Democratic Profiles in Courage, 2009 Version (Updated)
[Guest post by DRJ]
Success brings out the best in some people. Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse are not those people:
Alan Grayson wants to send an internet critic to jail for 5 years.
Sheldon Whitehouse says ObamaCare opponents are all birthers and racists, then denies saying it.
And this is what they do when they’re winning.
— DRJ
UPDATE — Prof. Jacobson notes Senator Whitehouse’s vacillating standards on military funding. In 2007 during the Bush years, Whitehouse voted to defund the troops … but now:
“The lowest of the low was the Republican vote against funding and supporting our troops in the field in a time of war. As a device to stall health care, they tried to stop the appropriation of funds for our soldiers. There is no excuse for that. From that there is no return.”
60 seats in the Senate.
chaos (7c068a) — 12/21/2009 @ 8:35 pm250+ in the House.
The Oval Office.
The Democratic Party’s confidence in itself?
A solid B+. Possibly even an A-minus.
First!
Grayson has to have some plan in mind as he makes himself the best known asshole in Congress. I just haven’t been able to figure out what it is.
The other guy comes from Rhode Island. Need I say more ?
Mike K (2cf494) — 12/21/2009 @ 9:02 pmI edited the post to correct the spelling of Rep. Grayson’s first name from Allan to Alan.
DRJ (84a0c3) — 12/21/2009 @ 9:43 pmSenator Whitehouse attempted to link Republican opponents of health care legislation to Southern lynchings, Kristalnacht, the Jacobins, and Senator Joe McCarthy, all in the same paragraph. It was a smear worthy of Frank Rich, or The Swimmer’s vile remarks about Robert Bork.
Official Internet Data Office (0a4bf0) — 12/21/2009 @ 9:44 pmI blame Bush.
And Halliburton.
daleyrocks (718861) — 12/21/2009 @ 10:00 pmSarah Palin should make a few negative comments about Teacups. That would really put him over the edge.
daleyrocks (718861) — 12/21/2009 @ 10:03 pmSo much info, so little time for this procrastinator. Too much background linkage and research to do. This is a treasure-trove of material. Hopefully, in this Holy Day-shortened week, I can get my zero-bar wifi internet connection to cooperate with me and I can set my procrastination aside to do a worthwhile write-up. My “sadly no” experience and my “democrat civil rights history” copy/paste should be enough to get me started (if I ever get started).
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/21/2009 @ 10:26 pmOh, I did do a “wordpad” order of business, so that’s a plus (maybe). Good intentions and all.
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/21/2009 @ 10:28 pmWe finally put our tree up. We’re taking a very leisurely approach to the holidays this year and it’s nice.
DRJ (84a0c3) — 12/21/2009 @ 10:30 pmI haven’t put up my tree for 25DEC91 yet. 😉
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/21/2009 @ 10:32 pmAnd as I was growing up, my bday was the demarcation point for Christmas decorations, being a certain specific point prior to Christmas and after Thanksgiving. Nothing Christmas showed up in or on our house until my birthday hit during my childhood.
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/21/2009 @ 10:34 pmBut you’re thinking about it, so you’ve got that going for you.
DRJ (84a0c3) — 12/21/2009 @ 10:35 pmGrayson has to have some plan in mind as he makes himself the best known asshole in Congress. I just haven’t been able to figure out what it is.
It’s scandalous that the miserable Robert Wexler is letting himself be outflanked, and by a home-state colleague to boot.
JVW (0fe413) — 12/21/2009 @ 10:41 pmJVW – I thought Slappy Cindy retired the trophy.
daleyrocks (718861) — 12/21/2009 @ 10:58 pmI don’t like the name Cindy.
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/21/2009 @ 11:02 pmOK, clearly we have to draw up brackets and have a full-blown Democrat jackassery tournament. There are just too many solid contenders.
JVW (0fe413) — 12/21/2009 @ 11:04 pmI’ve updated the post on Sen. Whitehouse.
JVW: Come up with a list of names and we can take a poll.
DRJ (84a0c3) — 12/21/2009 @ 11:20 pmObama
Obama “czars”
Biden
Gibbs
Axelrod
Pelosi
Reid
Kerrey
Whitehouse
Grayson
Lieberman
Landrieux
the two DIABLO Senators from Maine
Specter
Blanche Lincoln
who else?
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 12/21/2009 @ 11:33 pmI assume you mean Kerry. Add Stuart Smalley to the list.
Dave (in MA) (6e1206) — 12/22/2009 @ 12:21 amHere is the other quote from Whitehouse, to which I was referring (from The American Spectator):
“Far from appealing to the better angels of our nature, too many colleagues are embarked on a desperate no-holds-barred mission of propaganda, obstruction and fear. History cautions us of the excesses to which these malignant, vindictive passions can ultimately lead. Tumbrils have rolled through taunting crowds, broken glass has sparkled in darkened streets. Strange fruit has hung from Southern trees. Even this great institution of government that we share has cowered before a tail-gunner waving secret lists.”
Official Internet Data Office (0a4bf0) — 12/22/2009 @ 12:21 amcould it be that Sheldon is related to Amy Winehouse, and its just a typo on his birth certificate to account for the different spelling?
redc1c4 (fb8750) — 12/22/2009 @ 1:41 am#18: Please add Boxer and Schwarzenegger.
Old Coot (d2bd0f) — 12/22/2009 @ 6:25 amOne of the most amusing aspects of this is how (at least in Grayson’s case) attempting to shut down a critic simply vaults them to national attention.
There can be no better example then this: the linked article above notes that http://www.mycongressmanisnuts.com/ had 92 donors, and a total of $3,725 in donations (note that this is after the website’s major fundraiser) on Friday afternoon.
As of today (10AM on the morning of Tuesday, Dec 22)? 169 donors and $10,453.
Well played Mr. Grayson, well played.
Leo Khan (b6091a) — 12/22/2009 @ 7:10 amI used to think that Pat Schroeder was the most well – known asshole in Congress; but that was awhile ago, and she’s been far surpassed by many greater ones.
Dmac (a964d5) — 12/22/2009 @ 8:33 amIOW, while Grayson’s in the lead, you’d have to put Boxer up there running a close second. Her opponent’s going to have a field day just running her put – down of a General during her show hearings a few months ago. Just run the tape, over and over 24/7. No additional commentary necessary.
Dmac (a964d5) — 12/22/2009 @ 8:35 amDmac – intersperse Senator Boxer’s contentedness when a Person of Color repeatedly addressed her as “Ma’am” shortly thereafter and it stands out even more …
Alasdair (e405e3) — 12/22/2009 @ 11:13 amWhy am I hearing that “real men of genius” theme song in my head….
“Senator Vote-for-fed-bankrupcy-long-as-you-got-YERS!”
Our hat’s off to you, Oh Ye of Shortsighted Political Gains….
rtrski (336865) — 12/22/2009 @ 2:24 pmSenator Whitehouse has beclowned himself to a degree unobtainable by ordinary mortals. The SOB is a self-made man.
ropelight (b70906) — 12/23/2009 @ 12:25 pm