Spokane7
65°
September 9, 2011 in City
Northwest lawmakers adhere to party lines
Northwest Republicans criticized President Obama’s proposed jobs bill as too much that’s been tried before and not enough that will bring long-term changes.
Washington Democrats, meanwhile, said the request to put politics aside was overdue.
“It was a powerful speech, but I was disappointed by it,” said Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho. “It really did not do much but put together short-term fixes.”
Some proposals like extending unemployment payments and payroll tax cuts probably have broad support, Crapo said. But the spending proposals will hurt efforts to cut the deficit that were started in the compromise over the debt ceiling.
“If the president will come to Congress and work with Congress on a much stronger, bolder plan … this could be a foundation for long-term reform,” Idaho’s senior Republican said. “But it didn’t appear to me he was in much of a negotiating mood.”
Obama’s call for a special committee to find additional budget cuts to pay for his programs could make work harder for Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who is the co-chairwoman of that panel. But Murray said in a statement that putting people back to work is essential to the economic outlook.
“There may be no greater deficit reducer than a growing economy that puts money back in the pockets of struggling Americans,” Murray said.
Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said he was extremely optimistic when Obama started the speech by saying economic recovery won’t come from the government but from business, but lost that feeling when the president proposed more spending programs. He’ll likely support programs that would help hire veterans, but believes tax credits for hiring people who’ve been unemployed for more than six months won’t add many jobs.
It may help on the margins, with businesses on the verge of hiring. “I really don’t think that’s the rule, but the exception,” Risch said.
The call for less regulation is absolutely needed, but the federal government added more than 1,200 new regulations in the last two months, he said. “I’m cynical and skeptical as to whether that’s going to get done.”
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., said federal regulations are making it impossible for some projects to move forward, and Obama’s speech didn’t do enough to address that. She, too, wonders how the federal government will pay for some of his proposals.
“I like the idea of addressing tax reform. We have one of the most complicated, costly tax codes ever,” McMorris Rodgers said. “I agree that doing nothing is not an option. I do hope we can work together.”
Supermajority for taxes unconstitutional, judge rules 
schleufer on September 09 at 8:02 a.m.
Rodgers said. “I agree that doing nothing is not an option. I do hope we can work together.”
are you kidding! she voted along with the republican party no matter what. in the future boehner should give her press releases on how she feels.
i voted for daryl.
metaline on September 09 at 8:13 a.m.
Have you noticed that the only time democrats call it bipartisanship is when republicans agree go with their ideas.
It was also ironic that when the republicans choose not to air a rebuttal to the speech, Nancy Pelosi was unhappy about it. Huh?
hardwroc on September 09 at 9:29 a.m.
metaline, WHEN exactly will the GOP stop supporting BUSH programs that were SO successful we were losing 3/4 a million jobs a month?
HOW can Kathy say she’s working WITH the Dems when she’s voted 99.9% BUSH/GOP since taking office?
HOW can the GOP say they’re working FOR America when they’ve worked AGAINST the elected president 100% since he took office? WHO do you think elected him, MARTIANS? It was the majority of American voters and the GOP has worked tirelessly against their will since jan 09.
OR, can you show any example of GOP “bipartisanship” since that day?
If so, I missed it.
Scoutster on September 09 at 9:31 a.m.
Cathy had a response to the President’s speech at 4:45 on FB. She must have tweeted it from the House floor. She didn’t even have time to go potty after the speech before she wrote her response.
I wonder if she knew she was against it before she even read it?
Of course, it’s her usual thoughtful, analytical, deep weighing of the issues.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on September 09 at 9:38 a.m.
Of course the republicans hate it, even though everything he said was their idea . And yes, I actually took the time to look this up, everything Obama proposed last night is or has been been endorsed or proposed by republicans.
While still not a huge fan of Obama right now, it was a good speech, it was nice to see him grow some balls for once, now he needs to back it up and not cave in.
It was very politically smart of him to give proposals that republicans have brought up before or backed before because now it pushes them into a corner to actually do something. If the republicans refuse to pass this bill then that truly will prove they have no desire to help the American people, but rather just play politics until the election.
Also, always funny when her party leaders let Cathy open her mouth and talk since she refuses to do anything to help people in Spokane. How is this horrible woman still in office? Oh yeah, people in Spokane just vote for the R next to the name, not the person.
soccermomsusie on September 09 at 10:08 a.m.
Oh Obamatron 2000! You again make a speech in which you indicated you were going to give us Republicans everything we wanted and so we would be sure to support your plan.
Yes, just like we supported Obamacare (which was our healthcare plan under Dole). Just like we supported you giving us everything we wanted so we would raise the debt ceiling (and we just asked for more), etc. etc.
Mitch McConnell came up with this definition of insanity just the other day (I think this definition will be BIG someday) - “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” HOW ABOUT THAT?
Well Obamatron 2000, how do you think this will turn it out for you this time? Different?
My fellow conservative Republicans - Stand Firm! No matter what it costs your districts, no matter how many people lose their homes or their jobs DO NOT DEAL WITH OBAMA!
The worse we make it, the easier it will be for us to get in the White House in 2012. That is the mission. The unwashed masses are not going to blame us. We “is protectin’ thems freedoms” and other intangibles. The only time our followers will take to the streets is if we threaten to tax or regulate their betters (the only nation that will do this). They don’t care what we do to them, they will vote for us, vote “Conservative,” no matter what. So let’s do it! Are you up for it?
NOBAMA! KNOW PALIN! KNOWBAMA! NO PALIN!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
Bruce (aka thatoneguy) on September 09 at 10:12 a.m.
Metaline: have you noticed that when D’s (especially, but not only, the president) agree with R’s, then R’s change their requirements? R’s don’t WANT bipartisan agreement, they want Obama OUT, and are against anything that might help his chances — even if it would or could be good for the country &/or the economy.
MrNatural on September 09 at 10:51 a.m.
I think this could be a brilliant strategy for President Obama…He’s making a strong plea for action and has a plan…doesn’t matter if it works or not…it only matters if the republicans go along or obstruct. It’s a win-win for Obama…
I couldn’t help but laugh at the consternation in the faces of Boner and Turtle-head during the speech…
richardch on September 09 at 11:12 a.m.
tax and spend, tax and spend, tax and spend. When will it end.
metaline on September 09 at 11:29 a.m.
Actually, I am not taking a side. I get a kick out of the spin both sides play. The Dems are much better at playing the victim.
It’s about time to quit blaming Bush for all the worlds evils. We need a Harry Truman approach “The Buck Stops Here”.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on September 09 at 11:43 a.m.
I guess richardch didn’t hear the many parts about him cutting taxes on small business, the middle class, corporations and giving out many tax breaks and incentives corporations and small business to hire people.
monarch on September 09 at 3:12 p.m.
If we only agree to allow our rivers, land, and air to become more polluted then things will improve. And remove all those pesky regulations, like the ones that protected us from the mortgage meltdown. We can trust those working from the pure profit motive and greed to protect the interests of all!