But in a remarkable display on Monday, a majority of House members slapped aside the best version their leaders and the administration had been able to come up with, bucking presidential speeches, pleading visits from Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and urgent warnings that the economy could nosedive without the legislation.
In the face of thousands of phone calls and e-mails fiercely opposing the measure, many lawmakers were not willing to take the political risk of voting for it just five weeks before the elections.
The bill went down, 228-205.
The House Web site was overwhelmed as millions of people sought information about the measure through the day.
Why the fuck isn't this the lead story?
Remember the idea that Americans are apathetic about politics? Turns out not to be true.
Reminds me of a sticker on the side of a wonderful band of drummers I used to see in Harvard Square oh, ten or fifteen year ago (though it seems like forever):
If the people lead, the leaders will follow.
Democrats? Republicans? Anybody? Hello? Can we get some representation, please?
NOTE No matter which way your representative voted, call them and tell them your reaction....
- lambert's blog
Printer-friendly version- Login or register to post comments
Front page
Comments
Concussion Ensemble? BTW, don't forget that Wall St. is busy
pressuring our representatives also. I think they hold a little more sway than we do.
I love this job!
I love this job!
DeLong
I've been reading Brad DeLong lately and it's driving me up the wall. Basically, if you don't support this bill, you're killing puppies.
Didn't Brad DeLong
follow Alan Greenspan until recently? That's really all you need to know. He spent most of this decade following the guy who got us into this mess. Now, we're supposed to listen to him on how to get out of it?
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right -- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. " - Eleanor Roosevelt
I like the Ghandi quote
There go my people, I must hurry and catch up with them, for I am their leader.
Would that Obama would catch up with the American citizens.
We can admit that we're killers ... but we're not going to kill today. That's all it takes! Knowing that we're not going to kill today! ~ Captain James T. Kirk, Stardate 3193.0
We can admit that we’re killers … but we’re not going to kill today. That’s all it takes! ~ Captain James T. Kirk, Stardate 3193.0
1 John 4:18
More slapping please.
Very sad that my representative Betty McCollum was a toady for Pelosi on this. She will receive a call.
It amazes me the level of outrage among "normal", otherwise apolitical Americans. Every restaurant, bar, gas station, etc. talks about this. Zero are saying "we should just trust them".
That well dried up a long time ago.
Also, although most people say they "like this Obama guy", he had better distance himself from this boondoggle. Basically, supporting $700b bailout IS "Washington business as usual".
-----------------------------
Around these parts we call cucumber slices circle bites
-----------------------------
I'm not such a bad guy once you get to know me.
9 of Michigan's 15 reps voted against this...
...including my Republican rep (Mike Rogers), and it didn't fall along party lines or any geographical lines in the state. Strange bedfellows politics makes.
But, we've always been at war with Eastasia...
Did It Fall Along $ Lines
Were people who represent struggling districts more likely to vote no, than people representing wealthier ones? I'm really curious about this and have no time to do the research.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right -- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. " - Eleanor Roosevelt
No, It Didn't.
Which makes it all the more strange. It didn't break down on any comfortable lines. Not geographical, not party lines, not wealth lines...
But, we've always been at war with Eastasia...
That Is Weird
I did read that 24 of the 31 members in the most closely contested races voted against it, that makes sense. The rest is kind of a mystery, isn't it? I still can't believe my FISA-yes Rep. voted against this one.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right -- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. " - Eleanor Roosevelt
My rep voted against it.
He's the moron known as Tim Walberg and IS getting a run for his seat from the dem, Mark Schauer. Schauer is way better looking, too. (hee hee)
The dems are spending a ton of $$$ on mailings and ads. We get at least one mailing every week, and there are also teevee ads.
As someone posted earlier (oh, Anglachel), some of those who voted no are in danger of losing their seats.
Pie, didn't know you were a Michigander.
My rep, Mike Rogers, just next door, voted a against it, too. I was surprised to learn over this election season that these two have two of the most conservative voting records in the state. I was sure that it would have been one of the reps over in West Michigan.
Yes, there is a relatively strong and common connection, nationally, between those who voted against this.
But, we've always been at war with Eastasia...