Senate Republicans Splinter As Moderates Rise Up: Talking Points Memo

[Stuart G]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/07/senate-republicans-splinter-as-moderates-rise-up.php?ref=fpb

Sahil Kapur- July 19, 2013, 2:15 PM 10818
Whether it’s immigration reform, the budget, or President Obama’s nominees, a faction of more moderate Republican senators are increasingly splitting from both their leadership and the tea party and partnering with Democrats on key issues.

The growing signs of division are remarkable after years of exceptional Senate GOP unity under the reign of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), during which minority use of the filibuster to thwart governance has soared to unprecedented heights.

This week, large numbers of Republicans, led by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), broke with McConnell and voted with Democrats to secure the confirmation of controversial Obama nominees to the Labor Department, Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In all eight cloture and confirmation votes, McConnell voted “no.”

The most controversial nominee so far, Tom Perez for labor secretary, overcame a GOP filibuster by the thinnest of margins, 60-40. The six Republicans who joined Democrats in his favor, whom Democrats will look to for cooperation on other matters, were Sens. McCain, Bob Corker (TN), Lamar Alexander (TN), Susan Collins (ME), Mark Kirk (IL) and Lisa Murkowski (AK).

In a clear sign of boiling rank-and-file frustration, Corker reportedly cried “bullshit” loudly while McConnell was discussing the issue of nominations and Democrats’ nuclear option threat during a closed-door GOP meeting on Wednesday. He later declined to apologize for it and said he’s “glad that that occurred.”
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Just perhaps...think of this....if this could happen in the Senate...Maybe..just maybe...17 or 18 Republican moderates.(that is about.. 7 percent..that is all)...yes there are some...in the House of Representatives ,could help the country recover by passing needed legislation to rebuild the nation's infrastructure..just maybe..(another point..Lisa Murkowski doesn't owe the Republican establishment anything. they tried to destroy her..with a tea party challenge...)

[dballance]

1. It's about damned time.

I guess they finally looked at the polls and found they're less popular than head lice and cockroaches.

It's about damned time they decided to step up and govern rather than be partisan hacks.

[rhett o rick]

2. I am hoping that as the moderates get stronger they will attract the

conservatives out of our party. Our tent isnt that big.

[Doctor_J]

3. Bullllllllllllllllllshit

their campaign next year will be another lurch to the right. Everything and everyone related to an (R) is malignant and anti-American