An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right

« Lunar eclipse photos from NEOhio

McCain’s Lapse »

GOP Misses an Opportunity on Earmarks

Posted by PAUL SILVER in At TMV.
Feb 21st, 2008 | Comments

Robert Novak had this item in his political report yesterday:

House Republicans showed how much they really care about losing their fiscal responsibility brand when they rejected Rep. Jeff Flake (Ariz.), the leading crusader against earmarks, for a vacancy on the House Appropriations Committee. They picked Rep. Jo Bonner (Ala.), a former House staffer and a consistent supporter of earmarks. Flake’s goose was cooked earlier when the House Republican Conference did not unilaterally impose a moratorium on earmarks.

I would have thought that by unilaterally abandoning earmarks the GOP could take the high ground on fiscal restraint and have terrific leverage over the Democrats with independents voters. So what fiscal credentials do the GOP want to promote?

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

kritt11

Neither party is serious about earmarks- they help those in Congress get reelected. As long as Congressmen can point to federal funding that they have garnered for their districts, they will have a sizeable advantage over any opposition. Cutting out earmarks just sounds good in theory to those who believe in conservative dogma. In practice it would kill the chances of many incumbents to hold on to their seats, and they know it.

casualobserver

Looks like we'll have to elect McCain, folks, and try to get at the earmark issue from the top down.

John Bohner is not this Republican's idea of a good Republican.

PaulSilver

Kritt11,
I agree. There seems to be a mutual pact between the parties to allow this advantage to incumbents of both parties.

DLS

They didn't learn from 2006. The label sticks again: "Stupid Party"

Maxim

Folks,
We just never get it. We're like the good ol ' hound dog who keeps comin back for a kick in the arse b/4 gettin fed.
You'd think the Repubs would take this opportunity since they've been hittin the Dems hard for their earmark sins during the last budget debates. Could someone point to a site that maybe differentiates btw the frivolous earmarks and the no- brainer ones that aren't too bad?

GeorgeSorwell

Thanks for all the coverage you provide on the issue of earmarks!

Slamfu

Yea, seems peole are catching on about neither party willing to give up its pork. I remember after the Abramoff scandal broke, Congress passed a toothless bill to make it look like they gave a damn about the money floating around Washington. Then McCain and a few others tried to roll out a more serious bill that got voted down 6-94. I'm happy to say Obama was a yes on that one while Clinton was a no. But the point was made, if you want to change the lobbyist problems in DC you need to get over on BOTH parties.

blog comments powered by Disqus