The great liberal/progressive revolt has begun in Congress. Feeling powerless to torpedo the tax deal Obama cut with the Republicans, House Democrats finally stood up for 'progressive' values in an attempt to show Obama who's boss and that he needs to be reined in by his own party.
The details below the fold.
From today's Hill: Dems show signs of abandoning Obama elsewhere after frustration with tax deal
Incensed over President Obama’s tax compromise, House Democratic leaders are showing signs of abandoning the administration and going their own way on critical issues such as national security.
Finally!
In a striking move, the appropriations committee late Wednesday attached a provision to a $1.1 trillion resolution to keep the government funded next year that would prevent Obama from spending any funds to try terrorism suspects in civilian court instead of military commissions.
The language would essentially prevent the closing of the detainee prison at Guantanamo Bay.
Wait, wha?
Assistant to the Speaker Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said he didn’t agree with the provision but thinks the majority of the Democratic caucus opposes the administration’s efforts to shutter the detainee facility.
"That particular provision is not a good idea because it ties the president’s hands," said Van Hollen. "But I think the majority of the caucus supports it."
Of course, who did House members who disagreed with the measure blame? Their own colleagues? Of course not.
"This is a lack of leadership on the part of Obama," fumed Moran (D-Va.) "I don’t know where the f*** Obama is on this or anything else. They’re AWOL."
That's right, House Democrats enact a rightwing provision as a "fuck you" to President Obama, and naturally that's the administration's fault.
This brought to you by the same people who brought us the Great Punk Out on Taxes by refusing to vote on them before the election.
I am certain this savvy band of operators could have cut a better deal on taxes than Obama. They're brilliant and dedicated progressives.