The real issue on Hoyer's election.ought to be painfully obvious...but apparently not!

[Perky]

The majority leader's role is to speak for the caucus, drive consensus, enforce party discipline and play legislative traffic cop. It is a tough job. The caucus felt Hoyer was better suited. It really is that simple...

But there is also an important subtext. Look the american people in their infinite wisdom chose the Democrats to lead for the next two years. We need to understand that we can no longer be the party of obstruction and protest: we are suppose to lead!

To those who think that the election of majority leader was some sort of referendum on our policy on Iraq, I would suggest that such a view is both politically naive and intellectually lazy.

The caucus chose a moderate to lead them for reasons some of you apparently can't fathom. We have to govern now! Maybe you are unable to see the burdens of leadership through your rose-colored glasses, but the members see things clearly and so does the electorate. We must be about more than simply pulling out of Iraq and impeaching Bush. However appealing those out come might be. It is not in and of itself "governing".

The House has chosen its leadership. The American people want us to get thing done. You should to...let's move on

[upi402]

1. I'm with your post, except here;

"We need to understand that we can no longer be the party of obstruction and protest"

Seems to me the Republicans ceaselessly obstructed when we had the majority before.
General Roberts' Rules of Order
Parliamentary trick and palace intrigues
filibuster
Pappy Bush vetoed, what?, 68 times <<<and the Dems were ceaselessly slammed in the media for being the 'do nothing congress'! But they were vetoed at every turn, back pocket vetoed as well.

I was very frustrated with the minority Dems for not blocking these lunatic Republicans criminals. The Alito and Gonzalez come to mind.

I don't understand where everybody got the impression that *WE* need to learn to lead? As IF the Republican whiskey throttle ride was leading!?!
Or where folks got the impression that *WE* need to refrain from obstructing???
:silly:
-Is it opposite day still?-

[Perky]

2. I think there are big differences between 1988 and now,

First Bush I was not lame duck.

He had the immense support of the american people.

The Dems had been an entenched majority for decades.


Now we have been out of power for 12 years and Bush is a lame almost dead duck. We have a madate for chamge and a mandate to lead we have not seen sinc 1930 in my view. During those 12 years we have objected to republican hegemony and it got us nowhere. Now the people want use to lead.... to continue down the same path would be suicidal for 2008

[Perky]

3. kicking this dead horse for the last time