On the Hill, Roundup of the Congressional herd.

The herd is in full stampede with the inauguration of President Obama. Hearings are taking place on Geithner's nomination, Liberals want cram down provision added to economic stimulus package, and House defeats second release of TARP funds.

Time could be issue for Geithner



It is still perplexing that a man who was Chairman of the New York Federal Reserve, could overlook something that any self-employed small business owner already knows. You have to file your own taxes. If it was not gross incompetence then it was misconduct, which opens up a whole new arena about ethics. Like many things with the Obama administration, Geithner is not what he is being sold as.

Geithner's nomination was unfortunately approved by the Senate Finance Committee, 18-5, with Republicans casting the the five "no" votes. Although, his appointment could face staunch opposition on the Senate floor, Harry Reid has said he will call for cloture if needed.
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Liberals want 'cram down' provision in stimulus

The Hill-Liberal Democratic lawmakers railed Thursday against the tactical decision of President Obama and House leaders to leave a bankruptcy “cram-down” provision out of the economic stimulus package.

The provision would let bankruptcy judges to shrink, or “cram down,” mortgages for homeowners who owe more than their home is worth.

Obama and Democratic congressional leaders say they strongly support it, but the financial industry and Senate Republicans oppose it. So the White House and Democratic leaders worry that making the provision part of the stimulus would complicate their efforts to build GOP support in the Senate, where Republicans have enough strength to support a filibuster.

But at a hearing on the provision Thursday, Democrats said that too many people are losing their homes to worry about Republican votes or financial industry objections. read more...

This is a contentious issue for me, right now people are losing their homes at an alarming rate. In order to stay in their homes,the only choice the average American might have is a Chapter 13 debt re-consolidation. Under the cram down provision this would give bankruptcy judges the legal authority to modify the mortgage debt much like they do for credit cards.

The main problem I see is a swelling in the ranks of borrowers applying of bankruptcy. That directly effects the mortgage and finance industry, in the long run, and does nothing to curtail the effects of the credit crunch. Like most plans being presented, it only exacerbates it, furthering problems consumers will face.

Mortgage companies need their money and Americans need their homes. If the people aren't paying their bill and no one is buying homes, the mortgage companies will go under, it's inevitable. The best solution is for them to work together to come up with some creative financing that is amicable for both parties. A little charity now inspires a helluva lot of loyalty in the future.
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House votes against releasing TARP funds

The Hill-Members of the House treated Thursday’s vote on the release of the second half of the economic bailout as if it were political kryptonite.

In a 270-155 vote, the House passed a resolution disapproving the release of the second $350 billion from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds. Only four Republicans voted for the measure.

The vote was largely symbolic because the Senate last week rejected a resolution disapproving the release of the funds. Since both chambers would have to pass a resolution of disapproval, the Obama administration will have access to the funds.

Given the unpopularity of the TARP program, the safest vote was probably to support the disapproval resolution. Almost none of those who voted against it face a difficult race in 2010. read more...

At first the title blew me away, then I remembered as is mentioned in the article. It takes both the Senate and the House to deny Obama access to the funds. They still get what they want and the TARP doesn't get stopped. Can you say, "Spend, baby, spend?"


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On the Hill (Burris, Conryn, and Palin)

The herd on the Hill is getting ready to go into full stampede. Burris is trying to make Illinois SoS do his job, Conryn threatens filibuster of talentless comedian, and Palin is odds on favorite for GOP nomination in 12'.



Burris presses Illinois court for action

The Hill.com-Attorneys for embattled Senate nominee Roland Burris on Friday filed a motion to force that state’s Supreme Court to quickly force certification of the appointment by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The action is intended to make it tougher for Senate Democratic leaders to prevent Burris from taking President-elect Obama’s vacated seat when the Senate meets next week.

Burris’s lawyers want the state Supreme Court to speed up its consideration of his lawsuit against Secretary of State Jesse White, who has refused to sign Burris’s certification papers because of the corruption charges facing Blagojevich.

The motion specifically asks the court to force White to certify Burris “as soon as practically possible” — ideally before Tuesday, when new senators are sworn in. read more...

Give him his certificate. He can hang it on his monument, he dedicated to himself, under the line "Almost." As already established he probably won't be able to occupy the seat. And the Senate has the ability to tie him up to where even if he is sworn in, he cannot vote. This can drag on till 2010, easily.
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Cornyn promises filibuster on Franken

The Hill.com-Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) threatened Friday to filibuster any attempt to seat Democratic Minnesota Senate candidate Al Franken next week.

The newly minted National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) chairman said he had not whipped votes in the GOP caucus, but added that he could not imagine any members defecting and seating Franken without a certificate of election.

Franken will not have that certificate as long as the election is challenged in the courts — a likely scenario, with Sen. Norm Coleman’s (R-Minn.) legal team already attacking the credibility of the recount process.“This is a very, very serious matter,” Cornyn said. “I can assure you that there will be no way that people on our side of the aisle will agree to seat any senator without a valid certificate.” read more...

Jesus, now the GOP is getting retarded? I think Blagojevich has contaminated more than just the Libs with his contagious stupidity. Now these idiots are getting on the certificate bandwagon.

Let Franken win. If anyone thinks that he isn't going to make anything less than a fool of himself or humiliate the Dems needs to have their heads examined. A loss to him right now might just give way to a few seats in 2010 for the GOP. People might start realizing what a bunch of buffoons the Progressives really are when they field candidates like this.
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Palin is odds-on favorite to win 2012 GOP nomination

The Hill.com-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is the front-runner to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, according to online oddsmakers.

Despite a slew of negative press this fall about Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) running mate, online gaming site Superbook.com puts Palin’s odds at 3.5-1, the best among Republican hopefuls.

Other top GOP contenders include former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, whose odds are set at 4-1, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, at 5-1.

Former Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-La.), who is now governor of Louisiana, has a 6-1 shot of claiming the nomination.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and former Speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.) are each listed at 12-1 to win the Republican nomination on Superbook.com. read more...

Yup, with fools like Balgojevich, Burris, and Franken in the midst of the Progressives it is hard to realize how they could think that Palin was an idiot. Inexperienced in the ways of national campaigning, yes, but no idiot. With all the help she is going to get from the Left, I think she might be the odds on favorite for the GOP nomination.

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On the Hill (Axelrod, RNC, Pat Quinn)

Been awhile since an "On the Hill" segment. Take a look at what the blathering herd has to say today. So, without further adieu, here it is; Axelrod says he won't be another Rove, RNC soul for sale, and Chicago Lt. Governor Quinn as confused as Blago.

Axelrod says he won’t be another Rove

The Hill.com-Incoming White House adviser David Axelrod said Sunday that he will focus on helping the country and not spend his time worrying about President-elect Obama’s reelection.

“Our view is that we’ve got tremendous challenges in this country right now, and what we should be thinking about is how we’re going to address those and not the next election,” Axelrod said on NBC’ “Meet the Press” when asked to compare his role to that of former Bush adviser Karl Rove. “And if we do that well, the next election will take care of itself."

Axelrod stated that his job would be to help “disseminate the message of Barack Obama, working with the communications team to make sure that we’re true to the ideals and the values and the programs that he wants to advance in this country.” read more...

Hmm, doesn't sound much different from what Rove did. After all, he progressed Bush policies and completely strayed from campaign promises. Kind of like what the Obama administration is doing right now. Axelrod may not be trying to be like Rove, he sounds like he is trying to one up him.
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Ideology steers RNC chairman race

The Hill.com-A battle for the soul of the Republican Party has spilled over into the contest for national committee chairman, as conservative members are prodding candidates to shift their way.

Now that the presidential campaign is over and the congressional leadership elections are settled, conservative activists are turning to the race for chairman as their next chance to shape the party.

Already, one candidate has come under fire for his association with a centrist organization, while a group of prominent RNC members is set to put others through an exhaustive test of their personal conservatism. read more...

Battle for the heart and soul? Most of the 168 member voting bloc of the RNC are as brain dead as the candidates they have been putting up for elections. Instead of listening to gang of 168, here is a new approach for us; try listening to the everyday conservative who is in the trenches. They might be able to steer the Party in the right direction, where the "intellects" have failed.
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Quinn predicts Blagojevich will be removed soon

The Hill.com-Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn (D) on Sunday predicted that the state legislature would remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) from office before Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday on February 12.

The Illinois state House can impeach Blagojevich with a simple majority, and it takes two-thirds of the Senate to convict.

“There’s far more [senators] than that ready to” remove Blagojevich, the lieutenant governor claimed on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” read more...

Seems like everybody up in Chi-Town is living in a dream world. Blagojevich for thinking he didn't do anything wrong, Madigan for thinking she could get him proven mentally unfit for office, and now the Lt. Gov. for promising he will be out by Feb. 12th. Personally I don't see it happening, just MHO though.

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