Letters to the Editor
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Chris Shays
Has a higher composite rating from a collection of liberal advocacy and interest groups than 24 Democrats.
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Comparison/Maps/Apr25.html
Here are conservative interest group ratings.
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Comparison/Maps/Apr30.html
Even more "Democrats" get higher composite scores than Shays.
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Carney gets a 50%
From ACLU.
Not very good.
NARAL loves him.
100%
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Two possible causes
(1)Here's a wild and crazy idea, total conspiracy theory, so put your tinfoil hats on. Could it be, oh, that some of these Dems have something to hide, and to fear if these lawsuits are allowed to proceed--especially the discovery process, which might reveal the nature and extent of the crimes perpetuated against the American people during the Bush years, which some of them were directly complicit in allowing to happen, and perhaps might even have actively endorsed?
I don't think that's conspiracy theory. I think it's obvious that some Dems (Intelligence Committee?) did have a role in letting the constitutional violations happen. These senior Dems talked to the Dem leadership, who promise to protect them, because a stain on them will become a stain on the party and thus the party leadership. Non-culpable Dems are then spoken to and become quiet or agreeable. Cynics like Hoyer don't need much convincing.
(2) Let's say you have a choice between (a) doing the right thing and taking heat, and (b) accepting financial support from the telecoms. Which will ensure your seat?
My guess is, first A, then B. So is this perfectly logical behavior?
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kovie
Hmm, let's see. It makes no legal sense. It makes no political sense.
It serves the interests of their corporate constituencies, and that is clearly more important to their political success than serving the interests of their actual human constituencies.
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walter_map
I agree! I think he's perhaps turnable, which is why I recommend the carrot, as well as the stick.
He's raised 1.3M v. 1.4M for his Republican opponent. 57% of Carney's $ came from PACs and 43% from individuals. (There could be more telecom contributions in the individual's bucket.)
As a matter of fact, I see that Comcast is one of the largest campaign donors at 16.5K, so I don't where that was hidden. He's also taken money from the ultra conservative AmeriPAC and the BlueDog PAC.
Good dog, these guys will take money from anyone.
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Carney's Constituents Are Not Demanding Telecom Immunity
I am willing to give some credence to the notion that U.S. Senators live in a more rarefied world remote from real constituent contact and are thus more susceptible to Beltway Insider arguments in favor of telecom immunity. The idea, however, that Chris Carney's constituents in northeastern Pennsylvania are demanding telecom immunity is laughable. An extension of the PAA without immunity (a bill already passed by the House) would surely satisfy whatever concerns they have. I seriously doubt those constituents would have much truck with telephone companies bartering their cooperation with the Government in exchange for immunity. I have a very hard time understanding how Carney thinks he can get re-elected by convincing his constituents that he's a better Republican than his opponent.
Maybe if Steny Hoyer spent a bit more time explaining that basic proposition to the Chris Carneys in his caucus rather than trying to cut a deal with Darth Cheney, he might actually find himself Speaker one day.
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Two words: Holy Joe
He's still in the Senate, still a committee chair, still caucusing with Dems, still campaigning for Republicans including Princess McCain, still backstabbing, still a traitorous weasel, still laughing in your face and poking sticks in your eye.
All the Hyperventilating Blogospheric Outrage!® could not unseat him, and it's little wonder that Steny and Carney and lots and lots of other Dems in the House and the Senate figure what the hell, those loudmouthed low-lifes on the Internets are piss-poor when it comes to dealing with political realities. So why worry about what they think?
The FISA issue today is more about custom and prerogative than it is about whether or not the telecoms will get their immunity. The Senate "insulted" the House, and the House has lashed back by refusing to pass the Senate FISA bill. Previously, we may recall, the Senate was "insulted" by the White House and for a time, the Senate refused to pass the FISA bill; but they caved, the way they usually do. Because they did, it was assumed that eventually, the House, too, would cave on FISA, after the leadership got over the "insult," and the telecoms (but more importantly, the Busheviks) would get their immunity.
The hold up has never been on the issues, nor has it been based on the pressure from the blogosphere. It's based on prerogative and custom. These are really almost the only things that move our Congress any more. Sad to say, but there you are.
That doesn't mean the blogosphere shouldn't put pressure on Carney and the rest of the Blue Dogs, and on the leadership.
Of course there should be plenty of pressure, constantly, from folks like us. But right now, they look at Holy Joe swanning around the Middle East and elsewhere with his darling McCain, and they look at the fact that he is basically untouchable despite his in-your-face perfidy, and despite all the Outrage!® by the blogosphere, and they don't have any reason to fret too much about people like us going all Medieval on their ass and electing a Republican in Carney's district.
That's sure gonna help, isn't it? If we can't get Better Dems, let's elect Republicans! At least with them you know what you are getting! YAY!
Jeebus.
Back up a few steps. The issue for the House is not immunity. I don't know if they don't care one way or the other, though that's what it looks like. What they care about more, though, is that the insult from the Senate not go unredressed.
Hoyer's job, apparently, is to make peace, by coming up with a "compromise" that gives the Senate most of what it wants while preserving the prerogatives of the House. Saving face.
And to do it in a way that keeps the unwashed masses in the dark. Congress is very skilled at this game.
I've never been good at sucking up, but at this point, there's gonna be telecom/Bushevik immunity unless somebody good at suck-uppitude can convince the Pooh-Bahs and Big Wigs that their standing and position at the Imperial Court is favored by refusing to accede to the demands of the Senate and the White House.
Tough row to hoe.