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Feelings Before Country

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Legislation
Posted on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:10:26 PM EST
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Here is Barney Frank's priceless reaction to House GOP Leader John Boehner saying Republicans voted against the bailout bill because Nancy Pelosi hurt their feelings:

You gotta love Barney Frank.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

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    Feelings Before Country | 60 comments (60 topical)

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    Yes, you gotta love Barney (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:14:54 PM EST
    I wish he were front and center on all Republican hissy fit responses.

    No I don't gotta love him (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by lambert on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:15:06 PM EST
    You can't buff a t*rd, and that's what Frank, Pelosi, Reid, Obama et al. tried to do with Paulson's bill.

    Now, as you say, time for Option 4. They can always surprise me!

    Come on (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:16:32 PM EST
    That was funny as hell.

    Parent
    I'm always ready for humor (5.00 / 0) (#10)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:36:12 PM EST
    and politics.  If I didn't laugh I'd continue to cry and I'm tired of crying.  Yes, it's very funny and yes, they tried to buff a t*rd.

    Parent
    Yes, it was funny as hell (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by befuddledvoter on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:37:23 PM EST
    and it was a breath of fresh air!!  Too bad people are usually not that honest in Congress.  It might help the dialogue.

    Parent
    Well, that's true (none / 0) (#36)
    by lambert on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:27:08 PM EST
    It was funny. But my sense of humor is a little defective these days, and frankly, I'd rather frame the event as  a victory for outraged voters who forced Congress to listen, which, funny as it is, this statement does not and cannot do.

    Parent
    I don't tlike the bill either (none / 0) (#3)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:16:23 PM EST
    but I love that response to Republicans who are afraid to admit they don't like the bill.

    Parent
    The bill was fine... (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by DudeE on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:18:24 PM EST
    ...there are certainly worse alternatives.

    But the biggest point is that Republicans had all weekend to air grievances or offer alternatives.  Instead they let it reach the floor and further destabilized the confidence of Americans in their government's ability to handle the economy.

    That was hilarious (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Maryb2004 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:20:24 PM EST
    good for Barney.  Humor is the best weapon.

    Unless you need votes ... (none / 0) (#24)
    by RonK Seattle on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:56:06 PM EST
    ... from teh butt of your jokes.

    Barney Frank is a compulsive smart-ass.

    Most of the time, his routine is entertaining, and often it brings attention to points that need attention.

    This week his runaway mouth burned bridges everybody needed to cross, and even now he just can't stop himself.

    Both leaderships asked their members to injure themselves politically for the greater good. It was a difficult ask, on both sides - but especially for the House R's who had been left out of the negotiations until it came time to count votes.

    Frank and Pelosi couldn't resist adding insult to injury, even when there was nothing in it for them. "Hey, look everybody! Watch me! Watch me! I'm going to blow up the world! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! ... Why isn't everybody laughing? ..."

    You don't have to count very high to know the all-Democrat solution is a pipe dream, and Frank is busy plunging his own work product down the tubes.

    Capitalism and Democracy, racing each other to the bottom.

    Parent

    Could you possibly (5.00 / 5) (#26)
    by Steve M on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:58:11 PM EST
    link me to the evidence that the House Republicans were excluded from negotiations, as opposed to declining to show up?

    Parent
    Feel better? (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Maryb2004 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:23:29 PM EST
    It's always good to rant.  Get it off your chest.

    Parent
    Boo Hoo, Poor Republicans (none / 0) (#60)
    by WS on Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 07:29:23 AM EST
    The House Republicans wanted a cut in the capital gains tax and less regulations.  Why would you want them anywhere near negotiations. I know that we need their votes for this to pass but not if they put all their odious ideas in there.      

    Parent
    Surely I Can't (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by The Maven on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:21:40 PM EST
    be the only one who would equate this kind of pettiness to Newt Gingrich's shutting down the federal government because of his perceived snub on Air Force One?

    Do these folks really expect to be rewarded for putting party over country?  If they had legitimate reasons for opposing the EESA, that's one thing, but to vote against it because they felt insulted -- sheesh!

    Hehe (5.00 / 3) (#8)
    by Steve M on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:24:35 PM EST
    Even on a day like today, it's hard not to laugh.  Seriously, this is the message the GOP decided to go with?

    Basically, in a situation where it's hard to persuade members of the general public that blame should be assigned, they pointed the finger squarely at themselves.  And they did so in a way where even those who oppose the bailout could hardly admire them!

    Frank was very funny ... (5.00 / 3) (#11)
    by Robot Porter on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:38:54 PM EST
    but I saw Pelosi's controversial statements on the floor, and they were wrong-headed politically.

    Not merely because they were partisan, but they seemed more like an argument against the bill rather than for it.

    Not what you should say before trying to pass a bill that's very difficult to support.

    She's a terrible Speaker, and I hope she's replaced next year.

    Sure (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:43:21 PM EST
    But did you see Boehner? He was worse.

    Parent
    Of course ... (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Robot Porter on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:12:10 PM EST
    but it was Pelosi's role as Speaker to deliver this bill.

    Her speech was bone-headed.  And it was clear from the news conference that she took the bill to the floor without any guarantees that it would pass.

    Boehner's line of argument was silly.

    But Pelosi is the big loser today.

    Parent

    Shrug (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by Steve M on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:22:41 PM EST
    Apparently it is written somewhere that it is a crime against humanity for the Speaker to ever bring a bill to the floor, even in an emergency situation where the world markets have been promised there will be a vote today, unless she can guarantee it will pass.  I haven't read that section of the manual and it frankly doesn't make much sense to me.

    As for Pelosi's speech, unless you believe that it actually caused 12 Republicans to change their vote, I confess I don't see the mistake there.  Because it allowed the Republicans to advance a narrative that it was all her fault, a narrative that made them look incredibly small-minded and stupid?  Again, not following you.

    Parent

    You couldn't be more wrong (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:27:53 PM EST
    It isn't Pelosi's job to deliver the entire House for a Bush bill. Pelosi delivered one more Democratic vote than promised. The GOP couldn't deliver what they promised which was to back the Bush bill.

    Pelosi did nothing wrong. She blamed the Bush economy for what they had to try and accomplish today. She was absolutely right in laying the blame where it belonged. It was a Bush bill to try and  bailout a Bush economy.

    The losers today are McCain and the House Republicans. Bush would be a loser but you can only fall so far and he has already found bottom.

    Parent

    If Pelosi wasn't Speaker ... (none / 0) (#42)
    by Robot Porter on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:38:03 PM EST
    you might have an argument.  Otherwise it's silly, spin.

    I'm glad it failed.  But the House leadership clearly wasn't.

    Parent

    As Frank said... (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by alexei on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:46:40 PM EST
    "give me those 12 names and I will personally be very nice to them".  The Republicans blew it, they delivered 50% of their caucus on their President's bill.

    Parent
    Or the majority ... (none / 0) (#45)
    by Robot Porter on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:50:56 PM EST
    of Congress did their job, both Dems and Repubs, they rejected the bill, reflecting the wishes of the public.

    Parent
    yep, that is exactly right. (none / 0) (#43)
    by alexei on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:42:07 PM EST


    Parent
    Agree 100% with (none / 0) (#50)
    by Andy08 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 10:26:30 PM EST
    your comment Robot Porter.

    I posted something related below (before reading your comment).


    Parent

    I was watching the New Conference life (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by andgarden on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:39:29 PM EST
    Between the inept Pelosi, the sticky-sweet Hoyer, and the conniving Rahmbo, Frank is a breath of fresh air.

    I feel a little bit betting knowing that he's closely involved in all of this.  

    Um, *news conference live* (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by andgarden on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:39:47 PM EST


    Parent
    I thought there was some kind of a cult (5.00 / 5) (#22)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:52:46 PM EST
    I hadn't heard of.

    Parent
    Barney Franks as Donna B called him on CNN (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Teresa on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:39:47 PM EST


    Pelosi Wrong-headed (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by stevea66 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:51:18 PM EST
    I agree on that, BUT...jeez.  These guy are just kids with credit cards.

    Not the Time for Barney's jokes... (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by SomewhatChunky on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 10:08:04 PM EST
    Pelosi's speech was awful.  You know how people here feel whenever the Republican do or say something we don't like.  Think Anger. Anger makes us all do stupid things.   Well, Republicans have feelings too and just because old Barney can laugh it off doesn't excuse what Pelosi did.

    The country and the world's economic system is in crisis.  We needed this bill.  This was a tough bill for people to vote for because of the a number reasons discussed many times here.  The COUNTRY needed some strong leadership by the Speaker of the House.  What we got was some partisan junk by the Speaker for the Democrats.

    Spare me the McCain did this and the Republicans did that.  I agree with whatever you'll say.  A curse on all of them.

    Another down day tomorrow and 10% of the world's equity wealth will have evaporated over this. Foreign Markets are already tanking.   Most people with savings worked years to put 10% of their savings away.  

    And congress recesses for the jewish holidays....

    WATB (5.00 / 0) (#59)
    by john horse on Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 05:58:34 AM EST
    Regarding the hurt feelings of the Republicans, I think crooksandliars about summed it up - "What a bunch of WATB."

    THEY ACTUALLY LEFT TOWN!!!! (2.00 / 1) (#27)
    by stevea66 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:06:02 PM EST
    Oh, my God!  Unreal.  They went on break until Thursday!  In observance of the Jewish holiday.  Don't get me wrong; I'm all for Jewish holidays, truly.  BUT...the Dow tanked today.  I would hope that if another 9/11 happened, we would not take a couple of days for a holiday of any kind and get busy!

    Seriously? (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Democratic Cat on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:33:50 PM EST
    I'm getting ready to drive home, right past the Capitol, and I expected to see that little light at the top of the dome, which always assures me that they're at least trying to get something done. They seriously went home? The light will be out.

    Parent
    Ok, good, so the Dems (none / 0) (#29)
    by andgarden on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:07:27 PM EST
    can pass their own bill with Dem votes only. They can create a Quorum.

    Parent
    I certainly (5.00 / 3) (#30)
    by Steve M on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:09:12 PM EST
    would not want to exclude the sole, solitary Jewish member of the Republican caucus.  Poor guy.

    Parent
    heh (none / 0) (#35)
    by andgarden on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:24:16 PM EST


    Parent
    Too bad the Dems (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Andy08 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 10:28:26 PM EST
    voted against it at the tune of 40% of them!
    It is a shame and a sham: 140 for and 95 against?
    Is this why we have majority in Congress?
    Pelosi must go : she is an awful, really awful speaker.

    Parent
    Don't worry.... (none / 0) (#56)
    by oldpro on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 11:39:09 PM EST
    the staff is there doing all the real work...as usual.

    Parent
    UnF%&*ing Real! (none / 0) (#9)
    by stevea66 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:27:14 PM EST
    On both sides of the aisle we have politicians who are more concerned about playing it safe for the upcoming election.  It's disgusting.

    I think we, as their employers, need to require that they punch a clock.  No more of this 'fly out on Thursday and return on Tuesday, work for a couple of days and then take a vacation.'  This is absolutely amazing.  Oh, gosh...so many of them actually worked a full-time week!!  Phew!!  What would happen if they worked the hours the rest of us work?  They might actually get something done BEFORE crisis time.

    Frank Was Great (none / 0) (#17)
    by MTSINAIMAMA on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:46:37 PM EST
    He was a breath of fresh air!

    I didn't think the Pelosi Comment (none / 0) (#18)
    by samtaylor2 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:50:22 PM EST
    Was "over the top".  It seemed like basic (if not a weakly) partisan comment.  In fact she said, not all republicans were at fault.  

    I thought they were considering the (none / 0) (#23)
    by Teresa on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:53:02 PM EST
    circumstances. What did she stand to gain by saying what she said?

    Parent
    My thought is she already knew that .... (none / 0) (#40)
    by alexei on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:35:14 PM EST
    Republicans would not vote for the bill.  Thus her speech.

    Parent
    And how about (none / 0) (#52)
    by Andy08 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 10:30:18 PM EST
    OUR side??? 40% against ?? (95 Dems against/140 for)

    Parent
    Good old Barney Frank (none / 0) (#19)
    by AlkalineDave on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:50:33 PM EST
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs

    "... uncharacteristically nicely" (none / 0) (#21)
    by Demi Moaned on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:52:21 PM EST
    That had me literally LOL. What a great character!

    Barney Frank, Sept 11, 2003 (none / 0) (#25)
    by Wile ECoyote on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 08:57:34 PM EST
    ''These two entities -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- are not facing any kind of financial crisis,'' said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. ''The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.''

    Stupidity in action

    Well (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:06:02 PM EST
    were they in 2003?

    I am prepared to condemn Barney Frank, but tell us if Fannie and Freddie were facign a crisis in 2003. That was 5 years ago.

    AIG was in good shape 5 years ago wasn't it?

    Of course, your comment is off topic but I do not imagine you have any defense for the "my feelings were hurt" argument your GOP offered.

    Parent

    No, I can be fair (5.00 / 0) (#55)
    by AlkalineDave on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 11:08:12 PM EST
    If a person voted against the bill because Pelosi made them mad, then yes, I don't have a response.  They're idiots for voting on their feelings rather than what they felt is right for the country.

    Parent
    Accounting Fraud and 30-1debt to equity ratio (none / 0) (#54)
    by coast on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 10:36:54 PM EST
    Yes Big Tent they were in trouble.  But of course Mr. Frank was worried that someone might not get a loan instead of approving more oversight.

    Back to topic, I wish Republicans could have explained their position better, but maybe there wasn't a good one.  This doesn't change the fact that Pelosi botched this.  Where I'm from we call it "OB" or one better.  McCain looked like an idiot earlier in the week but Pelosi has done him one better.

    Personally, I'm glad it didn't pass.  Do I hate that the markets fell today, of course.  But I also don't think our government makes wise decisions on the fly.

    Just heard a replay of many of the speaches on floor including Pelosi's.  She was the most partisian and there was no need for it.

    Frank needs to lose his Chairmanship.  BUt then again if you have a Chairman who is suppose to have oversight over the tax code who does not pay his own taxes why would we want a Chairman overseeing banks who might know something about the banking system, other than how much in campaign contributions he gets from each.

    Parent

    Linky? (none / 0) (#32)
    by Lahdee on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:17:05 PM EST
    A link would be useful.

    Parent
    Here (none / 0) (#58)
    by Wile ECoyote on Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 05:15:33 AM EST
    link

    Parent
    I saw him live and it was (none / 0) (#38)
    by kenosharick on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:29:25 PM EST
    certainly the funniest thing I heard all day. He is so quick and smart- how about Frank as Majority Leader or Speaker next Jan?

    funny stuff (none / 0) (#46)
    by connecticut yankee on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 10:05:04 PM EST
    He also made a crack about numerology and the coincidence that the 12 votes they needed just happened to be offended by this silliness.

    Granted that (none / 0) (#48)
    by Andy08 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 10:19:47 PM EST
    if anyone said or voted against a bill b/c of a
    speech by Pelosi they need to mocked and voted OUT of Congress ASAP.

    But... Pelosi should resign !! Not b/c of a speech but because she is an incompetent: 140 Dems but 95 Democrats voted against the bill: that is 40% of
    Democrats.  Let em say again: 40% and that includes
    many of Pelosi's own CA fellow Reps.

    ALL Dems needed all along where 51% of total. The bill was defeated b/c they were 13 votes short.
    And Pelosi could not convince ANY of teh 95 Reps. that voted against it to vote for it?

    This is appalling. Hey, we know we couldn't expect much from the republicans. But this for the titme for real leadership, this is no joke, no game and 40% of Democrats vote against it?

    I am furious: Pelosi MUST resign.

    Maybe (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 10:35:06 PM EST
    that would be the only silver lining in this disaster if Pelosi was made to resign as speaker.

    Parent
    Meant (none / 0) (#49)
    by Andy08 on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 10:21:56 PM EST
    140 Dems voted for the bill but 95 Dems voted against it:  40% of Dems voted against it.
    My Dem. Rep. voted for it (thank you sir).

    Parent
    Krugman on Larry King tonight (none / 0) (#57)
    by oldpro on Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 12:25:41 AM EST
    said pretty much the same thing...something like, "Oh, mom...she's being mean to me...." getting a laugh from Larry and others.

    Krugman was hard on the congress and on this bill...said it would only build the pressure on Congress to wait til Thursday.  If it doesn't pass then, "back to the drawing board and start over," he said.

    He also mentioned the Swedish model which I brought up earlier today in another post.  Makes sense to me.

    I love Barney Frank's accent (none / 0) (#61)
    by CST on Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 03:44:51 PM EST
    Almost as good a speaker as Tommy Menino :)

    They make Sarah Palin sound like Queen Elizabeth

    Feelings Before Country | 60 comments (60 topical)

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