The Poodlization of Congressional Democrats

[Write Left]

Nobody is surprised by Barack Obama's decision to support the extension of tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. We all saw it coming. It's what he does.

What I didn't see coming, however, was the way Barack Obama did it. Not only did he cut Congressional Democrats out of the tax-cut negotiations, but he then went to the podium to take credit for, well, everything. He not only took 100% of the credit for the "good" tax cuts, but he pretty much took credit for all the accomplishments of the last two years.

Right now Democratic Senators and Representatives -- Representatives in particular -- are wondering what they have to do to keep their seats. Are they supposed to follow Obama into the cave? Are they supposed to speak out against him?

It doesn't really matter, does it? Congressional Democrats have been triangulated out of power. By their own leader.

[leftstreet]

1. K&R for 'Poodlization' alone

:rofl:

You make a great point though.

And yeah, 'triangulated out of power'

[Catherina]

2. Rec'd. Noticed that, made me very angry and sad n/t

[cilla4progress]

3. Some folks are born to be leaders

and some are born to be campaigners. Need I say more?

[somone]

4. Shades of Exelon

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/us/politics/03exelon.html

February 3, 2008
Nuclear Leaks and Response Tested Obama in Senate
By MIKE McINTIRE

When residents in Illinois voiced outrage two years ago upon learning that the Exelon Corporation had not disclosed radioactive leaks at one of its nuclear plants, the state’s freshman senator, Barack Obama, took up their cause.

Mr. Obama scolded Exelon and federal regulators for inaction and introduced a bill to require all plant owners to notify state and local authorities immediately of even small leaks. He has boasted of it on the campaign trail, telling a crowd in Iowa in December that it was “the only nuclear legislation that I’ve passed.” “I just did that last year,” he said, to murmurs of approval.

A close look at the path his legislation took tells a very different story. While he initially fought to advance his bill, even holding up a presidential nomination to try to force a hearing on it, Mr. Obama eventually rewrote it to reflect changes sought by Senate Republicans, Exelon and nuclear regulators. The new bill removed language mandating prompt reporting and simply offered guidance to regulators, whom it charged with addressing the issue of unreported leaks.

Those revisions propelled the bill through a crucial committee. But, contrary to Mr. Obama’s comments in Iowa, it ultimately died amid parliamentary wrangling in the full Senate.