Quiet GOP tactic stalls top Obama appointments

[ZombieHorde]

By S.A. Miller

Sen. Jim DeMint has locked a "hold" on President Obama's pick to head the Transportation Security Administration over concerns the nominee would undermine safety by allowing airport security screeners to unionize, the latest in a series of appointments stymied by Republican objections that are increasingly frustrating the Senate's Democratic majority.

The South Carolina Republican single-handedly put the brakes on the nomination with a "hold" - an informal practice by which a senator can keep a nomination or legislation from going to the Senate floor. It is virtually the only weapon left in the minority's arsenal to affect the chamber's business now that Republicans don't have enough votes in their caucus to mount a filibuster on their own.

Mr. DeMint blocked the vote on Erroll Southers, a top cop at Los Angeles International Airport, because he says the nominee is ducking questions about whether he would consider reversing current policy by opening the door to unionizing the security screeners.

Critics say the change would jeopardize national security by imposing union work rules that could hamstring the government's ability to quickly adapt to evolving terrorist threats.

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I wish Democrats were as strong as the Republicans.

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/29/quiet-gop-tactic-stalls-obama-picks/?feat=home_top5_commented">Here is a link to the article.

[QC]

1. If we could only get a majority in the Senate...

Oh wait, we do have one.

Then maybe it's time to change this rule. Or maybe Reid could just twist some arms now and then, rather than just send stern letters out.

[MadMaddie]

2. Reid is worthless! He is not the right person for this job!

They should be crushing the Repugs right now, yet Reid hems and haws and looks and acts weak!!

[QC]

9. In my more cynical moments, which come closer and closer together lately,

I find myself thinking that the two parties are collaborating in a con game on us all. Each gives the other cover for not doing the things the party's voters want. "Gee, I'd really like to help you out here, but the other guys just won't let me."

[MadMaddie]

14. I think there may be elements of that going on for sure!!

How else can it be explained that Reid is so weak?

[Pushed To The Left]

15. You were right the first time: If only we had a majority.

There are a majority of Senators with a D next to their names, but unfortunately we're finding out not enough of them act like Democrats.

[Cha]

3. Unions are good, demint

"Sen. Tom Coburn has emerged as a prodigious practitioner of the hold. He held up a $4 billion veterans bill for weeks trying to persuade lawmakers to find spending cuts elsewhere to pay for the measure, which would pay monthly stipends and medical benefits to family members who care for injured veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Oklahoma Republican dropped the hold in return for a vote on an amendment to pay for the bill by cutting the U.S. contribution to the United Nations. The amendment failed and Mr. Coburn joined a 98-0 vote Nov. 19 to pass the new veterans benefits.
"

And, so is the United Nations, coburn.

[ProSense]

4. "I wish Democrats were as strong as the Republicans. " Good grief

Republicans rarely have a valid reason for holding up appointments. It amazes me when people give the RW credit for being assholes and then claim it's power.

Did you forget that Democrats prevented a RW hack from being appointed to the FEC.

[ZombieHorde]

6. Your reply seems to be trying to make an argument, but I can not locate the argument.

Are you arguing the Democrats are as strong as the Republicans because the Democrats prevented a RW hack from being appointed to the FEC?

[ProSense]

10. No, my argument is that Republicans acting like assholes is not a sign of strength.n/t

[ZombieHorde]

11. Thank you for clarifying.

I think getting one's way is a type of power, but I admit this is only a semantical argument, and does not address your issue of fair politics.

eta: I think your argument has some merit, though the original packaging did not live up the argument.

[Atticus]

13. Since when is GOP assholery not "power"?

Jim DeMint (R-AnalSphincter) has single-handedly stopped an Obama appointment which would certainly be approved if a vote was allowed. That most certainly is "power". Not reasonably exercised, not well considered, not consistent with the concept of democracy, but, nonetheless, power.

This antiquated Senate custom---the "hold"---is just one of the holdovers from a more genteel and, perhaps, more statesmanlike past that should be abandoned.

[napi21]

5. Can't Obama make a recess appointment? Shrub did lots of them!

Not that I want Obama tod o anything like Shrub, but this WOULD be in Obama's interests!

[HopeOverFear]

7. Dawn Johnsen is still being blocked also

[Sinti]

8. Republicans are stronger, because they support the interests

of the people who own the information delivery mechanisms, i.e., the media and they don't have as many disruptive persons inside their ranks. You will notice, the Democrats that support the interests of International Megacorp have much more power than populist Democrats. System is still broken, even after those parts have been changed - other parts must be changed.

[monmouth]

12. Holidays coming. Time for some recess appointments and for Dems

to grow spines. I also wish Dems were stronger...

[Pushed To The Left]

16. If Democrats had been as aggressive in the minority as Republicans are now, we might not have Alito

or Roberts on the Supreme Court.

[Umbral]

17. Probably be more appropriate to wish that Republicans were even more feckless than the Democrats...

But I understand the sentiment.