Posted on 11/14/2008 1:07:12 PM PST by sickoflibs
Democrats in the Senate are scrambling to draft an auto industry relief bill that can win over skeptical Republicans when the measure comes up for a vote next week.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and supporters of the bill, which would extend $25 billion in emergency loans to the auto industry, are trying to round up the votes needed to break an expected filibuster. Reid plans to begin debate Monday and set up a test vote on Wednesday.
But Democrats will have to do a lot of arm-twisting before then. Supporters expect to need between 12 and 15 GOP votes to attach the measure to a $6 billion bill the House passed in October that would extend jobless benefits. So far, they have only one firm commitment, from Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio, a state with several auto plants and auto-supply manufacturers.
In a letter Friday to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Reid urged Republicans to reconsider their opposition.
"In my view, the adoption of a robust recovery package should be the top priority of the upcoming lame duck session," Reid wrote. "That is why I intend to seek consent on a bill to create jobs, prevent large tax increases and cuts in state services, strengthen our nation’s manufacturing sector, and assist those struggling to find a job."
Democrats could include items like extra stimulus measures and low-income heating assistance.
Jim Manley, Reid's spokesman, noted Thursday night that nothing can be done without the agreement of Senate Republicans.
Some Senate Republicans are skeptical the aid under the auto proposal would lead to changes by the companies that could make them viable in the long run. But several states with Republican senators have Big Three auto factories.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I agree. If they are going to have a bailout why don't they at least buy us all a new car. That way we would get something for being screwed out of our tax dollars!
Dreaming of a "green" world is not realistic, not if you want to live a half way decent life style instead of sinking down into poverty the way the greenies have it planned out for us. Bozo will do his best to break us, I intend to fight back.
RE then why the &%@# should they be expected to send money in the form of a bailout?
You know why. back in September we were told no time to worry about negative effects, 900B must be given away. Well that was the free pass to endless giveaways gov takeovers, as Cavuto warned us.
Here's another possibility: Instead of giving the money to the automakers, give the money to us in the form of a rebate check. So, how much would you need in the form of a rebate to entice you to purchase an American car over a similar model made by Toyota or Honda? Would you do it for $2000? $5000? That's the fundamental question isn't it?
The rats have had control of congress since 2007, what did they do for the good of the country?
Nothing.
Thanks all you stupid people that voted for a change in 2006 and again in 2008.
Lets keep reminding our representatives: NO MORE BAILOUTS.
This has to be promoted on Free Republic. Conservative talk radio will not push hard on this because most are also accepting advertising dollars from the Big 3.
This is a great approach, be prepared to be condemned.
It seems to me that we are getting beat by the radical left because we are to absolutist in our desires. The electorate has a sizable number of mushy moderates that are easily swayed by emotion over reason.
I'm not advocating giving up on a goal, for example controlling who is in this country, but how to get there. When we push for a wall and complete deportation that mushy middle votes with the "kind, caring, sensitive" radical left not realizing they are helping to destroy us. Our "conservative" politicians don't stick with us because they want to get reelected and conservatives get marginalized.
Because it is opposed by over 70% of the public and the Dems want the Pubs to provide cover while they dole out 25 billion to their minions in the UAW.
I wouldn’t say no to a bailout. I would say F___ NO!
He means nothing can be done without Republican cover.
What do the Republicans have to gain by supporting this? Noting. Not Michigan, not union support, nothing.
What do they have to lose? Conservative support, the other 49 states.
This is PURE Charlie Brown football. If the GOP votes for this, they get blamed for the UAW empowerment and the resulting mess. If they vote against it, they get blamed for the economic mess. Either way, the GOP is the bad guy.
Hint for GOP reps... vote yes and enjoy your unemployment in 2010. Remember the BS bailout bill???? Stupid is as stupid does.
Um... some of these states don’t HAVE Republican senators...
...They bailout the financial industry, which produces nothing, but will not help out a industry that may help win a war, if, God forbid, one should happen...
These boys stopped making defense vehicles a long time ago.
Welcome to Obama’s Amerika, comrade! Those in power live well. YOU don't...
By the way, a number of companies have discovered how to convert the oil from oil-laden algae not only into diesel fuel, but also into gasoline (for automobile engines) and kerosene (for gas turbine engines). That means we are on the brink of getting a truly unlimited source of motor fuels--possibly within ten years! That right there will essentially end the OPEC cartel for good.
Tell me about it, someone trying to come up with new approaches and solutions to a problem definitely deserves to get flamed. How dare you or me for suggesting something different.
I do agree with the mushy moderate description you have come up, emotion over reason is a great way to describe what goes on in their minds.
Sadly, some here feel they should be ignored as well. Some must have been yearning for minority party status ....
It's not really a "new approach." The 2007 amnesty bill supposedly had "triggers" that would not grant "real" amnesty until they were satisfied. The US public was overwhelmingly opposed to it (but "our" senators are getting more brazen in disregarding the will of the people, e. g. the "bailout.") Building a wall, followed by amnesty, is not going to work either, because people will find a way to get in unless the solution cuts off the money that they come here for. That would require consistent and dedicated internal enforcement to eliminate the hiring of illegal aliens. Border Patrol people say that ICE agents are needed much more than more border patrol agents.
In the 2008 Presidential election, only 32% of Obama voters agreed that illegal immigrants should be granted amnesty and a pathway to citizenship, and that it was one of the factors that led them to vote for Obama. We don't know how many did not vote for either Obama or McCain because of their amnesty positions, but I do know some people who usually vote R but did not vote for any POTUS candidate in 2008, and amnesty was one of the reasons.
McCain, Graham, Collins, Snow, Hagel will all vote yea. Gotta be bipartisan ya know.
I know. Now we allow France via Air Bus to make our weapons. They make billions of dollars, America gets a couple thousand jobs in Alabama. If this passes for sound economic policy, then America is doomed.
Let them go bankrupt and restructure. No more bail outs.
Oh it could and will get a lot worse. Picture millions of Americans thrown out of work in a matter of days or weeks. What do you suppose will happen. The votes will be there for any program the Dems want.
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