Half and Half GOP

Politico

The White House unsurprisingly welcomed the House's passage of a three-week spending bill on Tuesday, while arguing that the temporary measures to stave off a government shutdown can't be used excessively.

Somewhat defiantly, press secretary Jay Carney repeated in a statement that the White House has "met Republicans halfway" in budget negotiations, a claim the GOP has disputed wildly.

President Obama "urges" the Senate to pass the House's spending bill, Carney said in the statement. 

"The short-term funding bill passed in the House of Representatives today gives Congress some breathing room to find consensus on a long-term measure that funds the government through the end of the fiscal year. The President urges the Senate to pass this bill to avoid a government shutdown that would be harmful to our economic recovery. But the President has been clear: with the wide range of issues facing our nation, we cannot keep funding the government in two or three week increments. It is time for us to come together, find common ground and resolve this issue in a sensible way. There is no disagreement on whether to cut spending to put us on a path to live within our means, but we can’t sacrifice critical investments that will help us out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build our global competitors to win the future. We have already met Republicans halfway, and we are optimistic that Congress can get this done."

Republicans Poising for a Hit

As Wisconsin Unions and the government duke it out, the last few groups join sides of this polarized issue. This time, facing high opposition, a conservative group under the name of GOPAC joins the side of the Republican governor to promote the death of unions within the state. Politico reports: 

The fight for control of the Wisconsin state Senate looks increasingly like a toss-up, as national groups continue gearing up for the recall campaign triggered by anti-union legislation passed last week. 

GOPAC has bought airtime to defend Republican state Sen. Randy Hopper for his vote to scale back collective bargaining rights for most government workers. 

 “Amid all the shouting and contention in Madison, let’s remember these facts: State government is broke. Wisconsin has lost over 150,000 jobs,” says the ad. “Without these reforms, taxes will go up and more jobs will be lost."

The Republicans should prepare to take a blow on the chin for this in the next elections. Democrats and 'undecideds' will decidedly go against the now 'anti-union' right. If the Republicans plan to run for re-election in the state of Wisconsin, they are clearly delusional.

Keeping Bush Around

With the recent repeal of repealing DADT, it is no surprise that the Republicans in Senate feel in control. They have now repealed a finance campaign reform bill, proving their tight hand over the Senate right now. The republican senators are striving for the days of Bush and enforcing republicanism on the Senate and country with full force. Politico gives a closer look:

Senate Democrats failed to break a filibuster of a campaign finance reform bill Thursday, marking the second time their DISCLOSE Act has fallen short of the votes necessary to be debated on the floor.

The chief Senate sponsor of the bill, Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York, had tried to make a last-ditch appeal to his Republican colleagues Wednesday by saying Democrats would be open to amendments — including a push back of the legislation's effective date to the next campaign cycle. But GOP senators were unconvinced by the appeal on a bill they believe should have been more openly negotiated and merited a committee debate.

The legislation required 60 votes to move forward and failed, 59-39, without a single Republican breaking ranks.

 Will the Republicans continue this stroke of power? How many more bills, policies, acts will they overcome and repeal? Hopefully things settle down and even out in the Senate.

Senate Doesn't Ask, Lady Gaga Tells

Apparently, civilians are not the only ones riling over the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. If McCain won't listen to the rest of us about repealing the DADT, maybe Lady Gaga can convince him. It seems that the 'normal' American can't fend for himself anymore, at least we'll have Gaga.