Michelle Malkin » We interrupt Blago-palooza for a UAW bailout update: Weekend session?; Ensign joins Shelby on filibuster threat

We interrupt Blago-palooza for a UAW bailout update: Weekend session?; Ensign joins Shelby on filibuster threat

By Michelle Malkin • December 9, 2008 03:36 PM

Hey, fellow taxpayers, this is your time to weigh in. Looks like the Senate UAW bailout vote will NOT take place tonight. Harry Reid is talking about a weekend session. More fiscal conservatives are joining the filibuster movement.

You have a chance to make a difference. Call your reps: 202-224-3121.

The latest:

Democratic leaders toned down their prediction that Congress would approve a $15 billion automaker bailout within 48 hours, as Republican objections proved difficult to resolve.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate is unlikely to vote on the measure tonight and warned that lawmakers may have to stay in session over the weekend if objections are raised to voting earlier. “Everyone should understand we’re going to work until we complete this,” Reid said.

Congressional action is likely the only chance for the aid General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC say they need to survive. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke ruled out central bank lending to automakers and suggested options including bankruptcy reorganization.

GM and Chrysler say they need at least $14 billion in combined aid to keep from running out of cash by early next year. Ford Motor Co., which would be eligible to apply for the loans, said again yesterday it doesn’t expect to. GM and Ford shares fell.

Some Democrats said support for the bailout in is in question. “It’s not a sure thing by any means,” said Michigan Representative Sander Levin, a Democrat.

Remind your Senators and congressmen that GM made a lame apology and empty promises before.

Make sure Sen. Shelby knows you support a filibuster.

Break the bailout cycle.

***

Another fiscal conservative steps up to the plate:

Sen. John Ensign said this morning he may try to block the Senate from passing an auto industry bailout, criticizing the plan as a further move toward “socializing” the economy.

“We’re looking at that very hard, because I have some serious, serious problems with this package as it currently stands,” Ensign said. “Unless we see some serious give by the other side, I think that not only myself but several of us will be looking at possibly blocking this package.”

Ensign commented during an interview broadcast on CNBC, as Congress returned this week to consider an $15 billion bailout bill negotiated between Democrats and the White House. He complained the Republicans in Congress were left out of the talks.

The Nevada Republican said the assistance to the automakers amounts to “the government picking the winners and losers instead of the market.”

“We’re just going down further and further and further towards socializing our economy,” he said.

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Comments

#1

On December 9th, 2008 at 3:40 pm, sonofdy said:

15 billion… yeah right….

Well anyway, the printing presses will be busy tonight.
#2

On December 9th, 2008 at 3:40 pm, Radiojoe1470 said:

I’ve said this many times. There IS a bailout system for situations such as this. It’s called bankruptcy.
#3

On December 9th, 2008 at 3:41 pm, sonofdy said:

It’s called bankruptcy.

Don’t worry, it will happen. To the usa.
#4

On December 9th, 2008 at 3:41 pm, iamsaved said:

I keep wondering about the 25 billion down to 15 billion dollar bailout and all the strings, conditions, talk of a “car czar” that are attached – not that I mind the conditions.

My question is why wasn’t the same conditions and qualifications placed on the financial institutions when 700 Billion was being handed out with no accountability. We have no idea where that money went.

Like we’re supposed to trust Paulson and his cronies any more than we trust the Big Three CEOs and the UAW?
#5

On December 9th, 2008 at 3:47 pm, sonofdy said:

My question is why wasn’t the same conditions and qualifications placed on the financial institutions when ~~700 Billion~~ 8 trillion was being handed out with no accountability. We have no idea where that money went.

ssshhhh You are not suppose to pay attention to the man behind the curtian.
#6

On December 9th, 2008 at 3:50 pm, iamsaved said:

It’s not the man behind the curtain that bothers me. It’s Toto!
#7

On December 9th, 2008 at 3:50 pm, drivingjack said:

Call! His line is open.
#8

On December 9th, 2008 at 3:55 pm, JHSII said:

I’m a taxpayer. When is my bailout?
#9

On December 9th, 2008 at 4:06 pm, frostrt said:

On December 9th, 2008 at 3:50 pm, iamsaved said:
It’s not the man behind the curtain that bothers me. It’s Toto!

—————————————

I always thought he had an evil look in his little doggy eyes!

Watch your back, Dorothy.
#10

On December 9th, 2008 at 4:09 pm, ajmontana said:

I interupt this crapsandwich to bring a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Feebiebabe!!!!

It was yesterday and I didn’t know till now. cuz she’s a brat… lol

Happy Birthday Feebz!
#11

On December 9th, 2008 at 4:13 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

FEEBZ!!!! Why you not tell your friends?

Leave GM alone (At least until they reach $7/share). Besides, $15b is less than the AIG bonus money!
#12

On December 9th, 2008 at 4:13 pm, TxSkirt said:

I just called Sen. Cornyn’s office AGAIN (called yesterday) and he is still UNDECIDED. I think that’s senate speak for a cowardly “yes”. I am rapidly losing respect for a guy that barely eeked out a re-election this cycle.
#13

On December 9th, 2008 at 4:25 pm, John Deaux said:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate is unlikely to vote on the measure tonight and warned that lawmakers may have to stay in session over the weekend if objections are raised to voting earlier.

What with taking tomorrow off and everything.

That is what all the Dorothy references are about, right?
#14

On December 9th, 2008 at 4:29 pm, sonofdy said:

That is what all the Dorothy references are about, right?

My point is that the 15 billon that has the press all worked up seems to simply be a smoke screen to cover the trillions being spent elsewhere.
#15

On December 9th, 2008 at 4:40 pm, Flyoverman said:

On December 9th, 2008 at 4:29 pm, sonofdy said:

My point is that the 15 billon that has the press all worked up seems to simply be a smoke screen to cover the trillions being spent elsewhere.

The Amazing Kreskin is even in awe of what Hank Paulson is making disappear.
#16

On December 9th, 2008 at 4:58 pm, AlohaGuy said:

Let’s send the money to Toyota – I think we’d get our money’s worth and then some…
#17

On December 9th, 2008 at 5:16 pm, Misscheryl said:

Insanity – doing the same thing and expecting a different result.
#18

On December 9th, 2008 at 5:34 pm, JHSII said:

Nine scariest words in the english language:

“I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”
#19

On December 9th, 2008 at 7:11 pm, rightisright said:

On December 9th, 2008 at 4:58 pm, AlohaGuy said:
Let’s send the money to Toyota – I think we’d get our money’s worth and then some…

Obviously a much better place to put our tax $.
#20

On December 9th, 2008 at 9:38 pm, feebiebabe said:

FEEBZ!!!! Why you not tell your friends?

LMAO – gee soap. Couldnt tell ya…

Thanks AJ.

(found the culprit)
#21

On December 9th, 2008 at 10:56 pm, Wellsy said:

I guess we’re framing this a UAW bailout now? To be sure, they bear a lot of responsibility for this mess, but at the same time, I hate to see more manufacturing jobs go away. The real and ugly theft was the bank bailout. This is like punching the school bully’s little brother.