WP: GOP Leaders Try to Soothe Conservatives (by upbraiding & criticizing)

[Pirate Smile]

GOP Leaders Try to Soothe Conservatives
Drive Planned to Defuse Ire Over Spending

By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 27, 2005; Page A04

Squeezed between a conservative clamor for spending cuts and the rising cost of hurricane relief, Republican congressional leaders will respond this week with a public relations offensive to win over angry conservatives -- but no substantive changes in budget policy.

Republican lawmakers and leadership aides conceded that the wholesale budget cuts envisioned by House conservatives are not being contemplated; the Senate is moving toward approving a temporary expansion of Medicaid for hurricane survivors, estimated to cost $9 billion. Nor are GOP leaders considering tax increases.

And Hurricane Rita's blow to a politically sensitive region of Texas could add more pressure to spend.

"Many communities, faith-based entities and the state of Texas have drained assets to save lives and help with the enormous multi-state national emergency, and they will need reimbursement to avoid massive financial failures," warned Rep. Louie Gohmert, a freshman Republican whose hard-hit East Texas district was drawn with the help of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) to take it from Democratic control.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/26/AR2005092601410.html

[Pirate Smile]

1. More - GOP eating their own - yummy!

"The leadership has, however, felt the political sting of the recent deficit spending, which began with huge new transportation and energy bills this summer and cascaded into debt-financed hurricane relief this month. Republican leaders plan appearances this week on the syndicated radio talk shows of conservatives Sean Hannity, Tony Snow, Mike Gallagher and Lars Larson, as well as local radio and television shows, leadership aides said. DeLay set the tone in a Washington Times opinion piece yesterday.

"It is clear that the recent political discussion focusing on the government's spending priorities and overall economic platform in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita has introduced a valuable forum to promote the triumph of our ideas and solutions for government over the crumbling and outdated policies of the Democrat-controlled Congresses of past decades," he wrote.

In private meetings last week, GOP leaders sharply criticized rank-and-file Republicans for taking issue with the surge in spending, pleading instead for unity. But neither the public relations offensive nor the private upbraiding has quieted conservatives.

"This leadership group is so out of touch, it's unbelievable," said one House lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid inflaming leaders further.

[NYC]

4. Doesn't this prove that they use the programs for advertising?

Republican leaders plan appearances this week on the syndicated radio talk shows of conservatives Sean Hannity, Tony Snow, Mike Gallagher and Lars Larson, as well as local radio and television shows, leadership aides said.

Who controls whom? Shouldn't one have to be invited to appear on a radio or television program?

This clearly says that Republican leaders plan appearances for promoting their agenda.

[Gloria]

2. Why don't Democrats have "public relations offensives" to win

over...anybody?????

[aquart]

3. Re-imburse churches for CHARITY?

Some charity. Some church.

[A-Possum]

5. Their reasoning is so circular it makes the head spin

Ok, so we don't want government. Private and faith-based entities are supposed to do everything. But then, when they actually DO something, we have to pay them back for it, because *gasp* it COST THEM A LOT OF MONEY.

Oh no! They don't want to pay taxes because then their money might be spent in a way they don't like, but then when they choose to spend it, we owe them the money they didn't pay in taxes??

In that case, I want to be reimbursed for the $1500 worth of new socks and underwear I sent directly to the firefighters in New Orleans the week after Katrina, because that's what they were asking for and not getting. Where do I fill out the form? FEMA? Oh, and I need to get back the Fedex overnite fee too!

[Judi Lynn]

6. GOP Leaders Try to Soothe Conservatives

GOP Leaders Try to Soothe Conservatives
Drive Planned to Defuse Ire Over Spending

By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 27, 2005; Page A04

Squeezed between a conservative clamor for spending cuts and the rising cost of hurricane relief, Republican congressional leaders will respond this week with a public relations offensive to win over angry conservatives -- but no substantive changes in budget policy.

Republican lawmakers and leadership aides conceded that the wholesale budget cuts envisioned by House conservatives are not being contemplated; the Senate is moving toward approving a temporary expansion of Medicaid for hurricane survivors, estimated to cost $9 billion. Nor are GOP leaders considering tax increases.

And Hurricane Rita's blow to a politically sensitive region of Texas could add more pressure to spend.

"Many communities, faith-based entities and the state of Texas have drained assets to save lives and help with the enormous multi-state national emergency, and they will need reimbursement to avoid massive financial failures," warned Rep. Louie Gohmert, a freshman Republican whose hard-hit East Texas district was drawn with the help of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) to take it from Democratic control.
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/26/AR2005092601410.html?nav=rss_politics
(Free registration required)

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Is that the same article titled, "Fema plans to pay Faith Groups for Aid?"

Grease money. But I always knew the churches were on the take. Anything that is tax-free is just too tempting for Republicans.

[KittyWampus]

8. "soothe" conservatives? Make them sound like cranky octagenarians

who want their cookie and nap time.

[oneighty]

9. Billions for war

pennies for those in need.

180

[Burma Jones]

10. This human garbage is only conservative when it comes to

helping OTHER people. These "christian" conservatives make me ill and I wish they would start reading the Gospels and quit being so obsessed with Leviticus.......

[Roy]

11. Good strategy actually...

When your base is made up of Lemmings, this is all it takes to get them back on board. Platitudes without substance gets'em everytime.

"Republican congressional leaders will respond this week with a public relations offensive to win over angry conservatives -- but no substantive changes in budget policy."