GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Democrat agenda takes shape
When Charles Schumer starts bragging about a permanent Democrat majority, you know trouble is brewing. Leaders of the Democrat caucus are setting up shop for investigations into pretty much everything the Bush administration has championed, including tax cuts, the Iraq war and a rational energy policy. We can also expect early bills to include a minimum-wage increase and an end to tax incentives for oil companies.
Sen. Hillary Clinton told reporters, “Health care is coming back.” If her plans for health-care reform include implementation of the draconian system of socialized medicine that she tried to enact when she was co-president in 1993, then she would be more accurate to say that health care is going away.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, who will chair the Environment and Public Works Committee, plans to hold hearings on global warming. She is calling for stricter controls on carbon emissions, using California’s recent restrictions as a model for national regulation. Sen. Schumer vowed that there would not be another Samuel Alito, indicating that President Bush’s remaking of the courts with constitutional constructionists is over.
Democrats are expected to proceed cautiously on immigration reform, if at all. This issue, which does not break neatly along partisan lines, hurt the electoral prospects of Republicans on both sides of the fence (as it were). However, if Democrats support a softer program that includes temporary worker status for illegals, they would be tacitly endorsing President Bush’s stand on the issue. That could translate into a political victory for the president, which is surely not on the liberal agenda.
Fearless congressional leaders step forward
Both parties held their leadership elections in the Senate this week. Democrats made Harry Reid and Dick Durbin the Majority Leader and Majority Whip, respectively. There were no surprises in this move, although we’d like to see the Leftmedia focus on Reid’s ethical lapses—a shady land deal in Nevada and the misappropriation of campaign funds for personal use—at least once. Charles Schumer will become policy chief, a nebulous third-in-command slot created as a gift for the man now seen as the architect of the Democrats’ Senate majority.
Republicans elected Mitch McConnell, who served as Majority Whip in the last Congress, as Minority Leader. Then, Sen. Trent Lott squeaked past Lamar Alexander to be elected Minority Whip, a development that perhaps signals a return to moderate-conservative basics. Lott was forced to resign as Majority Leader in 2002 over a personal comment made to Strom Thurmond during the latter’s Senate retirement party. Lott forgot the 12th commandment: Only liberal politicians enjoy totally free speech. Lott’s return to the GOP leadership is a welcome sign that Republicans may be down, but they are far from out.
In the House, San Fran Nan Pelosi was unanimously elected Speaker by her fellow Demos. However, her victory came at a price. John Murtha, for whom she campaigned vigorously to be Majority Leader, will have to be redeployed (we can only hope to Okinawa). Steny Hoyer, who was Minority Whip in the 109th Congress, thumped Murtha 149-86. This does not bode well for the new Speaker. Known as a tough leader who demands unfailing loyalty, Pelosi tried to twist a lot of arms to get Murtha elected. Apparently, Murtha’s status as an unindicted co-conspirator during AbScam, a laggard at lobbying reform and an anti-war cut-and runner turned off a number of Democrats, including several incoming freshmen who want to keep the Demos from drifting too far from the center. Such an embarrassing defeat for the Speaker-elect before she even takes her post bodes ill for her ability to control House Democrats. Pelosi’s attempt to undermine Hoyer has polarized the liberals against the centrists, splintering their hopes of a united front against the Republicans.
As we go to press, John Boehner was elected Minority Leader in the House, defeating Mike Pence of the conservative Republican Study Committee 168-27. Pence’s conservative credentials, coupled with the margin of his defeat, make us fear Republicans have not learned the lessons they should from these elections. The vote for party whip, scheduled for later today, pits current whip Roy Blunt against Pence’s RSC colleague, John Shadegg. If the Republican response to Pence is any indication, the recently trounced GOP seems strangely content with the status quo.
Martinez to head RNC
Florida Sen. Mel Martinez has been picked to head the Republican National Committee when Ken Mehlman steps down in January. Since Martinez is a sitting U.S. senator, he will be the general chairman, with current RNC General Counsel Mike Duncan running the day-to-day operations—an odd arrangement to say the least. Martinez is a vocal supporter of the President’s immigration-reform plan, and he is considered a good friend of the White House. His announcement as chairman came as a surprise to some RNC members, who do not believe they were fairly consulted on his appointment. Others were backing conservative Michael Steele, the Lt. Governor of Maryland, who lost a Senate bid in one of the best-run Republican campaigns in the country. However, according to Steele’s aides, he ran afoul of the White House when he spoke to the Washington Times last week after his name surfaced as a potential candidate for chairman. Once again, GOP priorities remain a mystery to the conservative base.
Message to Demos: Don’t count on Lieberman
Last week on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Joe Lieberman, who won re-election to the U.S. Senate despite the best efforts of his former Demo friends, told Tim Russert that he would not rule out caucusing with the Republicans if he disagreed with the Demo Senate agenda. Asked by Russert if he would cross the aisle if the GOP offered him a committee chairmanship, Lieberman responded, “I’m not ruling it out, but I hope I don’t get to that point.” Lieberman pointed out, “I’m going to be an independent because that is how and why I return to the Senate. I was elected as an independent.” With the Senate split 51-49 in favor of the Democrats, a Lieberman switch would evenly split the chamber and allow Vice President Dick Cheney a tie-breaking vote on party-line legislation.
2008 comes early
Now that the midterms are out of the way, all eyes turn to the next presidential contest. Sen. John McCain and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani established their presidential exploratory committees and began staffing their crews this week. McCain does not plan to make a decision about his run until after the holidays, and Giuliani is keeping quiet about his intentions, but both men have been widely recognized as top GOP contenders. Other Republicans, including New York Governor George Pataki, Sen. Sam Brownback and retiring Sen. Bill Frist are also expected to decide “yea” or “nay” very soon.
In the Demo camp, Sen. Joe Biden and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack have announced that they intend to run. Hillary Clinton remains delightfully coy about her plans for 2008, although her refusal to commit to serving a full Senate term earlier this year if re-elected is as good a signal as any of her intentions. Other potential Democrats who have not announced include Senators Evan Bayh and Barack “Rising Star” Obama. Finally, while John Kerry’s insult of America’s soldiers a week before the election did not prevent the Demos from retaking the Senate, it probably sank his chances to regain his party’s nomination.
Democrat agenda takes shape
When Charles Schumer starts bragging about a permanent Democrat majority, you know trouble is brewing. Leaders of the Democrat caucus are setting up shop for investigations into pretty much everything the Bush administration has championed, including tax cuts, the Iraq war and a rational energy policy. We can also expect early bills to include a minimum-wage increase and an end to tax incentives for oil companies.
Sen. Hillary Clinton told reporters, “Health care is coming back.” If her plans for health-care reform include implementation of the draconian system of socialized medicine that she tried to enact when she was co-president in 1993, then she would be more accurate to say that health care is going away.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, who will chair the Environment and Public Works Committee, plans to hold hearings on global warming. She is calling for stricter controls on carbon emissions, using California’s recent restrictions as a model for national regulation. Sen. Schumer vowed that there would not be another Samuel Alito, indicating that President Bush’s remaking of the courts with constitutional constructionists is over.
Democrats are expected to proceed cautiously on immigration reform, if at all. This issue, which does not break neatly along partisan lines, hurt the electoral prospects of Republicans on both sides of the fence (as it were). However, if Democrats support a softer program that includes temporary worker status for illegals, they would be tacitly endorsing President Bush’s stand on the issue. That could translate into a political victory for the president, which is surely not on the liberal agenda.
Fearless congressional leaders step forward
Both parties held their leadership elections in the Senate this week. Democrats made Harry Reid and Dick Durbin the Majority Leader and Majority Whip, respectively. There were no surprises in this move, although we’d like to see the Leftmedia focus on Reid’s ethical lapses—a shady land deal in Nevada and the misappropriation of campaign funds for personal use—at least once. Charles Schumer will become policy chief, a nebulous third-in-command slot created as a gift for the man now seen as the architect of the Democrats’ Senate majority.
Republicans elected Mitch McConnell, who served as Majority Whip in the last Congress, as Minority Leader. Then, Sen. Trent Lott squeaked past Lamar Alexander to be elected Minority Whip, a development that perhaps signals a return to moderate-conservative basics. Lott was forced to resign as Majority Leader in 2002 over a personal comment made to Strom Thurmond during the latter’s Senate retirement party. Lott forgot the 12th commandment: Only liberal politicians enjoy totally free speech. Lott’s return to the GOP leadership is a welcome sign that Republicans may be down, but they are far from out.
In the House, San Fran Nan Pelosi was unanimously elected Speaker by her fellow Demos. However, her victory came at a price. John Murtha, for whom she campaigned vigorously to be Majority Leader, will have to be redeployed (we can only hope to Okinawa). Steny Hoyer, who was Minority Whip in the 109th Congress, thumped Murtha 149-86. This does not bode well for the new Speaker. Known as a tough leader who demands unfailing loyalty, Pelosi tried to twist a lot of arms to get Murtha elected. Apparently, Murtha’s status as an unindicted co-conspirator during AbScam, a laggard at lobbying reform and an anti-war cut-and runner turned off a number of Democrats, including several incoming freshmen who want to keep the Demos from drifting too far from the center. Such an embarrassing defeat for the Speaker-elect before she even takes her post bodes ill for her ability to control House Democrats. Pelosi’s attempt to undermine Hoyer has polarized the liberals against the centrists, splintering their hopes of a united front against the Republicans.
As we go to press, John Boehner was elected Minority Leader in the House, defeating Mike Pence of the conservative Republican Study Committee 168-27. Pence’s conservative credentials, coupled with the margin of his defeat, make us fear Republicans have not learned the lessons they should from these elections. The vote for party whip, scheduled for later today, pits current whip Roy Blunt against Pence’s RSC colleague, John Shadegg. If the Republican response to Pence is any indication, the recently trounced GOP seems strangely content with the status quo.
Martinez to head RNC
Florida Sen. Mel Martinez has been picked to head the Republican National Committee when Ken Mehlman steps down in January. Since Martinez is a sitting U.S. senator, he will be the general chairman, with current RNC General Counsel Mike Duncan running the day-to-day operations—an odd arrangement to say the least. Martinez is a vocal supporter of the President’s immigration-reform plan, and he is considered a good friend of the White House. His announcement as chairman came as a surprise to some RNC members, who do not believe they were fairly consulted on his appointment. Others were backing conservative Michael Steele, the Lt. Governor of Maryland, who lost a Senate bid in one of the best-run Republican campaigns in the country. However, according to Steele’s aides, he ran afoul of the White House when he spoke to the Washington Times last week after his name surfaced as a potential candidate for chairman. Once again, GOP priorities remain a mystery to the conservative base.
Message to Demos: Don’t count on Lieberman
Last week on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Joe Lieberman, who won re-election to the U.S. Senate despite the best efforts of his former Demo friends, told Tim Russert that he would not rule out caucusing with the Republicans if he disagreed with the Demo Senate agenda. Asked by Russert if he would cross the aisle if the GOP offered him a committee chairmanship, Lieberman responded, “I’m not ruling it out, but I hope I don’t get to that point.” Lieberman pointed out, “I’m going to be an independent because that is how and why I return to the Senate. I was elected as an independent.” With the Senate split 51-49 in favor of the Democrats, a Lieberman switch would evenly split the chamber and allow Vice President Dick Cheney a tie-breaking vote on party-line legislation.
2008 comes early
Now that the midterms are out of the way, all eyes turn to the next presidential contest. Sen. John McCain and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani established their presidential exploratory committees and began staffing their crews this week. McCain does not plan to make a decision about his run until after the holidays, and Giuliani is keeping quiet about his intentions, but both men have been widely recognized as top GOP contenders. Other Republicans, including New York Governor George Pataki, Sen. Sam Brownback and retiring Sen. Bill Frist are also expected to decide “yea” or “nay” very soon.
In the Demo camp, Sen. Joe Biden and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack have announced that they intend to run. Hillary Clinton remains delightfully coy about her plans for 2008, although her refusal to commit to serving a full Senate term earlier this year if re-elected is as good a signal as any of her intentions. Other potential Democrats who have not announced include Senators Evan Bayh and Barack “Rising Star” Obama. Finally, while John Kerry’s insult of America’s soldiers a week before the election did not prevent the Demos from retaking the Senate, it probably sank his chances to regain his party’s nomination.