New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) absolutely unloaded on House Republicans for spiking the hurricane relief bill last night.
It’s must-see video.
The Democrats’ Coming Civil War
BuzzFeed: “For Democrats, there may be few things more entertaining than watching the Republican Party self-destruct and fight with itself these last few weeks. But it may be time to put away the party favors – because a Democratic internal war may be on the way.”
“Just as Republicans were so divided over taxes – from failing to pass their own “Plan B” bill last week, to their leaders splitting votes on last night’s legislative package – Democrats are about to endure an emotional debate about one of their own bedrock principles: the protection of programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.”
Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
“Of course, almost no black people today care about Kwanzaa — just white
left-wingers who try to shove this down black people’s throats in an
effort to divide Americans.”
— Wisconsin state Rep. Glenn Grothman (R), quoted by Gawker.
Trump Not Happy with Republicans
Donald Trump blasted Republicans by tweeting that they “may be the worst negotiators in history.”
Obama and the Democrats are laughing at the deal they just made…the Republicans got nothing!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2013
6 Races to Watch in 2013
The Week reviews the most interesting political races to keep an eye on this year.
Detentions Continue Under Obama
The Washington Post reports on how the Obama administration “has embraced rendition — the practice of holding and interrogating terrorism suspects in other countries without due process — despite widespread condemnation of the tactic in the years after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.”
“Renditions are taking on renewed significance because the administration and Congress have not reached agreement on a consistent legal pathway for apprehending terrorism suspects overseas and bringing them to justice.”
Media Tip: Why You Shouldn’t Speak to Reporters
A guest post from Brad Phillips, author of The Media Training Bible.
How would you define “media interview”? Most people would say that a media interview occurs when someone–often a spokesperson from a company, campaign, or agency–speaks with a reporter.
Pretty straightforward, yes?
But spokespersons who define media interviews that way are making a big mistake. A media interview is not a conversation with a reporter. It is a highly focused form of communication aimed squarely at your audience. The reporter is merely the conduit through which you reach it.
Republicans Denounced for Spiking Hurricane Relief
The Hill: “New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a joint statement saying it was ‘inexcusable’ that the House wasn’t voting on a bill. The Senate has already approved a bill providing the states hit by Sandy with $60.4 billion. Just before noon, the White House weighed in with a statement from President Obama… In response to the pressure, Boehner will meet Wednesday afternoon with GOP lawmakers from the effected states.”
Said Obama: “When tragedy strikes, Americans come together to support those in need. I urge Republicans in the House of Representatives to do the same, bring this important request to a vote today, and pass it without delay for our fellow Americans.”
Inside the Fiscal Cliff Saga
National Journal has a great tick tock of the fiscal cliff deliberations.
“This is the story of Plan O – the congressional Republicans’ failed attempt to meet the challenge of Obama’s victory. It begins in September and ends in the fiasco of the Christmas season, when the speaker was repudiated by his own troops and had to pull his last, desperate solution from the House floor, leaving Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to cut the best deal he could with dramatically diminished leverage.”
“In the end, despite all the planning and forethought, Boehner would stand almost helplessly by as the nation plunged off the fiscal cliff, and a bipartisan coalition of Democrats and centrist Republicans voted to give Obama the big tax hikes he demanded on the wealthy. House Republicans saw the worst of all worlds: they failed to save tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, put no new checks on government spending, and showed themselves a fractious and disorganized opposition party, the governance of which in the new Congress will prove to be a serious test.”
From Concussiongate to Clotgate
Amanda Marcotte notes that the news of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s blood clot still isn’t ending talk of Concussiongate among some conservatives.
“Of course, wingnuttery nowadays is entirely dependent on the asinine belief that widespread conspiracies are a daily occurrence. These folks believe that thousands of scientists worldwide have been in cahoots for decades to perpetuate the false claim that global warming is real for no other reason than a vague hatred of capitalism, and that not one has ever thought to blow the whistle on this evil scheme. But riddle me this, wingnuts: If Secretary Clinton is such an evil mastermind that she can repeatedly bend so many people to her will with full confidence that not a one will ever blow the whistle, why couldn’t she just get up and say whatever the hell she wants under oath if she did testify? … So many questions. But in the meantime, the reality-based community wishes Hillary Clinton a speedy recovery.”
Scott LeMieux: “It’s like 1990s-vintage Clinton derangement.”
Bonus Quote of the Day
“You’ve got to check the travel records. I’ve come back and forth every weekend, almost, for three years, and I see,
you know, most of the delegation, and I have never seen Ed on the
airplane — ever.”
— Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), quoted by the Boston Globe, questioning whether potential U.S. Senate special election rival Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) still lives in Massachusetts.
GOP Lawmaker Urges No Donations to Republicans
Rep. Peter King (R-NY) “went to war with his Republican colleagues on Wednesday after leaders spiked a Hurricane Sandy relief bill, calling on New Yorkers to stop all donations to GOP House members,” Politico reports.
Said King: “These Republicans have no problem finding New York when they’re out raising millions of dollars. They’re in New York all the time filling their pockets with money from New Yorkers. I’m saying right now, anyone from New York or New Jersey who contributes one penny to congressional Republicans is out of their minds. Because what they did last night was put a knife in the back of New Yorkers and New Jerseyans. It was an absolute disgrace.”
He added: “As far as I’m concerned, I’m on my own. They’re going to have to go a long way to get my vote on anything.”
Chavez Conscious After Surgery
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez is conscious but in a “delicate and complex situation” after a cancer operation in Cuba, the BBC reports.
Chavez was elected for a fourth term in October and “is due to be sworn in for a new term on 10 January, but it is unclear if he will be able to attend ceremony.”
Will Boehner Be Ousted as Speaker?
Breitbart News claims at least 20 House Republicans have banded together in an effort to unseat House Speaker John Boehner from his position when it comes up for a vote tomorrow.
Joshua Spivak: “Boehner will probably be burning up the phone lines this weekend, as he works to solidify the votes for his re-election as speaker. Despite his recent legislative failure and his perceived shaky hold over his caucus, Boehner seems to be in a strong position to retain his job. But, if he’s thinking at all about history, he would be right to take any ouster attempt seriously.”
Quote of the Day
“Go fuck yourself.”
— House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), quoted by Politico, to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) after Reid had publicly accused Boehner of running a “dictatorship” in the House.
Democrats Worried Brown May Run for Governor
“While Democrats frantically try to block Scott Brown from going back to the U.S. Senate, there are also increasing fears he could pose an even bigger threat as the next Massachusetts governor,” the Boston Herald reports.
“Republicans close to the departing U.S. senator said he’s itching to go back to Washington to replace John Kerry, but Democrats are buzzing more about a potential Brown gubernatorial campaign in 2014. It may be tempting for Brown to run in a special election against a vulnerable Rep. Edward J. Markey, but he should reject the easy play and go for the job that really matters — running the state of Massachusetts.”
Culver Considers Another Run for Iowa Governor
Former Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D) is considering a second run at the state’s highest office but has made no definitive decision or even set a timeframe for deciding, the Des Moines Register reports.
Said Culver: “I’m going to certainly explore the possibility of putting my hat back in the ring, but I haven’t made a decision at this point.”
House GOP Shelves Hurricane Aid Bill
“House Republicans abruptly pulled the plug Tuesday night on their promise to take up this week an emergency supplemental disaster aid bill for Northeast states damaged by Hurricane Sandy,” Politico reports.
“The decision is a stunning reversal since just hours before New Jersey lawmakers were preparing for floor debate Wednesday as outlined under a strategy promoted by no less than Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) … Absent a change of heart, the upshot now is that the Senate bill will die with this Congress on Thursday at noon. And the whole affair is sure to bring back memories of the famous Daily News headline in 1975 — Ford to City: Drop Dead.”
Most interesting: Democratic and Republican members from states affected by the storm took to the floor late Tuesday after the fiscal cliff vote to protest the decision, urging the leadership to reconsider. When a motion to adjourn for the night was put forth, the nos far outnumbered the ayes, but the presiding member adjourned anyway.
