Republicans cut McHenry's earmark

Submitted by Drama Queen on Fri, 06/29/2007 - 2:54am

Who knew? Republicans can get embarrassed by their own hypocrisy. At least Arizona's Representative Flake was peeved enough Thursday to cut McHenry's Christmas Tree earmark for WNC's Mitchell county. Check this out from Crypt's blog at politico dot com:

Republican Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona — with the help of plenty of Democrats — just screwed his GOP colleague Patrick McHenry out of earmarked money for a project in the latter's western North Carolina district.

It is the first amendment Flake has ever passed to strip money from the annual spending bills.

"Congressman Flake didn't think he'd bring down his first earmark with friendly fire," remarked his spokesman Matthew Specht.

Flake succeeded by winning over Democrats who usually vote against him. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) explained why he had made an exception in this case.

"It was resentment over his hypocrisy in leading the fight against earmarks and then offering one of lesser value," Frank said. "I think penalizing hypocrisy is a legitimate response in politics."

Many Democrats have a particular dislike for McHenry's biting floor speeches. Flake's amendment gave them an opportunity for revenge.

Looks like our Pat is embarrassing more than himself these days. I wonder how he's going to do in his own primary next year.

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Another smackdown by Barney Frank.

Submitted by James on Fri, 06/29/2007 - 7:07am.

Does anyone besides me think there's a bit of gay-gay subtext here?

Do good. Be nice. Have fun.

Niiiiiice

Submitted by Betsy Muse on Fri, 06/29/2007 - 7:19am.



Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.



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Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.

This is why I love Barney Frank

Submitted by working for change on Fri, 06/29/2007 - 11:19am.

Frank said. "I think penalizing hypocrisy is a legitimate response in politics."

Larry Kissell is MY Congressman

I'm too busy to follow up but:

Submitted by Drama Queen on Fri, 06/29/2007 - 12:53pm.

The Hill has this. I'm not sure if the cut actually made it.
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

Flake's amendment passed.

Submitted by repbradmiller on Fri, 06/29/2007 - 3:36pm.

The vote wasn't close.

Hey Brad.

Submitted by James on Fri, 06/29/2007 - 3:44pm.

I'm so proud of how you handled yourself through all the trials and tribulations of considering the run against Dole. I'm sorry we won't be able to follow you to the Senate . . . but I am THRILLED we'll have you representing North Carolina in the House, hopefully for many years to come.

You're the best.

Do good. Be nice. Have fun.

Thanks, Brad.

Submitted by Drama Queen on Sat, 06/30/2007 - 1:05am.

Here's what Government Executive dot com had to say about it all:

Democrats and Republicans teamed up, 249-174 to eliminate $125,000 for the "Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree" project. The money was requested by Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who has rubbed a number of members the wrong way for his caustic criticism of earmarking practices. All other attempts to strip earmarks failed by roughly 3-to-1 margins.

 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

Oh, and ditto to what Anglico said

Submitted by Drama Queen on Sat, 06/30/2007 - 1:26am.

I am tired of politicians jumping up to the next level when they've hardly done the job they were elected for. Three freshman Senators running for president. It's weird. There's nothing wrong with doing a good job and sticking with it.
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,