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Dems go to war on Bush: Party puts its own interests before nation s
Union Leader ^ | 7/11/02

Posted on 07/11/2002 3:12:29 AM PDT by kattracks

DEMOCRATS SMELL blood at the White House, and they are moving in for the kill with startlingly vicious ferocity. So much for bipartisanship, unity and putting country before party.

There is a lot to be said for having a loyal opposition. The minority party’s duty is to keep the majority honest. However, there are limits of common decency and good taste. At least there used to be.

President George W. Bush released his corporate accountability proposals earlier this week, some of which were adopted from a plan being pushed by Senate Democrats. Bush’s plan is quite good. It could use some tweaking, including adding another one or two ideas from the Democrats’ proposal, but overall it would make corporate fraud more difficult to commit and get away with. Did Democratic leaders acknowledge this and pledge to work with the President to fashion the best possible plan?

No, they slammed the President as hard as they could, accusing him of putting forth a weak proposal because he is in the back pocket of big corporations.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe called Bush’s plan “toothless.”

“All bark and no bite,” said Michigan Rep. John Conyers Jr.

Really? Toothless? No bite at all, even though it increases prison time for corporate fraud and includes portions of the Democrats’ own plan?

“A lack of leadership,” said Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut. Dodd, by the way, actually is in corporations’ back pockets. In 1995 he fought for legislation to limit lawsuits from shareholders who want to sue companies for fraud.

Though Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont has a corporate responsibility bill, it is not displayed on the Democratic National Committee’s Web site. Instead, the DNC posts vitriolic comments from chairman McAuliffe accusing President Bush of corporate wrongdoing when he was on the board of Harken Energy but giving no substantive rebuttal of Bush’s plan.

Democrats are obviously more concerned about scoring cheap political points than in quickly crafting legislation to tighten laws governing corporate behavior. And all the while they are pretending to be acting in the best interests of the country. Talk about a lack of ethics.



TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
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1 posted on 07/11/2002 3:12:29 AM PDT by kattracks
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To: kattracks
This is not news.Its james "the snake" carville.
2 posted on 07/11/2002 3:31:46 AM PDT by magua
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To: kattracks
"Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe called Bush’s plan “toothless.”

Terry McAuliffe should go back under his rock and stay very, very quiet.

3 posted on 07/11/2002 3:56:32 AM PDT by Right_in_Virginia
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To: Right_in_Virginia
If McAuliffe has done something illegal or immoral or whatever with Global Crossing (and I believe it's at least shady), then why aren't the Republicans or the press going after him. Ok, ok, the press I sort of understand, but not the Republicans. Only Rush seems to be making any noise, yet McAuliffe is loud and unashamed, even though I think he's being hypocitical. And now they are even suing Chenney.

Add this to my list of "Reasons why I'm not a Republican".

4 posted on 07/11/2002 4:18:11 AM PDT by GBA
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To: GBA
Well, maybe the Republicans are. In fact, I know they are, because the RNC has/had sent out emails on it and posted these stories on their web site. However, if they do, big media doesn't report it. It's like the old question, if a tree falls in the forest and nobody's there to hear it, does it make a sound? To paraphrase, if a Republican accuses, with proof, that the Democrats are corrupt or hypocrites, and no reporter covers the story, is it not true?

Case in point: Larry Klayman's Judicial Watch sued Clinton & Co. many times over obstruction of justice and corruption, but big media didn't report any of it, except maybe to note JW was a right-wing group. Yesterday, JW sued Cheney over Halburton, and NBC had it as story two on their Nightly News.

5 posted on 07/11/2002 4:55:11 AM PDT by Alas Babylon!
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To: kattracks
Just like Dems were more interested in converting all airport security screeners to Demo-gov workers than they were in increasing airport security. The Dems should be labeled the "it's all about me" party.
6 posted on 07/11/2002 5:01:34 AM PDT by copycat
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To: Alas Babylon!
A noble effort, sending email to the party faithful and posting it on the Republican website. But it ain't enough. Yeah, you're right. The key is getting the story out there and the problem is in part that the media won't give a voice.

I'm no marketing genius, but it seems to me that short, to the point, (by that, I mean blunt) statements generally get air time and get into the minds of the populace.

The Republicans have all kinds of ammo. Short partyline statements on the Sunday shows and every other time a camera is pointed at them, statements that name names and point fingers, that point out McCauliffe's Global Crossing past or Dasshole's record and his wife's lobbying connections, Enron's C.E.O's connections to the Democrat party, etc. might be a place to start. Pointed, personal, but factual. Turn the interviews around. Ask the interviewers why it isn't in the news or being investigated. Ask about the hypocracy. Be nice, but rub their noses in it. Ask the questions every one of us would ask if we had the chance. With a face like that of an angel ask "Is it because you are a Democrat that you don't investigate Global Crossing, or Dasshole's wife's efforts?" Missed opportunities!

The truth is on their side, on our side. These feeble efforts you talk about only keep the party faithful, faithful.

7 posted on 07/11/2002 5:29:08 AM PDT by GBA
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To: Alas Babylon!
and NBC had it as story two on their Nightly News.

I saw Klayman on CNN too, where suddenly the "right-wing attack group" is being described as an "ethics" group or a "Washington-based watchdog group"...amazing, eh ?? How many suits did this idiot file against Clinton and his cronies...and why weren't these talked about on CNN ?? Hmmmmm......can you say "BIAS" boys and girls ?? Sure you can...

8 posted on 07/11/2002 5:29:53 AM PDT by twyn1
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To: All; habs4ever
Just after clinton left White House, the money men of the Dem Party told Al Gore to get lost (''he's a loser'') and made billclinton Head of Dem Party
The Dem Senators (interviewed at the time) said ''fine, he can do our strategy for us and raise money for us''
After slickwilly put across the Jeffords' coup, he regained full power over the Dem Senators again
At first he laid low, he wanted to know if Bush's DOJ would come after him
It was his idea to use the Enron scandal as a political scandal and go after Bush with it
The day it broke I recognized his hand behind it
habs said ''but palo what can a mismanaged company have to do with Bush''
I said ''it has nothing to do with Bush, but slickwilly has the media in his pocket and the Dem Senators, so he'll do it''

When clinton was prez I trembled cause he had absolute power
After Impeachment no one could stop him cause they wouldn't do another Impeachment
This is why we worked so hard to hand power over to Bush
I don't worry about any of his shenanigans now, cause any minute Bush wants to stop it cold, he can merely decide to have his DOJ investigate all the crimes he committed as prez
As long as Bush is our President, power resides in Bush and clinton's destructiveness can be stopped at any time
Love, Palo
9 posted on 07/11/2002 6:17:42 AM PDT by palo verde
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To: palo verde
The following article did not get much play on here...

The FBI raid may also be a sign that the reported no prosecution deal for the Clintons, demanded by Democrat leaders as the price for President Bush getting some of his legislative agenda implemented, is beginning to unravel - since Democrats seem to have kept little if any of their part of the bargain.

FBI Raids Hillary's Warehouse in Whitewater Deja Vu

A Bush administration insider has privately leaked word that a deal was struck between Democratic congressional leaders and the Bush White House not to prosecute Bill and/or Hillary Clinton on an array of charges related to the Pardongate scandal, Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly claimed Friday on his nationally syndicated "Radio Factor" show.

O'Reilly said that according to his source, "Basically, they said look, if you embarrass us - by us we mean the Democratic Party - if you, Bush-Ashcroft, indict Clinton on bribery or go after Hillary or any of this - we're gonna shut you down. We're not gonna do anything. You're not going to get any [legislation] passed in four years."

O'Reilly: Bush Insider Claims Clinton Deal Torpedoed Pardongate

10 posted on 07/11/2002 6:59:32 AM PDT by ravingnutter
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To: Alas Babylon!
Case in point: Larry Klayman's Judicial Watch sued Clinton & Co. many times over obstruction of justice and corruption, but big media didn't report any of it, except maybe to note JW was a right-wing group. Yesterday, JW sued Cheney over Halburton, and NBC had it as story two on their Nightly News.

Fox News pointed out that little inconsistancy. Which kind of takes the wind out of your defense of Republicans. Fox News would report a Republican calling for support of our President during war and demonstrating that Democrats have been attacking Bush since September 11th. Fox hasn't reported it because it hasn't happened, or happened enough.

11 posted on 07/11/2002 9:22:34 AM PDT by Nephi
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To: ravingnutter
hi ravingnutter
thank you for this article
it is interesting
I can understand why the Dems wanted this, they were complicit in clinton's criminality
I am sorry the GOP chose it
I guess they didn't want media trampling all over them again like they did in Impeachment
I remember when Trent Lott was wavering about letting Impeachment come to Senate at all
he said ''let's see how the media plays it first''
it's a miracle he let it come to Senate when he saw media was against GOP
he compromised by not allowing a real Trial
I give him credit for not allowing Censure, which would have given Dems cover
when I saw Dems voted unanimously to keep clinton in power, I vowed to never vote for one again
(I had been lifelong Dem voter)
and to vote staight GOP, which I did

I don't think it's wise for GOP make any decision based on how media will play it
clinton has media in his pocket
When Bush first took Office, he remembered the success he had in Texas by bending over backwards for the Dems
he achieved cooperation
this is sound principle for harmony and cooperation
I don't think he realized then how demented the Dems in US Senate and House had become
because of their corrupt decision to keep clinton in power
Love, Palo
12 posted on 07/11/2002 9:34:32 AM PDT by palo verde
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To: palo verde
When Bush first took Office, he remembered the success he had in Texas by bending over backwards for the Dems he achieved cooperation this is sound principle for harmony and cooperation I don't think he realized then how demented the Dems in US Senate and House had become because of their corrupt decision to keep clinton in power

I think you are right. We Texans pride ourselves on being tough and he won over the majority of Texas Dems, even Bob Bullock. I just don't think Bush was prepared for what the U.S. Congressional Dems are doing to him, they are more ruthless than the Texas Dems could ever be and they have no conscience when it comes to power grabbing.

13 posted on 07/11/2002 9:59:42 AM PDT by ravingnutter
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To: palo verde
bttt ;-)
14 posted on 07/11/2002 11:42:49 AM PDT by lodwick
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To: ravingnutter; habs4ever
perceptive post raving nutter, I agree with you

I give President Bush incredible credit for demonstrating patience strength courage and conviction
in the face of the destructive Dems in Congress

I'm political drop out now
cause of the war on terror
I always saw it as a criminal attack, rather than attack a la Pearl Harbor
I still honor his goodness and decency tho
Love, Palo
15 posted on 07/11/2002 11:46:26 AM PDT by palo verde
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To: lodwick
I love you
16 posted on 07/11/2002 11:47:41 AM PDT by palo verde
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To: palo verde
An al Qada by definition is a criminal enterprise, but in conjunctuion with various States, can still wage War.I don't think its a useful distinction to try to make, it is still an act of War to make such an attack on 9/11.Bush clearly said he will see no difference between those that harbour and aid terrorists and those terrorists themselves.

Now, let me chew on the rest of your posts ;-)
17 posted on 07/11/2002 12:03:46 PM PDT by habs4ever
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To: habs4ever
you and I dont see this the same way cause I think international gangsters were behind 9/11
and arab fanatics carried it out for them
I have read freepers say ''arabs had nothing to do with it, they were set up''
I guess I agree with them
I may be wrong about everything, but that's how I see it now
I'll vote Libertarian in next election, if international gangsters were behind 9/11 then drugs is their source of money
stopping the war on drugs is sensible
Love, Palo
18 posted on 07/11/2002 4:02:08 PM PDT by palo verde
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To: Nephi
Which kind of takes the wind out of your defense of Republicans.

You know, I actually wish you were right, but sadly, you're dead wrong. Fox News is the ONLY fair big media outlet in a sea of leftist pink. I think most folks here know when I say big media, I'm referring to ABCCBSNBCCNNPBSMSNBC and Wash Post, NYT, LAT, Gannet, AP, Reuters, BBC, AFP and a host of others. Fox is a small breeze blowing against the gale of leftist big media. And that's why it's sad. I truely wish Fox News had many more viewers, and the others at least tried to be fair.

Incidently, just so you're not confused, I'm not defending Repulbicans, but rather conservatives. Leftist big media loves liberals/leftists, and hates conservatives. While most Republicans are more conservatives than the Democrats, it isn't always so. You and I might readily see a difference between conservatives and Republicans (especially RINOs), but leftist big media think (or should I see feel) conservatives=Republicans/Republicans=conservatives.

19 posted on 07/12/2002 11:32:10 AM PDT by Alas Babylon!
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To: Alas Babylon!
While I think for the most part you and I are on the same page, in two paragraphs, you failed to counter my point with fact.

In case you need reminding, the point I made was that Brit Hume of Fox News mentioned that the only air time (other than Fox News) Judicial Watch has ever received is when they went after Cheney and his Haliburton connection. Do you have any examples of Republicans calling for unity with President Bush and pointing out how Democrats have been attacking him steadily since September 11th? No. Because they haven't, otherwise Fox would air it.

Then you cry this sad song about Fox in a sea of liberal...which is true. But, it seems that you are unaware of the impact that Fox has had on CNN, MSNBC, etc. If I were a politician, I would refuse to talk to all networks except Fox and decline by saying, "I have no desire to be ambushed by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Democrat Party."

Liberal politicians try to discredit Fox in order to preserve the liberal bias that favors them, why is it unreasonable to expect conservatives to pressure the liberal bias that hurts their agenda?

20 posted on 07/13/2002 9:18:16 AM PDT by Nephi
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