COMMENTARY | Three weeks ago, President Barack Obama made his "pass this bill -- pass it right away" speech before a joint session of Congress. While Republicans sat blithely in their seats, Democrats spent most of their time leaping to their feet, clapping and cheering, giving the president and the American viewers a convincing performance of absolute support and enthusiasm. So, what's the hold up?
On Saturday, the frustrated president used his weekly address to call out Republicans for the delay in passing his $500 million American Jobs Act. He said "this jobs bill contains the kinds of proposals that Democrats and Republicans have supported in the past." So Obama demanded to know specifically what parts Republicans agree with and which parts they oppose.
"Are they against putting teachers and police officers and firefighters back on the job?" Obama asked. "Are they against hiring construction workers to rebuild our roads and bridges and schools? Are they against giving tax cuts to virtually every worker and small business in America?"
Of course, these are all silly questions. No one in Congress on either side of the aisle wants to prevent Americans from getting a job. The president is playing games with us all. He's trying to stoke the aggravation of unemployed Americans and trying to shame Congress into passing "right away" a bill for which they clearly have reservations.
"It is time for Congress to get its act together and pass this jobs bill so I can sign it into law," he ordered.
Obama is aware his bill is collecting dust in the Democrat-controlled Senate, isn't he? They don't need a single Republican vote to "pass this bill." It's the call of Senate Majority Harry Reid to bring the bill to the floor for a vote or not. Surely the president isn't accusing his own party of obstructing teachers and firefighters from getting a job.
As for the president's charge, that Washington should rise above politics and "do what's right for the American people," what he doesn't seem to grasp is that maybe for the first time in a long time -- they are. While Obama tells Congress it's "Hammertime" for the American Jobs Act, Senate Democrats are saying "U Can't Touch This."
They rushed Obamacare, following the command of then-Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to her party to sacrifice their political career, and they obeyed. With the memory of the 2010 midterm massacre still lingering in their minds like a nightmare, those Democrats who survived the political slaughter are apparently unwilling to throw themselves on the sword to save the president's job in 2012.
"There are some senators who are up for election who say 'I'm never gonna vote for a tax increase while I'm up for election,'" The Hill reported Illinois Democrat Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin saying, "even on the wealthiest people."
Rather than leap without question through Obama's hoops, Senate Democrats are giving pause and serious thought to what consequences might befall them should they "pass this bill" without meticulous due diligence and forethought.
How long it will last is anyone's guess but the point is -- at least for the time being -- Democrats have found a little patch of bipartisan ground upon which to stand with Republicans. They know this bill is a bad idea and they should be applauded.
Of course, hesitant Senate Democrats are trying to sweet talk a few Republicans into committing political suicide by voting for the bill but hey; If a Republican is stupid enough to go for it then they deserve to get what the Democrats know is coming to anyone who does. While "All's fair in love and war," so it goes in politics.
So take heart, America. Whether their delay is A) born of a sincere effort to protect our future or B) nothing more than a survival reflex meant to preserve their own jobs, our esteemed members of congress are - at least for the time being - finally starting to get the message that the results of "A" is precisely what determines "B."
Who says you can't teach old dogs new tricks?
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