Durbin’s Daring Diss Hits GOP Senators Hard

Posted by | March 18, 2015 20:00 | Filed under: Politics Top Stories


Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin let the GOP have it for stalling Loretta Lynch’s nomination as Attorney General, comparing the Senate GOP caucus to southern segregationists of half a century ago:

“Loretta Lynch, the first African-American woman nominated to be attorney general, is asked to sit in the back of the bus when it comes to the Senate calendar,” the No. 2 Democratic senator said Wednesday in a floor speech. “That is unfair. It’s unjust. It is beneath the decorum and dignity of the United States Senate. This woman deserves fairness.”

Lynch’s nomination, made official in November, is being held up over an unrelated dispute about an anti-abortion provision in an anti-human-trafficking bill. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Tuesday she’ll get a final confirmation vote once the bill is completed.

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Copyright 2015 Liberaland
By: dave-dr-gonzo

David Hirsch, a.k.a. Dave "Doctor" Gonzo*, is a renegade record producer, video producer, writer, reformed corporate shill, and still-registered lobbyist for non-one-percenter performing artists and musicians. He lives in a heavily fortified compound in one of Manhattan's less trendy neighborhoods.

* Hirsch is the third person to use the pseudonym, a not-so-veiled tribute to journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, with the permission of his predecessors Gene Gaudette of American Politics Journal (currently webmaster and chief bottlewasher at Liberaland) and Stephen Meese at Smashmouth Politics.

68 responses to Durbin’s Daring Diss Hits GOP Senators Hard

  1. Foundryman March 18th, 2015 at 20:17

    They should never give McConnell a sliver of an inch on anything for the next two years.

    • trees March 18th, 2015 at 21:01

      Yeah, let’s try and smear em all as racists, and if that doesn’t work we will accuse them of being sexist…..

      • Carla Akins March 18th, 2015 at 21:05

        Considering they’re trying to sneak in legislation that demeans and insults women, I’d go with sexist.

        • Dwendt44 March 19th, 2015 at 00:22

          that’s just for this article.

      • Foundryman March 18th, 2015 at 21:13

        Lying obstructionists works for me

      • Jake March 18th, 2015 at 21:17

        Hitting a sore spot there nazi-boy – where ya been Trees – at the cross-burning?

      • tracey marie March 18th, 2015 at 21:25

        if the hoods and fists fit

      • whatthe46 March 18th, 2015 at 21:39

        you’re just like them. a racist and a sexist. so, why are you complaining about the truth?

      • arc99 March 18th, 2015 at 21:39

        A party whose base does not hesitate to argue that the Democratic party receives 90% of the black vote because we want “free stuff” is not going to accomplish anything with their antics on the nomination of Ms. Lynch, except perhaps extending the Democratic share to 95%.

        The GOP does a dismal job of reaching out to black voters.

        Even this National Review article recognizes that fact, despite the wrong-headed rationalizations on how to remedy the situation. In the final analysis it does not mater whether conservatives understand, accept or disagree with the preferences of the overwhelming majority of black voters.

        There are still lots of us around who have yet to see all of the “firsts”. Underestimating the importance of the first black woman to be named Attorney General, along with the surreal ignorance of conservatives who argue that the main appeal of the Democratic party is “free stuff” is a very good recipe to make sure that the situation described in this article never changes.

        http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/262180/blacks-democrats-and-republicans-peter-kirsanow

        Blacks have been the Democrats’ most reliable voting bloc for the last 50 years. And let’s face it, with Barack Obama in the White House, that’s not going to change in the near future. On the national level, Democrats typically get around 90 percent of the black vote, even when a black man isn’t running for president as a Democrat. Al Gore got 92 percent of the black vote in 2000; John Kerry got 88 percent in 2004.

        • trees March 19th, 2015 at 01:14

          Of all of the responses to my post, this is the only one that merits a reply.

          Yes, this country has an ugly past in a lot of respects, and we have made progress is spite of it. I am encouraged, for the most part, in my daily interaction with African Americans. There seems to be a sincere desire to engage and interact on a personal level as an individual, and without any preconceived bias being evident. One of the major components of understanding is having the ability to see what the opposing view is saying, and taking an honest look at the issues. I feel for the black experience, and although I’m not black, and although I haven’t lived a day as a black man, I believe that I can relate to the experience of being black. If not through the direct experience, then the indirect experience. In the 90’s I lived with a black woman, and no, she wasn’t my roommate. I spent several years with her, and those are some great memories. Being accepted by her family and welcomed among them was something that filled me with joy. We shared some great times together, and we also shared some not so great times.

          For the last 50 years blacks have supported one party, and that is because that one party has promised to improve the lives of their black constituency. I have no problem with this, but let’s look at the results. Has the situation in the black community improved radically? Not really. My honest opinion is that the obstacle needing to be overcome is not racism, but education.

          Is there still racism? Yes.

          Does it exist at the same level now, as it did in the past? No.

          Do we still have a long way to go? Yes.

          At what point will we have made radical progress?

          When the Republican party has an equally large number of conservative, black members.

          Education is the key to competing in our society. Education is the great equalizer. Just as sports brought black and white athletes together, so will education bring us even closer together.

          The NFL draft can be used as an example. The NFL chooses the best talent, and this is not based on color, but ability.

          Education is the key. The emphasis should be on educating. We solve that problem, we will all benefit as a result.

          The day that we can feel confident that our racial problems are a thing of the past, is the day when our people are no longer voting in monolithic blocks.

          • whatthe46 March 19th, 2015 at 02:03

            “Yes, this country has an ugly past in a lot of respects, and we have made progress is spite of it.” you haven’t made any progress!!!! “I am encouraged, for the most part, in my daily interaction with African Americans.” you just can’t help being a racist can you? “There seems to be a sincere desire to engage and interact on a personal level as an individual, and without any preconceived bias being evident.” WHAT?!!! “…I believe that I can relate to the experience of being black.” you have a problem relating to being human!!!!

          • arc99 March 19th, 2015 at 03:33

            The 10 year old black kids who watched the election in 2008 will be of voting age in 2016 having witnessed first hand the treatment of a black man who pursued his education, speaks the language correctly, and demonstrated the commitment to be a good husband and father.

            The President of the United States is the epitome of everything conservatives tell us will spell the end of racial bigotry in this country. The response from his critics has been to question his religion, his commitment to America and his very eligibility to serve in office.

            Those kids I mentioned above are already getting their education. They are learning that regardless of whether or not you do everything the correct way, if you step out of line, you are still just another Chicago “thug”.

            As for education, if every single one of those kids I mention, goes on to get a PhD in their chosen field, a party whose base makes accusations about wanting “free stuff” and whose official position takes pride in gutting the Voting Rights Act will never be an acceptable choice to the overwhelming majority of the black electorate.

          • fahvel March 19th, 2015 at 04:03

            reading your diatribe reminds me of how racists use the language to slither around their deep feelings – it’s fascinating to read such drivvel being presented as thoughtful stuff.

        • Scopedog March 19th, 2015 at 12:36

          “The GOP does a dismal job of reaching out to black voters.” And they’re also trying to prevent Black voters from voting too.

      • OldLefty March 19th, 2015 at 07:06

        Simply call it when you see it.

    • trees March 19th, 2015 at 14:01

      Yeah, let’s try and smear em all as racists, and if that doesn’t work we will accuse them of being sexist…..

      (not really sure why this was deleted, the left engages in smears constantly. A simple read through the posts here in LL reveals this simple fact)

  2. John Tarter March 18th, 2015 at 21:22

    A daring diss or an outright disgraceful statement designed to belittle the opposition? This accusation was totally uncalled for by the man who didn’t want to let a certain Secretary of State nominee named Condoleeza Rice even get on the bus by voting against her. That means “Little Dick” Durbin must also be a racist.

  3. jstsmlbrlcnsrvtvguy March 18th, 2015 at 21:40

    At long last, Dick Durbin says or does something that makes me like him. Maybe the whole Democratic Party is growing itself a spine, at long last.

    • Robert M. Snyder March 18th, 2015 at 22:12

      Once the spine is complete, maybe they’ll grow a brain to sit atop it. One can only hope.

      • rg9rts March 19th, 2015 at 05:08

        And where is yours..in gopeeland??

        • Robert M. Snyder March 19th, 2015 at 08:44

          I tried the liberal thing once. Attended a liberal arts college for a couple of years where I looked up to my professors and tried to emulate them. For me it’s not so much an embrace of conservatism as it is a rejection of liberalism, or at least what liberalism has become. I could embrace Classical Liberalism which seeks to maximize individual freedom (as opposed to exploiting people’s fears for votes, which both parties do equally well).

          • OldLefty March 19th, 2015 at 09:09

            That’s EXACTLY what a lot liberals say about conservativism.

            Especially after seeing the effects of Big conservative government in the womb, the bedroom, the socialism for Big Business, the resultant debt and deficits, poor and loss of FDR’s four freedoms.

            • Robert M. Snyder March 19th, 2015 at 09:45

              “the bedroom”
              It would appear that conservatives and liberals are BOTH sticking their noses into our bedrooms. (e.g. affirmative consent)

              • OldLefty March 19th, 2015 at 09:53

                I disagree.

                I see why people use that example, but I see it as one side is always on the side of denying freedom and liberty to the minority (gays) while affirmative consent is an attempt to assure the freedom and liberty of those who may be the accused or the victim.

                • Robert M. Snyder March 19th, 2015 at 10:23

                  I had an English teacher in 12th grade who said “What two consenting adults do in the privacy of their bedroom is nobody else’s business.”. It made sense to me then, and it still does today.

                  I have a wife of 30 years, a daughter, a mother, and three sisters. They all think that there is something seriously wrong with an adult woman who cannot bring herself to say “no”. Isn’t it time to stop infantilizing women?

                  For the record, I have strongly objected on at least two occasions to Alan’s use of the phrase “women and children” when referring to things happening in war zones. In my opinion, it is equivalent to saying “the weaker sex”.

                  • OldLefty March 19th, 2015 at 15:11

                    1) Don’t confuse sexual misconduct disciplinary board hearings with criminal hearings.

                    2) The old way infantilizes men by acting as if they don’t know better and they don’t know what no means.

                  • trees March 19th, 2015 at 16:51

                    I had an English teacher in 12th grade who said “What two consenting adults do in the privacy of their bedroom is nobody else’s business.”. It made sense to me then, and it still does today.

                    Why limit that statement with a number, why the modifier? Couldn’t we just say, “”What consenting adults do in the privacy of their bedroom is nobody else’s business.”

                    • Robert M. Snyder March 19th, 2015 at 19:31

                      I’m no fan of Santorum, but he was right. Somewhere there is a group of three lesbians who love each other very much and wish to get married. And they will take it to court, and some will say that opposition to polygamy is a form of bigotry.

                  • Candide Thirtythree March 19th, 2015 at 19:03

                    So, are you still beating your wife?

                    • Robert M. Snyder March 19th, 2015 at 19:32

                      As a matter of fact, yes. I regularly beat her at chess.

          • rg9rts March 19th, 2015 at 09:11

            So you are a failure…never understood what liberal is all about and probably never will…You are like the cardinal in San Francisco that has the homeless hosed nightly while I am more like the Pope that is SHAMED by that behavior..

            • Robert M. Snyder March 19th, 2015 at 09:41

              “So you are a failure…never understood what liberal is all about and probably never will”
              Perhaps you could enlighten me. What is liberalism all about?

              • rg9rts March 19th, 2015 at 10:31

                Simple…its what you aren’t

                • Robert M. Snyder March 19th, 2015 at 10:51

                  “Perhaps you could enlighten me. What is liberalism all about?”
                  “Simple…its what you aren’t”

                  I’m not dead, therefore liberalism is dead.

                  You walked right into that one!

                  • rg9rts March 19th, 2015 at 12:54

                    Love to see what you would do with a bottle of deer urine to amuse yourself

                  • Candide Thirtythree March 19th, 2015 at 19:02

                    You cannot be enlightened…that is the point of being a GOPer, the Party Of Stupid can never achieve enlightenment.

    • Scopedog March 19th, 2015 at 12:35

      You’ve been asleep the last few years, right?

  4. jstsmlbrlcnsrvtvguy March 18th, 2015 at 21:41

    Finally, Senator Durbin says or does something that makes me like him.
    Maybe the whole Democratic Party is growing itself a spine, finally.

    • John Tarter March 18th, 2015 at 21:57

      He threw Condoleezza Rice OFF THE BUS when he didn’t vote for her as Sec. of State. Perhaps we should call him a racist for that vote, eh?

      • arc99 March 18th, 2015 at 22:03

        No. Sen. Durbin did not do anything to prevent an up/down vote on Ms. Rice from the full Senate.

        It is not a matter of whether the nomination is supported or not. It is a matter of respect where the President’s nominees are entitled to a full Senate vote.

        • trees March 19th, 2015 at 00:43

          It is not a matter of whether the nomination is supported or not. It is a matter of respect where the President’s nominees are entitled to a full Senate vote.

          I don’t think this is about her, I think the opposition is to the prez, and I don’t think the opposition to him is because he’s black. No, the prez has taken an adversarial attitude towards the other side. Does it really surprise you to find out that there can be a reciprocal attitude from those to whom the prez has been hostile?

          • arc99 March 19th, 2015 at 02:49

            Nothing surprises me anymore.

            Certainly not the President’s critics peddling the nonsensical notion that it is the President who has been “hostile” as he deals with a Congress where a member of the opposition shouts out “you lie” during the State of the Union, and it is like pulling teeth to get any kind of apology out of the GOP caucus.

            The President produced a video to be shown in schools encouraging kids to work hard and pursue their education. Right wingers went ballistic. But it is the President who was hostile?

            Seriously?

            Both events happened less than a year into the President’s administration.

            The Lynch nomination is a continuation of the unprecedented lack of respect towards this President that has been going on since he was first inaugurated.

            As noted in my first sentence, nothing surprises me anymore. That would include tendency of the President’s critics to accuse him of behavior occurring primarily in the GOP.

            Hostile? Having to deal with this kind of garbage, the President has been remarkably civil.

            http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/04/obama.schools/

            Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer released a statement this week accusing Obama of using taxpayer money to “indoctrinate” children.

            As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology,” Greer said.

            “The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the president justify his plans … is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power.”

            • Scopedog March 19th, 2015 at 12:35

              Good point on the disrespect shown this President–and I mean, it just can’t be because of his skin color, right? Right?

          • fahvel March 19th, 2015 at 03:58

            get on the lil bus with tooth decay and go to the beach in fla and wait around for 100 years – please.

            • rg9rts March 19th, 2015 at 05:07

              They don’t want this thing in Florida either…a better fit is Texas with the other RWNJs

          • OldLefty March 19th, 2015 at 07:47

            No, the prez has taken an adversarial attitude towards the other side.

            ______

            The reality is diametrically opposite.
            From the day of Obama’s election, the GOP strategy has been to diminish his strength as a uniter by refusing to be united and to say “no” to everything, even if it was THEIR idea and then claim that it is Obama who is polarizing.

            As former Sen. George Voinovich said on the record … “If Obama was for it, we had to be
            against it. “He [McConnell] wanted everyone to hold the fort. All he cared about was making sure Obama could never have a clean victory.”
            (And THIS in the midst of an economic crash where the economy had contracted 8.9% in Q4 ’08, 6.7% in Q1 ’09 and we were losing 6-800,000 jobs per month).

            Don’t forget that they came into Obama’s presidency from the beginning with the attitude, not that, ‘The people have spoken, and now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and work with the president..) but that “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.” (Clearly, in spite of the damage it does to the country)
            -Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, quoted in National Journal, November 4, 2010

            And they had a meeting at the Caucus Room , Frank Luntz, and senior GOP members to work out a plan on Inauguration day, 2009, to repeatedly block Obama over the coming four years to try to ensure he would not be re-elected.

            Hence, Cap and Trade went from being “market solutions” when Republicans promoted it to “anti businesses Cap and Tax” when Obama shunned his base and reached
            across the aisle to promote a policy that REPUBLICANS had supported in the
            past.

            Oklahoma senators filibustered their own judge whom THEY had recommended;
            ‘The filibuster came despite praise for Bacharach from the two GOP senators from Oklahoma, where he is currently a federal magistrate judge, and the support of three centrist Republicans who voted across the aisle.

            The vote was 56-34, several votes short of the 60 the Democrats needed to break the filibuster.’ Each Oklahoma senator, torn between their support for the nominee and their desire not to undermine their Senate leadership, and support something that (gasp!!!!), Obama ALSO supported.

            McConnell filibustered his own debt ceiling bill.

            This all boils down to ‘We, or our constituents simply can not abide this person being president, for what ever reasons, and we are willing to do ANY damage to ANY body or ANY American institution, to erase him.’
            Then we will accuse the Democrats of doing EXACTLY what WE are doing.

          • Candide Thirtythree March 19th, 2015 at 18:58

            hahahaha! So he should have just rolled over and gave the republicans everything they asked for while they were plotting to overthrow him as he was being sworn in? You are one sick and twisted puppy!

      • tracey marie March 18th, 2015 at 22:04

        you really are a pesky little boy, always screaming for attention

      • Shades March 18th, 2015 at 22:07

        Horse pucky. You don’t have to vote FOR the nominee, but you sure as heck should give them the opportunity to be voted on. Seriously, how do manage to travel by yourself?

        • whatthe46 March 19th, 2015 at 01:35

          he takes the short bus.

        • rg9rts March 19th, 2015 at 05:06

          Mommy puts a note on his lapel

      • tiredoftea March 18th, 2015 at 22:18

        And, he was right to do it!

      • dave-dr-gonzo March 18th, 2015 at 22:38

        Nio. Durbin had issues with the inept Rice because she was an unqualified petrochemical industry lobbyist with inadequate experience at diplomacy. But thank you for playing “Race Card” so ineptly.

        • rg9rts March 19th, 2015 at 05:05

          Our new resident bagger and his cousin trees

        • John Tarter March 19th, 2015 at 08:34

          But Ms. Lynch has no issues? She has one big one, supporting Obama’s un-constitutional illegal immigration dictate – and that is more than enough to disqualify her.

          • Obewon March 19th, 2015 at 09:02

            You voted twice for GWB, GHWB & Reagan’s Executive Ordered amnesty for 5 Million. undocumented immigrants.

        • Anomaly 100 March 19th, 2015 at 09:03

          Ha ha! Someone flagged your comment. Lol

      • OldLefty March 19th, 2015 at 07:02

        He threw Condoleezza Rice OFF THE BUS when he didn’t vote for her as Sec. of State. Perhaps we should call him a racist for that vote, eh?

        _______

        Why?

        That’s the new defense for racism.

        When racism is clear, call it, when it is the record, call that;

        Democratic leaders forced an extended debate on the nomination in order to express their concerns over prewar claims about Iraq that Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois said were “just plain wrong, and repeated.”
        “Dr. Condoleezza Rice was in the room, at the table, when decisions were made, and she has to accept responsibility for what she said,” Durbin said.

        Independent Sen. James M. Jeffords of Vermont (former Republican) also voted against her.

        • John Tarter March 19th, 2015 at 08:38

          Citing the turncoat Jeffords is really clutching at straws. The fact is that statement by Durbin was totally asinine and uncalled for and was nothing but playing the race card.
          You libs seem to forget that it was all Democrats in the south, your political party, that were the segregationists. The Civil Rights bill would never had passed if it weren’t for the support it got from the Republicans.
          I know the truth is hard to take sometimes, but you must accept reality.

          • Obewon March 19th, 2015 at 08:53

            ”No domestic terror attacks on George W. Bush’s watch’-Condi Rice was obviously the worst National Security Adviser in U.S. history except on GOP TV where Eric Bolling & Rudy feigned the same stupidity: ”No domestic terror attacks on George W. Bush’s watch.’-errant Bolling et al.

            SoS Condi Rice had 0 successes, the same as Issa’s “0” indictments. That’s why she was opposed and rightly so.

          • OldLefty March 19th, 2015 at 09:04

            The fact is that statement by Durbin was totally asinine and uncalled for and was nothing but playing the race card.

            _______
            ~ “Citing the turncoat Jeffords is really clutching at straws”

            _______

            ????

            I cited him because as a former Republican he also had doubts, which is why he left the party.
            He was absolutely correct.

            She presented a horribly flawed case. Nothing racist about it.

            ~ “You libs seem to forget that it was all Democrats in the south, your political party, that were the segregationists.

            _______

            That old chestnut???

            That was BEFORE the Civil Rights Act, (when ALL poor people were Democrats and the South was the poorest region of all).

            Don’t forget;

            The Civil Rights
            Act of 1964;

            Total Votes;

            The House ;

            Southern Democrats: 7–87
            (7–93%)

            Southern Republicans: 0–10
            (0–100%)

            Northern Democrats: 145–9
            (94–6%)

            Now, the Party of Lincoln and unity has become the Party of Lincoln’s assassin and secession.

            Northern Republicans: 138–24 (85–15%)

            The Senate version:

            Southern Democrats: 1–20
            (5–95%)

            Southern Republicans: 0–1
            (0–100%)

            Northern Democrats: 45–1
            (98–2%)

            Northern Republicans: 27–5
            (84–16%)

            LBJ told Kennedy aide Ted Sorenson
            that “I know the risks are great and we might lose the South, but those
            sorts of states may be lost anyway.”

            Then the Republicans embraced segregation and the South has been solidly red.

            Now, the party of Lincoln and unity has become the party of Lincoln’s assassin and secession.

          • William March 19th, 2015 at 11:12

            “I know the truth is hard to take sometimes, but you must accept reality”

            says the racist who asserts black people should have no trouble with voter ID cards because they signed up for welfare..

            Seriously Skippy, you should probably disqualify yourself in any and all conversations concerning racism.

            “Its also funny how those same people have no problem
            getting to a government office somewhere to apply for food stamps, welfare, or
            their social security benefits”

            But tell me, why is it that black citizens are unable to
            comply with the law?

            http://www.alan.com/2013/08/13/92-year-old-who-faced-literacy-tests-sues-north-carolina-on-voter-id/

  5. tiredoftea March 18th, 2015 at 22:20

    “…designed to belittle the opposition”, your boys have been doing an outstanding job of that all by themselves, every time they show up in Congress.

  6. dave-dr-gonzo March 18th, 2015 at 22:41

    “A daring diss or an outright disgraceful statement designed to belittle the opposition? “You say that as if it’s a bad thing. Republicans do it to Democrats all the time, but IOKIYAR (look it up).

    By the way, simpleton, get your facts straight: while Durbin opposed the inept Rice, he did no block her nomination. And I see you are still playing the race card. Poorly.

  7. fahvel March 19th, 2015 at 03:56

    decorum seems to be all the us congress has – ties, blue suits, flag pins, great vacations – what else is there?

  8. Steve Dodson March 20th, 2015 at 02:31

    Durbin is nothing but a liberal moron (redundant, I know). When a weak liberal mind can’t debate with facts and logic, they start slinging mud and calling names – racist being one of their favorites. They can’t even figure out that they’re using the wring word!

    • rg9rts March 20th, 2015 at 05:07

      Were you born this stupid or did you go to gopee bagger school for it…How long did it take yo the give yourself all those /s???

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