| Dallas Morning News Defends Sen. Hutchison's Filibuster Vote |
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| by Tom McGregor | Tue, Dec 22, 2009, 01:18 PM |
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William McKenzie, an editorial columnist for the Morning News, had been assigned to compose an argument that would shed a more positive light on Sen. Hutchison's lackluster gubernatorial campaign. He contends that Sen. Hutchison made the correct decision when she voted against her fellow Senate Republicans last Friday to end a filibuster that was intended to delay the inevitable passage of President Barack Obama's health care legislation. Mr. McKenzie pointed to Sen. Hutchison's explanation on why she voted against Senate Republicans. Hutchison claimed that the Senate already gathered 60 votes in opposition to the filibuster, which meant that a no vote would have just been symbolic one. Consequently, Tea Party activists have launched protests at the offices of Sen. Hutchison to express their dismay. Mr. McKenzie implied that "Tea Partiers have lost their minds." But in fairness to the Morning News, after facing an unfortunate circumstance of meeting some Tea Partiers face-to-face, it appears that Mr. McKenzie may not be inaccurate with his depiction of some members of the group. Some Tea Party activists appeared at an Obama Healthcare forum in Dallas last summer. They desperately craved attention with the understanding that a foolish appearance would improve their chances of getting more camera-time on local TV networks. When the TV cameras disappeared so did they. They spouted off radical views about conspiracy theories and refused to provide their names on-the-record claiming that they didn't want to be on Obama's so-called blacklist. To read the entire article from the Dallas Morning News, link here: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 
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Comments (4)
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written by furrpiece , December 23, 2009 This seems pretty simple to me. There is no question that Sen. Hutchison broke ranks with Senate Republicans. She voted with Democrats on a bill standing in the way of the Health Care Bill vote(s). If, when she voted, Democrats already had the necessary number of votes for passage actually on the board, then Hutchison's vote - while still breaking ranks - was much less significant. However, if the vote count at the time she voted was less than the number needed for passage, then her vote helped Democrats and deserves criticism from Republicans. We all know that Sen. Hutchison didn't want to come back to Texas and campaign with an accusation she had voted against the troops hanging over her head. But, being a part of the GOP Team in the Senate is critically important. If her vote actually cleared the way for the Health Care Bill to be considered sooner, then she made a major error in judgment and behavior. It's all a matter of WHEN she voted in terms of the vote count on the board.
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written by taxpayer , December 23, 2009 She has lied at every turn in this mess last weekend. Her vote was for the troops; in fact she voted against two additional procedural motions after she was called on this first blunder. Then was the story that she voted after the democrats had their 60 votes; also not true. She has been caught in the Washington DC two step; say one thing back home and vote with impunity in DC no one will know or care. That is just not true anymore. Thanks to the bloggers for that.
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written by furrpiece , December 23, 2009 It appears that Sen. Hutchison was trying to have it both ways, and perhaps forgot the Senate is constantly filmed by C-SPAN. About an hour before the vote in question, Sen. Hutchison held a news conference where she said the vote to end debate was basically all about health care. She was correct about that. When Sen. Hutchison comes into view on C-SPAN cameras, and walks to the well of the Senate, the vote to end debate stands at 58 ayes. Another Republican votes nay, and another Democrat votes aye. What happens next is beyond strange. Hutchison, Snow, and Collins vote sequentially, and all three vote with the Democrats. Hutchison's vote did not technically end debate. But, the collective votes of Snow, Collins, and Hutchison DID drive the necessary 60 votes so that the Democrats won. It looks like Sen. Hutchison was trying to straddle the fence, and did so rather inartfully, to say the least. It is also very fair to point out that Sen. Hutchison had millions of dollars of earmarks in that bill. Because Hutchison is in a major primary fight in her bid for Texas governor, she certainly didn't want to be known as someone who voted against the troops. But, she did break ranks with the Republicans in an attempt to slow the ridiculously expensive, medically destructive, and catastrophically socialistic Obama Health Care Bill.
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written by RUFUSLEVIN , December 27, 2009 She is too old, and to inept, and too steeped in Washington politics to EVER be anykind of Texas State Governance. Period. Perry aint no shiney penny, but he is what he is, while she is arrogant and out of touch. KBH...save your money. Forget about BOTH Texas Gov AND returning to the Senate. We have your NUMBER, Lady. Go home and bake cookies now. Write comment
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Perhaps, the Dallas Morning News is seeking bailout funds from Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who twice won the award for 'Porker of the Month' for her propensity to seize earmarks on the Senate floor for her home state of Texas. The Morning News could definitely use the financial assistance as it faces a dramatic drop in its circulation of readers.
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