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Political Hay
For the Love of Government
The bench-clearing brawl against Jim Bunning.
The 19th-century French politician Alexandre Ledru-Rollin was once asked to describe the direction in which rank-and-file members of his party were moving. “I do not know,” he replied, “but I am their leader, so I must follow them.”
That’s the absurdly hapless answer most politicians give in one form or another, though they usually can’t bring themselves to state it so honestly. And these days demagogic liberals manage to add a new layer of farce to democracy: they make sure to ignore the people when they are right and pander to them when they are wrong.
True, Nancy Pelosi did try and throw a bone to tea partiers last Sunday, but she missed. After having called them members of an “astroturf” movement, she indicated a willingness to find “common ground” with them on the grass of her local social club. Inventing a claim out of thin air, she said that together they “share” the “view that the recent Supreme Court decision, which greatly empowers the special interests, is something that they oppose.”
That shared commitment to McCain-Feingold legislation no doubt came as news to them, but then Pelosi is a little rusty at right-wing outreach. The last time she tried it was in 2004, after John Kerry and fellow Democrats polled anemically with “values voters.” In a bewildered post-defeat interview, Pelosi allowed that “the Democrats did not connect well enough with the American people. Certainly Democrats are faith-filled. Certainly we love our country, and we’re very patriotic, but somehow or other that did not come across when 61% of those who are regular churchgoers voted Republican.”
Now, somehow or other, they have the impression that she favors deficit spending. The Jim Bunning controversy this week tested the Democrats’ feeble demagogic instincts on that little matter. The former baseball great is clearly playing on grass, not astroturf, but Democrats, along with their media annex, couldn’t stop themselves from casting him as a heartless, out-of-touch Republican for not letting them spend more of China’s money. Here at last, they thought, is a chance for us to get our momentum back.
Bunning is the “GOP’s gift to Dems,” declared cutting-edge columnist Clarence Page. Bunning’s behavior is proof that “Washington doesn’t seem to work” these days, he wrote.
So that’s why the American people are “fed up” with Washington? It is not engaging in enough deficit spending? Right. Bunning’s protest isn’t likely to hurt the Republicans and help the Democrats anymore than did Joe Wilson’s “You lie” blurt-out or those “uncivil” healthcare townhall protests.
What appears as bad politics on day one of a controversy looks like good politics a few weeks later in the tea-party climate. Had Bunning been entering his “senator-only elevator” to cast a vote in favor of willy-nilly check bouncing, he might have looked like the overfed plutocrat. But instead he was going up to the Senate floor to make a principled point against it. Bunning’s filibuster was “unsenatorial,” said exasperated colleagues and reporters. To many Americans that probably sounds like a compliment at this point.
Nevertheless, Dick Durbin, who looks about as credible as a politician on The Simpsons, felt his demagogic juices coming back, and MSNBC, so in tune with the American people it finds itself in a ratings-battle with gardening and decorating channels, trashed Bunning nightly. Rachel Maddow and her crack researchers discovered that Bunning had previously voted for spending bills. Case closed. Only Chris Matthews seemed to show a glimmer of awareness that maybe Bunning had “a point.”
Still, Bunning is guilty of an “abuse of power,” said Democrats, who feel entitled to spend money they don’t have since Republicans under Bush did too. That’s what qualifies as “senatorial” behavior and evidence of “Washington working.”
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (56) | Leave a comment
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JP| 3.4.10 @ 8:26AM
Sen Bunning's big sin was to demand that Reid come up with a paltry $10 billion in offsetting cuts in order to fund the entitlement's extension. The Federal Budget is close to $4 billion. In essence, Congress was asked to find .003 of a penny in spending reductions (using this year's budget as $1 dollar).
The tables could have been turned: Bunning should have asked, "What's more important: Unemployment benefits or a community center? Unemployment benefits or PBS/NPR? Unemployment benefits or ethanol subsidies?
Bill Hussien O'Stalin| 3.4.10 @ 8:33AM
The real abuse of power occurs every time the politically elite steal the wealth of the country and blow it on their pet projects.
Those pet projects are usually ideologically bound to a forward sounding concept which is usually baseless and therefore the money is squandered. Global warming is but one branch of the secular humanism tree on which great piles o public money are burnt as an offering to appease the liberal Gods.
Senator Bunning's recent stand against more spending without corresponding cuts should send a message to global financial centers that the U.S. will continue down the fiat currency path to financial destruction.
Common financial sense is no longer understood so a Deficit Commission is now being formed which is just as phone as PAYGO or any other measure by any other name which is introduced to allegedly cut spending.
There will be no spending cuts because spending cuts require courage. Spending cuts would require a politician to stand up and tell the public a simple truth.
Money can't be printed endlessly without consequence but that's precisely what's happening.
In the interest of full disclosure I have recommended to many friends to invest in gold starting in 2003. They have done well while many have done poorly thanks to Bush and Obama and out of control spending.
I expect the debacle in DC to continue like the Kabuki dance it is as only the chairs are rotated, while the politicians stand there mute before the coming disaster, and commissions are formed so that politicians can raise your taxes and go on another spending spree. With glee I might add.
Sean| 3.4.10 @ 9:00AM
An important question is what elected Republicans were standing with Bunning? Seems to me all the Republicans in DC are a bunch of cowards.
Ken (Old Texican)| 3.4.10 @ 9:22AM
Bunning made his point!
I wonder if the decent Senators decided to let the communists continue digging their electoral graves. November is right around the corner, guys.
PS: I hope the editors can help us by giving us some insights into the Republican primaries across the country as they unfold. Are we "restorationists" getting some of those candidates we feel comfortable with?
Happy| 3.4.10 @ 11:14AM
You forgot to say (pardon the shorthand).
Ken (Old Texican)| 3.4.10 @ 12:26PM
Heh, (pardon the shorthand).
Louis Jenkins| 3.4.10 @ 11:22AM
“…but Democrats, along with their media annex, couldn't stop themselves from casting him as a heartless, out-of-touch Republican for not letting them spend more of China's money. Here at last, they thought, is a chance for us to get our momentum back.”
These egotistical maniacs have no qualms in bashing a Senator who finally stood up to the “spend as usual” crowd. At last! A person who finally stood up in those hallowed halls and spoke the truth! How rare! But, oh I forgot, they’re not really interested in the truth, only the world as they think it should be. And Chris Matthews had an epiphany? Maybe, just maybe, Bunning had a point(?). When the Slime Ball host, completely on the other side of the spectrum, begins to understand what Bunning was trying to explain you know our nation is in trouble.
The District of Criminals are tax and spend alcoholics. They will never be cured of their malady because they must first admit they are what they are which will never happen. They need serious rehab- getting kicked out of office. Bunning, although not standing for re-election, is on the road to recovery and we should wish him well. But the District of Criminals will do what is necessary to obtain the object of their addiction whether it is to borrow, lie, cheat, steal, or use violence. Well, they’ve done the first four. When is the last one to occur?
Rehab for these miscreants starts now.
Sheila| 3.4.10 @ 11:25AM
I called Bunning's office and urged him to stand firm as soon as I heard about his stance on Glenn Beck's radio show, a few days before all the posts started appearing on the blogosphere. I then called McConnell's office and castigated him for his pretend leadership and his refusal to support Bunning. I did not even bother to call either of "my" senators, Cornyn or Hutchison, since neither of them has a spine or any principles to speak of.
Stephen Zierak| 3.4.10 @ 11:40AM
The lack of Republican support for Senator Bunning's principled rejection of unanimous consent (NOT a filibuster) is why we can be sure that the Republicans still don't get it. Say the Republicans do prevail in November. Do you really expect the Mike Castles and Mark Kirks to support deep cuts to spending? I have reluctantly determined that the old salvation for America is displacing the Republicans with a new, fiscally responsible party. It's time to take a u-turn on the Road to Serfdom, and the Republicans aren't up to it. Even in this environment, they can't abandon ridiculous spending and go along to get along with radical Dhimmicrats.
KyMouse| 3.4.10 @ 11:58AM
Democrats have been after Bunning for years. The Courier-Journal newspaper, a Gannett publication based in Louisville, ran a smear campaign against him before his most recent election. They implied again and again that he had a mental illness -- but we Kentuckians elected him again. I'm glad we did.
Conservative Wingnut| 3.4.10 @ 12:47PM
Hooray for Senator Bunning, unfortunately it appears his Republican colleagues and the RNC leadership are their usual spineless selves.
In their infinite wisdom they neglected an opportune moment to air the ridculous excesses and pork projects of the non-stimulus bill, and advocate moving funds from such worthy projects as "endangered" rodent protection in San Fransisco and tourist trains in California's wine country, to helping America's unemployed and small businesses.
Most unfortunate of all is the fact that Senator Bunning is retiring, and it appears a politician must be in the retiring mode before exhibiting any kind of testostorne fueled honesty and courage. Sadder still, Mitch McConnell and otherRepublicn leaders come off as more whiny than principled when countering the Democrats hyperbole, or opposing the President.
If the any of the most recent polls are a valid indicator, then the Democrats accept Bunning as a gift at their own peril, and Establishment Republicans are equally at risk if they ignore fiscal conservatives.
As a wild-eyed, ranting, hysterical, gun-owning, bible-reading, Catholic anti-abortion, intellectually shallow, angry, mentally unbalanced (did I leave anything out Frank)conservative, and dare I say it, Republican, I sometimes wonder where the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan and "The Contract With America" went. A largley impotent and leaderless organization without a coherent political philosophy or plan for the future, it has by exiling conservativism to the wastelands, effectively exiled itself to the wastelands as well.
So Frank, Lefty whatever you are, why worry about we crazies. I must go now, it's medication time and I have a job that requires my attention. Maybe I'll take flying lessons???
Margie| 3.4.10 @ 12:54PM
The party of Ronald Reagan is right here with us. And as long as we pass his spirit and beliefs on to future generations we'll still have a Republican party. It will be no thanks to the liberal Republicans, but to us who want what he wanted. Limited government, lower taxes, a strong Military, and most of all true freedom. Which isn't free at all, but takes work and commitment.
It's because of Reagan conservatives that we are winning these races! VA, NJ, MA, and next up, congratulations Texas!
Despair is not in order. Fighting to win is.
Northern Rebel| 3.4.10 @ 1:14PM
It's too bad it takes retirement for politicians to do the right thing. A quick look at Bunning's record would show that he was only conservative when it was convenient.
MikeBee| 3.4.10 @ 1:21PM
There's a sidebar story growing on this issue. I wondered why the media in Michigan was taking up the Democrat cry on this Bunning issue, AGAINST a guy who had pitched for the Tigers. Apparently, Michigan Democrat Gary Peters issued a press release calling for the public to stand up to Bunning and to call his office in WA to object to his delay tactics. The press release included Bunning's office telephone number. Issuing a press release to engender public support for one's position is a direct violation of House ethics rules. Once again, the Democrats play dirty. Kudos to The Detroit News for covering this malfeasance of Peters. No kudos for burying the story on page 8A.
Northern Rebel| 3.4.10 @ 1:40PM
After in depth research on Senator Bunning's voting record, I would like to retract my previous statement, and apologize to Senator Bunning personally.
Dave| 3.4.10 @ 1:53PM
Mitch McConnell is a disgrace.
How did he ever end up leading Senate Republicans?
He needs to go, and now.
justplainbill| 3.4.10 @ 4:48PM
I'd like to see an honest poll showing Jim Bunning's current popularity rating compared to that of Mitch McConnell.
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Brian| 3.5.10 @ 3:53AM
I support Bunning but jobless benefits probably aint the place to start dismantling the welfare state. Maybe abolishing the EPA, the Dept of Ed, NPR\PBS etc would have been a better start.
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Tenn Slim| 3.5.10 @ 8:48AM
Still, Bunning is guilty of an "abuse of power," said Democrats, who feel entitled to spend money they don't have since Republicans under Bush did too. That's what qualifies as "senatorial" behavior and evidence of "Washington working."
Opine
The arrogance of the Pelosi/Reid/OBNA combine again shows its face.
Folks, we are living in a real time, World Wide Web driven reality game. The Net is able to respond almost as soon as the Arrogance Statements hit the ether. Bloggers, Pundits, Lurkers and Old Geezers simply watch, hit the keyboard and the Arrogance is open for the most casual observor.
The power of the MSM, the ink press, is finally ursurped. The NETTERS have the bit in their teeth, stole the bit right out of the Leftists Activists play book. Old Saul Alynski is turning over in his grave. The IRONY, the FOLKS have the play book. WHAT TO DO< oh, my, Pelosi. You and Reid may just have to resign.
The Hand Writer is on the Wall.
WE WILL PREVAIL IN NOVEMBER
Semper Fi
end
aware| 3.7.10 @ 11:41AM
Amer. Spec., get control of these boards! Kick out these hawkers, especially "pingback". WTF? Soon there will be more of these than pertinent commenters. Money grubbing bastards!