WASHINGTON, July 17, 2008
Pelosi Calls Bush "A Total Failure"
House Speaker Makes Rare Personal Attack On The President
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi launched a rare personal attack against the president, July 17, 2008, calling him a "total failure." (AP)
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In an interview on CNN, the California Democrat was asked to respond to video of the president criticizing the Democratic-led Congress for heading into the final 26 days of the legislative session without having passed a single government spending bill.
Pelosi shot back in unusually personal terms.
"You know, God bless him, bless his heart, president of the United States, a total failure, losing all credibility with the American people on the economy, on the war, on energy, you name the subject," Pelosi replied. She then tsk-tsked Bush for "challenging Congress when we are trying to sweep up after his mess over and over and over again."
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino defended Bush.
"What the president said is a fact - this is the longest a Congress has gone in 20 years without passing a single spending bill, so it's clear that the speaker is feeling some frustration at their inability to do so."
Pelosi's outburst was a departure. Her usual practice in public has been to call Bush's policies a failure - not his presidency or him, personally. Pelosi's remarks are the latest evidence of the Democrats' throw-caution-to-the-wind approach to Bush in the waning days of a presidency weighed down by an unpopular war and soaring gasoline prices.
Election Day, after all, is just over four months away; Bush's successor takes his seat on Jan. 20.
Pelosi's counterpart in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid, long ago took off the rhetorical gloves. Last month, he ridiculed Republicans who sided with Bush on a Medicare bill.
"Who would be afraid of him?" Reid, D-Nev., said as many senators looked on. "He's got a 29 percent approval rating."
The public's view of Congress is even worse. Its approval rating has hit a new low of just 18 percent, down from 23 percent last month, according to a new AP-Ipsos poll. Bush's approval is at 28 percent, about even with the 29 percent rating last month.
Only 16 percent of those surveyed thought the country was moving in the right direction, a new low as well, although statistically the same as last month's 17 percent.
Last week Reid and other Democrats dropped any pretense of trying to fight the president on battles they were likely to lose - even on the most important part of their jobs, which is passing spending bills that keep the government running.
Of the 12 annual appropriations bills, Congress is likely to pass one or two and send Bush a temporary spending fix for the rest. That would have to suffice until a new president takes office, Reid told reporters.
Privately, Democrats have said that either candidate for president - Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain - would be easier to make laws with than Bush. But Reid made clear which he'd prefer.
"I would hope that before we would leave here this year that we would do a continuing resolution that would get us (through) until after Senator Obama becomes president," he said.
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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- when i hear stuff like I hear from pelosi one thing come to my mind.Pride People who judges others think they can do better than the other is full of pride. I challenge people who judges if they can do better let them become president and see how easy it is
- Reply to this comment
- Many posters misunderstand the press reference to "Democratic control" of congress.
The right to lead congress as a majority and the power to enact legislation at will are two different things, even if both are determined by the count of party members in congress.
No matter which party leads congress, that count controls what can or cannot happen with legislation.
With disposition of voting members along party lines, the Democrats do not have the votes to override Bush, although they retain the simple majority securing leadership of both houses.
Without more votes, Bush can defy whatever bills Democrats attempt to pass.
Overcoming a Bush veto is sometimes called a "supermajority" and requires more than a simple majority.
On other occasions, when Democrats may be near success, certain GOP rank and file stand in the well and threaten to filibuster. Or inject procedural blocks and delays in effective rear-guard style. - Reply to this comment
- Despite her attempted defense of Bush, White House Press Secretary Dana Peripheral could think of nothing of substance.
In contrast, Pelosi responded with the raw truth about Bush. For example, his spending proposals over the past eight years have doubled the national debt because Bush and a GOP-led congress refused to pay for them. That would require taxes.
Meanwhile, Bush made the federal shortfall even worse by his massive taxcuts for his friends in the upper five percent-- the sliver of Marie Antoinettes Bush named "The Havemores", and adopted them as his political base.
A $3 trillion Bush war in Iraq is a major cause, deny it as Bush and his neocon advisors may. And to think Bush is willing to countenance 4,000 dead Americans, tens of thousands wounded, burned and maimed for life, their families barely able to recover, and spending averaging $2.39 billion weekly-- all to cover his biggest crime of all. Iraq began and will end as a massive fraud to secure Iraq oil assets for Bush contributors in Big Oil.
Pelosi said exactly what Americans are themselves saying about Bush. The nominally-Democratic congress is in perfect gridlock-- so evenly divided between Dems and GOP, even the best leadership cannot command the allegiance of its partisan GOP members. Cynically enough, Bush knew the untruth of his own words. - Reply to this comment
- I don''t think much of Pelosi but she is right on about Bush being a big looser.
- Reply to this comment
- Bush has been a whopping SUCCESS... for a thief. He has stolen TRILLIONS from the US economy and given much to his family and friends and won`t be prosecuted, thanks in no small measure to Pelosi.
To steal and not get caught -- that''''''''s success.
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 09:21 PM : Jul 18, 2008
+ report abuse
You prove this and I''''ll give you the million dollars I don''''t have. If you can''''t prove this to be true I ''''ll appreciate a cashier''''s check for 10.00.
You are so full of balogna it''''s incredible
Posted by alanrobisch2 at 09:30 PM : Jul 18, 2008
How much has Eric Prince given to the GOP?
And what are his government contracts worth?
Oh Duke, want a room mate ??? - Reply to this comment
- Posted by tbweb at 02:47 PM : Jul 19, 2008
+ report abuse
*************
when the republicans were in majority..the democrats cannot do anything..
when the democrats are in majority..they STILL CANNOT DO ANYTHING..
it seems like the repblican can pretty much do whatever they want majority or as a minority..is that what you are trying to say??????????????????
Posted by libsluv2spit at 03:37 PM : Jul 19, 2008,,,
The facts speak for themselves, do I really need to answer! Democrats answer and show up for subpoenas! LOL - Reply to this comment
- Posted by tbweb at 02:47 PM : Jul 19, 2008
+ report abuse
*************
when the republicans were in majority..the democrats cannot do anything..
when the democrats are in majority..they STILL CANNOT DO ANYTHING..
it seems like the repblican can pretty much do whatever they want majority or as a minority..is that what you are trying to say?????????????????? - Reply to this comment
- Posted by tbweb at 02:47 PM : Jul 19, 2008
+ report abuse
*************
when the republicans were in majority..the democrats cannot do anything..
when the democrats are in majority..they STILL CANNOT DO ANYTHING..
it seems like the repblican can pretty much do whatever they want majority or as a minority..is that what you are trying to say?????????????????? - Reply to this comment
- Posted by tbweb at 02:47 PM : Jul 19, 2008
+ report abuse
*************
when the republicans were in majority..the democrats cannot do anything..
when the democrats are in majority..they STILL CANNOT DO ANYTHING..
it seems like the repblican can pretty much do whatever they want majority or as a minority..is that what you are trying to say?????????????????? - Reply to this comment
- Posted by tbweb at 02:47 PM : Jul 19, 2008
+ report abuse
*************
when the republicans were in majority..the democrats cannot do anything..
when the democrats are in majority..they STILL CANNOT DO ANYTHING..
it seems like the repblican can pretty much do whatever they want majority or as a minority..is that what you are trying to say?????????????????? - Reply to this comment
- Posted by tbweb at 02:47 PM : Jul 19, 2008
+ report abuse
*************
when the republicans were in majority..the democrats cannot do anything..
when the democrats are in majority..they STILL CANNOT DO ANYTHING..
it seems like the repblican can pretty much do whatever they want majority or as a minority..is that what you are trying to say?????????????????? - Reply to this comment
- Posted by tbweb at 02:47 PM : Jul 19, 2008
+ report abuse
*************
when the republicans were in majority..the democrats cannot do anything..
when the democrats are in majority..they STILL CANNOT DO ANYTHING..
it seems like the repblican can pretty much do whatever they want majority or as a minority..is that what you are trying to say?????????????????? - Reply to this comment
- November will tell how the people feel. The democrats have had almost four years to do something and neither party has done much of anything%u2026%u2026%u2026? !
Posted by hbevis at 01:50 PM : Jul 19, 2008,,,
The Democrats have a slim majority in Congress and its deceptive to make it seem like the Democrats aren''t doing anything when the Republicans filibuster and block Democrats who don''t have the "real" majority to move legislation along, the Democrats don''t have a filibuster proof or Veto proof majority, the Democratic majority is thin! In fact if the Democrats had a "real" effective majority, Pres. Bush would be Impeached and Republicans know it! This is probably why Speaker Pelosi took Impeachment off the table when she took Office, she didn''t waste her time with Impeachment knowing in advance Democrats didn''t have the needed majority to implement it and that Republicans could easily block it! Some Democrats wanted to go through the Impeachment process anyway just to have it on record! - Reply to this comment
- This massive collapse and failure can''t be spun.
Posted by tbweb at 12:21 PM : Jul 19, 2008
Some people still don''t get the point about the N.A.F.T.A bill that was voted in and signed into law by Mr. Clinton in the fall of 1994. From what I remember he did not really like the bill but signed it after much debate. This %u201CBill%u201D has had a massive effect on the United States Economy. This has let companies move lock, stock and barrel out of our country and set up the equipment in others countries. They have low wages and are making record profits while workers here are getting laid off, etc. Houses, etc. are being lost because the people don''t have the money to make the payments. We are getting foreign goods into this country without any restraint. Mexico, China, Taiwan, Canada, and many more are buying our raw material and shipping it back into the U.S. at prices that our plants here can''t even come close to matching.
People, both Parties have had a very big hand in making this mess we are in. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. READ UP AND DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE TALKING AND WRITING.
GET THE CHIP OFF OF YOUR SHOULDER AND LETS DO SOMETHING BEFORE IT GETS ANY WORSE.
November will tell how the people feel. The democrats have had almost four years to do something and neither party has done much of anything%u2026%u2026%u2026? ! - Reply to this comment
- "As far as "Bush haters"... my entire extended family of life long Republicans are Bush haters and will be planning to vote for Obama they are so disgusted with Bush/McCain. - Posted by mh4cbs1
Uh-huh, and I''ve got insurance for that bridge you bought last week, if you believe this...
Posted by rosieod4prez at 01:47 AM : Jul 19, 2008,,,
Hate is a strong word but I can see why some Americans may feel like using the word Hate when referring to Republicans. Consider the fact that Republicans had the perfect setup and blew it! Republicans controlled all branches of Government, the Presidency, the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate and to put the icing on the cake presented America with their infamous "Contract with America" sponsored by none other than Gingrich himself. The table was set, the Republicans had everything they wanted, total control and they blew it! The "Contract with America" turned out to be a "Contract on America" instead, the U.S. Deficit doubled under Republicans exceeding $9 trillion! Annual Budgets are submitted in the red, over $400 billion in deficit spending in money we don''t have. Republicans had their opportunity and blew it, Pres. Bush was given time and money as well, but there is no unlimited time or money, there are limits! Republicans deserve a much needed time out!! This massive collapse and failure can''t be spun.
- Reply to this comment
- It is congress that is fully impotent, under your leadship, Speaker Pelosi. President Bush is a glowing success! He has been steadfast in masterfully guiding this country to the trainwreck his policies have wrought.
- Reply to this comment
- I keep reading about all of you people saying that the Republicans are doing this and that wrong. Either you people are stupid, crazy,or whatever. We have had the Republican Party in control is Washington for the majority of,according to hadenough43, 20 out of 28 years. You have to take into account that they would not be in control if the people had not voted them. So, that leaves''s the losers with a bad taste in their mouth and they keep complaining.
- Reply to this comment
- She''s just jealous, it''s like the Canadiens again.
- Reply to this comment
- Posted by nanc12 at 02:19 AM : Jul 19, 2008
What, they bought a piece of Obama also? Wonder if it cost them more than $28,500? - Reply to this comment
- fleura - where did you get your "facts" ? You claim ''''we have lost nearly 5000 kids in Iraq''''
The real figure is 4125.
You claim ''''we have hundred of thousands of injured due to Iraq'''' The real figure is 30,324.
Proof: http://icasualties.org/oif/
Posted by rosieod4prez at 01:16 AM : Jul 19, 2008
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WHY THEN IS THE MEDIA NOT REPORTING ANY OF THESE FIGURES??? SO MUCH FOR THE MEDIA BEING LEFTIES AND LIBERALS........REPUBLICANS ARE ALL LIARS.
How can you tell a Republican is lying.........his lips are moving.!!!! - Reply to this comment
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