Comments on: OLC: Even More GOP Obfuscation On Dawn Johnsen?

By: BMcGarth

BMcGarth — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:31:15 +0000

Anyone who really thinks the Obama WH has any intention of allowing Dawn Johnsen to assume the position she was nominated for,well stop dreaming.Johnsen’s time in the position means Holder incompetence will be “neon lighted”.Obama is comfortable with Bush’s policies folks,he ain’t want Johnsen to be in that position.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:34:53 +0000

I don’t buy for a minute that the real roadblock on Johnsen has been Republicans. With the policy choices Obama has been making, from bombing missions in Pakistan, to continued use of Blackwater in covert ops in foreign countries, to subverting the GITMO habeas determinations with shipments to Bagram, to continued lies about the Uighurs, to states secrets invocations to cover up crime, etc. etc. etc. the singlemost resistant entity to having Johnsen in place pretty much has to be the White House.

It’s a game Obama is playing. She’s the carrot danging from the stick in front of the donkey. Once he’s gotten where he’s going using that carrot to keep the donkey working for him, he’ll may give the carrot - or not. But definitely not until he’s where he wants to be and with all the pending cases, he’s not there yet.

By: Adams

Adams — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:34:52 +0000

I agree strongly with AngelsAwake @ 63. Momentum is building for progressives as BHO’s poll numbers sink like a rock among Democrats. See Krugman, Greenwald, Rich, et. al. on why the public option is more than the public option. It is a watershed issue that has come to symbolize the Obama administration’s whole commitment to “openness and accountability” (for the healthcare industry) and “change you can believe in” (for the public) and “changing the game” for the villagers.

I have long felt that Dawn Johnsen’s nomination, while much lower in profile, is a similar symbol of the Obama administration’s ( now highly questionable) commitment to right the wrongs done by the Bushies to the rule of law, separation of powers, sanctity of the voting process, and our international reputation for same. Not to mention torture and murder (most foul).

HCR has all the juice now, but we’ll never forget about torture and murder done in our names.

However, as I’ve mentioned previously, we still lack a clear and focused strategy to force her appointment to a vote. It doesn’t have to be as comprehensive as what Jane is doing on HCR. Just something to collect and direct the energy of the already committed. Yeah, I’ve emailed and phoned my Senators, but how many times should I do that on an issue that doesn’t come up on their screens until it gets scheduled for a vote?

Christy, Marcy, anyone…? Help.

By: AngelsAwake

AngelsAwake — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:02:22 +0000

We need more of this. We’ve got a little momentum now on the health care thing, we’re all fired up, we’re angry and we’re right (in the truthful sense, not the political)- now’s the perfect time to hammer the Republicans on all sides and on all issues. Attack attack attack!

By: darclay

darclay — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:31:27 +0000

Can someone, Christy? tell me WHY is Harry Reid still Majority Leader? Are the Dem’s so f*&K up that they can’t see Reid is one of the major problems with Congress. Maybe its a seniority position ? what just tell me .

By: Mymy

Mymy — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:30:30 +0000

Time for Reid to man up! Wasn’t he a pugilist in a former life?

By: greenwarrior

greenwarrior — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:20:55 +0000

your optimism is refreshing. as for myself, i’ve been getting increasingly frustrated at the lack of nomination hearings for dawn johnsen.

thanks for bringing it up, christy.

By: Ann in AZ

Ann in AZ — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:16:32 +0000

Jane has a new post up and is waiting for our perusal: “Fear Grows Like A Weed In the Middle of Rahm Emanuel’s Message Void”

By: Votus

Votus — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:08:22 +0000

OT: for those on the pacific coast, Jane just came on The Thom Hartmann radio show.

By: dick c

dick c — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:07:25 +0000

Pity Reid and company — this is an incredible dilemma for them. How to serve the rule of law and corporate interests at the same time. These decisions always appear easier for republicans who seem to have no doubt about where their allegiances lie.