Graham threatens to ditch climate bill if Dems push immigration bill

[kpete]

Source: The Hill


Graham threatens to ditch climate bill if Dems push immigration bill
By Ben Geman - 04/24/10 03:14 PM ET

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Saturday that he will be “unable to move forward” with the upcoming climate and energy bill he’s crafting if Democratic leaders push ahead with plans to move immigration legislation.

Graham’s declaration could halt or unravel the months-long effort to craft a compromise climate measure he has undertaken with Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.). The measure is slated to be unveiled Monday.

“I want to bring to your attention what appears to be a decision by the Obama Administration and Senate Democratic leadership to move immigration instead of energy,” Graham wrote in a letter Saturday.


“Unless their plan substantially changes this weekend, I will be unable to move forward on energy independence legislation at this time. I will not allow our hard work to be rolled out in a manner that has no chance of success,” he added.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/94143-graham-threatens-to-abandon-climate-bill-if-democrats-push-immigration-measure

[PSPS]

1. The GOP will attempt to "ditch" everything anyway, so why listen to this clown?

The "climate bill" is a joke anyway.

[DCBob]

6. Yep. Best to scrap it and start over anyway..

Maybe by then there will be more support for something significant.

[blm]

7. 'significant' was already submitted and 13 Dem senators sent a letter insisting 'significance' be

wittled down in the original Kerry/Boxer bill so their states would not have to feel the 'significance'...and some of those senators are considered huge progressive heroes here at DU and other Dem forums.

Funny thing - few on DU or around the other blogs even noticed when that happened a few months ago.

[DCBob]

9. Yeah, it appears climate change has taken a back burner to other issues..

even though its probably the one that going to do us all in.. at some point.

[blm]

11. yep - even Feingold and Franken signed that letter stating it would be too hard on their states.

And now many forum-using Dems will complain about the rewritten bill not understanding that some of THEIR heroes forced the greater compromise in that rewritten bill.

[DCBob]

17. Yes, it would appear even many progressives are ignoring a major critical issue...

because the "economy" is more important. They fail to realize is that someday there will be no economy if we dont get a handle on climate change.

[wisteria]

12. delete

[wisteria]

14. Here at DU they only pick certain Democrats as the enemy, other can do no wrong.

Even when they do. And, the sad thing is we know how long and hard Senator Kerry has pushed for comprehensive climate change legislation.

[Xipe Totec]

2. We're at risk of losing the good will of the Republicans! Oh, no!

What are we to do?

(wrings hands)...

[Iliyah]

3. The GOP

have no good will.

[bluesmail]

4. So that's the hitch. (eom)

[Kookaburra]

5. Sure, Graham, you great big whiny baby...

I read up on that climate bill -- IT SUCKS!!! So you go right ahead and ditch that piece of feline excrement, and we'll be all the better for it.

[bluestateguy]

8. When did we get to a point where the Senate is incapable of working on more than one bill at a time?

nt

[wisteria]

13. Good point. But, like Health care, if immigration is brought up next-and the media want it this way,

you know the only thing being discussed will be reform. Come on, climate change is boring, but immigration, now that is sure to rile up people.

[wisteria]

10. A group of hard working Senators put a lot into this bill. I am sorry to see this effort be wasted.

Frankly, we will never get a bill that will satisfy the majority of people here who want everything their way. The only way to get anything passed is by compromise. If you all recall, the bill from the house that was very progressive and Boxer and Kerry pushed in the Senate died a quick death and that was before Scott Brown and we had 60 senators, so I just can't figure out when you think will be the right time to have a bill pass that will have in it everything everyone wants here. If this bill is dropped we will not have a chance for a very long time-if ever- to do something about climate change. I don't like the idea of never.
I don't blame Senator Graham if he does pull out,(I hope he doesn't) he has stuck his neck out to do something good for this country at the opposition of the base of his party. And, if Reid reneges on his promise to bring up Climate Change next and instead takes up the highly charged issue of immigration reform only to use it as a political ploy, then I have no respect for him left because as I said before, the only way to get anything to pass is by compromise and there is no way in hell Republicans-especially McCain are going to give an inch to benefit Reid's reelection and to help the party please a large constituent group.

[scentopine]

15. Oh for christ's sake - here comes capitulation, even when republicans

lose, they win. Liberals always lose no matter who wins. Jesus we still are governed like the republicans are in power.

Sick of this shit. From a health reform bill that does nothing to control costs and profits of health CEOs to watered down wall street reform that is designed to protect bank CEO wealth, to a weak civil suit against GS that trots out a Scooter Libby token.

Being in the middle class I'm once again called upon to be a good soldier and bend over and take it like a loyal democrat. War, torture, outsourcing, lies and injustice.

Just fucking nuke the republicans with the same resolve that was so easy to muster when democrats committed another 100,000 impoverished men, women and children to die in Afghanistan so that we may spread liberty and freedom.

Sure we can bleed out entire nations and spend trillions in some hell hole, but here in USA Obama is impotent against the root of our decaying quality of life.

[postulater]

16. God forbid having TWO things move at the same time.

The Horror. The Horror.

[Turbineguy]

18. I'll show you!

I'll kill the world!

Has Goldman Sachs come up with a derivative where I can short the Planet yet? Might as well make a few bucks off this (we need a "cynical" smilie).

[sfwriter]

19. Wolf! Wolf! We've heard it before... Ditch it Phil.

I say let them walk away from all responsibility.

[TomCADem]

20. Why? Is it because an immigration bill may clearly preempt AZ's new laws?

I think the Republicans want to run on racism, and an immigration bill that takes the teeth out of local authorities running wild with the harassment of latinos may detract from the ability to mobilize the racist vote.

[kristopher]

21. Graham Pulls Support for Major Senate Climate Bill

Source: NYT

WASHINGTON — In a move that may derail a comprehensive climate change and energy bill in the Senate, one of the measure’s central architects, Senator Lindsey Graham, has issued an angry protest over what he says are Democratic plans to give priority to a debate over immigration policy.

Mr. Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said in a sharply-worded letter on Saturday that he would no longer participate in negotiations on the energy bill, throwing its already cloudy prospects deeper into doubt. He had been working for months with Senators John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, and Joseph I. Lieberman, independent of Connecticut, on the a legislation, which they were scheduled to announce with considerable fanfare on Monday morning. That announcement has been indefinitely postponed.

In his letter to his two colleagues, Mr. Graham said that he was troubled by reports that the Senate Democratic leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, and the White House were planning to take up an immigration measure before the energy bill. Mr. Graham has worked with Democrats in the past on immigration matters and was expected to be an important bridge to Republicans on that issue, as well as on energy.

Mr. Graham said that any Senate debate on the highly charged subject of illegal immigration would make it impossible to deal with the difficult issues involved in national energy and global warming policy.

He said in his letter that energy must come first...

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/us/politics/25graham.html

[MinneapolisMatt]

22. Typical.

Jerk.

[ananda]

23. oohh

Nasty... hissy fit.

[tularetom]

24. I guess all that talk about him being blackmailed by the Dems scared him off

IIRC, some nut job said the Dems were threatening to out Graham if he didn't support their programs.

[liberal N proud]

25. And his republican side shows its ugly head

As expected.

[Liberal Veteran]

26. What a drama queen.

[secondwind]

27. nailed it.

[AlbertCat]

28. Mr. Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said in a sharply-worded letter on Saturday

.....as he fell on the floor, rolled around and screamed at the top of his lungs "I WANT IT! I WANT IT MY WAY! I WANT IT, WANT IT, WANT IT!!!!" After standing he exclaimed "You'll be SORRY!" and held his breath until he turned blue.

[IndianaJoe]

30. Seems like a lame excuse.

This was the same Republican ploy used with Health Care. Remember Grassle and his marathon negotiations with Baucus to get a "bipartisan bill" out of the Senate. Then Grassle backs out when Baucus finally comes up with something to report to the Senate and claims he couldn't vote for the same bill he negotiated.

The previous posting was right. Graham's a jerk. Why can't we do two things at the same time?

[BrklynLiberal]

43. ROTFLMAO!! Perfect.

[groundloop]

29. DAM - WTF does it matter which bill goes first ????

They're both important. As a child, little Lindsey must not have learned his lesson about sharing.

[tekisui]

31. That can't be. Obama gave up offshore drilling and new nuclear plants as concession.

The repukes and conservatives aren't going to stand in the way because of that.:eyes:

[BrklynLiberal]

44. Riiiiiiight Bipartisanship uber alles.

Bwaahaahaa...

[sulphurdunn]

32. The Democrats work with Republicans

on legislation they both want to fail or want to pass in a Wall St. friendly form after sufficient chest pounding and mock combat to make for good PR.

[raouldukelives]

36. Exactly

[asjr]

33. Lindsey has always gotten his panties in a wad

about something. Prima Donna??

[depakid]

34. Gee, what a surprise!

A Republican welching on a deal.

Memo to Obama et al. It's the nature of the beast. These are not reasonable people and cannot be trusted to act in good faith. Ever.

[DFLforever]

35. Looks like the GOPers don't want to talk immigration

right now. Could hurt them badly gong into the midterms.

[OrderedChaos]

37. Exactly

This is why Reid should push for Immigration Reform now. The Dem's could use this as a big boost for the upcoming elections. Immigration Reform will be a very hot topic, and I am sure it will get really, really ugly. Possibly even worse than Healthcare Reform. But, the good is, it will take the blinders off people and show more of the Repug's true colors to those who are on the fence, or unhappy with their party.
After the crap Bill that was signed here in AZ yesterday, this would be a welcome, new challenge for the Dem's to pick up and run with.

[Iliyah]

38. Not a surprise

that he would act like a spoil brat. The GOPs are bullies and when things don't go their way, they pitch a bitch and act like a 2 year old.

[Historic NY]

39. Ding, ding, ding we have a winner.

[David__77]

40. Can't some of Graham's skeletons be exposed?

I know there are things he would find highly embarrassing if they came out.

[winstars]

41. Former JAG (off) Quits!!!

Remember, this fuck was one of those pugs who was on the the Big Dog like white on rice in Monica times. "Oh, just come clean and all is forgiven bullshit!!!" Once a SCUMBAG ALWAYS A SCUMBAG!!!

[BrklynLiberal]

45. Well said...

[BrklynLiberal]

42. and this is not blackmail how???