(Via Jen Rubin) Let’s review (I almost did this using an extended metaphor of a fencing match, but I didn’t want actual fencers wincing):
- Sen. John Kerry is the Democratic point man in Foreign Relations for this administration’s messed-up Honduras policy. He is, in fact, the Foreign Relations chair… which tells you how seriously the Democrats take this committee (i.e., they don’t).
- Sen. Jim DeMint is the Republican determined to wreck Sen. Kerry’s day - both on this administration’s messed-up Honduras policy, and on general principles.
- This administration has a messed-up Honduras policy.
- DeMint therefore slaps a couple of Senatorial holds on some State Department appointments until the administration stops messing up on Honduras policy.
- Kerry responds by denying DeMint the plane that he’d need to go down to Honduras and see for himself how messed up our Honduras policy is. This is one of those steps that prudent Senate chairs usually don’t take, because it makes it easier for it to happen again, and nobody controls Congress forever.
- DeMint talks to Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell.
- McConnell talks to the Pentagon.
- The Pentagon is, of course, filled with people who didn’t come back from Vietnam and promptly announce that we were worse than the Mongol Horde. Which is to say, people not like Kerry.
- The Pentagon gives Kerry the Hawaiian good-luck symbol, and DeMint a plane. DeMint may now go to Honduras and see how messed up our policy is down there.
- DeMint then links this mess to the State Department.
- The State Department promptly disavows themselves of this mess.
- So: Kerry establishes a precedent, doesn’t accomplish his goal of keeping our messed-up Honduras policy off the radar, and doesn’t even get the State Department backing him up. For a Democrat, that takes skill.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what one motivated Senator can do to mess up another Senator’s day.
Moe Lane
PS: Bear this in mind when the reconciliation question comes up regarding the Democrats’ messed-up health care rationing bill.
Crossposted to Moe Lane.
USD was more than happy to grant DeMint's fixed-wing request
itsallverbatim Saturday, October 3rd at 5:03PM EDT (link)I was in the room when it was approved. The Pentagon knows everything is bat-shit crazy over at State and would never miss an opportunity to screw Foggy Bottom or Senate Foreign Relations over.
There are people in the building who still hold grudges from the Reagan Admin, and it shows in a good way. Case in point: freeing up a VC-140 for DeMint.
American citizen. Veteran with multiple tours in East Africa, the Caucus and Asia. Neoconservative Republican. BlackBerry affinicado. Milblogger: http://takenforaction.blogspot.com/
Kerry--
912watchdog55 Saturday, October 3rd at 5:30PM EDT (link)All one can ask about this man is, “How does he find is way home?” I am appalled with the constant Democratic “blocking” requests just to push their agendas. Kerry is a jackass. In my circle, he is known as a clinical idiot. The question is begged, “What would happen if the Dems had not the power to block anything?” We do, and so do they; what was once blatant arrogance is the fear that their facade is becoming more exposed for what it is–they to hurry the legislation before midnight and Cinderella goes home. I appreciate Sen. DeMint’s courage and assertion. I believe the most Americans are tired of deeds done in darkness by this administration.
Keith B. Peterson
Conservative Watchdog in a Liberal Cesspool
John Kerry. Oh yeah. He's the guy who STILL
mbecker908 Saturday, October 3rd at 6:34PM EDT (link)hasn’t released his military records after promising to do so.
Hooray for DeMint
peg_c Saturday, October 3rd at 9:03PM EDT (link)Getting the better of Kerry. Yeah!
One of the highlights of our visit to D.C. last month was seeing DeMint at the Armory on Thursday, Sept. 10, with Mike Pence. They were great and we have a fabulous souvenir photo of DeMint with an immediate family member.
Here’s hoping he has a very productive and safe trip.
Government cannot be the solution when government is the problem.
I love it...
yoyo Saturday, October 3rd at 10:59PM EDT (link)When my Senator justifies my Vote for him!
Now, if my other Senator would just do the same…….
I don’t think that I will hold my breath on that one. He is probably in some McCain Mentoring session…you know, the one passed down to McCain by his hero, Neville Chamberlain.
Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum
‘If you seek peace, prepare for war!’
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Pukin’ Dogs - The Fighting 143
Sans Reproache
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The ‘yoyo’ replaced my cigarettes Four Years Ago….
Taking candy from a baby
E Pluribus Unum Saturday, October 3rd at 11:49PM EDT (link)Good God. I just remembered that Kerry is now the *senior* Senator from the People’s Republic of Massachussetts.
What an idiot.
Carthago delenda est
What is the Logan Act ?
angryalbino Sunday, October 4th at 1:45AM EDT (link)What is the Logan Act ?
You know what it is,
Cheryl Sunday, October 4th at 2:13AM EDT (link)what’s your point?
fight on Sen DeMint
dsmurf Sunday, October 4th at 1:40PM EDT (link)ground and pound them if you ever get a wood shed rendevous with Sen Kerry
Don't forget
cologeek Monday, October 5th at 11:28PM EDT (link)John Kerry, along with Tom Harkin, went to Nicaragua back in 1985 and returned with a document promising that the Sandinistas would be “non aligned” with the major powers. They used the document to lobby against a bill giving $14 million in aid to the Contras. They day after the aid vote failed, Daniel Ortega flew to Moscow in order to receive $200 million in “loans” from the USSR.
Kerry is as hypocritical as he is clueless on international affairs.