minority leader

All major news organizations are reporting that Anthony Weiner has advised his associates that he is resigning from Congress. ABC reports the following:

Weiner, 46, has begun sharing his decision with close friends, the sources said, but has not yet sent a formal letter to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo indicating his intentions.

A Democratic source said Weiner called House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Wednesday night while they were at a White House picnic to inform them he would resign today.

If any good comes from this, maybe the media will move beyond this story soon. This has become such a major story and distraction.

If you have any doubts rather Pelosi should be minority leader or not, just take a look at this post from Armstrong Williams:

A barely known Democratic member of the House has done what over a half-dozen more qualified of his colleagues have cowered in fear over — mount a challenge to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and her bid to remain the highest-ranking member when Democrats assume the minority in January.

Rep. Heath Shuler (N.C.), a former Heisman award winner, stepped up yesterday and announced his bid to unseat Pelosi as incoming minority leader. This isn’t some empty challenge, even though Shuler stands little chance. It’s one based on recognition of the political reality facing this party now — they’re about to be led over a cliff again by the same liberal shepherd.

Williams is taking Heath Shuler’s challenge to become minority leader as a real threat against Pelosi. Shuler is one of the few remaining Blue Dogs in the Democratic caucus, which saw a 50% loss of membership on Election Day. The fact that Williams is overlooking is that the more liberal members of Congress did fine in their election bids.

So thanks Armstrong for giving Pelosi the ultimate endorsement. If the House Democrats listen to you and do the exact opposite then they will see their numbers grow in future cycles.

Via FOX News

A 46-year-old top aide to House Republican Leader John Boehner died suddenly, reportedly from a heart attack, the minority leader announced Sunday.

"It is with profound sadness and shock that I announce the passing of Paula Nowakowski, my longtime chief of staff, trusted aide, and friend, who died suddenly last night. Words cannot adequately express the sorrow and disbelief I and every member of our team are grappling with today in the wake of this stunning news," Boehner said in a statement on his House leadership Web site.

"We will remember Paula as she would want to be remembered -- as a tireless worker, faithful friend, rabid Detroit sports fan, whip-smart strategist, warrior for freedom, and devoted Catholic who counted President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II among her greatest heroes. She will never be replaced, or forgotten," Boehner continued.

Only 46. What a shocker.

Let’s see what the minority leader has to say today:

Now let’s have a look at exactly what Boehner has said:

“One generation of Americans after another has answered the call of duty without fail. These brave men and women call themselves veterans. We call them heroes. Today, we renew our commitment to repaying the debt we owe them knowing we can never fully do so except to cherish the blessings of freedom they have preserved for us and stand with the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who carry on in their stead.”

I can’t think of a better way of “repaying the debt” than to provide access to healthcare to all our veterans, unlike the 2,200 that died last year had. What say you John? I’m not asking as a blogger, but as one of your constituents.

[congress]B000589[/congress]

With all the focus on Rep. Grayson telling it like it is, that Republicans want you to die quick if you fall ill, it’s time to focus on what he said is exactly right. Enter Mitch McConnell:

Satisfying every Republican demand short of scrapping the entire project, said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), would still not capture GOP support.

In other words the Democrats could offer nothing more than 100% GOP plan and the GOP would still vote no. People are dying in this country and the GOP would rather play politics than address the situation at hand.

Now let’s look at what McConnell and the entire GOP view as items less important than watching their counterparts fail. Check out this video of an insurance company denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition:

Catch that? A broken wrist is considered a pre-existing condition and murderous fucks like McConnell, Boehner and the rest of the GOP thinks that is fine.

Let’s talk about something more common – diabetes. Most insurance companies won’t cover the cost of diabetic supplies. That means diabetics have out of pocket expenses of $100 a month just for the testing strips. If the insulin isn’t covered then you can add another $330 a month to that. And this isn’t a problem to the “party of life”? Nope – because these monsters are more worried about political brownie points and corporate profits than they are human life.

That picture is the proof. I mean look at all those terrorists! John Boehner proves it in his new “Do You Feel Safer” video.

But wait.

Are those terrorists?

Hispanic Democrats are furious and demanding an apology over an image wedged in a new GOP web video on terrorism that shows members of the Hispanic Caucus sitting at a table with President Obama.
“On behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), we write to demand an apology for the inclusion of the picture of the CHC meeting with President Obama in the video on your official website entitled “Do You Feel Safer?,’” the CHC wrote in a letter being sent to Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), whose office created the video.

So Boehner figured he would make people think “terrorist” by seeing Hispanics. But these aren’t any Hispanics. These are his colleagues in the House.

Of course Boehner is having none of that. Here’s what his spokesman said:

“This is beyond silly,” Boehner spokesman Michael Steel responded. “The video also includes an image of the President speaking at the House Democratic Retreat in Virginia. Is the Congressional Hispanic Caucus suggesting that every Democrat in the House is connected with terrorists? Of course not. America’s national security is serious. This complaint is not.”

Now if a Democrat did this the Republicans would be calling for a criminal investigation:

A congressional trip to Iraq this weekend was supposed to be a secret.

But the cat’s out of the bag now, thanks to a member of the House Intelligence Committee who broke an embargo via Twitter.

A delegation led by House Minority Leader John A. Boehner , R-Ohio, arrived in Iraq earlier today, and because of Rep. Peter Hoekstra , R-Mich., the entire world — or at least Twitter.com readers—now know they’re there.

“Just landed in Baghdad,” messaged Hoekstra, a former chairman of the Intelligence panel and now the ranking member, who is routinely entrusted to keep some of the nation’s most closely guarded secrets.

Before the delegation left Washington, they were advised to keep the trip to themselves for security reasons. A few media outlets, including Congressional Quarterly, learned about it, but agreed not to disclose anything until the delegation had left Iraq.

Nobody expected, though, that a lawmaker with such an extensive national security background would be the first to break the silence. And in such a big way.

Not only did Hoekstra reveal the existence of the lawmakers’ trip, but included details about their itinerary in updates posted every few hours on his Twitter page, until he suddenly stopped, for some reason, on Friday morning.

Wow – what an idiot. Perhaps it’s time to reexamine his security clearance credentials.

Following Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann channeling McCarthyism yesterday, a site has launched asking for the censuring of Rep. Bachmann. I am intending on writing a letter to my Congressman, who also happens to be the minority leader, asking for action to be taken against her.