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The latest hypocritical repackaging of the GOP

Posted by PAUL SILVER in At TMV.
May 20th, 2008 | Comments

RealClearPolitics reports that the conservative Republican Study Committee will offer a new platform today

Last night, RSC chairman Jeb Hensarling sent a memo to committee members urging them to attend today’s conference meeting in order to make their voices heard. “Collectively, the Republican Conference needs to unify behind a handful of policy proposals that are bold, simple, and are truly part of our core identity,” Hensarling wrote. Hensarling and the RSC will urge fellow Republicans to adopt an “action plan” around easy-to-swallow bullet points that can serve as the framework for the party’s larger message heading into November.

The plan calls for Republicans to accept an immediate, unilateral earmark moratorium; holding the line on spending and cutting taxes; reforming health care; dropping gas prices by increasing domestic production; prohibiting interstate abortion; and reforming certain welfare work requirements.

This might have more credibility, and not a bait and switch, if the recent Farm Bill didn’t pass with a veto proof majority that spread pork so recklessly that even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was even able to achieve subsidies for Racing Horse Breeders. It is easy to denounce earmarks while distributing favors directly in legislation.

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DennisMN

Paul,

While it a bit hypocritical, it's not like the farm bill passed soley on GOP votes. It also got an overwhelming vote from Democrats as well and they have also talked about cutting out the pork. Colin Peterson, a Democrat from Minnesota was behind the bill.

If you are going to attack the GOP for it's obvious hypocrisy, then at least put some of the blame on the Dems as well.

Dennis

superdestroyer

The vote for the farm bill clearly demonstrate that the change theme of the Obama campaign is purely marketing. The era of massive government is beginning where everyone will try to get the benefits of government while sticking others with the bill.

PaulSilver

Dennis,
I agree that when the Democrats make a big deal that one of their top priorities is fiscal restraint we should all pile on about their hypocrisy as well.

DLS

"The plan calls for Republicans to accept an immediate, unilateral earmark moratorium; holding the line on spending and cutting taxes; reforming health care; dropping gas prices by increasing domestic production; prohibiting interstate abortion; and reforming certain welfare work requirements."

The first two, we'll believe them when we see them. Health care is "owned" by the Dems (provided they maintain "momentum"). Increasing production is good but where? (We need not only to look at ANWR but off the East and West coasts; the Republicans in California and Florida are shameful NIMBYs.) Prohibiting interstate abortion? How much support versus opposition is really expected here? Reforming some welfare work requirements? In what way, the more lenient, liberal way? (Dems Lite!)

CStanley

Ahem.

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