So the GOP has the house and senate. Now what?

[jmdrake]

Seriously? They don't have a veto proof majority. Will they vote for a budget that de-funds Obamacare? When Obama vetos it, will the stick to their guns even when it means a government shutdown? They have control over the investigative committees. Will they turn up the heat on Bengazi to the point about asking about the smuggling of missiles? Will they seek indictments over "Fast and Furious"? Considering that even the Kurds in Syria are working with ISIS when it suits them, will they finally put the kibosh on funding the Syrian Islamic terrorists who pretend to be on our side "freedom fighters"? Will they get to the bottom of why the Pentagon "lost" all proof of death of Osama Bin Laden? (No video. No photos. No DNA.)

Or will they do what the Democrats did once they got all three branches of government and decided to cover up all of Bush's crimes? (Nothing serious done on CIA rendition and torture for example).

Or will they try impeachment like that did when Clinton was president? (Guaranteed to pass the GOP led house only to ultimately fail because you need 2/3rds in the senate).

Anyway, last time we were in this situation we (the Clinton/Gingrich era) we ended up with a government surplus. Gridlock is good! Also a republican ultimately took the Whitehouse. This time may it not be a another Bush!

 

[Zippyjuan]

They will need better policies than just opposing Obama if they want to keep their new seats. Most of the ballot issues which passed were more liberal so they don't seem to have a conservative mandate on policy. It seemed to be more "kick out the bastards" than a true shift in positions on issues. Democrats just happened to be the ones with the most incumbents up for re-election.

 

[enhanced_deficit]

Seriously? They don't have a veto proof majority. Will they vote for a budget that de-funds Obamacare? When Obama vetos it, will the stick to their guns even when it means a government shutdown? They have control over the investigative committees. Will they turn up the heat on Bengazi to the point about asking about the smuggling of missiles? Will they seek indictments over "Fast and Furious"? Considering that even the Kurds in Syria are working with ISIS when it suits them, will they finally put the kibosh on funding the Syrian Islamic terrorists who pretend to be on our side "freedom fighters"? Will they get to the bottom of why the Pentagon "lost" all proof of death of Osama Bin Laden? (No video. No photos. No DNA.)
....

Lip service is one thing but would be real intersting to see how new GOP policy agenda on suspected insider jobs like ISIS would be different from that of Obama's ... considering this poll of very GOP voters who made history yesterday:

Poll: 46% of GOP thinks Obama's Muslim
www.politico.com › Josh Gerstein
But one number that could catch significant attention is this: in the Time poll, 46 percent of Republicans said they believe Obama is a Muslim.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

I don't know... why doesn't someone ask the people who control the country?

 

[specsaregood]

I guess we'll see how much of Mitch's ear Randal really has. He has some really good legislative ideas that have bipartisan support and just need an opportunity.

 

[Zippyjuan]

Lip service is one thing but would be real intersting to see how new GOP policy agenda on suspected insider jobs like ISIS would be different from that of Obama's ... considering this poll of very GOP voters who made history yesterday:

Poll: 46% of GOP thinks Obama's Muslim
www.politico.com › Josh Gerstein
But one number that could catch significant attention is this: in the Time poll, 46 percent of Republicans said they believe Obama is a Muslim.

Link doesn't take us to the poll. (seems poll was from 2010 so link probably expired). http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0810/Poll_46_of_GOP_thinks_Obamas_Muslim.html

In 2012 it was 34%. http://www.mediaite.com/online/new-...blicans-increasingly-believe-obama-is-muslim/

 

[georgiaboy]

I hope they listen to Rand's idea about passing small pieces of legislation that get wide agreement across the aisle without having all sorts of amendments.

They can focus in on key areas for which larger bills would prove DOA: Obamacare, Immigration, taxes, spending, debt, etc.

Get the Dems and the President to vote/sign/veto these small attempts at bipartisanship -- and do it over and over and over again.

Throwing things like a repeal of Obamacare to the hyenas is ridiculous and a waste of time and energy.

 

[enhanced_deficit]

Link doesn't take us to the poll. (seems poll was from 2010 so link probably expired). http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0810/Poll_46_of_GOP_thinks_Obamas_Muslim.html

In 2012 it was 34%. http://www.mediaite.com/online/new-...blicans-increasingly-believe-obama-is-muslim/

Link still works, just realized I missed the full link:

http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0810/Poll_46_of_GOP_thinks_Obamas_Muslim.html

Poll: 46% of GOP thinks Obama's Muslim
There's a lot of startling news in these polls — from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and Time magazine. But one number that could catch significant attention is this: in the Time poll, 46 percent of Republicans said they believe Obama is a Muslim.


But it is plausible that later poll you cited had different numbers; between 2010-2012 he stepped up droning of muslim children and refused to visit Sikh temples to look less "muslim" presumably to improve his image among these GOPers.

 

[acptulsa]

Throwing things like a repeal of Obamacare to the hyenas is ridiculous and a waste of time and energy.

Actually, that would be the perfect thing to do.

You can't always get what you want. You can't always get what you want.

But if you reelect us and put Rand Paul in the White House, you just might get what you need.

 

[jmdrake]

They will need better policies than just opposing Obama if they want to keep their new seats. Most of the ballot issues which passed were more liberal so they don't seem to have a conservative mandate on policy. It seemed to be more "kick out the bastards" than a true shift in positions on issues.

The ballot initiatives seem mixed to me.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...ndum-initiatives-marijuana-abortion/18350783/

I don't count marijuana decriminalization as "liberal". Tom Tancredo led the fight to legalize marijuana in Colorado. Abortion ballots were mixed. Folks did vote for higher minimum wage laws but I don't see that as being a federal issue. The GOP isn't going to try to lower the federal minimum wage and I don't think that's going to come up and I doubt their constituents will punish them for not raising the fed minimum wage. The proposal for temp drivers licenses for illegal immigrants in Oregon was shot down as was restrictions on bear hunting in another state. One state passed a new "background check" law for guns, but again I don't GOP law makers will be expected to go along with that.

That said, I agree with you that pushing their own positive agenda will be key. Force Obama to use his veto pen for stuff that might be popular. Rand's REDEEM act should be a priority as it has bipartisan support. They should also push to expand Obamacare alternatives like medical sharing accounts. (See: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100935430)

 

[seapilot]

I am sure they are going to balance the budget and stop wasteful spending.

Last time there was a majority republican house and senate with a democrat president (Clinton) it made the democrat president look good.

 

[Zippyjuan]

Link still works, just realized I missed the full link:

http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0810/Poll_46_of_GOP_thinks_Obamas_Muslim.html

Poll: 46% of GOP thinks Obama's Muslim
There's a lot of startling news in these polls — from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and Time magazine. But one number that could catch significant attention is this: in the Time poll, 46 percent of Republicans said they believe Obama is a Muslim.


But it is plausible that later poll you cited had different numbers; between 2010-2012 he stepped up droning of muslim children and refused to visit Sikh temples to look less "muslim" presumably to improve his image among these GOPers.

We have gotten off topic (sorry!) but I found this poll from July fascinating when looking for that one.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/172442/muslims-approving-obama-mormons-least.aspx

U.S. Muslims Most Approving of Obama, Mormons Least

<snip>

The patterns in Obama's job approval by religion have prevailed throughout his presidency, with Muslim, Jewish, and nonreligious Americans giving him higher ratings, and Mormons and Protestants giving him the lowest ratings. Catholics have typically been closest to the national average, but slightly above it.

As Obama's overall job approval rating has had its ups and downs over the five-plus years he has been president, his ratings among religious groups have moved in tandem. That is, Americans of various faiths seem to react similarly to the factors that cause the president's popularity to wax and wane, rather than reacting in idiosyncratic ways tied to their religious beliefs.

 

[Zippyjuan]

The ballot initiatives seem mixed to me.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...ndum-initiatives-marijuana-abortion/18350783/

I don't count marijuana decriminalization as "liberal". Tom Tancredo led the fight to legalize marijuana in Colorado. Abortion ballots were mixed. Folks did vote for higher minimum wage laws but I don't see that as being a federal issue. The GOP isn't going to try to lower the federal minimum wage and I don't think that's going to come up and I doubt their constituents will punish them for not raising the fed minimum wage. The proposal for temp drivers licenses for illegal immigrants in Oregon was shot down as was restrictions on bear hunting in another state. One state passed a new "background check" law for guns, but again I don't GOP law makers will be expected to go along with that.

That said, I agree with you that pushing their own positive agenda will be key. Force Obama to use his veto pen for stuff that might be popular. Rand's REDEEM act should be a priority as it has bipartisan support. They should also push to expand Obamacare alternatives like medical sharing accounts. (See: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100935430)

I can only comment on my state but I didn't see much emphasis on how candidates felt on issues- how they would vote if elected. It seemed to be "how are you doing right now" rather than "Here is what I will do.." so referendums were the only way people were expressing their opinion on issues- and as you agree, that was pretty mixed- certainly not a conservative landslide on policy.

 

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

The tipping point in 2016 will be Obama's health law. People will start feeling the effects more than now. Biden will lose in the usual and asinine 52-48% or some shit. People's politics will see-saw even more as more people recognize America's long term decline in the world. That means they'll be tired of the Repub-tard president by 2020. Clinton will run in 2020 and probably win.

I didn't watch any of this shit on TV because it's retarded. Just my guess. All of this won't mean squat, but if you're interested in personalities, then it's gold.

People will also demand to get high legally. The dumb fucks in government will finally figure out that they can make a lot more money on taxing weed than paying lice to arrest people. Those pricks will pander to everyone with calls of weed freedom to get elected.

The dipshit gays will think they are getting rights with marriage, but those dumbasses will be co-opted with more government privilege.

 

[Deborah K]

I can only comment on my state but I didn't see much emphasis on how candidates felt on issues- how they would vote if elected. It seemed to be "how are you doing right now" rather than "Here is what I will do.." so referendums were the only way people were expressing their opinion on issues- and as you agree, that was pretty mixed- certainly not a conservative landslide on policy.

The thing about referendums is, you have to know who they're being funded by, and who is funding the opposition. The money usually sways the vote.

 

[Pericles]

It is an opportunity for the Tea Party and Libertarian Republicans to sat to the GOP establishment - "OK, we voted straight GOP, and now you owe us. You have to throw us a bone. The price is eliminating the Department of Education in order to keep our support. If you fail to do this, we will primary you."

The cabal has to be broken. The way things work is when in power, you don't touch the other party's programs, and when in power you expand your own programs. Since our objective is to actually reduce government, the RINOs have to be put to the test early. It will tale time to ID good candidates and do the ground game to primary when that becomes required.

 

[William Tell]

[h=1]So the GOP has the house and senate. Now what?[/h]

 

[jmdrake]

I am sure they are going to balance the budget and stop wasteful spending.

Last time there was a majority republican house and senate with a democrat president (Clinton) it made the democrat president look good.

You know, Obama is already reaping the benefit of a GOP controlled house. On the one hand he brags about shrinking budget deficits. On the other hand he blames republican budget cuts for Ebola.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

I am sure they are going to balance the budget and stop wasteful spending.

Last time there was a majority republican house and senate with a democrat president (Clinton) it made the democrat president look good.

Senate majortity leader Mitch McConnell stated to reporters, when they questioned about the Spring 2015 Debt Ceiling arrival,

"Let me make it prefectly clear, there will be NO SHUTDOWN of government or defaulting on the National Debt"

BTW, where's that "SECRET" video of the meeting between Mitch McConnell and the Oligarchs, where he promised no more shutdowns of government? Last I heard the Eff Bee Aye was investigating who secretly recorded and posted on social media.

 

[donnay]

Call for Obama to be arrested and indicted!