Firebrand conservative rebels go to Washington but leave their cojones at home

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A band of conservative rebels has taken over the House, vowing to slash spending, cut the deficit and kill earmarks.

And of course they’d love a seat on the powerhouse Appropriations Committee so they can translate their campaign zeal into action, right?

Not really.

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) was asked to be an appropriator and said thanks, but no thanks. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), a tea party favorite, turned down a shot at Appropriations, which controls all discretionary spending. So did conservatives like Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), an ambitious newcomer who will lead the influential Republican Study Committee.

Indeed, the Appropriations Committee just doesn’t seem to be the plum assignment it once was, and the line is short for new recruits to join a panel where the longtime focus on bringing home earmarks and other goodies will shift to finding $100 billion in spending cuts.

...

“Anybody who’s a Republican right now, come June, is going to be accused of hating seniors, hating education, hating children, hating clean air and probably hating the military and farmers, too,” said Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), a fiscal conservative who is lobbying to become chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “So much of the work is going to be appropriations related. There’s going to be a lot of tough votes. So some people may want to shy away from the committee. I understand it.”

Kingston said he’s approached Bachmann, King and Westmoreland about the committee, and they all told him they weren’t interested.

That leaves Republican leaders in a dilemma: How do they live up to the tea-party-driven effort to slash spending if the committee that controls the purse is still dominated by old bulls and senior lawmakers who are only grudgingly giving up earmarks?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45250.html

[chri'stina 190]

“Anybody who’s a Republican right now, come June, is going to be accused of hating seniors, hating education, hating children, hating clean air and probably hating the military and farmers, too,” said Jack Kingston (R-Ga.),

And, of being repugnant?

[The_Dude 1,142]

“Anybody who’s a Republican right now, come June, is going to be accused of hating seniors, hating education, hating children, hating clean air and probably hating the military and farmers, too,” said Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), a fiscal conservative who is lobbying to become chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “So much of the work is going to be appropriations related. There’s going to be a lot of tough votes. So some people may want to shy away from the committee. I understand it.”

The new class of congressmen coming in don't have the balls to cut military or social security. So Kingston can stop the feigned courage.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Not surprised at all. Rhetoric is easy, action is tough. Just confirms that these folks are nothing but loudmouths - all hat and no cattle.

[alienlovechild 75]

Remember way back in 2009 when people said it was wrong to criticize Obama because he needed time to fix the economy? Now, the conservatives are getting slammed two months BEFORE getting into office. Feel free to bash away then as it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Without the control of the Senate and having to overcome presidential vetoes, the GOP has the deck stacked against it compared to guys they replaced.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Remember way back in 2009 when people said it was wrong to criticize Obama because he needed time to fix the economy? Now, the conservatives are getting slammed two months BEFORE getting into office. Feel free to bash away then as it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Without the control of the Senate and having to overcome presidential vetoes, the GOP has the deck stacked against it compared to guys they replaced.

Come on now, lets be honest at least. The republicans have no plan of their own other than "NO" to whatever anyone left of them says. If they want to actually tackle the budget deficit and the national debt, they will have to cut into military and social security, two methods of political suicide for a conservative. Do you really think they have the stones to try? I don't.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Remember way back in 2009 when people said it was wrong to criticize Obama because he needed time to fix the economy? Now, the conservatives are getting slammed two months BEFORE getting into office. Feel free to bash away then as it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Without the control of the Senate and having to overcome presidential vetoes, the GOP has the deck stacked against it compared to guys they replaced.

This isn't about bashing anyone. It's about members of Congress being offered seats at the table where the crucial and tough decisions are to be made. If they want to be true to their rhetoric, they'd jump at it. After all, they say that America is fully behind them and their agenda. If that was true or if at least they would believe this to be true, then this is the time to make your mark. Whether the Senate or the President supports it is another issue altogether. If you believe that what you say you want to do is the right thing to do and has the support of the American people, then you push those issues best you can knowing that you'll be facing a more accommodating Senate and President come 2013. Turning down the seat at the table where those decisions are to be made makes you look weak at best or dishonest at worst.

[alienlovechild 75]

If you believe that what you say you want to do is the right thing to do and has the support of the American people, then you push those issues best you can knowing that you'll be facing a more accommodating Senate and President come 2013. Turning down the seat at the table where those decisions are to be made makes you look weak at best or dishonest at worst.

Not realistic because really deep cuts and raising taxes aren't the sort of thing most politicians want to be tied to. The general trend is towards more spending and trying hide tax increases and running against this opens a congressman to some nasty attacks.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Not realistic because really deep cuts and raising taxes aren't the sort of thing most politicians want to be tied to. The general trend is towards more spending and trying hide tax increases and running against this opens a congressman to some nasty attacks.

So, these folks are all hat and no cattle. Rhetoric aplenty but no guts to actually do anything. And an concession that they know what they say ain't true. Right? Because if they were convinced that America actually wants what they're selling, then they shouldn't have any fear to deliver. Of course, they don't like to talk about the need to raise revenue and cut spending - way beyond the silly earmark debate - in order to balance the budget and start paying down some of that debt. Standup patriots they are.

Edited November 18, 2010 by Mr. Big Dog

[alienlovechild 75]

So, these folks are all hat and no cattle. Rhetoric aplenty but no guts to actually do anything. And an concession that they know what they say ain't true. Right? Because if they were convinced that America actually wants what they're selling, then they shouldn't have any fear to deliver. Of course, they don't like to talk about the need to raise revenue and cut spending - way beyond the silly earmark debate - in order to balance the budget and start paying down some of that debt. Standup patriots they are.

Sounds like the man who promised "hope and change" who complains he can't get his message out despite being on numerous TV shows.

It took no guts for the last Congress to not let a good crisis go to waste to pass legislation that satisfied the base, was counterproductive and sent the bill the public to boot.

Go ahead and question their patriotism as that elevates the debate and focuses us getting to some solid solutions.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Sounds like the man who promised "hope and change" who complains he can't get his message out despite being on numerous TV shows.

It took no guts for the last Congress to not let a good crisis go to waste to pass legislation that satisfied the base, was counterproductive and sent the bill the public to boot.

Go ahead and question their patriotism as that elevates the debate and focuses us getting to some solid solutions.

As usual, you're missing the point completely. Either they [the Congressmen/women that pander to the tea party] believe their rhetoric or they're taking those that happen to fall for their rhetoric and believe that they actually stand for something and actually want to accomplish something for a ride. You can't argue that they're afraid of public backlash while at the same time arguing that public support for their platform got them elected in big numbers. Or are you saying that the public is stupid? That would be a way of reconciling your contrary points.