By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009
President Obama, who has always clearly been pro-choice in the abortion debate, selects pro-choice Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to be his Secretary of Health and Human Services. And somehow this surprises and/or upsets Republicans and conservatives, to the point they have to needlessly put up roadblocks to her nomination? Alice in Wonderland!
This is obstructionist politics at its worse. Obama was elected, he gets to pick people who agree with him on policy. Bush got to pick pro-life Cabinet members. It's what the winning candidate does.
It's appropriate for Republicans to voice opposition, that's part of democracy. But at some point, when you absolutely don't have the votes in Congress to effectively block a nomination, it becomes clear obstructionist politics, and a waste of the taxpayers' time and money.
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The difference Arturo
50 million human beings have been exterminated because of the liberal's dream of a Brave New World.
Without it even being voted on here in this democracy!
Sebelius who runs her mouth about being a Catholic turns around and holds lavish parties with her abortionist friends. Then takes massive amounts of money that comes from the murdering of innocent little babies!
Then she lies under oath about it in an attempt to hide the massive amount.
Dan Beyer
= barking loon.
With approval of the Senate
You also failed to mention that Obama picks, Senate approves. Kinda part of the constitution.
There are also rules within the Senate that can be used to the minority party's favor. Its part of the game.
And no, Obama hasn't always been pro-choice. Voting "present", regardless of the reasons, is not supporting a women's right to choose. I get very tired of politicians, especially Democrats, who claim to be pro-choice, but when its time to take a stand, lay down. Bush got Roberts and Alito on the US Sup Court without a fight.
Jenniferm....at some point it's still obstructionist
There are also rules within the Senate that can be used to the minority party's favor. Its part of the game.
And no, Obama hasn't always been pro-choice. Voting "present", regardless of the reasons, is not supporting a women's right to choose. I get very tired of politicians, especially Democrats, who claim to be pro-choice, but when its time to take a stand, lay down. Bush got Roberts and Alito on the US Sup Court without a fight.
I agree on your first two 'grafs. Both sides play the game. When it crosses the (admittedly fuzzy) line into obstructionism, I condemn it. Taking a stand is important. Vote against the nominee for whatever reason....if you think they're not qualified, or disagree on policy. But when it's pretty darn clear they're going to get in anyway, and you're just delaying a couple of weeks for no good reason, it's just so pointless!
"And no, Obama hasn't always been pro-choice. Voting "present", regardless of the reasons, is not supporting a women's right to choose."
That's an old campaign issue that's been explained ad nauseum. Those Illinios legislature votes were part of Planned Parenthood's legislative strategy. His record's been pretty clear on choice.
Roberts and Alito, should have Democrats have fought harder? Sure. Would it have made a difference in the votes? No.
....what's so funny about peace love and understanding? E.Costello
Disagree
Those Illinois legislature votes were part of Planned Parenthood's legislative strategy. His record's been pretty clear on choice.
Sorry, didn't buy that excuse when it came up in the campaign and I'm not buying it now. His record on choice is his voting record. Sebelius too.
When the Dems don't try to block anti-choice SC justice nominees, it makes it very easy for Bush to nominate someone like Alito. Pushing back on a nominee (like the GOP did with Harriet Myers (sp?)) might have helped, but of course, then we get Alito.
Arturo...
I think you doth protest too much...
What about all the appointments President Bush made that were stonewalled, or does that count? You libs' forgetfulness when it comes to democratic treatment of Republican appointments is laughable....
kgrh....agree, plague on both sides of the aisle
What about all the appointments President Bush made that were stonewalled, or does that count? You libs' forgetfulness when it comes to democratic treatment of Republican appointments is laughable....
I did not forget. Some of what the Dems did on Bush appointments was stupid. And before that, what Republicans did on many Clinton appointments was stupid. And before that....
I don't know what the solution is, but it in many ways it seems like primitive society revenge cycles, that will never end. There's got to be a better way of making appointments, giving honest opposition, and just counting the votes.
....what's so funny about peace love and understanding? E.Costello
Speaking of "Alice in Wonderland",
Arturo seems to think no one should be bothered by the fact that this woman is so far in the back pocket of abortionists that she can't even keep track of all the money she's gotten from them!!!
Time to crawl back down in your hole Arturo.
Dan....and conservatives don't take pro-life money?
Time to crawl back down in your hole Arturo.
They're ALL in someone's pocket, if you want to look at political fundraising that way. That's a whole other issue, and it works down both aisles. What hole are you in, pretending the conservative side is so innocent when it comes to fundraising?
....what's so funny about peace love and understanding? E.Costello
Arturo failed to mention
That Sebelius also got caught cheating on her taxes and lying to the committee about her relationship with George Tiller.
The GOP expects Obama's Health Secretary to be pro-abortion. However, they cannot be expected to endorse cheating and lying.
Arminius....the taxes thing is getting embarrassing,
The GOP expects Obama's Health Secretary to be pro-abortion. However, they cannot be expected to endorse cheating and lying.
...I'll fully admit that. We can argue back and forth whether she was really "cheating" and "lying", that's your opinion. Not handled very well though.
Much of the opposition and obstruction though has been about her being pro-choice, which again to me is just silly.
....what's so funny about peace love and understanding? E.Costello