TPM: Pelosi: Dem Opposition To Obama Jobs Plan Trivial

[flpoljunkie]

Pelosi: Dem Opposition To Obama Jobs Plan Trivial
Brian Beutler
September 15, 2011, 12:25PM

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Thursday said Democrats overwhelmingly support President Obama's jobs bill, despite opposition from a handful of loud party conservatives.

"Let me just say that what you're suggesting is anecdotal. ... the plural of anecdote is not data," Pelosi said in response to TPM's question at her weekly Capitol press conference. "Our caucus is very unified in support of the American Jobs Act and the fact that it is paid for. It may differ with some provisions within it, or the pay-fors, but they do not differ in the fact that we must get behind it."

A small number of Senate and House Democrats have publicly taken issue with the jobs bill -- particularly with the possibility that it will be paid for by ending tax benefits for wealthy Americans. But their criticisms have at times exceeded what you'd expect if the disagreements were minor -- Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) called the pay-fors "terrible" -- which frustrates most Dems, and strengthens the GOP's hand in its fight against the legislation.

"While you may notice the few who may speak out against, I hope you didn't lose sight of where I began my comments today, that on the steps of the Capitol, Democrats stood together enthusiastically in support of the American Jobs Act and its passage now," Pelosi added.

The White House is briefing Congressional Dems about the legislation, and still have time to tamp down the mini-revolt. But they'll have to act soon if they want to avoid another patented Democratic circular firing squad situation.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/pelosi-dem-opposition-to-obama-jobs-plan-trivial.php?ref=fpa

[WI_DEM]

1. About the only good thing about 2010 is that we got rid of a lot of blue dog dems.

[JoePhilly]

7. Which explains Fiengold and Grayson's losses ...

Maybe Dems lost in 2010 because the GOP is now crazy, and they had no problem getting even more crazy people to vote.

[demwing]

10. Blue Dog Losses

"The Blue Dog Coalition suffered serious losses in the 2010 midterm elections, losing over half of its seats to Republican challengers. Its members, who comprised roughly one quarter of the Democratic Party's caucus in the 111th Congress, accounted for half of the party's midterm election losses. Including retirements, Blue Dog numbers in the House were reduced from 54 members in 2008 to 26 members in 2010, and two of the Coalition's four leaders (Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Baron Hill) failed to secure re-election"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Dog_Coalition

[dennis4868]

2. the problem I think is in the senate...

where there are more than a few who want to throw Obama under the bus here...they know it's popular to do that now and they also know that many liberals, including many DUers whpo post here, will not blame them but instead they will blame Obama if the jobs bill fails or Obama has to compromise more than he wants to...for many libs it's always Obama's fault so congressman are lucky about that.

[elleng]

3. 'the plural of anecdote is not data!'

LOVE HER!!!

[Enrique]

4. "another patented Democratic circular firing squad situation"

really? Are the dems really as much in "disarray" as all the media hype suggests?

[Pirate Smile]

5. I love Nancy. She is strategic and tactical. She would never be doing this undercutting. Even when

she doesn't like something, she is smart in when, where and how she says it.

[Phx_Dem]

6. Then tell them to STFU because it doesn't sound trivial when the

media continuously harps on it.

[TwilightGardener]

8. They're looking out for number one. They don't give a shit what happens

to the party, the country, or the President. Not really much better than Repubs, just slightly less obstructive.

[polichick]

9. Wonder what the WH thinks about liberals going after...

...obstructionist conservadems now.