Democrats’ Rise Has Pluses, Say G.O.P. Centrists

[Zenlitened]

Gee... actually getting things done on behalf of the American people...

What a refreshing change of pace, huh?

Democrats’ Rise Has Pluses, Say G.O.P. Centrists

By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ (New York Times)
Published: April 7, 2007

WASHINGTON, April 6 — If the Democratic ascendance on Capitol Hill was supposed to usher in dark days for Republicans, it is hard to tell from talking to moderate ones like Mike Ferguson, who represents a suburban district in central New Jersey.

As the new Democrat-led House rushed to complete its business before adjourning for spring break this week, Representative Ferguson was marveling at the many bills that had been passed in Congress’s first 100 days, including one that would make it easier for unions to organize and another that would increase the minimum wage.

“Under the Republican majority, those bills would have never gotten to the floor,” he explained before heading back to his district. “Now they have been brought to the floor, and I’ve voted for them.”

Mr. Ferguson’s enthusiasm captures a peculiar political reality in the Capitol: many Republicans from swing districts in the Northeast are finding that life under Democratic rule has its advantages.

More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/07/washington/07moderates.html

[AX10]

1. Also, these "moderate" Republicans do not want...

to become targets in next year's election. If the cooperate and work with the other side, they are less likely to become takeover targets next year.

[SharonAnn]

10. If they like what Democrats are doing, they should become Democrats.

Stop supporting the GOP with Democratic Party accomplishments.

It's not only enabling the GOP to attain power by pretending the Democrats' accomplishments are theirs, it weakens the Democratic Party because it dilutes their accomplishments.

[illinoisprogressive]

2. Eventually the ultra right will be powerless!

[babylonsister]

3. Very encouraging! Thanks! nt

[The Magistrate]

4. Their Smiles, Ma'am, Should Avail Them Nothing

It is precisely these 'moderates' in swing districts in the Northeast and Midwest who must be the principle targets of the up-coming Congressional campaign. They must be rendered extinct, and the Republican Party left in the hands of its most monstrous and repellent elements....

"Deserve's got nothing to do with it."

[w4rma]

5. Agreed. They're frauds, always looking for the next con. (nt)

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

6. Well said, sir. They are the subversive element of the cabal's long reach.

MKJ

[tblue37]

7. Switch parties, you fool, and give the Dems a large

enough majority to get the idiot and his henchmen out of office.

[skipos]

8. Exactly. Anyone who stays an (R) after what the GOP has become

is still an idiot.

[gratuitous]

9. Is there any such thing as "bad news" for the GOP?

Anything that happens gets twisted by a compliant media into a plus for the GOP, no matter what. The war going badly? Well, it might get better, and that would make Bush look good. The economy tanking, and the distribution of wealth is as lopsided as it's ever been, including right before the Great Depression? More good news for the GOP! No why to it, really, it's just an article of faith.

But Nancy Pelosi actually tries some of the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, whose report Bush immediately shit-canned, there are positive benefits, and the media go batshit crazy trying to figure out how such a thing could have happened. And in spite of polls showing that support for Pelosi has jumped, the media chuckleheads twist themselves into little pretzels of evil trying to make white black and turn good into bad.

[FredStembottom]

11. What an excellent point!

It's all so ...well... gratuitous!