Marshall continues:

For Republicans and the Tea Party set you've got pork-barrel spending and earmarks, two catchwords that are frequently abused and used to paint with too broad a brush but in this case seem pretty fairly to describe a senior senator's power to wrestle tens of billions of federal dollars back into his home state.

For Democrats, there's the outrage at archaic Senate obstructionism which has rapidly escalated from annoying to outrageous to pure comedy with a mind-numbing speed. It's the heart of the story about the demise of Health Care Reform, the slow death of so many unobjectionable nominees and much else.

In this case, we're not dealing with a stand on partisanship or ideology or simple political shiv play which I guess can each be respected in their own place. This is more like just a stick up. Gimme my money and I'll give you your Senate back! Worse than a squeegee man and not much better than a bank robber, Shelby is shutting down the president's ability to appoint anyone to anything until he gets his way. In a sense Shelby's gambit is little different from what countless other senators of both parties have done in the past, using the senate rules to get the White House's attention to pry some money free from the federal government. But the scale is unheard and the moment is different. The only mystery about this one is which is more outrageous -- Shelby's hold or the fact that the rest of the senators of both parties allow it.

Is there some DR poster who can provide reliable information on how and why senators are empowered with the ability to bring a nomimation's progress to a halt?

Doc, Dan usually knows the answers to questions like these.

Despite all rhetoric to the contrary there is no biartisanship to be found on the right these days it seems.

If Obama doesn't use every weapon in his arsenal to bring down the unrepentant total obstructionists on the right then he's a fool.

Nuke them biatches.

Be Well.

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.

Another "deficit hawk" I see.

What a turd.

According to the article, the pet projects for which Shelby has placed all of Obama's nominations on hold are:

* 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."

Is there some DR poster who can provide reliable information on how and why senators are empowered with the ability to bring a nomimation's progress to a halt?

I am no expert, but these rules were put in place back when the Senate was a noble institution with thoughtful and courteous people that would work together.

I would have to believe that these rules would have never been installed if the predecessors could have foreseen the amount of douchebags that would populate the minority party these days.

Right on Spud!

The Party of NO will have NO ONE TO BLAME but Shelby when the Dems in the Senate use the Nuclear Option to force through legislation.

The rules of the Senate were never designed for one person to hold up all business in the Senate!

Where are all the fiscal conservatives that are always deriding Obama for spending too much money? The silence is deafening.

Should not these whiners be loudly condemning Senator Shelby for wasting taxpayer dollars?

Oh wait a minute this is for military spending. Fiscal Conservatives suddenly clam up and get real silent when billions are wasted on military spending.

We spend MORE on defense now then when we were in the Cold War!

Conservatives LOVE to waste tax payer dollars just like any other politician. They just have different ideas on what to spend the money for!

Deflections and excuses as to why the administration and Democrats, who until yesterday held a super majority in the congress, cannot get their act together and move their agenda forward.

No leadership from the WH or congress.

By the way, the poll at the top of the page got bitched up somehow. I think if you put in apostrophes or quotation marks in the submission things get a little hinky.

Deflections and excuses as to why the administration and Democrats, who until yesterday held a super majority in the congress, cannot get their act together and move their agenda forward.

Nice deflection. Also completely wrong wrt the Senate rules.

The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to confirm Martha N. Johnson as head of the General Services Administration, nearly 10 months after she was first nominated to head the federal agency.

Upon assuming office, Johnson "will become the first permanent Administrator of the General Services Administration in nearly two years."

Earlier in 2009, Johnson was unanimously approved by members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. But a single senator, Republican Kit Bond from Missouri, has used his symbolic 'privilege' to hold up consideration of Johnson's nomination since last summer. The delay was meant to pressure GSA administrators to approve a $175 million federal building project in Kansas City....

"Deflections and excuses as to why the administration and Democrats, who until yesterday held a super majority in the congress, cannot get their act together and move their agenda forward."

It is ridiculous and dishonest to claim that the Democrats ever held a super majority when you consider that the sixtieth vote was Joe Lieberman who defeated his Democratic opponent for the Senate. Joe Lieberman is not a Democrat and no amount of pretending he is will change that.

Dylan Loewe notes that:

Congress Daily reports that Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) has placed a "blanket hold" on at least 70 of President Obama's nominations until he receives over $40 billion worth of earmarks for his state.

This is unconscionably outrageous. If it were occurring anywhere else but the Senate chamber it would be extortion. A felony. It is an egregious misuse of minority power, easily the most flagrant example in years.

In "The Shelby Opening," Loewe goes on to offer views on where Shelby's hubristic behavior might lead:

I don't call 'em Rethuglicans for nothing. For a loyal Rethuglican its always party first country second. Most of 'em are Greedfucking scumbags.

"Is there some DR poster who can provide reliable information on how and why senators are empowered with the ability to bring a nomimation's progress to a halt?"
#2 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

Ironic as you make it, that is a good question.

"I am calling on the Senate to at least give the nominees an 'up or down vote'."
--- Bush ---

Results 1 - 10 of about 3,510,000 for "up or down vote Bush"

Democrats: "The Party of NO"

LMAO

Think of all the money we'll save by not hiring these 70 Obama thugs. Put a freeze on all fed govt hiring, lay off the czars and cut the fed workforce by 50% and Barry can balance the budget.

Anyone that can dare spout that Oboner is a true minded bipartisan candidate is smoking some real strong mind bender... his rhetoric does not make it so...
and, Danni, you are correct about Joe.. there is no real guarantee where he stands...!!!

I voted for the last option.

#17 | Posted by KBM | Flag: Translation - Couldn't Answer the Question

The most polarizing figure in the history of America politics Obama is now feeling the consequences of his blitzkrieg policy making. At least Clinton knew how to work with the right. This fool has no interest, or clue how to get along.

Note a lot of reliance here on the Huffington Post....a source just about as reliable the current crop of "Global Warming" (WHOOPS - Climate Change) manipulators at the UN and Britain.

At least Clinton knew how to work with the right. This fool has no interest, or clue how to get along.

Yer really not paying attention at all here are you?

The definition of a fool is someone who actually believes the current pack of Republicans actually wanna try bipartisan co-operation.

Obama has bent over backwards trying to placate the obstructionist right.

If he continues playing their game where he caves and caves and then still doesn't get their votes he and his party will lose power and they will deserve to have lost power.

Be Well.

"The most polarizing figure in the history of America politics Obama is..."

You probably don't know much about that math you took, either.

"Bent over backwards".....sounds like a regular Axelrod soundbite.. what garbage..!!!
Oboner is not 'bipartisan' minded at all.... he is more interested in the 'dictator' theory..!!!

"Bent over backwards".....sounds like a regular Axelrod soundbite.. what garbage..!!!
Oboner is not 'bipartisan' minded at all.... he is more interested in the 'dictator' theory..!!!

if this was true, he would ram through his appointments, so your comment is a bit silly!

Why should the dems get all the gold?

Let's clean up all earmarks and do away with them. Pork belongs on a pig's ass.

How pathetic that this POS senator would hold up nominations for what appear to be a couple of stimulus projects.

VMA224....what do think that he has attemtpted to do??? don't believe everything you read or hear from the 'partisans'...

How pathetic that this POS senator would hold up nominations for what appear to be a couple of stimulus projects.

#29 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE

Could he be trying to make a point? I guess that option just goes right over your low-brow head.

Is it not sort of contradictory for Oboner to criticize holding things up over 'pork', when he professed so loudly to eliminate as much of it as possible, but has allowed it to be very rampart among his 'party'...!!!! hmmmmmmmmmmmm.........

If this story is 100% accurate and there's not some other things going on, then this Senator's out of line, in my view.

As is so often the case in politics, there's more going on than necessarily sees the figurative light of day in the media.

If this story is 100% accurate and there's not some other things going on, then this Senator's out of line, in my view.

#33 | Posted by OohRah

Does that make him worse than the ass holes that got the money for the vote on healthcare?

Buying vote for one thing is as bad as buying votes for anything.

As an independent, I am not sure what Shelby is doing is really much different than the Dems trying to shove a health care bill down the throats of the electorate in any way they can, when it is clearly not supported by that same electorate and not good for them.... they all play the same power game, but the Oboner kids have to label Shelby 'obstructionist'...

This Piece of Crap used to be a Democrat, another Republican who taught that Civil Rights was something for WHITES ONLY!!!!!!!

Celisary is fucking nuts.

(Celery, I know you're reading this...Remember when you asked me to look you up on Facebook? Well you never gave me a name to look up. How am I supposed to kick your ass and impregnate you if you won't give me a name? I tried "Stupid Fucker that doesn't know the difference between "AN" and "AND" but nothing came up.)

Fact and Proof of NOPers: There have been more Filibusters in the last 12 months than in the entire history of the senate...combined.

101CHAIRBORNE......So Senator Shelby was not a DEMOCRAT?????? So Senator Shelby, hasn't in the past Voted against Civil Rights legislation????? You Ignorant Fuck, learn the Facts before you accuse some one of being NUTS!!!!! Great retort by the way.

I know it difficult being a FOX-Republican an a Homosexual at the same time but break loose be what you are, come out of the closet, it will set you free......I have never heard such Sexual innuendo or references by any other writer to this site you have problems, come out you will feel better.....

Celery,
The fact you're nuts is not up for debate. It is a fact that doesn't need to be looked up.
Now, about you inviting me to look you up on Facebook so we can fight...

The ParaDUPEr has no nuts - ignore him.

......I have never heard such Sexual innuendo or references by any other writer to this site you have problems, come out you will feel better.....

Celiscarycrazymotherfucker, not one person on this entire blog thinks you are playing with a full deck so you can take your "you have problems" accusation and go back to the nuthouse.

Funny, funny, funny. Libby-tards are creaming their britches over one republican holding things up, while at the same time rooting on dems getting backroom deals for their health care vote. How does it feel, fools? What a bunch of crying jackasses.

#43 fuck you, douche.
Time for the nuke option. It's been years since the repubs got a good bitch slapping, most of them will probably piss all over themselves. Get some balls, Reid.

And this different from Nelson holding the Healthcare bill hostage how?

Do you see a pattern, this is predicted in Hayek, R or D doesn't matter.

When the government is distributing Billions, oh sorry Trillions of dollars to the masses, spending becomes a political football.

If you want to stop the silliness cut the spending of everything across the board, noone can complain when everyone loses. But to cut specific programs, more than likely due to political favors, you will get more of this shit.

It is not that the Senate is broken, it is that Washington is broken.

I don't forsee this type of behavior stopping in the near future.

#334 - SNIPER

Peas in a pod.

I could split hairs and attempt to justify his actions vs what Nelson, Landrieu, etc, did... but dancing on the head of a pin isn't fun. Still, there may be more to this than simply the way it was presented in the article. And if there's more to it, then I reserve the right to draw more of a distinction. I just don't see it at this juncture.

How pathetic that this POS senator would hold up nominations for what appear to be a couple of stimulus projects.
#29 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE

Could he be trying to make a point? I guess that option just goes right over your low-brow head.
#31 | Posted by Sniper at 2010-02-05 11:08 AM

"And this different from Nelson holding the Healthcare bill hostage how?"

Probably not very much and he also shows us that the Democrats never really had a sixty vote super-majority, Ben Nelson is a Republican in Dem drag. Most Democrats I know think he is a POS.

"If you want to stop the silliness cut the spending of everything across the board, noone can complain when everyone loses."

Mind bogglingly idiotic. To think that you would cut everything without regard to the effects of those cuts would be crazy. Cutting some things, like education could cripple us economically for decades. Cutting others like health care could result in higher costs because ill patients would become critical. Hey, I've got it, let's cut Homeland Security and the CIA. OR how about INS???
Hey GRandma really doesn't need Medicare.

Instead why don't we use our fucking brains and cut things like the Bush Medicare Drug Bill which prohibits Medicare from negotiating better prices for drug.
Or how about billions going to Israel who won't cooperate with us anyway.
How about the defense budget where they are buying weapons systems we don't have an enemy for.

The guy is scum, but at least he is ethical scum. By that I mean he is representing his state and not his party.

I could split hairs and attempt to justify his actions vs what Nelson, Landrieu, etc, did... but dancing on the head of a pin isn't fun. Still, there may be more to this than simply the way it was presented in the article. And if there's more to it, then I reserve the right to draw more of a distinction. I just don't see it at this juncture.

#46 | Posted by OohRah

The fact is......... We don't know what he is trying to do. To call him something because of what you think is stupid.

If this is true, there is no difference between what this scum bag is doing and what the scum bags fro LA and Nebraska did with healthcare. Please hold the hypocrisy and quell the anger, this is business as usual for booth sides.

***"Obama has bent over backwards trying to placate the obstructionist right."***SPUD

Really? How do you figure?

Oops!

fro = from
booth = both

How do you figure?

Posted by jwil72

In my head usually, but I have been known to use a calculator on things harder than "2+3."

I'm not reading the other posts in the thread, but I bet I wouldn't have to read more than 5 from the top or the bottom before I read something like:

"Well he's just doing what democrat A,B, and C did...."

since many of you on the left dont give a shit about graft and deceit ni a DEMOCRAT government
lets look at one of the appointments named becker

he is up for a seat on the labor relations board.
no big deal you say...it should just sail on through right.

HOWEVER>...lets look at this prick a little closer..

just who is he??

he is general counsel for

S E I U

NOoooooooooooooooooooooo

barry stacking the board that will regulate SEIU and unions
TELL ME IT AINT SO JOE.

the plan was to appoint him to the board to put in CARD CHECK since dems cant get it PASSED through congress
word out is that OBAMA will do a recess appointment so all of you liberal fucks who CONVULSED over the UN recess appointment ..well I will expect that SAME distain for this as well..IF it happens

I just invested in a fox to watch my chickens...

Wonder how that'll work out...?

Shouldn't that headline have been "holds his sausage hostage" what with all the sausage making behind closed doors and all?

OKAY boys ...thats enough braggin about your 'sausage'

right sheeple

and is it FUNNY or sad that the mainstream PEOPLE in media wont TOUCH this story with katie curics dick

Busy today, didn't realize this was on the front page so I posted similar article on back page, my apologies. This is what I have to say about this subject:

"The GOP will make a huge mistake if they take the Tea Party vote for granted in next November's elections. If they think they can just sit back and not only oppose Obama out of spite (rather than principle)but also continue the disconect between their small government rhetoric and their home-state pork projects, they are in for a rude awakening.

This is why true fiscal conservatives should vote for the Libertarian Party. We all want a strong national defense, but what we don't want is a corrupted process where the national defense budget is seen a a jobs program rather than to fulfill a core Constitutional function of the Federal Government.

Senator Shelby is wrong on this and I hope the GOP publicly slams him. If they do, they will regain credibility with fiscal conservatives like myself. If they make excuses, then there is no reason to waste your vote on these big government clows in November."

Hmmmmm .... do I really need quotes if I am "quoting" myself? I am sure the grammar police can give me a tip.

Is there some DR poster who can provide reliable information on how and why senators are empowered with the ability to bring a nomimation's progress to a halt?

#2 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

According to the Constitution, each house of the legislative branch can come up with its own rules. There is no problem with this per se, as long as they have good rules. And yes, I do believe the filibuster is a good rule. But blanket holds, especially when done for political not principled reasons, are distateful.

People are claiming that Sen Landrieu 'took bribes' for wanting 100 million in concessions to her state while this guy wants BILLIONS and the repubs say nothing about it.

Why?

EBERLY...."Everybody on this site"...You ignorant Fuck nobody but nobody gives a Fuck what you think, being a conservative Racist may work on the Fox Nation but not here......

GOATMAN....Beating your Racist Ass would please me to no end but, I've decided that for now I will limit my dealing with ignorant ASSES!!!!! So your safe for now but I wouldn't push your Luck!!!!! Now get out from the basement, take your hand out of your panties, an quit being a PUSSY!!!!!!! Dumb Fuck!!!!!

So your safe for now

WHEW! That was close! You internet tough guys always leave me trembling in my boots and in fear for my welfare. Thanks for sparing me from your wrath, celery!

I just LOVE it when celisary posts something

it makes my rants look downright rational.

The Democrats did it!

Sincerely

The Party of "principle"

Pleasure of the President!

Sincerely

The "right", the 43'rd administration

and its no coincidence that libs are ranting about this and have no idea about the guy named becker I believe it is..
the LAWYER FOR SEIO that barry is trying to get on the labor board.......and because they cant get card check voted in so the CHICAGO crooks have to get it done some other way....