dominates the GOP. Graham, McConnell, the Maine Sisters, Scott Brown and Maverick set out on an ice floe with Algore. Oh how I wish...

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 19, 2011 12:40 PM (UlUS4)

33 Posted by: The War Between the Undead States at July 19, 2011 04:38 PM (CL99U)

I don't blame him for trying (in principle), I blame him for the POS for which he's responsible.

Listen, the fact that the Gang of 6 sounds reasonable should be a clue. Mitch McConnell- whatever his merits- made a mess of this and should be forced to step down as minority leader.

And the House Republicans should realize that we're more concerned with getting it right than we are with el JEFfe's ultimatums and theatrics.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at July 19, 2011 12:40 PM (8y9MW)

34 I'm just a simpleton from flyover country, but for the love of God, what is so complicated about this Republicans? We ain't got no more money. If the president won't cut and he insists on raising taxes in the middle of a recession which he himself claimed was a bad idea as recently as December, then fuck Obama. We won't vote to allow you to spend more money we ain't got. And if the American people blame us for whatever happens, then so fuckin be it. They're too stupid for good government and we just need to face that depressing fact.

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 12:40 PM (Xm1aB)

35 AllenG (Dedicated Tenther)@23,

DeMint's Senate Conservative Fund (PAC) just endorsed Ted Cruz for KBH's open seat, so don't go defaulting to Dewhurst just yet.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at July 19, 2011 12:41 PM (r4t7/)

36
(the quote @ 33 is approximate, fwiw)

Posted by: dan-O at July 19, 2011 12:41 PM (bRLuD)

37 No, no! The first thing you say in negotiations is "what would it take ... "

I'm the son of a diplomat, these things are SEARED in my memory!

Posted by: Sen John Kerry, do you know who I am? at July 19, 2011 12:41 PM (so1xa)

38 You know that feeling when you're seconds away from hooking up with a chick for the first time - you both know it's gonna happen, neither wants to make the first move, but you know it's just about to happen and it feels awesome and your minds about to explode? That's pretty much the opposite of what I'm feeling right now. Like we're about to get royally screwed over, it's only a matter of time.

Posted by: chazmartel at July 19, 2011 12:42 PM (wlSqE)

39 Isn't Contessa Brewer the one who rents out her mouth for $3.50 an hour to homeless guys behind the abandoned Taco Bell?

Posted by: wooga at July 19, 2011 12:42 PM (2p0e3)

40 If a "bipartisan" deal is reached, as shitty as it will be, the spotlight goes on Boehner and the House. They will be the obstructionists, the extremists, the racists, and the ones directly responsible for a govt shutdown/default/whatever if they don't sign on to the deal.

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 04:38 PM (sqkOB)

.....and they'll have the backing of the majority of the American voters.

Posted by: Soona at July 19, 2011 12:42 PM (r8rIt)

41 Who would've guessed that assuming a submissive posture while looking like an old lady turtle wasn't a strong negotiating tactic?

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at July 19, 2011 12:42 PM (+lsX1)

42 Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at July 19, 2011 04:41 PM (r4t7/)

Yeah, like I said- just based on multiple state-wide elections. I'm not placing any money on it.

What I hate is that we'll either be left with a squish (Tom Leppert) or a lawyer (Cruz or Dewhurst). I wish Roger Williams had stayed in the Senate race...

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at July 19, 2011 12:43 PM (8y9MW)

43 42 Isn't Contessa Brewer the one who rents out her mouth for $3.50 an hour to homeless guys behind the abandoned Taco Bell? Yes, but the listed price is about 10-fold too much...so I've heard,

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at July 19, 2011 12:43 PM (9hSKh)

44 41 You know that feeling when you're seconds away from hooking up with a chick for the first time - you both know it's gonna happen, neither wants to make the first move, but you know it's just about to happen and it feels awesome and your minds about to explode? That's pretty much the opposite of what I'm feeling right now. Like we're about to get royally screwed over, it's only a matter of time.

Posted by: chazmartel at July 19, 2011 04:42 PM (wlSqE)

I know the feeling exactly.

Posted by: Ned Beatty in Deliverance at July 19, 2011 12:43 PM (2p0e3)

45 I thought that if one is going to take a hostage, one had better be prepared to execute the hostage. The Dems already think we're nuts. We should embrace it and use it to our advantage.

Posted by: MJ at July 19, 2011 12:43 PM (BKOsZ)

46 OK quick question. Any "Compromise" the Senate comes up with, still has to get past the House doesn't it? So the House can still kill it?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at July 19, 2011 12:44 PM (i6RpT)

47 Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at July 19, 2011 04:42 PM (+lsX1)

An old lady turtle? Really?

I'm probably going to steal that.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at July 19, 2011 12:44 PM (8y9MW)

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 04:38 PM (sqkOB)

.....and they'll have the backing of the majority of the American voters if they don't cave.

Left out a small factoid.

Posted by: Soona at July 19, 2011 12:45 PM (r8rIt)

49 So the House can still kill it?

If they have the courage, yes. Odds on that, please?

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at July 19, 2011 12:45 PM (8y9MW)

50 I've already slipped myself a roofie. I hope you don't take advantage of m............

Posted by: Republican on a Date at July 19, 2011 12:45 PM (BKOsZ)

51 I'm just a simpleton from flyover country, but for the love of God, what is so complicated about this Republicans?

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 04:40 PM

If we don't go along, our friends in the media will say mean things about us!

Posted by: Sen Mitch McChinless at July 19, 2011 12:46 PM (so1xa)

52 I don't if the House can kill it. Boehner has marginalized the Tea Party types in his own party before by rounding up just enough Republicans to join with democrats to pass shit.

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 12:46 PM (Xm1aB)

53 50 OK quick question. Any "Compromise" the Senate comes up with, still has to get past the House doesn't it? So the House can still kill it?

Yes, but it will place them in an already-worse situation than they already are.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 12:46 PM (o2lIv)

54 So the House can still kill it? If they have the courage, yes. Odds on that, please? Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at July 19, 2011 04:45 PM (8y9MW) better than the odds of anything coming out of the Senate being even close to OK

Posted by: Nevergiveup at July 19, 2011 12:46 PM (i6RpT)

55
We will lose the pr war.

Why? Because our side doesn't have neither the skill nor the ambition to fight in it. If this gets any uglier, Boehner's caucus will splinter like Contessa Brewer's rocking chair.

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 12:46 PM (sqkOB)

56 Good Lord, how on Earth did we get stuck with that old fossil McConnell?

Posted by: Donna at July 19, 2011 12:47 PM (zanu2)

57 Bitch McConnell as Ray Stantz negotiating for the Ghostbusters' firehouse.

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 19, 2011 12:47 PM (4q5tP)

58 McConnell is a wonderful example of how to get a long and move this country forward as is the Senile Senator fom AZ. Both are feeling the OBlahBlah love train.

Posted by: The Presstitutes at July 19, 2011 12:48 PM (vXqv3)

59 48 41 You know that feeling when you're seconds away from hooking up with a chick for the first time - you both know it's gonna happen, neither wants to make the first move, but you know it's just about to happen and it feels awesome and your minds about to explode? That's pretty much the opposite of what I'm feeling right now. Like we're about to get royally screwed over, it's only a matter of time.

Posted by: chazmartel at July 19, 2011 04:42 PM (wlSqE)

I know the feeling exactly.

Posted by: Ned Beatty in Deliverance at July 19, 2011 04:43 PM (2p0e3)

C'mon, squeal! Squeal like a piggy! C'mon SQUEEEEEAL!

Posted by: Barack "Mountain Man" Obama at July 19, 2011 12:48 PM (DrWcr)

60
These are basic errors, like starting a hand in poker by saying "Darn, I didn't get an ace."

Unless, of course, you drew an ace...no, I don't think most of the elected GOPers are that smart.

Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie © at July 19, 2011 12:48 PM (1hM1d)

61 Here's another rookie error: folding three aces because the other guy says, "Yes, four aces!" Posted by: t-bird at July 19, 2011 04:37 PM

Hah!

Posted by: rdbrewer at July 19, 2011 12:49 PM (Ra7iV)

62 I took Mitch McConnell's lunch money from him for YEARS. He's a total pussy.

Posted by: Rev Dr E Buzz at July 19, 2011 12:49 PM (tcSZb)

63 Daddy, I want to go shopping, I need another million dollars on my allowance!!!!

If I don't get it, I'll stomp up and down and tell everyone on Twitter that you're a meanie!!!

Posted by: Meghan McCain at July 19, 2011 12:49 PM (so1xa)

64 @41 You know that feeling when you're seconds away from ~~hooking up with a chick~~ ~~getting raped by a toothless hillbilly~~ for the first time - you both know it's gonna happen, neither wants to make the first move, but you know it's just about to happen and it feels ~~awesome~~ awful and your minds about to explode? That's pretty much ~~the opposite of~~ what I'm feeling right now. Like we're about to get royally screwed over, it's only a matter of time. Posted by: chazmartel at July 19, 2011 04:42 PM (wlSqE) FIFY

Posted by: Mitch McConnell, Toothless Kentucky Hillbilly at July 19, 2011 12:49 PM (jkSbV)

Real problem?

The media keeps spinning that there are only TWO sides in these talks... Dems and Repubs.... when in reality? the two sides are Dems and Statist big Gov Repubs on one side.... and a few TEA Party folks in the House on the other...

But since only the Dems and Statist Repubs are in the negotiations... guess what we'll end up with?

Posted by: Romeo13 at July 19, 2011 12:49 PM (NtXW4)

66 Mitch once had lips, but he lost them in a game of Indian Poker.

Posted by: toby928™ at July 19, 2011 12:49 PM (GTbGH)

67 Oh wow, an ultimatum from Erick "the GOP hates black people" Erickson.

Yeah, that'll really make the case.

Posted by: The War Between the Undead States at July 19, 2011 12:50 PM (CL99U)

68

Sounds like McConnell is to be commended! We are cut from the same cloth, him and I!

Posted by: T. Coddington Van Voorhees VII at July 19, 2011 12:50 PM (bRLuD)

69 53 If they have the courage, yes. Odds on that, please?

They're still sounding firmly determined.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 12:50 PM (o2lIv)

70 The Repubs must be told that this is NOT a PR war. If they (Boehner) cave, they are out.

Posted by: chillin the most at July 19, 2011 12:51 PM (6IV8T)

71 Uh....how about you rape me AND take my wallet?

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at July 19, 2011 12:51 PM (MMC8r)

72 Boehner has marginalized the Tea Party types in his own party before by rounding up just enough Republicans to join with democrats to pass shit.

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 04:46 PM (Xm1aB)

Don't think so. The House wouldn't have held out as long as it has if that were true. The old guard knows their time is drawing nigh, and they're willing to go along with the upstarts just to keep their seats a few more years.

Posted by: Soona at July 19, 2011 12:51 PM (r8rIt)

73 We are about to get screwed. Thanks Obama and Coburn!

Posted by: Dan at July 19, 2011 12:52 PM (mXBxH)

74
Remember when Jim Bunning held up the unemployment benefit extension?

Bunning did it because the Democrats didn't have a way to pay for it. But he took a beating, and what's more, the Republicans put pressure on him to give it up because they were taking a PR beating.

Bunning didn't have anything to lose because he was about to retire. But the rest of those old hacks got nervous and told Bunning to cram his principles up his ass.

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 12:52 PM (sqkOB)

75 Well if the Republicans "win" the PR war, then that means they've lost their base. So are there some numbers somewhere that makes this the smart way to proceed?

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 12:52 PM (Xm1aB)

76 Why are the republicans caving again? One of my co workers just said "I guess the 2010 election was meaningless to them or they figure it can't happen in their district?"

Posted by: curious at July 19, 2011 12:53 PM (k1rwm)

77 These negotiations in reality are about as genuinely contentious as a WWE Friday night bout.

They know how it ends, they just have to make it look nasty for the fans out there

Posted by: kbdabear at July 19, 2011 12:53 PM (so1xa)

78 I blame him for it all. Barry put his cards on the table (unsolicited like a spoiled child) and moments later McConnell said, "Oh, here, let me deal you some new cards." Yeah, he gets blame for that. Posted by: Papa Editor at July 19, 2011 04:42 PM

Nice analysis.

"Oh, don't you worry. Let me get you some new cards. Cuz I'm collegial. And civilized."

Posted by: rdbrewer at July 19, 2011 12:54 PM (Ra7iV)

79 How about we raise taxes, the debt ceiling, and entitlements and also nationalize the rating agencies?

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at July 19, 2011 12:54 PM (6Cjut)

80 Trump was fucking right--again.

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 12:54 PM (Xm1aB)

81 Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 04:50 PM (o2lIv)

I know... I've just been disappointed too many times to feel any hope.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at July 19, 2011 12:54 PM (8y9MW)

82 Senator Mitch McConnell has lost almost every major legislative battle he has managed. And yet, the Republican Senate Caucus elected him to be the Minority wet noodle Whip.

Likewise, you wouldn't tell the other side,

"You're fired! Never."

Posted by: maverick muse at July 19, 2011 12:54 PM (lpWVn)

83 AoSHQ audio?

Posted by: Guy Fawkes at July 19, 2011 12:54 PM (a1Oir)

84 Agree, don't agree, the question is moot.

Posted by: the math at July 19, 2011 12:54 PM (GTbGH)

85 77 Don't think so. The House wouldn't have held out as long as it has if that were true. The old guard knows their time is drawing nigh, and they're willing to go along with the upstarts just to keep their seats a few more years.

The old guard in the Republican Study Committee (and their allies) have been holding the line too.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 12:54 PM (o2lIv)

86 85
Trump was fucking right--again.

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 04:54 PM (Xm1aB)

and batchelor and rush and palin and bachman and de mint...

who did I miss?

Posted by: curious at July 19, 2011 12:55 PM (k1rwm)

87 @82 I think you may be on to something. They think we're fools.

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 12:55 PM (Xm1aB)

88 If McConnell ever got the fuck out of the beltway haze, he and his cohorts might find that the PR war is winnable. DC puts blinders on their synapses so they repeatedly fall into the progressive, big-gov/big-media (BIRM) spin that is the essence of Washington.

Jeeze, the moronosphere here, and the dextrosphere in general, lays out infinitely better arguments and succinctly so. It's always threatening confrontation from the Right and then never following through. It's like it's a game to him and ... saaay, waitaminute.

Yep, The Chicken better start lubing up if McConnell has anything to do with it.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at July 19, 2011 12:55 PM (r4t7/)

89 Ooooh, but I don't like bad feeling!

Posted by: McConnell at July 19, 2011 12:55 PM (Ra7iV)

90 I wonder if they have cable TV in the camps?

/

Posted by: cherry π at July 19, 2011 12:56 PM (OhYCU)

91
The "smart" move was for the entire GOP in Congress to stand firm, stand together.

There would be fallout, but the fallout would come from the Left/media, not from the base of the party nor from the majority of the American people.

But that ship sailed when McConnell blinked and when the Gang of 6 reared its ugly head.

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 12:56 PM (sqkOB)

92 Plan C: We create a National Debt Trust Fund Lock Box, fully funded by the full faith and credit of the United States!

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at July 19, 2011 12:56 PM (6Cjut)

Bitch McConnell as Private Cruiser in Stripes, learning the finer points of poker.

Bluff me!

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 19, 2011 12:56 PM (4q5tP)

94 1 Mitch McConnell isn't all that competent. Can we have the next leader, please?

Posted by: Mallamutt, RINO President for Life at July 19, 2011 04:26 PM (OWjjx)

Something tells me that a 2 year old could beat him at chess.

Posted by: KG at July 19, 2011 12:57 PM (LD21B)

95 We need the Denny Crane method of negotiation

Instead we get Jerry Espenson

Posted by: kbdabear at July 19, 2011 12:57 PM (so1xa)

96 You whippersnappers should have been there when I negotiated the economic terms after we whupped the Kaiser!

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at July 19, 2011 12:57 PM (MMC8r)

Since I don't live in Kentucky I can't vote against McConnell in the 2014 primary. Therefore until further notice I plan to vote against Republicans in all contests, at all levels of the state and federal governments. This will be to punish the GOP for having McConnell as Senate Minority Leader.

That'll show 'em!

Posted by: Totally Irrational at July 19, 2011 12:58 PM (f8XyF)

98 Is there anyway we can genetically modify this chicken to self-lubricate? It would really save me some time.

Posted by: McConnell at a USDA Conference at July 19, 2011 12:58 PM (BKOsZ)

99 We can tell China we'll gladly pay them Tuesday for $4 trillion today.

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at July 19, 2011 12:58 PM (6Cjut)

100 Here is an idea - why don't we pass a law that allows Obama to do whatever the fuck he wants, but then when he does it, we can say, look, you need to elect people like us to keep people like him from doing all that stuff.

Posted by: blaster at July 19, 2011 12:58 PM (l5dj7)

101 I'm beginning to think that all the aids and interns they hire are registered dems/libs and vetted first by the dems. If that's the case, they are deliberately being kept in the dark.

Posted by: curious at July 19, 2011 12:58 PM (k1rwm)

102 We'll let Obama do whatever he wants and then stand back and laugh at him and point our fingers!

Posted by: McConnell at July 19, 2011 12:59 PM (Ra7iV)

103 86 I know... I've just been disappointed too many times to feel any hope.

That's why I said "sounding". But you have to admit they've held-out longer than anyone thought they would. It will be interesting to see what happens after they're finished with CCB, what the conference demands of Boehner. They are supposedly reviewing more alternatives because few people over there want to back McConnell/Reid. How will they react to the Gang of 6?

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 01:00 PM (o2lIv)

104 The Senate has not been through a complete Tea Party Purge... yet.

Posted by: cherry π at July 19, 2011 01:00 PM (OhYCU)

105
why don't we pass a law that allows Obama to do whatever the fuck he wants, but then when he does it, we can say, look, you need to elect people like us to keep people like him from doing all that stuff.

by jove!
I believe you just cracked the code in under 50 words!

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 01:00 PM (sqkOB)

106 Why is it so hard to understand?

McConnell is a lawyer.

DeMint is not.

DeMint knows business and competitive advantage.

McConnell knows compromise for political advantage.

McConnell went through the cursus honorum: Major in political science, go to law school, clerk with a judge, entrench yourself in a political machine. That's why you can't trust politicians who hold a J.D.

Posted by: AmishDude at July 19, 2011 01:00 PM (T0NGe)

107 Since I don't live in Kentucky I can't vote against McConnell in the 2014 primary. Therefore until further notice I plan to vote against Republicans in all contests, at all levels of the state and federal governments. This will be to punish the GOP for having McConnell as Senate Minority Leader.

+5!!!

Everyone else, you've got three minutes to agree with this guy or you're all banned.

Posted by: Erick Erickson at July 19, 2011 01:01 PM (CL99U)

108 Any time a group of Republican Senators form a "gang" we all pay for it.

Posted by: The Donkey Show at July 19, 2011 01:01 PM (ijjAe)

109 I just saw the biggest idiot congressman ever on fox. Hansen Clarke. The stupid is strong in that one. pay off government debt by paying off your own debt or something.

Posted by: Guy Fawkes at July 19, 2011 01:01 PM (a1Oir)

110 This entire administration has been one long nightmare...

Posted by: The Chicken at July 19, 2011 01:01 PM (RD7QR)

111 As stated on Powerline: we don't need no damned balanced budget amendment--refuse to raise the debt ceiling and we instantly have a balanced budget. And this ties in nicely with the earlier post about the coming demise of the socialist Dem Party--because it forces them to pick the winners and losers of their pig-trough coalition today, rather than in the future.

Again: Why in the hell do we need to raise the debt limit if we cut spending? How in the world can the GOP lose that argument? Oh, right. They conceded we needed to raise it from the get-go.

Posted by: Jimmuy at July 19, 2011 01:01 PM (sFOv5)

112 If you have ever seen an interview of McConnell it is immediately apparent that he is the ultimate insider who fancies himself a superior legislative strategist. It is also apparent that he, like most insiders, despises us little people. Remember McConnell bent over backwards to support Rand Paul's primary opponent in the KY Senate race. I have a feeling Rand and his Tea Party buddies in the Senate are waiting for just the right moment to "relieve" McConnell of his leadership responsibilities.

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 01:01 PM (Xm1aB)

113 Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 05:00 PM (o2lIv)

I hope their reaction to Gang of 6 is either "Heck No" or "Nice try, but these bills have to originate in the house. We'll have a similar proposal drafted in two weeks."

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at July 19, 2011 01:02 PM (8y9MW)

114 Plan H: We can have a national bake sale and require every productive American to buy 10,000 cookies; and then repeat every hour.

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at July 19, 2011 01:02 PM (6Cjut)

115 Just played Steve Wynn's statement on FNC again. THAT'S what repubs in both houses should be saying.

Posted by: Soona at July 19, 2011 01:03 PM (r8rIt)

116 I don't like McConnell as leader but I don't blame him for trying to come up with what he can in an impossible situation.

I have supported him in the past, but no longer. In this situation, you make sure that your positions are coordinated. I get the feeling that this is more about McConnell resenting house leadership than about a real solution.

Hey, Mitch, it's not about you.

That said, I think Barry is feeling nervous. As AmishDude said earlier, there is a distinct "worried" vibe coming off Barry right now. He too is concerned lest events outrun his "leadership".

Posted by: pep at July 19, 2011 01:03 PM (6TB1Z)

117 Eh, McConnell wants the spending. That's the only reason he's acting like he is. Honestly, why else behave that way? No one could be that retarded about human nature and win an election much less function in the real world. Like McCain, he behaves as a Democrat mole, whether he is or not, undermining all Republican efforts. He just doesn't want the blame. If its possible, someone with guts in the Senate should mount a challenge to his leadership right now.

Posted by: naturalfake at July 19, 2011 01:04 PM (jkSbV)

118

Do you have any threes????

Go fish????

Posted by: Mitch McConnel, playing Poker at July 19, 2011 01:04 PM (NtXW4)

119
Obama's plan is "speech."

That's cute. But why do I get the feeling that our plan will be "bend over?"

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 01:04 PM (sqkOB)

120 Stupid Party Plan: Take a position and hold it until the holding of it has extracted every last bit of negative polling impact, then abandon the position and do whatever the Democrats wanted to do in the first place.

Posted by: blaster at July 19, 2011 01:04 PM (l5dj7)

121 holy crap, sorry about that link fail, I don't know wtf happened, the original had nothing to do with amazon.

Posted by: Guy Fawkes at July 19, 2011 01:04 PM (a1Oir)

122
blaster, you, sir, are a visionary

Posted by: soothsayer at July 19, 2011 01:06 PM (sqkOB)

123 What's the difference? Do we really think that magical cuts to future spending are going to happen anyway? The deal should have been repeal Obamacare or no debt ceiling. Bet big. $4T would have looked good in comparison to Obama.

Posted by: MJ at July 19, 2011 01:06 PM (BKOsZ)

124 @121 Absolutely. Why aren't Repubs appearing on TV hammering this at every opportunity? Why? What the hell is wrong with the GOP, and why doesn't it ever get fucking fixed?

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 01:06 PM (Xm1aB)

125 Plan J: We just tell China, "That's not my signature on that promissory note. Now get the fuck off my lawn!"

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at July 19, 2011 01:06 PM (6Cjut)

126 Note to Mitch McConnell: When someone asks if you're a god, you don't say "could be, I'm not sure, what would you like me to be?"

Posted by: pep at July 19, 2011 01:09 PM (6TB1Z)

127 As AmishDude said earlier, there is a distinct "worried" vibe coming off Barry right now. He too is concerned lest events outrun his "leadership".

Posted by: pep at July 19, 2011 05:03 PM (6TB1Z)

Oh, God, now people are remembering my shit from previous threads. We are doomed.

Posted by: Tim Pawlenty at July 19, 2011 01:10 PM (T0NGe)

128 Generic Republican sock off.

Posted by: AmishDude at July 19, 2011 01:10 PM (T0NGe)

129 Plan J: We just tell China, "That's not my signature on that promissory note. Now get the fuck off my lawn!" Posted by: Mitch McConnell at July 19, 2011 05:06 PM (6Cjut) Actually I like that plan

Posted by: Nevergiveup at July 19, 2011 01:11 PM (i6RpT)

130 122 That said, I think Barry is feeling nervous. As AmishDude said earlier, there is a distinct "worried" vibe coming off Barry right now. He too is concerned lest events outrun his "leadership".

Which also means everything isn't going his way.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 01:13 PM (o2lIv)

131 McConnell and the Senate power brokers have been snubbing DeMint for a while. I hope he and the conservatives over in the House team up to shit all over McConnell and block this shit.

Posted by: Vic at July 19, 2011 01:16 PM (M9Ie6)

132 Posted by: Vic at July 19, 2011 05:16 PM (M9Ie6)

I'm waiting for actual legislation to be introduced in the Senate, and for DeMint or Rubio (or Thune, or whoever) to issue a legislative hold for point of order on the fact the bill has to originate in the House.

That would be teh awesome.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at July 19, 2011 01:18 PM (8y9MW)

133 Oh, God, now people are remembering my shit from previous threads. We are doomed.

My work place frowns on too much interaction. I gotta hold it in until I get home.

Posted by: pep at July 19, 2011 01:19 PM (6TB1Z)

134 Thus far, it sounds like the Gang of 6 proposal is more popular than the McConnell compromise.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 01:21 PM (o2lIv)

135 Reid suddenly remembers the Constitution

But does he have an ulterior motive?

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 01:26 PM (o2lIv)

136 Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 05:21 PM (o2lIv)

It should be. It just also should be our final option, not our first (or second, or third, or...) McConnell's proposal should never have made it past his lips- let alone actually onto the table.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at July 19, 2011 01:29 PM (8y9MW)

137

Remember when Jim Bunning held up the unemployment benefit extension

I remember that. I felt the same way then as when they attacked Joe Wilson for simply stating fact. We are the stupid party. McConnel should be thrown back on the bench. I'm tired of seeing his turtle face droning on and on. Make Rubio the leader, since he's not afraid of the MFM. That bitch slapping he gave Scheiffer was fantastic!

Posted by: The Schwalbe : © at July 19, 2011 01:29 PM (UU0OF)

138 Rep. LaTourette is so incredibly rude. As an appropriator, I'm sure he hates having to preside over this session, but that's tough luck.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 01:35 PM (o2lIv)

139 I don't know why, but when I first noticed McConnell some years back, he struck me as looking like he could be a bit of a dunce.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at July 19, 2011 01:36 PM (1rHeD)

140 Alternate headline:

Slightly Less Squishy Squish Meekly Opposes Total Squish, Swings Purse in Anger

Posted by: sifty at July 19, 2011 01:39 PM (ECjvn)

141 Somehow, some way, they're all compromised by the Left. No telling how (except in the case of L. Graham) but nothing else explains the inevitable cave-and-bend-over. Compromised, the lot of them.

Posted by: The Know at July 19, 2011 01:40 PM (B60j2)

142 Rep. LaTourette?

That f*ckin c*ckswiller ballhair shit asslick?

Don't talk shit about TOTAL!

Posted by: sifty at July 19, 2011 01:41 PM (ECjvn)

143 Yes, that one. I'm still trying to figure-out why he's a Republican.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 19, 2011 01:45 PM (o2lIv)

144 The Senate is an old boy's club, and our old boys are fat, lazy, impotent and stupid. Mitch McConnel is oafish, retarded, dim-witted and has no penis.

Posted by: Cooter at July 19, 2011 02:04 PM (C06Qq)

145 Levin is tearing it up. Pretty much how I feel about the whole charade.

Posted by: Bosk at July 19, 2011 02:09 PM (n2K+4)

146 Plan J: We just tell China, "That's not my signature on that promissory note. Now get the fuck off my lawn!"

You forgot to add "No habla Ingles".

Posted by: Not Drinking Nearly Enough at July 19, 2011 03:00 PM (JEvSn)

147

Burn it down

Posted by: TexasJew at July 19, 2011 03:02 PM (RppX1)

148 6 There better not be any tax increases, however disguised, in any deal.

Better not be.

Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2011 04:28 PM (Xm1aB)

Increasing revenue is a tax increase

Posted by: TexasJew at July 19, 2011 03:04 PM (RppX1)

149 So, how does the House and Senate go about electing new leaders? Is there a procedure or does the leader serve out a fixed term? Maybe it's time now to get the blood out on the floor and settle whether the GOP are conservatives or not. I hope that the GOP members don't think that being a rino will help them get elected (or even win the district nomination) in 2012.

Posted by: scr_north at July 19, 2011 04:20 PM (cfJTS)

150 Increasing revenue is a tax increase

Not necessarily.

Posted by: The Laffer Curve at July 19, 2011 04:56 PM (GTbGH)

151 McCockless has cone nothing since 1984 other than leeched a pay check off of the tax payers. I know. I spent most of my life in the Bluegrass "state".

Posted by: LC Lobo at July 19, 2011 08:06 PM (X2C93)

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