Anyone else feel like this Repug 9/11 spat is just a ruse?

[mountebank]

I think it's very telling that this 9/11 spat within the Republican party is the first major policy issue reported of Bush's new term. The media act like Bush is so disappointed and how it's a blow that some in his own party didn't back the 9/11 Intel overhaul. But didn't they have to twist Bush's arm the whole way to get him to agree to it? It could hardly be said to be something he wants.

My theory: I think this whole spat is a ruse and I think the purpose is to shift the scope of the debate. The purpose is to take Democrats completely out of the debate, in fact, and give the appearance that the only real debate that's happening in within the Republican Party.

All part of the plan to make the Democrats and "permanent minority party."

Has anyone else explored this idea?

[el_gato]

1. just about everything reported in the media

is a ruse one way or another

Like you said it's about defining the scope of the debate.

[Ganja Ninja]

2. I really don't know what to think.

On the one hand you have a republican house committee chairman praising house republicans.
On the other hand you have Bush.
At this point I'm willing to sit this one out and wait for the inevitable next terror attack. Let the GOP make all the calls and take all the blame.

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. The whole thing is an act/ruse.

The idiot-in-chief doesn't want that bill passed. If he did, it would have been passed. JMCPO

[Fla Dem]

4. Totally agree. That was my first reaction and have heard

nothing since that would change my mind. Bush is letting too strong congressmen do his dirty work for him. Under the ruse of denying driver licenses to illegals, and undermining military intelligence, 2 repug congressmen are delaying passage of this legislation. I say strong, because they are in no danger of being voted out of their positions.

The drivers license issue could be addressed as a separate bill after the 9/11 legislation bill is passed. As far as military intelligence(which is an oxymoron in itself) those are details that also could be worked out after the bill is passed.

This is just a stunt so that Bush LOOKS GOOD but at the same time the bill doesn't get passed.

He didn't want the investigation, didn't want the independent commission, didn't want to testify before the commission, and doesn't want the bill to pass. I'm detecting a pattern here.

[AlinPA]

8. Agree with your "This is just a stunt so that Bush LOOKS GOOD ..."

Then when it passes, he is "our hero". Look for this kind of crap for 4 years. Make that two years. We kick this crap in the house out in 2006.

[AntiCoup2K4]

17. Not without some goddamned leadership we don't.

Remember that from January 1993 to November 1994, while we were technically in charge of Congress, Bob Dole and Newt Gingrich were successful in filibustering the Hell out of Bill Clinton's agenda, which set the stage for their victory (or theft) in 1994.

Give credit where it was due - they were an effective opposition.

So what do we have to oppose a neocon fascist agenda?

Pink tutu wearing DLC pussies :grr:

[AlinPA]

18. I won't argue with you about that.

[ktowntennesseedem]

9. * starts "supporting" it as soon as he was sure it wouldn't pass

Totally agree that he didn't and doesn't want it to pass, but now he'll get his way and still take credit for wanting it!

Like everything else, he gets his way in the end, but in the meantime he'll wait to see how the public seems to be leaning, then sides with the majority so that even if he goes against them, he can appear empathetic and get credit for wanting what they wanted.

Brilliant strategy, but makes me want to puke my guts out (again!)

:puke:

:hurts:

[Catherine Vincent]

5. me thinks you may be right....

It's to make us forget that Bushie didn't want this 9/11 commision in the first place. But we know that ain't goanna happen, right? We DUers (and others) will throw it in their faces every chance we get!

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Bingo! That is *ezzakly* what I thought when it started.

Sensenbrenner is a team player from way back. I don't see this as anything more than to stop the damned bill. Chimpus Khan doesn't want it. Rummy doesn't want it. This way Bush can do his usual "calling the Congress to task" and move on with a lofty shrug of his simian shoulders.

This is just another step in the total marginalization of anything beneficial coming from 9/11's aftermath.

Look at it. How does this bill help Chimpus Khan in any way?

[joanski01]

7. I've felt from the beginning that

the Chimp didn't want this bill. If he wanted a bill, he would get one. Rummy doesn't want to let go of control of the MONEY.

[blm]

10. Bush is the one who doesn't want the bill to pass. He lied during the

campaign about wanting the bill so he he couldn't be attacked for it by the 9-11 commission or the families.

I can't believe anyone believed Hastert when he said it was being held up by a couple of Rep. congressmen.

[JI7]

12. you are exactly right

it's an attempt to make it seem as if it's a couple congressmen who are holding up the bill when in reality it's the bush administration who does not want it to pass.

if the media did their job rather than be whores for bush they would have reported all along how bush had opposed it from the start.

[lynintenn]

14. yep

[Born_A_Truman]

11. Just like the Assault Weapon Ban bill expiration (N/T)

[Cats Against Frist]

15. Exactly -- the fucker says "oops, my hands are tied."

That way the extreme faction of the GOP looks like its with some no-names in congress instead of sleeping in John Kerry's bed.

And we know that the Pentagon (read: neocons) don't want this -- and they control Bushler.

[lynintenn]

13. Have thought this from day one

[leftofthedial]

16. they want to keep all the shit hidden

this is just a game to distract us from their crimes and to obfuscate the fact that they don't want anything to change. An actual intelligence organization would make it much harder for them pull off the next MIHOP.

[robbedvoter]

19. They keep blaming Congress, supine as it is. Gives the illusion

of checks and balances too. Anything is on the news these days is irrelevant.

[hangloose]

20. I suspect Bush "Mr. Honest" says one thing in public and another

behind the scenes, Rhummy wouldn't challenge * they are working in tandem to muck up the process. By the time the congress gets back to business there will be another distraction to push this initiative further out.