Despite the massive Democratic trifecta in the House, Senate and White House, three very positive things are happening right now for House Republicans:
Perceived Public Support: In congressional offices throughout Capitol Hill, phone calls are running nearly 100% against the stimulus. Much of this is that people do not understand the difference between the poorly named stimulus and equally poorly named bailout, but the calls are still running against further government spending. Even though polls show the majority of the country in favor of the plan, these calls make a big difference in perceived popular support on Capitol Hill.
Pride in Unity: Republicans in the House feel pretty good about themselves for voting unanimously against the stimulus package in the House. They are playing "Eye of the Tiger" at their caucus meetings, making gleeful proclamations on how this will help them in 2010, and stating, intentionally loud enough for Democrats working on the Hill to hear, about how happy they are that Republicans are united again and how they can't remember a time with this much unity. They feel good about themselves again, and want to rub it in Democratic faces.
Media Coverage: As reported in multiple locations, even though they have lost power across the board, Republicans are still getting twice as much press than Democrats. Their opposition to the stimulus is a hit with the political media. Let's face it, even I am covering it right now, and I rarely write about Republicans.
Right now, Republicans are feeling the love from the political media, from constituents calling into their office, and from each other. In short, they feel pretty damn good. As such, we can expect their purely contrarian ways to continue, unless a disincentive to this behavior appears. In order to show congressional Republicans who really is in charge right now, we need to respond to these developments with a disproportionate, nuclear strike that goes far in excess of what they have done. In the extended entry, I provide the outlines of just such a nuclear response, much of which is already in the works.
Each of the three pillars of Republican support need to be hit:
Use the Obama email list to generate positive calls for the stimulus: As I argued 36 hours ago, the Obama administration needs to retaliate against the first pillar of Republican support--calls to congressional offices--by using its still operable campaign email list that is still funded by an operable campaign committee to generate 100 times more calls in favor of the stimulus than our coming in opposed. All that is needed to do this legally is to walk over to DNC HQ a few blocks from the Capitol, draft an action alert to the campaign email list, and then send it out. Pound the first pillar of Republican opposition into dust. It also fulfills a regular campaign theme from President Obama, when he said that his supporters would be needed to help pass his legislation even after he took office.
It is worth noting that the Obama email list is still active, as shown by today's call to host house parties about the stimulus. It is good to see the email list active, and I have no problem with house parties. However, it is very important that these house parties contain an action about contacting Congress, rather than just becoming an internal discussion among supporters.
Put Judd Gregg in Commerce--after he votes for the stimulus: Next, destroy their unity. While I opposed putting Republicans in cabinet positions during November and December, moving Republican Judd Gregg from New Hampshire to the Commerce Department would be a perfect response right now. This would severely undercut Republican power by getting Democrats to 60 votes, while also giving the appearance of being bi-partisan. In a true Machiavellian move, it reaches out to Republicans and undercuts them. It would also pretty much guarantee the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, as both Arlen Specter and one Democrat would have to withdraw their support, thus further causing Republican heads to explode. Again, this is a disproportionate response to Republican opposition, as it would remove the last remaining pillar of actual Republican power on Capitol Hill in response to their purely symbolic show of power two days ago in the U.S. House.
The only qaulifiers are, first, that Gregg first must vote for the stimulus package in the Senate. This will show Republicans that we didn't actually need another Democrat to pass that bill, but we are adding one anyway in retaliation to the House GOP. Also, it will show that Gregg will fall in line with Obama's policies while in the Cabinet--appropriate fealty before joining the team. Second, Governor Lynch in New Hampshire needs to make it clear that he will appoint a Democrat to replace Gregg, and that no deals with Republicans are on the table.
Support the Americans United For Change paid media campaign on the stimulus bill. It is also necessary to take out the third pillar of Republican support in their current pride fest: free media. Since we can't undo the free media Republicans have received from the political media on this one, we need a disproportionate response from paid media. Just such a campaign is currently being organized by Americans United For Change, which is an alliance of MoveOn.org and several large unions. Support it here, and help go nuclear on congressional Republicans.
Together, these three actions would be an excellent response to what Stephan Colbert called the House Republican "audacity of nope." It would put Democrats and the Obama administration in an even stronger position than after the November 4th elections.
If Republicans want to keep getting drunk and urinating on the country, let's make sure there is a fire in every toilet they can find.
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