In a screed entitled "An Ugly Morning for America," Jonathan claims I should apologize to all of you for commending Dent's moderate style. He adds there "is no such thing as the political center anymore in American politics, and there’s no way to bring it back. It’s just not useful to think about politics in terms of personalities when it’s institutions and parties that shape outcomes."
I see.
Well, then I guess the Washington Post better visit Hallmark and buy a few cards, too. According to an analysis by four of their obviously inferior journalists, "The moderate middle wins the day." And guess what? One of the grownups credited is none other than Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent, who leads a moderate group of Republicans called the Tuesday Group.
After his vote, Dent released this statement.
“The process wasn’t pretty and the product isn’t perfect, but the bipartisan agreement passed by the House this evening will soon bring an end to the prolonged debt crisis that pushed our government to the brink of default and symbolized the dysfunction of Washington. The compromise legislation includes significant cuts to discretionary spending that exceed the increase in the federal debt ceiling, important statutory caps on federal spending and a responsible enforcement mechanism for Congress to consider additional measures to control spending.
“While this agreement addresses the current debt crisis, it also represents a step forward in efforts to prevent future fiscal emergencies by fundamentally changing the way Washington spends. Only a year ago, the passage of a bipartisan bill that cuts $900 billion in federal spending would have been unimaginable. The American people have rightfully been frustrated by the ineffectiveness displayed by elected officials in recent weeks, but I am hopeful tonight’s passage of bipartisan legislation begins to restore confidence in Washington’s ability to place the nation on a sustainable fiscal path.”
Don't tell Geeting. He's blowin' oil.
Now Obama wants budget ceiling fans, too.
Well, then I guess the Washington Post better visit Hallmark and buy a few cards, too. According to an analysis by four of their obviously inferior journalists, "The moderate middle wins the day." And guess what? One of the grownups credited is none other than Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent, who leads a moderate group of Republicans called the Tuesday Group.
“I’ve expressed some frustration and anger to some of my colleagues here,” he said. “I heard too much from some of my colleagues about what they could never do,” he said, "instead of what they could.”In the end, after all the sausage making, the House vote was a 269 to 161 bipartisan vote to increase the debt ceiling, along with a whopping $1 trillion cut in discretionary spending over the next ten years.
After his vote, Dent released this statement.
“The process wasn’t pretty and the product isn’t perfect, but the bipartisan agreement passed by the House this evening will soon bring an end to the prolonged debt crisis that pushed our government to the brink of default and symbolized the dysfunction of Washington. The compromise legislation includes significant cuts to discretionary spending that exceed the increase in the federal debt ceiling, important statutory caps on federal spending and a responsible enforcement mechanism for Congress to consider additional measures to control spending.
“While this agreement addresses the current debt crisis, it also represents a step forward in efforts to prevent future fiscal emergencies by fundamentally changing the way Washington spends. Only a year ago, the passage of a bipartisan bill that cuts $900 billion in federal spending would have been unimaginable. The American people have rightfully been frustrated by the ineffectiveness displayed by elected officials in recent weeks, but I am hopeful tonight’s passage of bipartisan legislation begins to restore confidence in Washington’s ability to place the nation on a sustainable fiscal path.”
Don't tell Geeting. He's blowin' oil.
Now Obama wants budget ceiling fans, too.
