Whipping Things Up
There is a report in the Washington Post this morning that indicates that despite all the boatloads of pork larding up the Iraq spending bill that the Pelosi-Murtha team are trying to pass in the House, the Democrats can't even keep their own party whips on board to get it passed. Several of the vote-counters, members of the caucus who browbeat other members into following the party leadership, are actively working against passage of the bill. There are indications that Nancy Pelosi herself is going to visit retribution on recalcitrant members - given in the very best oblique reference by and aide, of course.
One of the Democrats' chief designated vote counters, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), is actively working against the Iraq war spending bill. The leadership's senior chief deputy whip, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), spoke passionately against it on the House floor. And one of the whip organization's regional representatives, Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.), is implacably opposed.
The disarray in the House whipping operation ahead of tomorrow's expected vote on the bill is putting a harsh spotlight on House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), who has the task of rounding up the 218 votes needed to pass the $124 billion measure, but who has not even kept his organization in line….
…..Kristie Greco, a spokeswoman for Clyburn, said the Democrats' whip organization is broad and diverse, precisely so that a few defections over policy would not affect the vote-counting operation. The days of lock-step discipline under the threat of retribution went out with the Republican majority, she said.
But defections have consequences. With Woolsey adamantly opposed to the bill, Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Calif.), a fellow Western regional whip, has to do the work of two. Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) said leaders are pulling in members from outside the whip organization, handing out the names of undecided Democrats to anyone willing to step in.
Some of the opposition is from members who will not vote to fund any war, period. Which is at least more principled than attempting to buy loyalty with taxpayer money thrown around in the Pelosi pork-fest. This shows the internal disarray not just in Washington in general but in the Democratic party. The problem with this slow-bleed bill is quite simple. Any Democrat who votes for it and receives ladles full of pork in exchange has given their political opponent in the next election a massive bat with which they will be beaten. Count on it. They will look exactly like they were more than willing to endanger fellow Americans in exchange for gobs of cash from Pelosi and Murtha.
Other Links to this Post
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The Democratic Dilemma: When to surrender? : The Crimson Blog — Wednesday, 21 March , 2007 @ 8:22 am
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Blue Crab Boulevard » Whoopsie — Thursday, 22 March , 2007 @ 7:02 am
By Rightmom, Wednesday, 21 March , 2007 @ 8:08 am
Man I love politics, it is brutal and quite a spectator sport, blood money indeed!!