One of the many difficulties for the "winners" of this past elections is that now the focus is on them. The Democrats seem to have forgotten this. So now Wapo, who was one of the Dems biggest cheerleaders before the elections is now focused on them, and apparently, not liking what they are seeing.
Now, the Dems are expected to actually keep those promises they made before the election and they are already failing dismally in the eyes of the public. Nancy's Murtha fiasco was just the tip of the iceberg, the first sign that the Dems that won, have no intention of "cleaning up congress" as they promised.
Wapo points out:
It was a solemn pledge, repeated by Democratic leaders and candidates over and over: If elected to the majority in Congress, Democrats would implement all of the recommendations of the bipartisan commission that examined the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
But with control of Congress now secured, Democratic leaders have decided for now against implementing the one measure that would affect them most directly: a wholesale reorganization of Congress to improve oversight and funding of the nation's intelligence agencies. Instead, Democratic leaders may create a panel to look at the issue and produce recommendations, according to congressional aides and lawmakers.
Because plans for implementing the commission's recommendations are still fluid, Democratic officials would not speak for the record. But aides on the House and Senate appropriations, armed services and intelligence committees confirmed this week that a reorganization of Congress would not be part of the package of homeland-security changes up for passage in the "first 100 hours" of the Democratic Congress.
"I don't think that suggestion is going anywhere," said Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.), the chairman of the Appropriations defense subcommittee and a close ally of the incoming subcommittee chairman, Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.). "That is not going to be their party position."
It may seem like a minor matter, but members of the commission say Congress's failure to change itself is anything but inconsequential. In 2004, the commission urged Congress to grant the House and Senate intelligence committees the power not only to oversee the nation's intelligence agencies but also to fund them and shape intelligence policy. The intelligence committees' gains would come at the expense of the armed services committees and the appropriations panels' defense subcommittees. Powerful lawmakers on those panels would have to give up prized legislative turf.
But the commission was unequivocal about the need.
"Of all our recommendations, strengthening congressional oversight may be among the most difficult and important," the panel wrote. "So long as oversight is governed by current congressional rules and resolutions, we believe the American people will not get the security they want and need."
Now Democrats are balking, just as Republicans did before them.
Well, well well!!!!! Who is surprised...show of hands?
Sister Toldjah has links to the MANY times Pelosi spoke about implenting the 9/11 Commission recommendations. Take a look at Nancy's Words before the election.
Brian at Iowa Voice says it perfectly:
First off, that whole “We’ll do what the 9/11 Commission recommended” was a load of hooey in the first place. Most of it WAS already done, at least according to this article from USA Today…which was, convieniantly, reported on AFTER the libs won the election:Democrats poised to take control of Congress say they’ll work to implement the unfinished business the 9/11 Commission recommended to better protect America from terrorists. But it won’t be easy. Much of what the commission proposed has been accomplished, at least in some measure. And many other proposals won’t get through because they’re either too expensive or face stiff political opposition.The next pledge they’re going to break is the “oh, we won’t raise your taxes (snicker…tee-hee…guffaw!)” pledge. And then the “oh, we won’t be spending a lot of money. We’re going to be responsible (he-he, snicker!)”You just know that at the DNC on Election Day, when it was clear the Dems had won, Howard Dean turned to his staff and said “Holy crap, they bought it!” in disbelief.
All in all, the fun part of all this for me, is watching the Democrats and the left side, especially the blogosphere realize that now that the Dems have the majorities, THEY are in the lime light and it seems that the very people that helped place them there are now seeing that the campaign promises were never meant to be kept. They were simply a line that the Dems were feeding the left, and was swallowed whole.
I rarely have much good to say about The Washington Post, but I am gonna break with that tradition in this case to say... Good for you for actually calling their hand on it.
Others Discussing this:
Captain's Quarters with Another Campaign Promise Bites the Dust.
Strata-Sphere with Flyby.
QandO with "Promises, Promises."
Macsmind "Democrats renege on campaign promise.
Prairie Pundit Dems break promise on 9/11 report implementation.