cjboog
Refugee
The lastest polls show that Bush's approval rating is right around 33% with a 61% disapproval rating. The polls also show that Americans want democratic leadership by a vote of 51% to 36%. There are varying estimates, but the general consensus is that the republicans are in a tough spot and if the democrats have a stroke of luck, they just might be able to take Congress in the midterms. With the flurry of good news for the dems, they have recently unveiled their "Real Security" plan and Nancy Pelosi was on Meet the Press today discussing some of the plans that will take effect if the dems take Congress. Here are some of the points of their new plans...
"To honor the sacrifice of our toops, we will ensure 2006 is a year of significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty, with the Iraqis assuming primary responsibility for securing and governing their country and with the responsible redeployment of U.S. forces." On MTP, Russert pointed out that the #2 democrat in the House called for a withdrawal of the troops, but Pelosi said that that was months ago, things have changed, and democrats finally have a united stategy for dealing with Iraq. The key phrase of the new plan is significant transition.
"To free America from dependence on foreign oil, we will increase production of alternate fuels from America's heartland including bio-fuels, geothermal, clean coal, fuel cells, solar and wind; promote hybrid and flex fuel vehicle technology and manufacturing; enhance energy efficiency and conservation incentives."
On lobbying reform, Pelosi said that the democratic cases of corruption are more isolated, personal issues, and she said that she called for an investigation into Jefferson (D) while no republicans have called for the investigation of other republicans. She was reluctant to promise eliminating lobbying contributions all together, but said the dems will eliminate personal gifts, etc., and increase the time in between Congressional service and lobbying (I think...). She also said that the republican part in the scandals is more of a "system" and is more widespread in the party.
She also promised that the democrats would immediately raise the minimum wage. When Russert asked her about impeaching Bush, she said that the investigations that will take place will not revolve around or be geared to impeachment, and the dems are not about impeaching Bush. She said that the republican Congress has ignored its responsibility of checking the executive by asking those questions through investigations.
When Russert asked Pelosi how the dems planned to pay for their new programs being fiscally sound ("pay as you go"), she said that shifting more towards Iraqi control of the war would save money becuase "this is now a trillion dollar war, all things considered". She also said that we spend 50 billion a year just protecting the ships that carry Arab oil to the US, but was very reluctant to say they would roll back the Bush tax cuts or increase taxes. Pelosi said dems would make it less expensive to get into college by cutting the interest rates on student loans in half.
What is your reaction to these new plans from the dems? I think it is great that they finally have a cohesive plan for action, instead of just complaining at Bush and the republicans. Up to this point, the main criticism of the dems and their prospects for 2006 is that they didn't have any kind of plan whatsoever, but now it appears they are united on Iraq and have what is, at least, a brief outline of ideas of what they will be about if they take over in the midterms. They have packaged plans under the names "Real Security" and "Open and Honest Government" which should resonate well with voters. What do you guys think??
"To honor the sacrifice of our toops, we will ensure 2006 is a year of significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty, with the Iraqis assuming primary responsibility for securing and governing their country and with the responsible redeployment of U.S. forces." On MTP, Russert pointed out that the #2 democrat in the House called for a withdrawal of the troops, but Pelosi said that that was months ago, things have changed, and democrats finally have a united stategy for dealing with Iraq. The key phrase of the new plan is significant transition.
"To free America from dependence on foreign oil, we will increase production of alternate fuels from America's heartland including bio-fuels, geothermal, clean coal, fuel cells, solar and wind; promote hybrid and flex fuel vehicle technology and manufacturing; enhance energy efficiency and conservation incentives."
On lobbying reform, Pelosi said that the democratic cases of corruption are more isolated, personal issues, and she said that she called for an investigation into Jefferson (D) while no republicans have called for the investigation of other republicans. She was reluctant to promise eliminating lobbying contributions all together, but said the dems will eliminate personal gifts, etc., and increase the time in between Congressional service and lobbying (I think...). She also said that the republican part in the scandals is more of a "system" and is more widespread in the party.
She also promised that the democrats would immediately raise the minimum wage. When Russert asked her about impeaching Bush, she said that the investigations that will take place will not revolve around or be geared to impeachment, and the dems are not about impeaching Bush. She said that the republican Congress has ignored its responsibility of checking the executive by asking those questions through investigations.
When Russert asked Pelosi how the dems planned to pay for their new programs being fiscally sound ("pay as you go"), she said that shifting more towards Iraqi control of the war would save money becuase "this is now a trillion dollar war, all things considered". She also said that we spend 50 billion a year just protecting the ships that carry Arab oil to the US, but was very reluctant to say they would roll back the Bush tax cuts or increase taxes. Pelosi said dems would make it less expensive to get into college by cutting the interest rates on student loans in half.
What is your reaction to these new plans from the dems? I think it is great that they finally have a cohesive plan for action, instead of just complaining at Bush and the republicans. Up to this point, the main criticism of the dems and their prospects for 2006 is that they didn't have any kind of plan whatsoever, but now it appears they are united on Iraq and have what is, at least, a brief outline of ideas of what they will be about if they take over in the midterms. They have packaged plans under the names "Real Security" and "Open and Honest Government" which should resonate well with voters. What do you guys think??