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Entries in L.A. Times (1)

Thursday
Apr232009

Getting Past Republicans' “No”



Coffee Brown, University of New Mexico, Talk Radio News

“The hole we’ve inherited is very deep,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), “but we’ve accomplished a lot in the first 100 days.”

Reid listed the Lands Bill as “the most significant environmental legislation in a quarter of a century,” the Lilly Ledbetter Act, S-CHIP, the Economic Recovery Package, the Omnibus Spending Bill and National Service legislation, “even though we’ve had little cooperation from those on the other side of the aisle.”

In the coming weeks the Senate has a lot of work to do: the bankruptcy provision in the housing legislation, credit consumer protection, tobacco legislation “is way, way overdue”, and the supplemental provision bill. Republicans have to do more than just say no, he finished. He added that procurement was crucial to the defense department.

Pointing toward an empty easel, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, “As you can see, this is what the Republicans want us to accomplish. Their three words are ‘no, never, nothing.’”
“We have not blocked them on any amendments they want to offer,’” he said, adding they have no reason to make the Senate wait by using filibusters.

Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) reported that President Obama has the greatest upward shift in polls in the first 100 days since before the first Bush. He presented Associated Press findings showing a 44 percent increase in the President’s approval rating. This contrasts with several recent statements made by Republicans that voters are turning away from Obama.

Mark Silva, of the L.A. Times, gives a detailed report showing consistent 63-64 percent approval in Pew, Gallup, Associated Press and GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media polls, and says this is the first time in 10 years that the majority of the public feel the country is going in the right direction.
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“Who speaks for the Republican Party today? Dick Cheney? Newt Gingrich? Sarah Palin? Michael Steele?” Durbin asked, adding, “This is a party in search of an identity and a mission. The only mission they’ve had so far is to resist and fight this president.”

“It will not harm the Grand Old Party to spend this year in a cooperative effort to solve the problems of America,” he said.

Sen. Patty Murphy (D-Wash.) said Republican delays and filibusters are preventing Congress from solving pressing problems.

Regarding another bone of contention with Republicans, Reid said he couldn’t discuss security briefings he’d attended on sanctioned torture, but that justice, and “not vengeance, must be served.”

Reid also confirmed that the Senate is considering a 9-11 style commission to evaluate the causes of the financial meltdown.