Budget Passes with no GOP votes

[one...two...tree 2,762]

When it comes to partisan breakdowns on the Hill, the 100th day of the Obama administration looks an awful lot like the first 99.

President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the House have passed a $3.4 trillion budget outline that will help him pass health care reform later in the year.

Not a single Republican backed the plan, which passed by a 233-193 vote.

Here's the final roll call on the House vote; it passed by an identical margin when it first cleared the chamber earlier this month. The Senate is expected to follow suit later today, and it will likely generate just as much Republican support in the upper chamber -- which is to say, none.

Now, unanimous Republican opposition is hardly outrageous. They are, after all, the opposition party. They want to take the nation in a very different direction, and have no use for the popular, progressive agenda endorsed by the Obama administration. There's some risk in unanimous opposition -- some of these GOP lawmakers represent districts where Obama enjoys considerable support -- but it's hardly shocking.

What matters, though, is the larger context and what it tells us about the prospects of "bipartisan" policy making.

After Republican lawmakers largely balked at confirming Kathleen Sebelius yesterday, Matt Yglesias noted this morning:

It seems to me that if you can only get 65 votes for what should be an uncontroversial HHS appointment, then the odds of a broad bipartisan coalition for big picture health care reform are not so good. [...]

[T]he prevailing spirit within the GOP is clearly that Obama is a very bad president and so they should vote "no" on his initiatives. Which is fine. But it means that if Obama wants to deliver on his campaign pledges, he needs to use every legal means at his disposal to just pass things over the objections of the minority that opposes him.

Right. Republicans don't really want to cooperate the majority party. They don't want to negotiate; they don't want to find bipartisan solutions; they don't want to form a credible governing partnership. Rather, the GOP sees Democrats as an enemy to be defeated, and the Democratic agenda as manifestly misguided. It's why we hear Republican lawmakers argue they should emulate the insurgency tactics of the Taliban. They see themselves as "freedom fighters" taking on the "slide toward socialism."

These same officials then denounce reconciliation because it means Democrats might be less inclined to work with Republicans on bipartisan solutions. Imagine that.

What matters is that Democrats appreciate this, and stop pretending the GOP minority is serious about working on policy solutions. It's just not going to happen anytime soon.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[Ban Hammer 13,360]

steven, maybe they just don't agree with it. but i know, let nothing stop your republican bashing.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

steven, maybe they just don't agree with it. but i know, let nothing stop your republican bashing.

The truth isn't bashing even though it hurts.

[Ban Hammer 13,360]

steven, maybe they just don't agree with it. but i know, let nothing stop your republican bashing.

The truth isn't bashing even though it hurts.

the only thing i see being hurt is the democrat reputation, squalling like a 3 year old because no one wants to play with them.

[fozzie 41]

Surely it would be better to stop acting like children, come to the table and contribute. They can compromise and get something or they can be stubborn and get nothing. The democrats control the house and the senate and can pretty much pass whatever they want without much suppport from rebublicans.

[alienlovechild 75]

Surely it would be better to stop acting like children, come to the table and contribute. They can compromise and get something or they can be stubborn and get nothing. The democrats control the house and the senate and can pretty much pass whatever they want without much suppport from rebublicans.

So far Obama and the Democrats haven't wanted to hear much alternative plans from GOP. You see it here on OT almost everyday with "STFU, we won the election". It's kind of like you're with us or against us.

They are, after all, the opposition party. They want to take the nation in a very different direction, and have no use for the popular, progressive agenda endorsed by the Obama administration.

So questioning how why and where trillions of dollars were spent is a bad idea. GOP could vote for Obama's plan and later claim that didn't know where Obama and crew were leading the economy and nation if things get worse. Remember how many Democrats voted for regieme change in Iraq (it, too, was popular) now they all have foggy memories about housing, Iraq, torture briefings . . . If the GOP plays along it will get nothing but in opposition they can look like an attractive alternative to the One.

Is there any reason nearly everyone must vote for all of Obama's plan like we live in North Korea with rubber stamp legislature? He can pass almost anything without a single GOP vote. The idea of watchdog party is now lost.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

It's kind of like you're with us or against us.

Sound familiar, neo-#######?

[The_Dude 1,142]

LoL, gotta love the symbolic gesture by the republicans. I think it would be in there best interest to at least attempt to put out some alternate plan, or at least some sort of add ons to democratic planned legislation. With 60 votes in the senate (as soon as norm coleman realizes he's lost), the democrats don't need to consult the republicans, and there is nothing they can do. I personally don't really like the fact that they have 60 votes and only take solace in the fact that not all 60 are lock step in line with party leaders.

Republicans did essentially the same thing during Bush's first term, but you didn't see Democratic governors and supporters calling for secession.

[alienlovechild 75]

It's kind of like you're with us or against us.

Sound familiar, neo-#######?

Thanks for agreeing with me. Hmmm, but the malodorous stench is probably coming from under your collar.

[Heracles 417]

It's kind of like you're with us or against us.

Sound familiar, neo-#######?

Thanks for agreeing with me. Hmmm, but the malodorous stench is probably coming from under your collar.

He is from Jersey after all.

steven, maybe they just don't agree with it. but i know, let nothing stop your republican bashing.

The truth isn't bashing even though it hurts.

Republicans could have cured cancer and you would still find something in some blog to bash them on.

How's that for truth?

[The_Dude 1,142]

It's kind of like you're with us or against us.

Sound familiar, neo-#######?

Thanks for agreeing with me. Hmmm, but the malodorous stench is probably coming from under your collar.

He is from Jersey after all.

steven, maybe they just don't agree with it. but i know, let nothing stop your republican bashing.

The truth isn't bashing even though it hurts.

Republicans could have cured cancer and you would still find something in some blog to bash them on.

How's that for truth?

So it's patriotic when conservatives complain and protest their government, but its whining when democrats do it?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

The GOP has become even more pathetic.

[natty bumppo 297]

To quote Obama ...

"Ahhhh ... "

[spookyturtle 9,466]

To quote Obama ...

"Ahhhh ... "

Quote George instead. He was much funnier.

[natty bumppo 297]

To quote Obama ...

"Ahhhh ... "

Quote George instead. He was much funnier.

Obama is so much easier .... just two letters ...