Bush rips Democratic lawmakers' failures

Yahoo ^

[Sub-Driver]

Bush rips Democratic lawmakers' failures

By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer 19 minutes ago

President Bush accused Democratic lawmakers on Saturday of being unable to live up to their duties, citing Congress' inability to pass legislation to fund the federal government.

"Democrats are failing in their responsibility to make tough decisions and spend the people's money wisely," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "This moment is a test."

The White House has said the failure of a broad immigration overhaul was proof that Democratic-controlled Capitol Hill cannot take on major issues. "We saw this with immigration, and we're seeing it with some other issues where Congress is having an inability to take on major challenges," said spokesman Tony Fratto.

The main reason the immigration measure died, however, was staunch opposition from Bush's own base — conservatives. The president could not turn around members of his own party despite weeks of intense effort.

The immigration bill was the top item on Bush's domestic agenda. With its demise, Bush was left to focus on the annual appropriations process and reining in federal spending.

Twelve annual spending bills dole out approximately one-third of the federal budget. They must be passed each year by Congress, before the Oct. 1 start of the new fiscal year, but lawmakers began considering this year's batch just in mid-June. The House has passed half and the full Senate has not yet taken up any.

"Democrats have a chance to prove they are for open and transparent government by working to complete each spending bill independently and on time," Bush said. "I urge Democrats in Congress to step forward now and pass these bills one at a time. "

[WhiteGuy]

“Democrats are failing in their responsibility to make tough decisions and spend the people’s money wisely,” Bush said in his weekly radio address.

“.....spend the people’s money wisely.....”

Like you did?

[over3Owithabrain]

Bush has spent like a drunken sailor and couldn't muster the strength to lift his veto pen for 8 years. And on immigration he got in bed with Teddy Kennedy, thankfully it was conservative Republicans who killed the bill.

Sorry, W - we gave you plenty of chances. Your words are empty now...

[RC2]

We can’t really blame any of them if we keep giving them our tax money. Cut back on the taxes, across the board, and they can’t spend it. Power is in money, the more we give them, the more at fault we are.

[VA Voter]

It’s about time.

[TomGuy]

The White House has said the failure of a broad immigration overhaul was proof that Democratic-controlled Capitol Hill cannot take on major issues.

Awwwwww. They didn't get 'a Congress we can work with' after all in 06.

Maybe if this White House would do the job they were elected to do, instead of pushing the globalist agenda, they wouldn't have these problems.

[Let's Roll]

Yep, Bush needs to be ripping congress for not making tax cuts permanent.

[NoGrayZone]

“”We saw this with immigration, “.....

Ummmm, don’t you mean amnesty? After all , you DID say it yourself.

[Condor51]

"Democrats are failing in their responsibility to make tough decisions and spend the people's money wisely," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

Uh ... Dubya. I wouldn't go there.

[Cedric]

Who gave the radio address, really?

Somebody, call Roswell!!

[A.A. Cunningham]

"Democrats are failing in their responsibility to make tough decisions and spend the people's money wisely," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

Pot, kettle, black.

[laurie_d]

Please provide your posts prior to 2004 where you complained about Bush’s stated agenda?

[Corin Stormhands]

Please provide your posts prior to 2004 where you complained about Bush’s stated agenda?

Since you just got here in March laurie, you'll have to take our word for it that FReepers were all over the President for the "no child left behind" and the prescription drug plan, among other spending items.

We've been steadfastly with him in the war on terror. But there has been no hesitation to criticize his domestic spending.

You can look it up. We really shouldn't have to do your homework for you.

[Iscool]

What? Is the President practicing for his new career??? A stand up comic???

[laurie_d]

Yeah, I’m often bashed for being one of those awful “newbies” (rolls eyes). Maybe you can suggest that registration here on FR be closed to anyone after a certain date. That would keep it “pure” for those of you bragging about your internet longevity.

It does not negate the fact that some of you...many of you here on FR are attacking this President for things that you didn’t care to attack when he was running for President. I’m sure you can provide all of your posts in the summer and fall of 2004 where you’re stating your concerns with his agenda for re-election, can’t you?

Now that the liberal media tells you his poll numbers are low, well, it’s easy to jump on the “let’s bash Bush” bandwagon.

Criticizing the President is one thing. Repeating lines heard by the liberal media and restating them in order to jump on the be popular and bash Bush bandwagon is another.

Get behind the guy. Yes, stop the immigration bill. Conservatives *DID* that. It doesn’t mean you continually bash the guy. Don’t you think he gets enough of that from the drive-bys????

Now, if you’re talking for everyone here on FR, that’s fine.
You seem to be claiming that.

This “newbie” knows enough that there isn’t a consensus on 2008 here at all. None whatsoever. The only consensus among some of you who are not “newbies” (once again rolls eyes) is that you constantly bash Bush.

And THIS conservative has had enough of Bush bashing from “conservatives”.

[laurie_d]

Yes, I “just got here” in March. As I told someone else, I really think all of you who wish to keep FR “pure” from any “newbies” suggest that registration be closed.

Why don’t you do that. It will keep out the “newbies”. (rolls eyes).

[TomGuy]

Please provide your posts prior to 2004 where you complained about Bush’s stated agenda?

You can't keep up?

He was pushing amnesty in 2001. The 9-11 attacks put that on hold. They re-started it in 2002. It was stopped in the Senate on a technicality. Do you know who stopped it? They tried to revive it, but with terrorism and the election top priorities, it never got much of a following to try again. Then amnesty was pushed after the 2004 election, because Bush knew (1) he didn't have to worry about re-election and (2) he had 4 years to make it happen. It was pushing through the REPUBLICAN SENATE in 2006. The Republican House stopped it. It was pushed again in 2007, with slight revisions. It was stopped in the DEMOCRATIC SENATE. It was resurrected, slightly revised, bumped up with a $4.4 billion bribe, and it got shot down again, most by Republicans in the DEMOCRATIC SENATE.

So, did you figure out who stopped it on a technicality in 2002? Senator Robert Byrd (D-WVA).

Like it or not, it seems a Democratic Senator shot it the first time, and the Democratci Senate killed it twice this year (so far).

That is a better track record than the Republican President pushing it, reviving it, pushing it, reviving it; and the Republican Senate passing it in 2006.

Just before the 2002 election the RNC sent out a memo to the party leaders through the country and told them to avoid the issue of immigration.

If you need more information, try googling. It can be fun and educational.

[laurie_d]

So, now the new FR line on the reason to bash Bush is as follows:

Bush was elected in 2000 by pushing amnesty. And then came 9/11 and everything was put on hold. Keep in mind you’re claiming that amnesty was a main agenda item.

So, Bush gets re-elected in 2004. Amnesty was a big topic of debate, wasn’t it? NO it was not.

Now, *I* am pleased that the bill WAS stopped. But to falsely claim that it was a big campaign issue in 2000 and 2004 is just a flat out falsehood.

Why do you bash Bush? Why, why why? The democrats are making a mess of this country with their control of Congress and their hundreds of subpoenas and demands for hearings. And you’re here bashing Bush. Some of you EVERY DAY.

[TomGuy]

the prescription drug plan

I remember sitting up all night on that one. Hastert called for a 15-minute vote around 1:00 a.m. CT.

By 2:00 still no end to the voting -- arm-twisting behind the scenes -- 5 hold outs.

3:00 still no end -- arm-twisting -- still too many holding out.

IIRC, the vote finally ended around 4:30. That was a long 15-minute vote.