I think that this quote below from a New York Times article on whether the GOP will allow themselves to be stampeded on irresponsibly raising the debt ceiling might just be fairly representative of attitudes among our freshman class. More to the point, I think that the New York Times is coming to the same conclusion:
“Re-election is the farthest thing from my mind,” said Representative Tom Reed, a freshman Republican from upstate New York. “Like many of my colleagues in the freshman class, I came down here to get our fiscal house in order and take care of the threat to national security that we see in the federal debt. We came here not to have long careers. We came here to do something. We don’t care about re-election.”
In fact, the New York Times may – I repeat, may - be even sufficiently concerned about this issue that it’s prepared to do some actual journalism on the subject. The quotes from Republican legislators were all on-point (including a rousing one from Sen. Lindsey Graham, of all people), and there were much fewer attempts to argue the Democratic talking points for them. The NYT even went so far as to not just remind its readers that Democratic rhetoric now doesn’t match their rhetoric from 2004; it actually noted that “[t]he increase then was $800 billion. The White House is now seeking an increase of at least $2.4 trillion. That would lift the limit to at least $16.7 trillion, about twice the level set in 2004.”
Yes, I recognize the irony of praising a newspaper for writing something that looks like actual news. This is the world we live in.
Moe Lane (crosspost)
Moe Lane
Dan Spencer
Dan McLaughlin
Jeff Emanuel
Please hold the line,
RetiredFF Sunday, July 17th at 10:01PM EDT (link)for it is the freshmen and the Tea Party Republicans that will save our REPUBLIC. Honor your OATH, do not dismiss it, many of your colleagues have done so’ and that is why we are on the brink of ruin.
Amen and Hallelujah!!!
lineholder (Diary) Sunday, July 17th at 10:11PM EDT (link)Moe, thanks for putting this up. Odd source of inspiration in troubled times, I know, but this is great!
Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said many freshman Republicans — “to their undying credit” — were not concerned with re-election. “The people who got elected in 2010 are going to go down fighting,” said Mr. Graham, who served eight years in the House before winning a Senate seat in 2002. “They are not going to be persuaded by traditional politics. They could care less about 2012. They want to do what they can on their watch.”
This kind of attitude is more likely to earn them respect and confidence of voters than taking the path of least resistance that Repubs have been far too prone to take.
To these people in Congress, stay with it, please, and thank you!
The political elite are starting to pay attention
carolina Sunday, July 17th at 10:26PM EDT (link)They are very late to the ‘party’. However, they better start smelling the coffee because a lot of people are angry with the political establishment.
The political elite are starting to pay attention
carolina Sunday, July 17th at 10:26PM EDT (link)They are very late to the ‘party’. However, they better start smelling the coffee because a lot of people are angry with the political establishment.
Great news!
rsjt Sunday, July 17th at 10:44PM EDT (link)This is why they were voted in and why they will keep the house if they stay true to their promises. Even if there are short term consequences (which I have my doubts about) they can return home heros for doing what they said they would do. Simple as that.
Every American, poor, middle, and rich, should be ashamed
Sheet Anchor (Diary) Sunday, July 17th at 11:01PM EDT (link)at the financial disaster our elected representatives have created. Fortunately, at least fiscal and social conservatives, and the tea party, may be able to save the country from self-destruction. We sent the new House to do one thing: Stop Obama and his Democratic allies in Congress from destroying this country at all costs.
The President evidently threatened Mr. Cantor the other day, telling him not to call his bluff, because he was going to the American people on this. Well Mr. Cantor should have told him, “Mr. President, We ARE the American People! And you do not tell us what to do, or how to spend our money. We, in the Congress decide how money gets spent around here.”
If you have not called or e-mailed your Rep yet, do it tomorrow; and tell them if you do not stop this President, we will end your political career in November of 2012, whether or not it’s too late to save America. Deliver the message folks.
Sheet Anchor, I'd almost prefer that we take the Cantor route
lineholder (Diary) Sunday, July 17th at 11:16PM EDT (link)up through Nov or Dec. This business on the part of the Dems of not passing a budget for over 800 days is as responsible as it gets. Then to push it into the last 2 months and try to demand a massive increase in the debt ceiling???
Having to pass a budget every month for a few months could do the whole bunch of them some good. Get down to some “kitchen table” economics just like the rest of us are having to do, and it might keep both sides from being this irresponsible again for a long time!
should read "irresponsible as it gets" [nt]
lineholder (Diary) Sunday, July 17th at 11:20PM EDT (link).
The Freshman House Class for President!
6eorge Jetson (Diary) Sunday, July 17th at 11:52PM EDT (link)We can do worse. We did in 2008.
Click to see full size image
I second the nomination, 6eorge.
acat (Diary) Monday, July 18th at 12:49AM EDT (link)(no text)
——
Caveat Suffragator
“Re-election is the farthest thing from my mind."
rbdwiggins (Diary) Sunday, July 17th at 11:53PM EDT (link)The Freshman Republicans get it.
“First, you win the argument.” “Then, you win the vote.” – Lady Thatcher
If the American people are on your side, you’ll almost certainly win the argument. Do their bidding, and the vote will be entirely predictable.
That’s how they got to Washington in the first place…
“Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn’t so.” – Ronald Reagan
Thanks, Moe. It's good to be encouraged.
Melody Warbington (rwm52) (Diary) Monday, July 18th at 12:20AM EDT (link)I heard Herman Cain speak last night at our local GOP fundraiser. I believe him when he says he wants to save the country. I believe most of the other candidates do as well. I believe folks I sat with last night do (even the Ron Paul fan). I believe folks here are redstate do. I know I and my family do.
Cain’s latest takeaway line is that the founding fathers did their job. It’s up to us to be the “defending fathers.” Then this afternoon, I watched John Stossel’s “The Money Hole.” He interviewed Governor Fortuno who advised other governors to cut spending quickly and move on to other things. When Stossel asked him about his approval rating, he echoed what our freshmen said. He said he came from the private sector and could and would go back to it. All of this is encouraging, but we must remain vigilant.
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. (John 4:25)
Bravo - House Freshman
sundesy Monday, July 18th at 1:21AM EDT (link)Keep up the good work. People are behind you. We are counting on you.
Time for the speaker to move on. He needs to sent to the pastor.