Cap and Trade Reaction, Weiner Strikes Again

The conservative world was up in arms with the passing of the "cap and trade" bill, and many of us spent most of the day on Twitter, rallying support and rallying callers to call their representatives and say no. Let me first say that they are some awfully dedicated people on our side, and the use of technology like Twitter to rally our cause really excites me. Many conservatives are deeply upset at the 8 Republicans who voted 'aye', including myself, but in being a more inclusive party, and building a bigger tent, this is bound to happen. This bill to me though was a no brainer 'nay' for anyone who considers themselves fiscally responsible, regardless of what party they represent. One article, though, that displayed Washington corruption and immaturity came once again came from the Politico.


After all the arms had been twisted, only two Democrats gave their leadership an unpleasant surprise at the end of the climate change vote -- and are firmly in Pelosi-Obama doghouse:

Texas Rep. Ciro Rodriguez and Rep. Alcee Hastings from Florida, according to House sources.

Rodriguez had told leadership that he was a likely yes -- but then cast a quick "no" vote and practically sprinted from the chamber, confounding floor managers who shouts of "Rodriguez!" rang through the House as the final anxious votes were cast.

At one point, New York Rep. Anthony Weiner bounced from a huddle of leadership members and began calling the wayward rep's name, like a wayward toddler, as he scanned the Speaker's lobby and the adjacent balcony.

"He cast his no and then ran the hell out of there," said a member of the whipping team, still steaming after the vote. "We tried him at his office and they said he was gone."

Hastings confounded Pelosi by choosing Thursday to depart for a human rights conference -- despite the pleas of the White House, who needed every vote they could muster to win the 219-212 squeaker.

A third member who has irked the powers-that-be: Rookie upstate New York Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY), who voted "no" despite a photo op with President Obama. Massa has also alienated many in Pelosi's team by introducing a House pay freeze jointly with Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.).

My friends, as a New Yorker, who lived in Anthony Weiner's district, NY-9, I can tell you, with a good opponent, my friends, he is vulnerable. 44 percent of NY-9 voted McCain in 2008, and that is an all time high in the district for any Republican. It's time to end Anthony Weiner's dirty tricks and scumbag politics, and begin a movement that will take this man out of the halls of Congress. Our nation has no time for fools like Rep. Anthony Weiner. As the weeks go on, I'll be exposing Weiner further, and also introducing alternatives we can all rally around. It's time to rebuild our party across this great nation, and that includes the heart of New York City.

As more fallout continues, and I can tell you Obama must be a very happy man tonight, we will continue to blog.