CSpan begs administration for transparency

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by August

I think Obama could vastly increase his chances of reelection if he stood up to Pelosi on this issue. The last thing he wants is to be tied too tightly to the Congressional Democrats.

I would have to agree here August. Obama has not stood up to Congress at all on anything. The man needs to start leading.....

[August]

Originally Posted by Aramike

It won't be long before you start seeing special interest ads showing Pelosi promising things such as the most ethical and transparant congress in history, followed by examples of what REALLY happened. Then brace for campaign ads attempting to benefit from either voting AGAINST Pelosi or claiming the frequency of an opponent voting WITH her.

I don't think any of that will matter to the California's 8th Congressional district unfortunately. She won't be SotH after the Repubs retake Congress but she'll likely keep her seat.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by August

I don't think any of that will matter to the California's 8th Congressional district unfortunately. She won't be SotH after the Repubs retake Congress but she'll likely keep her seat.

I'd be really shocked if Pelosi retained her seat.

Hell I half expect her to 'retire' as well.

Oh almost forgot. Heard on the wire today that Obama has given in to Cspan's request and granted them an entire hour of coverage.

I can see it now... "Okay everybody were about to go on the air so be at your most boring"

[Aramike]

Originally Posted by August

I don't think any of that will matter to the California's 8th Congressional district unfortunately. She won't be SotH after the Repubs retake Congress but she'll likely keep her seat.

That's what I meant. Being against her will become a favored issue for other congressmen. I agree, she will most likely continue to retain her seat, but the nation as a whole thinks squat of her, and it will affect other races.

[August]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

I'd be really shocked if Pelosi retained her seat.

Dude, you do know what area the 8th district covers right? It's the most reliably democrat voting district in the entire country.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by August

I think Obama could vastly increase his chances of reelection if he stood up to Pelosi on this issue. The last thing he wants is to be tied too tightly to the Congressional Democrats.

He cant afford to he is one of those dammed if you do and dammed if you dont positions. He will treat it the same way he treats most things put it off for several days and hope it goes away or at least is forgotten about.

They know that allowing the public to see first hand the proceedings things would be even worse for him and more difficult to pass their agenda... oh sorrry the 'health care bill.

He surely cant say "Well I never said that" or "This is what I meant".

Furthermore the way Pelosi giggles and waves it off like "oh thats just campaign lies everyone does it" Its enough to turn your stomach.

Yea sure everybody fabricates crap in campaign promises chicken in every pot and such but its not usually about a piece of legislation that will change the very fabric of a nation.

[Platapus]

I have no problem with Ms. Pelosi remaining in the House. Her district can vote for whomever they want... not my concern.

However the position of Speaker of the House is a "federal" position. I simply don't understand how she could have been re-elected as SoH. She is not doing her party any favours and only giving the GOP plenty to shoot at.

If the Democrats want to improve their image, they need to get a new SoH.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by August

I think Obama could vastly increase his chances of reelection if he stood up to Pelosi on this issue. The last thing he wants is to be tied too tightly to the Congressional Democrats.

I don't know how much he can stand up to her on. Congress does not work for the President. The President has no authority to tell Congress to do anything. Due to the balances of power, the President ASKS congress. Every congress ensures that the President knows this.

If the President were to make a big deal about this and congress says "no" then he would lose a lot with the American people image wise.

When you don't have authority over someone, it is not a good idea to "stand up to them". You might not like the outcome.

[CaptainHaplo]

On the contrary - Ronald Reagan stood up to congress and got his way.

They kept sending him bills with all kinds of ryders and fundings attached. He finally got sick of it, addressed the nation and told the public and congress that the next bill they sent him that had all that crap in it he would veto - no matter what it was. He would have too - but congress didnt have the gumption to test him.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

On the contrary - Ronald Reagan stood up to congress and got his way.

They kept sending him bills with all kinds of ryders and fundings attached. He finally got sick of it, addressed the nation and told the public and congress that the next bill they sent him that had all that crap in it he would veto - no matter what it was. He would have too - but congress didnt have the gumption to test him.

Since veto is one of the powers granted to the President, he was only doing what he was empowered to.

Vetoing a bill is not the same as TELLING congress how they can run their meetings. The Constitution grants that power to each of the houses of congress.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by August

Dude, you do know what area the 8th district covers right? It's the most reliably democrat voting district in the entire country.

Yes sir I do.

I still maintain that Ms. Pelosi will not retain her seat.

Quote me and we will see.

[Aramike]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

Yes sir I do.

I still maintain that Ms. Pelosi will not retain her seat.

Quote me and we will see.

I'm curious: why?

She still enjoys fairly high approval ratings in her district.

[August]

Originally Posted by Aramike

I'm curious: why?

She still enjoys fairly high approval ratings in her district.

I hope Steam is right...

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by Aramike

I'm curious: why?

She still enjoys fairly high approval ratings in her district.

Doese she now? I heard it was somewhere around 20% approval.

Oh wait Im wrong.... its worse.

http://congressratings.com/411/pelos...-d-ca-8th-rep/

[August]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

Oh wait Im wrong.... its worse.

A national poll doesn't mean much. Poll her constituency in San Fran. The only ones that can vote for or against her. I'll bet you see some big differences in the percentages.