Shaheen likely to miss Jobs Act vote

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: The Hill

Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire is on track to miss Tuesday’s high-profile vote on President Obama’s jobs package.

The Democrat’s absence will make Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) quest to gain a majority of senators on the bill even harder. Tuesday’s 60-vote threshold vote is to cut off debate on the motion to proceed to the bill.

With Republicans apparently united in opposition, Reid can afford to lose only two of his own and still claim a majority of senators support the president’s tax and stimulus bill.

Shaheen spokesman Jonathan Lipman confirmed Shaheen, a yes vote, will only show up if her vote is necessary for passage.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/801-economy/186747-shaheen-likely-to-miss-jobs-act-vote

[elleng]

1. Duh, taking a 'sick day???'

[JCMach1]

2. Means that this won't be close... the usual democratic suspects have defected

[ShockediSay]

31. anybody know who our defectors are???

[Bake]

3. Thanks for nothing, Jeanne, you !@#@!.

Bake

[valerief]

4. American people can wait. She's got an award to get! Republicrat Blue Dog Asshole.

Shaheen is scheduled to accept a "New Englander of the Year" award on Tuesday night from the New England Council in Boston.

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. She is not a member of the Blue Dog Coalition:

http://ross.house.gov/BlueDog/Members/

[valerief]

21. Maybe not officially but definitely blue doggy.

http://pnhp.org/blog/2009/03/23/bayh-howls-with-the-blue-dogs/

[Freddie Stubbs]

36. The Blue Dog Coalition is a group of Democrats in the HOUSE, not the Seante

[Kingofalldems]

37. Well you aren't in the House either and your former avatar was

a blue dog. So, bottom line I think you get the difference between a blue dog and a supporter of blue dogs.

[Freddie Stubbs]

38. I support Blue Dog Democrats

It takes a lot of skill courage to run as a Democrat and win in the areas they represent.

[karynnj]

17. Quite ironic that she will miss a major vote to get an award labelling her the "New Englander of the

Year". The New England Council should cancel the event - and the award - as this clearly shows a lack of priorities. Couldn't she accept it remotely - I have seen Kerry do that in a few cases where responsibilities interfered - most recently for an award from the Atlantic Council for his contributions to diplomacy - at least as important as this one.

[valerief]

22. She's a Republicrat. Maybe the vote was timed to coincide with this. nt

[SoapBox]

30. CONTACT the Council HERE and tell them what you think of her!

http://www.newenglandcouncil.com/

Boston Office

98 North Washington Street
Suite 201
Boston, MA 02114
[phone] (phone)
[phone] (fax)

Washington Office

331 Constitution Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
[phone] (phone)
[phone] (fax)

Email: [e-mail]

[catgirl]

5. Disgusting

Truly disgusting.

[AngryAmish]

6. Perfect example of the work ethic that got her where she is today!

[Politicalboi]

8. Why isn't her office getting

Phone calls? This asshole has duty to do, and she should do it.

[WilliamPitt]

9. (facepalm)

[totodeinhere]

10. It said she will "show up if her vote is necessary for passage." So I don't

see what the big deal is. I'm not saying it's right but most senators on both sides of the aisle miss lots of votes.

[pennylane100]

12. Yes, it is good that she will show up if her vote is needed.

However, outside that little bubble that Washington politicians live, most people show up for work because it is part of their job description.

[totodeinhere]

13. I agree with you, but it's unfair to pick on just her when they all do it. n/t

[julian09]

25. How many meaningless awards does she need on toilet shelf

ironic the choice is "new englander of the year" or "self promoter of the year".
I live in New England and think she being bought for a box of cracker jacks, not my choice.

Poster person for the do nothing congress maybe their will be another award for her.

[red dog 1]

32. I agree...If Reid needs her vote, she'll be there, so what's the big deal?

[No Elephants]

35. Assuming Reid never miscalculates. There must have been a time or two when he did

because poor Senator Kennedy hauled himself to Washington while he was dying a couple of times because his vote was supposedly needed. And, it wasn't needed at least one of those time.

I guess that means, if Harry errs in counting votes, it may be erring on the side of caution, which would be a good thing for the President, I suppose.

[FreeBillClinton]

11. But the Democrats will allow her to remain a democrat? Why?

Why should liberal voters believe that the Democratic party protects their interests when they constantly allow a few wolves in sheep's clothing to join with the Republicans and kill progressive legislation.

Are we supposed to believe they are a ragtag band of lovable losers that tried their best, but oh well, they lost again?

I'm calling Bullshit. The fix is in. Every day the Democratic party allows itself to exist on the line where they are just a few votes short is another day that we are all being taken for fools.

And what happened when they finally had enough to pass liberal legislation? Oh yeah, they moved the line. Passing legislation now requires 60 votes.

"Our" party is a sham that survives on the fact that they will never have the kind of overwhelming majority that would actually force them to stand up to conservatives.

[totodeinhere]

14. They can't stop her from being a Democrat even if they wanted to.

Theoretically they could kick her out of the Democratic caucus, which won't happen, but to be a Democrat all you have to do is register as one. The Democratic Party has no control over who registers as a Democrat and who doesn't.

[No Elephants]

33. The Democratic Party has a lot of control over who wins a primary, though.

[totodeinhere]

39. Of course, but if she lost a primary election she could still be a Democrat unless she decides

to change parities. I wasn't talking about a primary. The poster advocated kicking her out of the Democratic Party. That cannot be done. But if you want to advocate defeating her in a primary election, of course that can be done but that's different than kicking her out of the party.

[Freddie Stubbs]

15. How would they stop her from being a Democrat?

[FreeBillClinton]

16. They can kick fake democrats out of the caucus.

[julian09]

27. The state dem party must vet her before putting her on ballot or primary her

but then some change party after election, at least if they change party they aren't dem embarrassment.

[No Elephants]

34. They can't stop her from registering to vote as a Democrat. They can do a LOT to make

sure she does not win a primary.

You know that.

ETA: So does she.

[libinnyandia]

23. a horrible system

Onee problem is we have a horrible system that allows a minority to stop legislation.Forty senators represent states that together have the same total population as california, which has two senators. Some Democrats represent these small states and are always concerned about being reelected. Don't worry, a lot of them will be beaten and then the GOP will maintain control of the Senate and we'll find we haven't seen anything yet. You can start a third, more pure party and the GOP can have even more power. Then we won't have to complain any more about blue dog Democrats.

[valerief]

24. Who cares about Democrats unless they're Progressive!!!! nt

[Thrill]

18. SHOCKER

Another wimp

[h2ebits]

19. Harry Reid--call her and tell her she needs to vote!!

This is an important vote. Reid needs to tell her that she is needed in DC to do her JOB. Have her postpone the award ceremony or do it in absentia.

[swilton]

20. Jobs Bill?

It's not a jobs bill if it includes more free trade agreements.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x623911

[rayofreason]

26. Dereliction of duty!

It is the job of members of Congress to be there to vote and handle the people's affairs (res publica).

[SoapBox]

28. WTF! Contact her HERE.

...contact this DINO and tell her to get her ass TO HER ****JOB***!

http://www.shaheen.senate.gov/contact/

[karynnj]

29. She could easily accept the award remotely

After all Paul Newman accepted an honorary Academy Award for his lifetime of contributions by satellite. That is more an occasion than what is likely an award won in turn by NE leaders.