Old GOP message: “We’re going to fight to the finish line;” New GOP message: “Let’s go home”

By Michelle Malkin  •  December 22, 2009 05:56 PM

I listened to Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell on Sean Hannity’s radio show yesterday.

He sounded tired and barely able to rally the troops against the Democrats’ government health care takeover.

He told Sean’s guest host at the end of an obligatory-sounding critique of Harry Reid that, and I quote, “We’re going to fight ‘em all the way to the finish line.”

That’s what he said:

“We’re going to fight ‘em all the way to the finish line.”

Before the cloture vote on sneaky Sunday, Sen. John McCain had sounded the same message with more energy, invoking John Paul Jones and vowing: “We have not yet begun to fight.”

Well, the fight’s been called off.

McConnell has thrown in the towel:

The Senate will hold a final vote on healthcare reform at 8 a.m. on Christmas Eve.

Under Senate rules, the GOP could have insisted that the vote not occur until 7 p.m. but Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) took to the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon to announce an agreement that allows senators to depart Washington sooner to begin the Christmas holiday.

The 60 members of the Democratic caucus have united twice on procedural votes to advance the legislation, meaning passage is all but assured Thursday. On Wednesday, the Senate will hold a cloture vote to end debate on the bill, setting up final action.

The Tea Party movement injected new life and new blood into the grass-roots fiscal conservative movement — bringing energetic newcomers into the political process willing to invest their time and money outside their day jobs and family/community commitments. They are activists who eschew apathy and fatigue to battle the wealth redistributors at every level and opportunity.

Too many worn-out GOP “leaders” have put “comity” over principle.

My Christmas wish for 2010: A new generation of conservative leaders who will walk the “fight ‘em to the finish line” talk — fighting to win, not fighting to settle.

~ For the latest breaking news, be sure to join Michelle's e-mail list ~

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Comments


  1. #101
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 10:45 am, TexasEngineer said:

    I just contacted the Minority Leader and sent the following to hime:

    You sir are a liar and a coward. You have put “comity” above principle, the good of this Nation and the Rule of Law.
    If you can’t at least make your socialist counterparts stay all the way until the end of the legal time periods, then by all means…RESIGN. We don’t need your kind supporting conservative ideals, we need someone who is willing to stand up for what is right.

  2. #102
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 11:15 am, John Deaux said:

    Supposedly McConnell got Reid to agree to debate raising the debt ceiling as soon as Congress gets back on 1/20 in exchange for the earlier vote.

    That has the potential to be very embarrassing for the Dems to be talking about how much money they’ve spent at the same time Obama is giving his State of the Union address telling us all how rosy things look.

    I’d trade 11 hours for the opportunity to make Obama and the Dems look like a bunch of spendthrifts on the national stage.

  3. #103
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 11:28 am, Dexter Alarius said:

    Supposedly McConnell got Reid to agree …

    And what’s the enforcement mechanism to ensure Reid honors his ‘agreement’? As far as I’m concerned, Reid’s promises aren’t worth a burnt match.
    Obstruct, obstruct, obstruct!!!

  4. #104
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 11:28 am, DBNinKY said:

    I’d trade 11 hours for the opportunity to make Obama and the Dems look like a bunch of spendthrifts on the national stage.

    Exactly! I’ve seen Mitch have to fight off some very dirty and underhanded attacks from his Democrat challengers and their friends on the editorial boards of this state’s leading “newspapers” in order to retain office, and he is nothing if not a master stratetician; McConnell know how and when to pick and choose his battles!

  5. #105
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 11:28 am, NeoFan said:

    Don’t worry Grahmnesty, McAmnesty and all the other RINO’s will be back in time for election day to claim that they are conservatives and always have been and are going to save the country by leading us to victory. Or in other words to help Obama win re-election.

  6. #106
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 11:44 am, Southpaw said:

    I got an e-mail from “Ma’am” Boxer boasting about usless Porkulus projects this morning. here is my response:

    Senator Boxer,
    I am not interested in knowing about wasted stimulus money that has not stimulated the economy.
    What I am interested in knowing is why my California taxpayer dollars are going to pay for Medicaid for the citizens of Nebraska.
    The corruption, deception and bribery that you will vote for in the Senate Health Care Bill tomorrow is criminal.
    I am an Independent voter, but I intend to do everything in my power to help Carly Fiorina get elected to the United States Senate next year.

  7. #107
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 12:51 pm, tiredofit08 said:

    On December 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 am, graysonret said:

    “Let’s go home”

    I wish they would go home…and stay home. Maybe they should meet once a year to pass a budget. The country might be better off.

    and that they could do using any number of net meeting type programs, thus saving the taxpayers tons of $$$….

  8. #108
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 2:05 pm, jamesgreenidge said:

    If GOP isn’t going to play dirty to resist, may we go down defiant with Tea Party’s National Tax Strike!

    James Greenidge
    Queens New York

  9. #109
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 pm, By Choice said:

    Too old and too tired to fight for the Constitution??? Then they are DONE!! They can stay home.

    BTW McCain will NOT be back in the Senate next year. His nominating petitions are going unsigned universally across the state. His opponent, Jim Deakin, however, DOES already have the 70,000 required signatures and will get many more by the time necessary to get on the primary ballot. ‘Course our primary isn’t until Aug so McLame has plenty of time to bribe the Indian tribes and to sign and get the cemetery vote…..

  10. #110
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 2:29 pm, emjem24 said:

    Send_Me said:
    So what party will “conservatives” now support and lend their votes?

    Is this a trick question? How ’bout this answer:

    NONE.

    Neither of these political parties gives a sh!t about me, my family, or my country. I feel betrayed. Everybody out to get their freebies at the expense of everyone else, be it social security, medicaid/medicare, first time homeowner tax credit, etc. We’re not in this together as the likes of posters such as Zyzzyg have asserted in the past. This country can be bought and sold for so little. The original ideas of this country lies in the Constitution and what our Founders accomplished yet the people who live in this country are more race-obsessed, self-hating grievance mongers that don’t give a flip about this country except what it can give THEM.

    Even my husband, a military member and ardent Republican, has his doubts about the sincerity and remaining fight in the Republican Party.

    I wish every single politician and American who supports them could take a long, deep look in the mirror at who they are and what they represent. All around me, I see people surround themselves with stupid sh!t, convincing themselves that the Federal government is their freakin’ friend when they’re just as bent on controlling this country and the people who live in it.

    My vote isn’t for sale. You can’t buy me. You can’t own me, Obummer, Dems, and Republicants. All my life, I’ve tried to do the right thing while the rest of you did your level best to sell out every principle, every belief I hold dear. And for what? To be liked by Europe, to resemble all the things THEY’VE done wrong?

    Why should I have a child who will inherit this mess? I’m beginning to wonder what’s in it for me to live, work, and play in this country if all I get in return is enslavement? Americans like their compromised comfort and false promises by politicians too much. So many Americans want free healthcare at the expense of the rest of us who will have to PAY for it.

    I’m done with that. I’m not blind. I’m not a sucker who believes when we send these phonies to Washington that it’s really not about them and their ambitions. Americans are paying and will continue to pay a heavy price for their political ignorance.

    My words to the GOP, especially the NY GOP: I’m done with you. You don’t want to fight, you wanna be like the Dems… you wanna appeal to the insipid, half-heartedness of moderates, go for it. Don’t expect my vote in the next election. This especially goes for Rick Lazio who, I think, will run, again, for Hillary’s senate seat against Gillibrand.

    I’M DONE!!!!! :mad:

  11. #111
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 pm, emjem24 said:

    Fred Reed described Congress as “535 commoditized temple monkeys pawing through the ruins of America looking for bribes”.

    A more accurate portrayal of the reality of what Congress and Washington, D.C. is all about. How true.

    I’ll be blunt. Washington, D.C. is mostly filled with political whores who spread their legs for any new pimp who’ll give ‘em a bigger piece of the pie. Crass analogy I know.

    So, the next time anybody sees the likes of McCaskill, Nelson, etc. ask them this (if their precious egos let you get that close):

    So ___________ (fill in the blank) who did you spread your legs for now?

  12. #112
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 2:45 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    On December 23rd, 2009 at 9:19 am, chapoutier said:

    Prompting what, exactly? The vote on the debt limit increase?

    The vote on debt limit increase. Is it not SanFranNan wanting to uncrease this limit to $1.8 trillion?

    Come into the light Chap. While I gather you to be a bit on the liberal side, I always thought you to be a reasonable voice of reason which qualifies you for entry into the club!

  13. #113
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 2:52 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    On December 23rd, 2009 at 11:15 am, John Deaux said:
    Supposedly McConnell got Reid to agree to debate raising the debt ceiling as soon as Congress gets back on 1/20 in exchange for the earlier vote.

    Hey JD,

    Debate will never happen on the debt ceiling. Throw it under the bus with the debate on health care (with the blessing of repubs).

    That has the potential to be very embarrassing for the Dems

    Dems (and repubs) are not embarrassed by much these days so, I doubt that too.

  14. #114
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm, chapoutier said:

    Debate will never happen on the debt ceiling. Throw it under the bus with the debate on health care (with the blessing of repubs).

    Yeah. This is kinda what I was getting at. Actually, I thought they were going to vote on the debt ceiling tomorrow after the HCR vote. Otherwise they were going to have to come in next week. But in either case, I don’t think that there is really going to be any substantive debate on that. Either they raise the debt limit or the US is in default, right?

  15. #115
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 3:04 pm, chapoutier said:

    But more to the substance…I believe the major issue is entitlement reform. We need to get that monster under control. I want to see Obama tackle that in the next three years, possibly with a Republican controlled House.

  16. #116
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On December 23rd, 2009 at 10:29 am, Dexter Alarius said:
    Demand the bill be read! Let’s hear all 2100+ pages!!!

    WHY AREN’T THEY DOING THAT??? They did it before with an amendment and it worked except the libs completely trashed the rules. They need to try again. ANYTHING to delay this!

  17. #117
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm, John Deaux said:

    On December 23rd, 2009 at 3:04 pm, chapoutier said:
    But more to the substance…I believe the major issue is entitlement reform.

    But the entitled class is what put Obama in power. He will do everything he can to increase that base, and nothing to alienate it.

  18. #118
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 pm, Send_Me said:

    On December 23rd, 2009 at 2:29 pm, emjem24 said:

    As a military member myself, I’ll just say this: Preach it!

  19. #119
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 pm, happy2behere said:

    Entitlement reform after the health care debacle? A snortworthy joke.

  20. #120
    On December 23rd, 2009 at 11:36 pm, chapoutier said:

    Entitlement reform after the health care debacle? A snortworthy joke.

    Debacle for whom, exactly? Obama is delivering more or less what he promised during the campaign. You may recall that one. I think that was the campaign he won by 7% popular and about a gazillion electoral votes.

    In any case, I encourage you all to keep on dreaming of 2010 electoral sugar plums and 2012 fairies based upon 2009 poll numbers and economic statistics.

    I’d also, just for kicks, love you to look at what Reagan’s approval numbers were right around this time in his first term.

  21. #121
    On December 24th, 2009 at 12:18 am, wren said:

    KEEP UP THE FIGHT PATRIOTS!!!

    There is a special election in Massachusetts on January 19 (absentee voting has already begun) to fill the Senate seat formerly held by Teddy Kennedy.

    Scott Brown is the Republican candidate.

    Check out Scott Brown’s website at
    http://www.BrownForUSSenate.com

    If Scott Brown wins, he would be the crucial 41st Republican vote in the Senate which can prevent the Democrats from winning future cloture votes.

    Let’s show the Democrats how much damage they have done with this health care bill, by electing a Republican to replace Teddy Kennedy!!!

  22. #122
    On December 24th, 2009 at 3:25 am, emjem24 said:

    chapoutier said:

    Debacle for whom, exactly? Obama is delivering more or less what he promised during the campaign. You may recall that one. I think that was the campaign he won by 7% popular and about a gazillion electoral votes.

    What the hell is Obummer exactly delivering? A flawed bill? A bill that “mandates” people to buy insurance and increase the premiums for middle class families like mine? Perhaps, that’s fine for rich lawyers like yourself but for the rest of us that isn’t “change we can believe in.”

    Ummm…. you really need to detach yourself from Obummer’s campaign since it doesn’t jive with reality. Winning an election on false promises and lies only gets you so far until you have to stay in a job long enough to accomplish anything. Obummer…. really hasn’t done that, has he?

    In any case, I encourage you all to keep on dreaming of 2010 electoral sugar plums and 2012 fairies based upon 2009 poll numbers and economic statistics.

    Perhaps, you need to detach your lips from the teet of the Dem party. You really think that people are just going to forget what Obummer and his Dem accomplices did? Are you that naive? Maybe you are. You’re of the mind that the economy is A-okay in a couple of years when we still have a 10% (really a 17%) unemployment rate, people are still losing their homes, and the other shoe has yet to drop (the commercial real estate market). The only person on this blog with his head in the clouds (like most liberals) is you.

    I’d also, just for kicks, love you to look at what Reagan’s approval numbers were right around this time in his first term.

    Just for kicks, mind you, I’d like you to compare Reagan’s and Obummer’s leadership styles. Which one trashed this country and which one didn’t? Which one made snap military decisions and which one didn’t? Who really contributed to the current economic mess and which one didn’t? Which one actually did more harm to this country and which one didn’t?

    Self-idealization is nice but it just doesn’t really live up to reality. Unfortunately, overly identifying with a political party and celebrating what is sure to harm this country and introduce a “back-door” public, government takeover is just sad.

  23. #123
    On December 24th, 2009 at 5:48 am, jamesgreenidge said:

    “Kicking them out” is after the fact now. The donkey has left the barn and the damage is now in place. Unless this program can be repealed, simply “kicking them out” is just a feel-good retaliation move. That’s why Dems are so happy; Health Care is the vital toehold to later illegal immigrate legalization (to “humanely take care” of those within our borders) and ultimately Universal Free Housing (not apartments or flats but real homes). I rather see our energies devoted to countering this program than simply throwing out Dems while the country is becoming addicted to Nannycare.

    Have a Merry Christmas in the last one of a truly non-socialist America.

    James Greenidge
    Queens NY

  24. #124
    On December 24th, 2009 at 9:30 am, chapoutier said:

    Perhaps, you need to detach your lips from the teet of the Dem party. You really think that people are just going to forget what Obummer and his Dem accomplices did? Are you that naive? Maybe you are. You’re of the mind that the economy is A-okay in a couple of years when we still have a 10% (really a 17%) unemployment rate, people are still losing their homes, and the other shoe has yet to drop (the commercial real estate market). The only person on this blog with his head in the clouds (like most liberals) is you.

    Thank you for proving my point. You think I am the only one on here saying that Obama and the Dems are going to be a lot tougher to beat than you think? Try looking at some of corkie’s posts, for starters. The economic numbers are definitely improving (how much up is the Dow since January 20?). Unemployment will start to come down next year. It may not be much, but it will be enough for Dems to claim credit. And by the time 2012 rolls around, the recovery, such as it is, will be peaking. Enough for Obama to claim he saved the economy. You seem to be banking on two things: 1) some mythical other “shoe to drop” and 2) that the “American people will not forget.”

    As to the former, I love this. No one ever says what this “other shoe” is or why or how it will drop. But they are so certain it will. Let’s be honest, you are HOPING for some “shoe” to “drop” because that will be the only way the predictions that ran rampant around here that the economy would tank under Obama could be vindicated. I don’t know how many thimes, around February and March, people here thought the end was neigh. DOW at 3,000! Unemployment at 20%! Dogs and cats living together! It didn’t turn out that way, because this recession, while deeper, followed the same freaking path that pretty much every recession does (as will the recovery, which is why its peak will be around 2012). You all were just too blinded by Obama hatred to remember that.

    As to the latter, first you think I am the naive one to claim Americans don’t forget? Please. The second the average American starts to feel a bit of economic security and a little more money in his wallet, he is and always has, going to have a real short memory. Now, the Dems are still going to lose seats next year. But sorry…it is not going to be the tsunami you all think it is and do you know why? Because this board does not reflect the realities of the average American’s political views or awareness. Sorry. It doesn’t. I am certain no one here will “forget” whatever. But you should try to step outside this warm little cocoon every once in a while. You know how many people listen to Fox News in a day? About .9% of the voting eligible population. Limbaugh listeners represent about 1.6%. I know it is easy to think that everyone around you is as angry about things as you are when you primarily associate with those types of people, but it ain’t reality.

    But in any case I encourage you to continue along this willfully ignorant path. All the better for my side.

    Which one trashed this country and which one didn’t?

    This is a silly, unsubstantiated opinion that I encourage you to continue to cling to (see above).

    Which one made snap military decisions and which one didn’t?

    Ohhhh…what “snap” military decisions was Reagan forced into? Whether or not to invade Granada? If you think that is in any way comparable to Afghanistan, then you would be wrong. But in any case, I don’t want snap decisions made with a military when there is time to make a measured one. Something you all conveniently ignore in this whole “Obama is killing troops by diddling” hyperbolic drivel is that those additional troops are being deployed there quicker than McChrystal had requested.

    Who really contributed to the current economic mess and which one didn’t?

    Neither. Presidents have very little influence over economic cycles.

    Which one actually did more harm to this country and which one didn’t?

    I am sure I could point to many good and bad things Reagan did for this country. Same with Obama. As could any fair minded person, so I won’t burden you with the same question.

  25. #125
    On December 24th, 2009 at 10:00 am, chapoutier said:

    Oh, and interestingly about the so called “snap decisions” of his predecessor and diddling by Obama.

    Obama took approximately 2 months to make his decision.

    Bush was considering the “Big Push” well before the November elections, but waited until after them to begin gathering the data and come public with his desire for troop increases (hmmm…wonder why). He did not announce the surge until January 10. How long is that?

    Which by the way, is how it should be. Even if I disagree with the surge, I could at least claim it wasn’t “snap”. Bush spent time reviewing proposals and speaking with experts.

    The only difference is in the attitude of the vitriolic right, like yourself. I don’t recall one single voice here claiming Bush was killing troops by waiting until after the 2006 elections and then after that taking 2 months to formulate a plan.

You must be logged in to post a comment.


Follow me on Twitter Follow me on Facebook