What passes for moderation (Olympia Snowe)

[ProSense]

What passes for moderation

By Steve Benen

As Occupy demonstrations reached Maine this week, some activists want to know why their “moderate” Republican senators didn’t hesitate to kill a credible jobs bill this week, despite its inclusion of popular, bipartisan provisions. Jamison Foser noted that Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) has already explained her position, though I don’t imagine protesters will find it especially satisfying.

In her five-paragraph statement about her vote against the jobs bill, Snowe indicated an objection to only one of the bill’s provisions: the surcharge on adjusted gross income in excess of one million dollars a year, which would affect only one-tenth of one percent of Maine residents.

So it’s pretty clear what side Snowe is on: She sides with the richest one-tenth of one percent of Mainers, and against 99.9 percent of her constituents. It really doesn’t get much clearer than that. But just to drive the point home, Snowe spoke to group of businessmen morning, where she courageously told them their taxes are too high and they are over-regulated.

Also remember, this comes just a few weeks after Snowe tried to argue that government spending is “clearly … the problem” when it comes to the nation’s finances, which is a popular line among conservatives, despite being wrong.

To reiterative a point from last month, there’s some prime real estate in the political landscape for genuine GOP centrists who could have a significant impact. Real Republican moderates, if they existed, would not only generate considerable attention, but could potentially have an instrumental role in shaping policy and helping Congress actually function for a change.

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[ClassWarrior]

1. No doubt. Through the looking glass.

NGU.

[formercia]

2. Time for Snowe to Go.

She has made her loyalties clear and it isn't with the 99.9%.

[meow2u3]

5. Time to shovel the Snowe

eom

[formercia]

6. Time to turn up the heat

and make the Snowe go away.

[Jakes Progress]

3. Kinda makes our having courted her so much

during previous battles look foolish in hindsight.

[CakeGrrl]

4. The true GOP agenda is being exposed.

The choice is becoming more stark (and clear) for the voters: The GOP protects the rich. And the ones waiting in the wings to take over are more extreme, not more moderate.

[TheKentuckian]

7. Never did in my book. She, Collins, Liberwhore or for that matter, Conrad, Ben Nelson,

Baukus, Warner, and the like aren't either all are easily conservatives of varying stripes.