Uh Oh... - Granite Grok

Uh Oh…

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Last week, Senator Mark Udall (D-CO), submitted a letter to Congressional leaders and members, "urging them to come together at the State of the Union address…"

Udall had some fellow members of Congress sign the letter, in a sign of bi-partisan unity, and (the magic word) increased "civility".

Sitting at the loser’s side of the table, Democrats and Liberals are now using the tactic of self-righteous indignation to make points; and the Tucson tragedy gave them some exploitative traction.  This is their only option, considering the bath they just took at the hands of The People.

All this "peace and love" and "no labels" (more on that later this week) smells a lot like Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s September, 1938 fiasco – capitulation in the raw.  I can just imagine the laughing and snickering Hitler and his cabinet did as Neville left the negotiating room, conciliatory, proclaiming "peace for our time".  Even as he left the room, the Prime Minister knew that he was acting in a farce – the Germans invaded Czech provinces and Prague less than 6 months later.

As a Conservative, I think we’ve capitulated quite enough over the past 100 years, and I sincerely hope that newly-victorious Republicans in the House hold their backbone, and hold the new beachhead we just fought long and hard to take.  So much effort, so much sacrifice – we cannot give in under such minor pressure – unless the payback is HUGE.  I don’t see it that way.

Udall’s letter states, "Perhaps by sitting with each other for one night we will begin to rekindle that common spark that brought us here from 50 different states and widely diverging backgrounds to serve the public good".  Honestly?  Kum-bay-ah, everyone.

Where was this "common spark" last year, when Obama called out the Supreme Court for going against him?

Saul Alinsky would be proud.  My response to this letter? – what Neville should have had the T/F to say: "NUTS".

To Republicans in Congress: Please, please do NOT fall for this!  Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid (and Obama) will only be laughing as you leave the chamber.

Oh, and the signers of this letter?  They are a stellar pantheon of Conservative leadership: Olympia Snowe, Lisa Murkowski, Barbara Boxer, Susan Collins, Mary Landrieu, Ben Nelson, Chuck Shumer, Scott Brown, Jeanne Shaheen, John McCain (the benefactor), and ever-so ceremonially 3rd on the list of signers….our own Kelly Ayotte.

Kelly could end up with egg on her face on this one.  Republican Leaders may not go for this, and could find themselves perfectly set up by Udall, who will make an emotional issue out of "Republican partisanship" and a lack of playing along.  Kelly will either have bucked her party in the aftermath, or start her Senatorial career off with a losing bet on a ragged horse.  I don’t see a win for Kelly here unless the deal is accepted.  Big bet.  Big risk.  Minor payoff.

A few weeks ago, I said that Kelly was "off to a good start".  I’m afraid that this sort of thing is what we may come to expect from Kelly, and it’s starting to feel squishy.  I’m just saying.

(Photo Credit: "Mr. Fish" at www.truthdig.com)

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