Sen. Shelby and the earmarks

[Jacob]

So apparently Sen. Shelby (R) has put holds on every single Obama nomine unless the administration moves ahead on two earmarks for his home-state.  That's a $40 billion military contract and a $45 million FBI facility.

What's up with that?  How long will this last?  Is this ridiculous or just the way business ought to be done?

[Faeelin]

I don't understand. How does he have this power?

[DGuller]

I don't understand. How does he have this power?

As far as I understand it, every senator can place a hold on someone's nomination.  It's not really a liberum veto, because it can be overcome with 60 votes.  Hmm, let me correct myself, it is really a liberum veto.

[Razgovory]

I thought Republicans opposed these ear marks.

[Agelastus]

What's up with that?  How long will this last?  Is this ridiculous or just the way business ought to be done?

It's democracy. One could say "Bread and Circuses", or one could say that he is promoting the interests of his constituency while at the same time supporting his Party. Actually, from a British viewpoint, it looks like a lovely move politically speaking, win/win for the senator in question.

It is probably only happening because the perception exists that Obama is floundering. And if I recall the British press correctly, it's basically the same tactic as the one that allowed Obama to pass his health-care bill (didn't one of the senators sell his vote for it in return for it being funded federally in his home State?)

[DGuller]

I can actually see this backfiring, just like it did for Nelson.  The audacity of that move may give ammo to the Democrats and reveal the rotten nature of Republican obstructionism.

[MadImmortalMan]

I can actually see this backfiring, just like it did for Nelson.  The audacity of that move may give ammo to the Democrats and reveal the rotten nature of Republican obstructionism.

Agreed. Word is a lot of people on the right are already coming down on him as a pork hijacker. I expect he'll back down pretty fast.

[Barrister]

The audacity of that move may give ammo to the Democrats and reveal the rotten nature of Republican obstructionism.

Sure thing Gullermeister.

[DGuller]

The audacity of that move may give ammo to the Democrats and reveal the rotten nature of Republican obstructionism.

Sure thing Gullermeister.

This is beneath you.

[katmai]

I've met Barrister, nothing is beneath him.

[Admiral Yi]

I can actually see this backfiring, just like it did for Nelson.  The audacity of that move may give ammo to the Democrats and reveal the rotten nature of Republican obstructionism.

I have yet to see any evidence that it backfired for Nelson, apart from Hans' claim that he was chased out a restaurant by people angry over pork.

[Barrister]

I've met Barrister, nothing is beneath him.

Sad but true.

[Jaron]

I can actually see this backfiring, just like it did for Nelson.  The audacity of that move may give ammo to the Democrats and reveal the rotten nature of Republican obstructionism.

I have yet to see any evidence that it backfired for Nelson, apart from Hans' claim that he was chased out a restaurant by people angry over pork.

He should have ordered the lasagna.

[dps]

I've met Barrister, nothing is beneath him.

Sad but true.

Don't you like having the woman on top?

[dps]

So apparently Sen. Shelby (R) has put holds on every single Obama nomine unless the administration moves ahead on two earmarks for his home-state.  That's a $40 billion military contract and a $45 million FBI facility.

What's up with that?  How long will this last?  Is this ridiculous or just the way business ought to be done?

It used to be that the Senate wouldn't approve a nominee to a position if a Senator from the state where the appointee would be working opposed the nomination.  I can see that as OK;  it generally wasn't abused to keep a President from appointing anyone whatsoever to a position, just individuals that a Senator might have a specific problem with.

This is just BS, though, and I hope Shelby catches hell for it.