Not that I am too surprised, but it really is amazing to watch Republicans in Congress pivot from hating Obama's bill to energize the American economy to loving each stimulus dollar that goes into their districts. Not one single Republican in the House voted for the bill and only three in their Senate caucus went along with legislation that will soon be signed into law by the President. Now they are falling all over themselves to take credit.
From McClatchy:
WASHINGTON — Rep. John Mica was gushing after the House of Representatives voted Friday to pass the big stimulus plan.
"I applaud President Obama's recognition that high-speed rail should be part of America's future," the Florida Republican beamed in a press release.
Yet Mica had just joined every other GOP House member in voting against the $787.2 billion economic recovery plan.
Of course this should be expected, because Mica is just looking out for himself and his standing among the voters of his district. While Democrats were fairly united about bringing reinvestment to all of America, Republicans fought that idea of standing together in these tough times. John Boehner's spokesman made that position abundantly clear.
Mike Steel, a spokesman for House GOP Leader John Boehner of Ohio, at first ducked when asked about Mica and Young issuing press releases praising the bill they'd opposed.
"I don't work for Mica or Young," Steel said initially.
But then he explained that what Mica and Young did in touting aspects of the bill was in fact consistent with the Republican message.
"Being supportive of one portion of a trillion dollar bill, but voting against the entire trillion dollar bill, is perfectly reasonable," Steel said.
It is a consistent message of the GOP that as a member, you should do or say anything that looks good politically for oneself and at times, for the party. Never shall you do or say anything that might actually be good for the American people as a whole. As it usually does, politics trumps patriotism and love of country any day of the week.
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