It's hard to tell which aspects of Shuler ARE reflective of the Democrats.

You're not needed anymore.

You were a mediocre QB, and you're not even meeting THAT standard in the House. Get out of the way.

The Republicans didn't pay any attention to Democrats when they were in charge. Why do we need to give them anything now that we're on top? Let them whine. Why did Heath Shuler run as a Democrat anyway?

Republicans literally shut Democrats out of committees that they were on. Bushes version of bi-partisanship was "do it my way". Screw Shuler and any other Democrat who wants to deform Obamas agenda before he even has a chance with it. I don't love Obama, but we had Repub rule for 8 years. I think that we could give Obama at least a year, before we get serious about saying his ideas won't work. He has only had about 20 days so far!

These obstructionist Blue Dog Democrats and Republicans sound like my son (and a whole lot of others at 12 years old). They're locked into the age when they first attempted to stand up for themselves and argue for what they want, but they never moved past the reasoning abilities or emotional maturity of the typical 12-year-old who wants what he wants so badly there's no reasoning with him.

He'll argue for what he has in mind in the most earnestly simplistic terms. Then when you, as the parent, explain the pitfalls, the holes in his logic, and why it's not reasonable, likely even dangerous at this point for him to get what he wants, he'll just repeat all the same arguments again.

Then, when you finally lay down the law and say, "No!" he responds, "You never listen to me!"

Like Rubaugh seems increasingly to be, my son was a dedicated anarchist at 12 years old (or at least he thought he was). Luckily he has long since grown up to be an amazing, thoughtful, well-reasoned adult.

So why are these obstructioninsts still trapped in adolescent wonderland (where it's clear they are)! Just like my 12 year old son, the only way they'd feel as if they had been "listened to" would be if they got their way.

Next thing you know, they'll be accusing the Democrats and Obama for being paternalistic because they've said no to more tax cuts.

Who the hell cares how well he played football? Sheeesh. Stay on topic at least mildly, please, Reid.

Then Shuler could fill out one of those Hurt Feelings Chits. It sounds to me like at least half of the reasons on that form apply to him. Heath Shuler, are you a pussy?

I totally agree. The football cheap shot does nothing but undercut any serious arguments (and there are enough of those) Reid may have. I really wish they would cut that crap out and stick to the substance of the disagreement in question.

There is no such thing as a piece of legislation that makes everyone happy. The most you can hope for is a chance to voice your opinion; it doesn't mean that you will get your way.

Although they scream and stomp their feet and showboat, I have yet to see any Republican plan for recovery beyond tax cuts.

Well, we have been tax cutting since the days of Ronald Reagan and look where we are now. We have been conned into switching from the good ole company retirements of our parents into the 401ks that are robbed by the fat Wall Street types of the new era. And the Republicans just wanna give those guys more tax cuts.

So, beyond 'let them eat cake' I haven't heard a damn thing from the Republicans. Maybe President Obama's and the Democrats plan won't work. Maybe it will. But I know this much: The Republicans ideas won't. And they, along with the Blue Dogs are being complete asses about it.

At least with President Obama's plan we got a chance. And that at least is hope.

So by saying "he played three of his five seasons for the Washington Redskins" do you mean he has a history of failing in DC? Or is there a hidden anti-Skin agenda, perhaps perpetrated by a Dallasite?

Seriously: I gotta say, Heath's statement was about as far off target as most of his passes. Even if he's in a red district, it's a little early to start trashing his own side. Those Blue Dog types always think they're a lot more important than they really are.

So fuck them! We wouldn't even be in this mess if it weren't for them! We certainly wouldn't be in Iraq.

Oh, the anti-Skin agenda is in no way hidden. See ed. note on this post: http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/10/31/redskins_election/index.html.

But trust me, you don't have to be from Dallas to hate the Redskins.

Let's face it, Pelosi and Reid are bumbling idiots, they're still not with "the program." They're still fighting their own little pet projects and this is hurting the Democrats. The Republicsns are not against the stimulus, they are for creating jobs; however, they're trying to keep this stimulus package targeted and focused on "creating jobs." We shouldn't be wasting a penny of taxpayer's money on garbage. We need people who ask the hard questions.

Definitely an apt comparison. But the Skins were bad during the Shuler years largely because they were the Shuler years, not because they were the Skins.

The republicans' idea of bipartisanship is to do it their way or the highway. They don't know the meaning of the word. In my opinion, the Democrats need to move on and get the work done!

If the Republicans remain fully intransigent there is no possibility of ever being bipartisan. It's like a spoiled kid holding his breath until he's blue in the face so he can have his way. I say to hell with them. They are the damn problem that got us into this fix in the first place. And now we have to beg for their participation? I don't think so.