Quote :

"Report: Shelby Blocks All Obama Nominations In The Senate Over AL Earmarks Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) has put an extraordinary "blanket hold" on at least 70 nominations President Obama has sent to the Senate, according to multiple reports this evening. The hold means no nominations can move forward unless Senate Democrats can secure a 60-member cloture vote to break it, or until Shelby lifts the hold. [...] According to the report, Shelby is holding Obama's nominees hostage until a pair of lucrative programs that would send billions in taxpayer dollars to his home state get back on track. The two programs Shelby wants to move forward or else: - A $40 billion contract to build air-to-air refueling tankers. From CongressDaily: "Northrop/EADS team would build the planes in Mobile, Ala., but has threatened to pull out of the competition unless the Air Force makes changes to a draft request for proposals." Federal Times offers more details on the tanker deal, and also confirms its connection to the hold. - An improvised explosive device testing lab for the FBI. From CongressDaily: "[Shelby] is frustrated that the Obama administration won't build" the center, which Shelby earmarked $45 million for in 2008. The center is due to be based "at the Army's Redstone Arsenal.""

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/report-shelby-blocks-all-obama-nominations-in-the-senate-over-al-earmarks.php


The GOP's ability to outpace satire is amazing.

[Edited on February 5, 2010 at 11:01 AM. Reason : ]

2/5/2010 11:00:48 AM

sounds like politics as usual

2/5/2010 11:59:31 AM

This just in, politicians are selfish-assholes concerned with their own reelection!!!!!

2/5/2010 12:06:05 PM

great post boone lol

2/5/2010 12:23:42 PM

Alright, I'm going to need some precedent for this before any of you can make the "business as usual" argument.


Articles describing a time someone else has promised to filibuster -all- executive nominations until their state received specific items of pork barrel spending begin below:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2/5/2010 12:29:03 PM

What was the last admin that made a bunch of sweetheart deals for votes on health care? I know you will want to say bush.... but think harder.

2/5/2010 12:33:40 PM

That was yet another example of how the Senate is broken (which at very least has been undone, thnxu)

But you're misusing this space. This area below the line is where the jokers at the top of the page provide citations for their arguments.

2/5/2010 12:36:10 PM

all politicians are corrupt power hungry assholes, just some are worse than others

2/5/2010 12:40:14 PM

ah, my apologies

2/5/2010 12:45:32 PM

Also, John Wayne Gacy was worse than Jeffrey Dahmer.

2/5/2010 12:48:09 PM

healthcare

/thread

2/5/2010 12:53:15 PM

The healthcare deals aren't comparable.

"Add this healthcare-related loophole that will benefit my state into the healthcare bill or I won't vote for the bill."

v.

"Give me this unrelated pork, or I'll block all nominations to executive agencies and judicial positions."



One will block a bill; the other will prevent government from working properly.

2/5/2010 1:02:53 PM

Quote :

"One will block a bill; the other will prevent government from working properly."

I said it when people tried to pin the underwear bomber on Obama, and I'll say it again. If you organization needs its boss or leader to perform day to day functions, then your organization is broken.

2/5/2010 1:23:36 PM

^^boone you're touched

2/5/2010 1:38:33 PM

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/15/obama-to-name-elizabeth-warren-to-advisory-position/

Quote :

"Sources: Obama to sidestep Senate in appointing Warren Washington (CNN) – President Barack Obama plans to name Elizabeth Warren as a special adviser to help set up a new consumer protection agency created under the Wall Street reform bill, according to sources who spoke on condition of not being identified by name."

Quote :

"At his news conference last week, Obama said the Senate confirmation process has been bogged down by Republican partisanship. Obama said then he had several conversations with Warren, a Harvard University professor who has long been considered the leading candidate for the job, but he stopped short of officially nominating her."

Perhaps an example of senate brokenness (but the fight that causes its necessity could equally go in a pres or gop cred watch thread).

9/16/2010 2:45:29 AM