dagblog - Comments for "QED"

More carrot than stick, but

Michael Wolraich — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 06:20:01 +0000

More carrot than stick, but you're absolutely right. That said, I'm not sure earmarks would have the same effect these days even if they were legal. Earmarks used to be effective because of the old "all politics is local" dictum, but winning handouts for the folks back home is losing importance in this nationalized, hyperpartisan era.

The other way to pressure

ocean-kat — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 06:09:49 +0000

In reply to That's bribery. It won't fly

The other way to pressure congress people to vote was earmarks which were banned in 2011. Unless the republicans decide to remove that ban leadership won't have that to keep the ranks in line. But Trump is the "greatest negotiator" in the world so we'll get to see him in action over the next four years.

And part of their brand is to

PeraclesPlease — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 04:43:34 +0000

In reply to That's bribery. It won't fly

And part of their brand is to do stuff out of step with thw party leadership. They've been a bit docile of late, but Ryan got shoved in by revolution and they're not happy with him either, and Trump holds less sway with them *if* they're not happy. They want real results, real crazed überconservative policies enacted, not just making Dems look bad. We'll see how Trump does with pleasing *that* base or foisting the blame on someone else.

Trump's company is about 150 people. His executive experience is really quite limited, and he's certainly never had to balance large numbers of constituents off one another. Obama was also good at playing a Sphynx, an enigma, before he was elected. Once in office, you have to do real stuff or even your inactions are telling and speak volumes.

Trump campaigned on a

NCD — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 03:55:00 +0000

In reply to And an enormous firm which

Trump campaigned on a fantastic plan that would cost a fraction of the price of ACA.

He has no plan. Republicans have no plan and never worked on a plan, except 'choice' you are on your own.

Trumps mode of operation is to yell at people to do stuff that he has no idea how to do. That is how he runs his businesses.

The problem is, no Republicans have any experience or motivation to do a health care plan replacement, nonetheless even understand how the US health care system works or is financed.

Plus they could care less. All their skills lie in taking zero accountability for disasters they inflict, targeting minorities as moochers and rapists, and blaming liberals.

That's bribery. It won't fly

Michael Wolraich — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 03:28:33 +0000

In reply to Trump has jobs to be given

That's bribery. It won't fly even in the age of Trump. The traditional key to pressuring congresspeople is funding: If you want donor/RNC money, you vote the way I tell you to vote. But Trump doesn't have that; his down-ballot fundraising was abysmal. And frankly, threats to withhold funds are less effective against grassroots Tea Party folks, which is why Boehner had a much harder time enforcing discipline than Tom DeLay.

The one weapon that Trump has is constituent loyalty and a readiness to attack his fellow Republicans. If he goes hard after some Republican congressperson, he may be able get that person defeated in the primary. But that only works against individuals. If the Freedom Caucus unites against him, it will be very hard for him to shut down the revolt.

If that what Schumer wants.

Flavius — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 02:41:02 +0000

In reply to Are you calling for activists

If that's what Schumer wants.

And an enormous firm which

Flavius — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 02:38:08 +0000

In reply to Trump has jobs to be given

And an enormous firm which could provide opportunities for nephews ,aunts and defeated politicians :jobs for the boys , as the saying goes.

Trump has jobs to be given

Flavius — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 02:22:50 +0000

In reply to Yes and many house and senate

Trump has jobs to be given out, contracts to be given to one firm or another.

Yes and many house and senate

ocean-kat — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 22:48:28 +0000

In reply to Congress passes legislation,

Yes and many house and senate republicans were to some degree against Trump in the race, especially Ryan who was hated by hard core Trump supporters. He and even some anti-Trump republicans won anyway and owe nothing to Trump. I don't think Trump has coat tails to help or hinder down ballot republicans. Even less than Obama did

Congress passes legislation,

Michael Wolraich — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 22:08:21 +0000

In reply to o Trump owes nothing to Ryan

Congress passes legislation, not the President. He will try to order the Republican lawmakers around, but they don't like him much anyway.