WP: GOP Irritation At Bush Was Long Brewing

[kskiska]

Friday, March 17, 2006; A01

President Bush's troubles with congressional Republicans, which erupted during the backlash to the Dubai seaport deal, are rooted in policy frustrations and personal resentments that GOP lawmakers say stretch back to the opening days of the administration.

For years, the Bush White House and its allies on Capitol Hill seemed like one of the most unified teams Washington had ever seen, passing most of Bush's agenda with little dissent. Privately, however, many lawmakers felt underappreciated, ignored and sometimes bullied by what they regarded as a White House intent on running government with little input from them. Often it was to pass items -- an expanded federal role in education under the No Child Left Behind law and an expensive prescription drug benefit under Medicare -- that left conservatives deeply uneasy.

What Bush is facing now, beyond just election-year jitters by legislators eyeing his depressed approval ratings, is a rebellion that has been brewing since the days when he looked invincible, say many lawmakers and strategists. Newly unleashed grievances could signal even bigger problems for Bush's last two years in office, as he would be forced to abandon a governing strategy that until recently counted on solid support from congressional Republicans.

The White House at times has been "non-responsive and arrogant," said Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.). "There are a thousand small cuts," he added, that are ignored when things are going well but "rear their heads when things are not going well."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/16/AR2006031602430.html

[grytpype]

1. No body likes poor Duhbya.

Because nobody likes feces.

[roguevalley]

23. chris matthews does.

[cybildisobedience]

40. he still can't get his head around the notion that he's wrong on this

He keeps saying, I don't understand it, I don't understand it.
He's so blinded by Bush-love, that he doesn't see what the rest of the world sees.
He's like Harriet Meiers, with a good bleach job.

[mikeytherat]

48. Actually, its not a very good bleach job

He's one dye job away from Edgar Winter!

mikey_the_rat

[Arugula Latte]

56. He was literally sputtering the other day.

He is so out of touch with real American opinion, it's frightening.

[deadparrot]

2. All the little pissants are going "libertarian" on us now.

That seems to be the excuse nowadays for Republicans pissed at Bush, doesn't it?

"I'm a libertarian, I just want the government to stay out of my life..."

[kurth]

14. Libertarians are Bushbot scumbags

Libertarians are just another branch of the Republican Party. They should be ashamed to have "liberty" in their names.

Same shit. Different day.

[Tesha]

38. Big-L Libertarians are just Republicans who want to smoke weed. (NT)

[Canuckistanian]

21. Far, far too late for that

They've proven themselves to be "good Germans" with never a discouraging word for the little prince - until about five minutes ago, politically.

[Nay]

28. Thank you! Repubs have loved their little bastard all these years--

I don't want to hear one damn word about how they supposedly had misgivings from the beginning. Please. That's BULL. SHIT.

Now that the chickens are coming home to roost just as we all said they would, Repubs are claiming that they really didn't like the guy much, really they didn't.

Oh? Who WERE all those coworkers who did nothing but strut and crow about their little pissant Hitler for 4 years, and then go ahead and vote for him again in 2004?? Everyone here has relatives, neighbors, coworkers and acquaintances who put this turd back into office in 2004 (along with a little help from Diebold), and we're supposed to believe they're not Bushbots anymore?

[llmart]

30. I've noticed that some people I know......

who voted for Dopey and who I like to harass about it on a regular basis now tell me "oh, I only voted for him because he was better than Kerry - I'm really a libertarian." I just laugh and tell them what a crock of horseshit - you're just embarrassed that you voted for such a loser because I told you all along what a loser he was going to be. As I've said before, I enjoy gloating to these uneducated people who just follow the crowd like lemmings. They believed the mainstream medias lies about the idiot son.

I'm sure glad my parents taught me to have a mind of my own and to educate myself through extensive reading and not believing the propaganda machines.

[apnu]

34. I see the same thing as well.

All the disgruntled Repukes in my office (basically everybody) are now claiming to be "libertarian" and after saying that, they feel secure in bashing Bush. But not too hard. What a bunch of chicken-shits.

[Brazenly Liberal]

35. "I just want the government to stay out of my life..."

...but I want it to stay in your uterus and your bedroom.

[Seen the light]

3. These are the most important articles coming out

In my seemingly never-ending quest to bring my Bush-loving family over to the good side, these sort of articles always do the best job on them. I love it!

[tabasco]

4. That's why they knocked each other over trying to kiss his ass.

And called anyone who criticized dear fuhrer an America-hating traitor.

Suuuure, republicans just been champing at the bit to revolt on Bush.

I call bullshit. All of his sycophantic supporters are going down the toilet with him!!

[Burried News]

19. Absolutely. He's their little monster. GOP born and bred.

:hurts:

[unblock]

5. so who's got a spine NOW? who's flip-flopping NOW?

assholes. the real spineless flip-floppers are the assholes banana republicans who went along with shrub for the ride and NOW want to claim that they were against it all along.

screw you! you chose to sleep with the devil!

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

6. This Is More Garbage

From the washington trashpost. These guys backed their King 100%, and it's because of THEM and our so-called KING, that we're in deep deep Doo Doo. Watch them try to run like cornered rats, acting as if they had no idea. THEY WERE PART OF THE WHOLE CRAPFEST that is the King george administration! They enabled and supported it with everything they have. Just more Evil Bastards!

[Erika]

10. Yes, the Bushbots helped W destroy this country

every step of the way in the last 5 years. For them to suddenly denounce him is typical GOP..blame it elsewhere.
They enabled him to destroy this country. Very simply put. They need to take the blame.

[mia]

7. Republicans suffering from "battered-Congress syndrome."

:nopity:

Congressional scholar Norman J. Ornstein has written that the recently vented anger, after being suppressed for years out of loyalty or fear, might be seen in psychological terms. He called the condition "battered-Congress syndrome."

[katinmn]

33. I take exception to that term, too. These pukes sold their souls

to the devil in return for big bucks and political "strategies" that got them elected, including stealing votes.

Now they are mired in the filth they helped create. I hope they all are done for politically.

[spindrifter]

8. The WP article is a "must-read"--

not only for the introduction to the term "battered Congress syndrome," but also because it leads us to the conclusion that too many of the Dems who have been voting for all of the Thugs' agenda items are enablers. One big sick family. But at least, this may spell the end of the Chimpy family in politics.

[rpannier]

9. Pooooor wittle babies

They should have stood up to him when they belived he was wrong. As Keith Jackson would say, "Katie bar the door. It's too late."

[regnaD kciN]

11. Why is it...

...that only Republican opposition to Bush is worthy of notice from the CMC???

:grr:

[kiraboo]

13. I think maybe it's because only repuke opposition

will make the difference between our continuing as a nation on this merry path to hell, or taking a left turn toward the light. Even if the democratic leadership managed to get its shit together, we're still losers without the aid of a few enlightened republicans.

[pinniped]

12. Whatever. They have ALWAYS given the POS* everything he wants.

--rooted in policy frustrations and personal resentments that GOP lawmakers say stretch back to the opening days of the administration.--

It sure didn't seem that way for the past five years.

Boot these repukes out.

[EVDebs]

15. Oh, balls. The MSM has been running 'cover' for this crew of loons since

GE knew it would make a bundle off a war, CNN would too (as always) and the Racket would continue.

What's Wrong With This Picture ?
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20020107/miller

shows the media concentration of who owns what and who profits from it, under 'dramatic visual depiction' link.

[UpInArms]

16. When you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas. n/t

[Pryderi]

17. hahaha...and Rove threatens to black list Repugs for funds according to

Insight magazine.

"The White House has been twisting arms to ensure that no Republican member votes against President Bush in the Senate Judiciary Committee's investigation of the administration's unauthorized wiretapping. Congressional sources said Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove has threatened to blacklist any Republican who votes against the president. The sources said the blacklist would mean a halt in any White House political or financial support of senators running for re-election in November. "It's hardball all the way," a senior GOP congressional aide said."


"They said the defection of even a handful of Republican committee members could result in a determination that the president violated the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Such a determination could lead to impeachment proceedings.

Over the last few weeks, Mr. Rove has been calling in virtually every Republican on the Senate committee as well as the leadership in Congress. The sources said Mr. Rove's message has been that a vote against Mr. Bush would destroy GOP prospects in congressional elections. "He's lining them up one by one," another congressional source said."


"The sources said the White House has offered to help loyalists with money and free publicity, such as appearances and photo-ops with the president."

http://www.insightmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=5D3B38F8A2584DB5A77BA05660C6045C&nm=Free+Access&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=16C8277FB8984B81A7512A95D7E04D7E

[Catrina]

25. He's threatening them with no photo ops with Bush??? Why would they

want that? God, what a bunch of wimps. I thought it was just Democrats who were acting like abused spouses. But Republicans are allowing a little rat like Rove, who's under a criminal investigation, to bully them like this? To threaten them, and that's why they voted against the people of the US??

Lindsey Graham told Cheney once to 'let us do our job, Mr. VP, we're talking about rape and murder here' when Cheney threw a fit over the Abu Ghraib hearings. And what happened to those hearings? Nick Berg died and that was the end of them ~ and Lindsey Graham has been a good German ever since.

I think Rove is threatening them with more than withholding money. I think Bush's little spy program has given Rove ammunition to blackmail them with. This is probably why Dems and Repubs don't want to support Feingold. If there are hearings, Bush is probably threatening to release some embarrassing information on all of them. It's not about the country, or the people, or that Feingold's 'timing is wrong', I bet it's about Rove blackmailing them.

We need a whole new Congress that Rove has NO control over ~ this is really unbelievable. A little, ignorant despot, unelected hitman, is running the country through blackmail. They should report him and have him arrested. Blackmail is a crime. In fact, they've given out enough information to start an inquiry into his tactics ~ since when is blackmail just blithly accepted like this? If we did it, we'd be arrested.

This is an admission of criminal neglect to uphold the oath they took to serve the people who elected them!! And an accusation of blackmail which someone needs to do something about. What a nightmare this is, and what an outrage ~ they are nothing more than lackeys ~ wimps and cowards. Afraid of a creep like Karl Rove!!

Well, now is their chance ~ A photo op with Bush will do them more harm than good, so if that's what he's peddling, he doesn't have much bargaining power anymore ~ what are they waiting for?

[Dulcinea]

27. I hope they tell Rove to go Cheney himself. eom

[Cronus Protagonist]

18. That's all spin - consider the source - they're trying to keep on fucking

They want voters to vote them back in (2006) so they can keep on fucking us all. Pure propaganda. No one would vote for them if they supported Bush, so they lie. If you want to know how they really feel, count the votes... a total rubber stamp for Bush and ALL his actions.

Who are you going to believe, the Washington Post or the record? I say the record tells all.

[kainah]

54. indeed

Jim VandeHaHa, faithful scribe of GOP spin.

[Burried News]

20. Whatcha worried about GOPers, ya got Dick 18% Cheney waitin in

the wings. Great backup ain't he. Not exactly a lineup with star power heheheheh.

And you know the worst thing - everybody is beginning to pay attention. EVERYBODY

[iconoclastNYC]

22. OH please.

This congress and Bush are joined at the hip. THey can't try to distance themselves from Bush but that will fail.

[0rganism]

24. What. A. Bunch. Of. WHINERS.

For 5 years, he hands them victory after victory, advances their bloody reactionary agenda of fascist theocracy beyond their wildest dreams, and now they piss and moan about how easy it all was? Well, fuck'em anyway, they got what they wanted, and thanks to their DieboldStranglehold, they'll never be at risk of losing it. Figures they'd bitch about their success like a bunch of spoiled brats.

[salin]

29. worse than whiners.... Staged Whiners.

Vote for me, I don't like Bush either! :eyes:

[0rganism]

44. By Jove, you're right, it's not even genuine

How sad it is that there is even one voter who will buy that pathetic schlock.

[salin]

51. those who do - do so out of desire

easier to think it is a bad apple - than to have to rethink their brainwashing into the righteousness of the Greedy Old Politicians party.

[radfringe]

26. political version of battered woman syndrome

it often amazes people that a battered woman stays with her abuser - there are many theories as to why this happens

looking at GOPers - you see a similar pattern. bush berates, snipes, blames and spits on the GOP-controlled congress - but GOPers are still happy to suck up to him

on edit: gee did I write this article in my sleep???

--snip--- Congressional scholar Norman J. Ornstein has written that the recently vented anger, after being suppressed for years out of loyalty or fear, might be seen in psychological terms. He called the condition "battered-Congress syndrome."

[opihimoimoi]

31. They bought him and now they gonna EAT HIM....

Flip Floppers of the AGES..Selfish self centered POS's

[alcibiades_mystery]

32. Bullshit: RUBBER STAMPERS want to avoid paying the bill

The bill is coming due for the RUBBER STAMP REPUBLICAN CONGRESS. They've RUBBER STAMPED the lunacy for five years plus; they've gone along with every goddamn thing the dunce at 1600 Pennsylvania and his cohort of pinheaded douchebags have concocted. Now they want to pretend that they are NOT a RUBBER STAMP REPUBLICAN CONGRESS...we've opposed him all along, you see?

Bullshit. They're trying to avoid the judgment day for their outrageous abrogation of their responsibilities to nation and their constituents. They're trying to hide from the judgment.

Hey RUBBER STAMP MAN, where ya gonna run to? Where ya gonna run to? All on that day?

[Minnesota Libra]

36. OMG poor poor babies -they suck up and then complain................

.....that they've had to suck up.:puke: I'll be happy to direct them to the bright side of politics. Never mind that they may never get the taste of :puke: out of their mouths. You know what, I don't feel a bit sorry for any of them. Serves them well!!:bounce: :toast:

[alcibiades_mystery]

37. Listen to this one on Norm Coleman!

Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), who won his seat in 2002 after a late push by Bush, told the Associated Press this week that the president should shake up the staff more broadly, accusing the White House of having a political "tin ear." That was seen by some top White House aides as a wake-up call, because Coleman has been such a loyal Bush backer.

It should say "Norm Coleman, who won his seat in 2002 only because Paul Wellstone died in a plane crash, and the right wing spin machine gesticulated like wild animals over his 'politicized' funeral, etc."

Gimme a fucking break.

[katinmn]

41. Yes! Wellstone was killed 10 days before the election.

Our lives would be so much different now had he lived.

[Jose Diablo]

39. I hope nobody here is fooled by these Republicans

pretending to be against Bu$h. Make no mistake, they vote lock-step with whatever Bu$h wants. And the media portraying these Repubs as against Bu$h is just the media trying to keep the Republicans in power. It's part and parcel of the propaganda machine that brought these guys into power.

Don't fall for the scam and believe somehow these Republicans are our friends. They are pretending so they can get votes. They're still trash, even when they say they against Bu$h.

[Robeson]

49. Don't worry, I'm not. Or in the the words of our Glorious Leader...

..."There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again."
:crazy:

[wordpix2]

42. haha, LOL: "battered-Congress syndrome." 'BushCo didn't give us any loot

even after we helped them make the rich richer and loot the Treasury.'

snip: Congressional scholar Norman J. Ornstein has written that the recently vented anger, after being suppressed for years out of loyalty or fear, might be seen in psychological terms. He called the condition "battered-Congress syndrome."

snip: "Members felt they were willing to take a lot of tough votes and did not get much in return," said Rep. Peter T. King (R-N.Y.), an early critic of the port deal.

[wordpix2]

43. "worst administration ever in getting Congress's opinion on anything."

snip:
Afterward, Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) was quoted in The Washington Post as saying, "This is probably the worst administration ever in getting Congress's opinion on anything."

[brentspeak]

52. Well now that it's safe for Bush's fellow Republicans to criticize him

we're seeing comments like the one Davis made. But if the Repubs had any guts, they would have criticized Bush before, not after, it became fashionable to do so.

[librechik]

45. oh, shut up and drink your koolaid

you supported the bastard like Jesus himself for years while he screwed everybody. Now you want to quietly withdraw???

GOP is a bunch of frackin asswipes. They're still protecting the Preztard.

[rocktivity]

46. Candidate for this month's "You Call This NEWS?" award

It's called job security. Everyone in Congress is facing potential unemployment in November. And the Repub candidates have more than Democratic challengers to fear--all that any "real" moderate Repub challenger would have to do is scream, "Bush lap dog!"

:headbang:
rocknation

[Miss Chybil]

47. Oh, so we can vote for Republicans now, right?

I mean, look, they're mad at Bush. So, everything's ok now, right?

:woohoo:

Not.

[DuaneBidoux]

50. Oh my GOD!!! He's treating Republicans the same as the world!

Who'd have thunk it.

[bluedog]

53. Cons can't run on their record

!

The word most often associated with President Bush is now...INCOMPETENT!!!

The republican DISREGARD for civil liberties, the deficits, and runaway spending will become apparent the closer election time comes.
I can't WAIT to see them try and run from and justify their OWN record.

Maybe they could try running on a REAL CONSERVATIVE platform of smaller government and fiscal responsibility. But that sure isn't what they've been doing the past 5 years!

[Lisa]

55. it's so great to end the week with a big, hearty laugh!

Thanks for posting, kskiska -- now I can chortle all weekend.

[mvd]

57. LOL

What a laugh. They just a have a little taste of how WE feel.