Washington Journal: Who is Norman Ornstein-AEI? Why does

[babylonsister]

he sound so sensible, or have I not had enough coffee?

[marmar]

1. He's a very reasonable guy...

He's often on Al Franken's show, and is usually very fair in his criticism. I don't think the AEI is a lefty organization by any stretch of the imagination, but Ornstein can definitely see the harm the repugs are doing to this country.

[KharmaTrain]

2. Google Ornstein + Gingrich...Nuff Said

This is the two major Repugnican "stink tanks" trying to do some major damage control here.

[babylonsister]

3. They seem fairly critical of this admin, but they're also hawking

a book.

[KharmaTrain]

5. Yep...They're There To Pick Up The Pieces

Shall we call them opportunists? Or just plain vultures? LOL.

There's been rumbling on the "stink tank" right to get ahead of the scandals. These people know ALL about Abramoff and how the game was played for so long. They play it, they profited from it...but they also got railroaded along the way and now see a chance for a bit of payback.

There were some bitter Repugnican party fights prior to the DeLay mob days...when Gingrich was in control. These people were pushed out by DeLay and Armey in the wake of the '98 elections and Monicagate, now Gingrich is getting even...using his base at the AEI to astroturf himself and his "acolytes" like Ornstein as reformers. Be careful!!!

[Cocoa]

4. C-span loves AEI

almost as much as it loves the Washington Times.

[Cassandra]

6. I think he's AEI's house centrist

They have to have someone who thinks in that think tank.

[ROakes1019]

7. Ornstein

Norm Ornstein was on the panel with Dems who were calling for House reforms before the big lobbying scandal broke. Also on the panel were Obey, Frank, and a couple of others and someone from Center for American Progress. Thomas Mann was in the audience and supportive. Mostly the panel was raging about the way the Repubs have corrupted the process in the House to the point where Dems weren't able to act at all. I've always been a little wary of Ornstein but after hearing him on that panel I don't fear him anymore.