Former GOP Lawmaker Rips Boehner And Cantor For Their Crass Partisanship, Political Gimmicks

[babylonsister]

Former GOP Lawmaker Rips Boehner And Cantor For Their Crass Partisanship, Political Gimmicks


Former Maryland congressman Wayne Gilchrest, a moderate Republican who served from 1990-2008, left Congress after losing in the 2008 Republican primary to State Sen. Andy Harris (R-MD). Last weekend, Gilchrest offered his “straight shooter” views on the Republican Party to the Chestertown Spy.

Gilchrest delivered blunt criticism of his former colleagues in the House GOP leadership. He mocked House Minority Whip Eric Cantor’s (R-VA) refusal to engage in the substance of the health reform debate. Instead of offering ideas, Gilchrest noted that Cantor brought a copy of the health care legislation to President Obama’s health reform summit to demonstrate its size and complexity. Gilchrest, clearly incensed by Cantor’s gimmicks, said complaining about the health bill’s size was “really a waste of time” and that the tactic was designed to merely “disrupt” the summit.

Gilchrest also said he observed an increasing level of partisanship from Republican Party leaders as he left Congress. In one incident, Gilchrest recalls Bush Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson coming to a meeting of lawmakers to caution about “potential economic calamity,” only to be ignored by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), whom Gilchrest said was more interested in partisan games to undermine the Democrats. “Boehner dismissed Mr. Paulson because we had to get to…how to disrupt the Democrats from the subcommittee to the House floor, and how to raise money for the next election”:


more/video at link~

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/05/01/gilchrest-gop-gimmicks/

[gateley]

1. Ahhh. A Moderate Republican -- a shame that species is now extinct. K&R nt.

[babylonsister]

2. Where did they go? Hard to believe we can miss any rethug,

but there it is. I probably wouldn't abhor that party today if it weren't for the whacks that now have the reins.

[gateley]

3. Ditto. nt

[LiberalAndProud]

4. Party over patriotism. more interested in partisan games

Yes, and the talking heads encourage this behavior. Unforgivable Boehner. Ohio needs to make a change, post haste.

[HughMoran]

5. ...the Republican party is not fit to lead

People who elect these fools are making a mockery of our government.

[Ikonoklast]

6. ...and this will be their undoing.

The hyper-partisan bullshit is wearing thin with an electorate that wants real results.

As per usual, the Repubs are following an out-dated playbook.

[babylonsister]

7. I'm waiting for the sensible rethugs, if any are left, to rebel. We're

seeing small stirrings.