How did we get here?

Honest… I ran out of gas. I… I had a flat tire. I didn’t have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn’t come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! It wasn’t my fault, I swear to God!

Senator Roy Blunt (r): So the President talked a lot tonight about economic fairness and American values, but the most important American value in the economy is the value of an individual to get a job and hopefully to get a private sector job. Uh, the President’s economic policies have failed and they’ve not just failed to improve the economy, they’ve clearly made, uh, the economy worse. Uh, I thought particularly the focus on energy security, uh, is in contradiction to all of the facts. I just was in twenty-six Missouri counties where the discussion was about why is the, uh, why are my utility bills going up, uh, why is the power plant, uh, closing, why didn’t the President, uh, move forward with the Keystone pipeline. More American energy’s the shortest path to more American jobs. And while the President seems to understand that in his speech, the regulators who work for him clearly work against that all the time. Uh, we need to work together to meet the number one domestic priority in the country. And that’s more private sector job creation. Uh, the President needs to understand that, that we’re not gonna solve the problems that this economy, uh, needs to solve.

“…Uh, we need to work together to meet the number one domestic priority in the country. And that’s more private sector job creation…”

Here’s the reality:

From the White House, The Employment Situation in November, December 2, 2011.

Here’s another look at the same thing:

Steve Benen, Private sector jobs picture also improves, December 2, 2011.

You know, that red stuff, that was during the eight year administration of George W. Bush (r), the memory of which appears to have been erased from all republican minds.

Senator Blunt (r) must think we’re all stoopid.

Offered without further comment:

@RepHartzler Rep. Vicky Hartzler

Getting ready to listen to the President’s State of the Union address/campaign speech. 29 minutes ago

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) issued a statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union address:

McCaskill Statement on the State of the Union

January 25, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill made the following statement following President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address:

“The president touched on many issues that I know are on the minds of Missourians. I appreciated his words about the need to deal with our deficit, but I don’t think his proposal to freeze spending goes far enough and I had hoped he would endorse the Sessions-McCaskill amendment. I was glad to hear that he’s on board with my efforts to stop earmarks – it’s a small, but symbolic way Congress can signal to the American people that we are serious about bringing fiscal responsibility to Washington. The president also is right that we need better civility and bipartisanship in Washington to tackle the tough challenges facing our nation, so I hope everyone takes that message to heart. The tone in the Capitol tonight was optimistic – this is a great country and we have a great future ahead of us.”

###

[emphasis added]

From December 15, 2010:

Senator Claire McCaskill (D): evidently any concern about the deficit has been alleviated

No, of course it hasn’t.

But with the two votes today in the Senate concerning the continuation of dubya’s (now Obama’a) windfall tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires I don’t particular care to hear Claire McCaskill’s (D) future lectures to us on the evils of the deficit….

….Do us a favor. Spare us those lectures on the deficit. Otherwise, you’re just telling us it’s raining.

To be fair:

Senator Claire McCaskill (D): a conversation with bloggers in Kansas City, part 2 (January 20, 2011)

….Senator Claire McCaskill (D):  Well, um, a lot of what is happening with the deficit is in fact the economic downturn and the costs associated with the economic downturn, both the social net, the social safety net costs, unemployment benefit costs, but also, the fact that revenue is down. Um, revenue is down to the government because there’s been less income.  So, it is, that’s been a huge part of it. The Bush tax cuts obviously were a huge part of it. Um, I would have liked very much to see us raise the top rate, uh, personal income tax rate on the, on the top bracket. I think that there is a chance we will still do that before the next election. Um, you know it’s, it, they were extended for two years and it will be up to the members of Congress do decide whether to debate that and make changes as it relates to that, um, even before twenty twelve. And I think that there’s a number of us that are willing to have that debate before the election and support raising the marginal rate on, especially on your second million dollars. Um, you know, let everybody have the same tax rate on their first million, but on your second million could you do three percent more, the same rate that you had in the nineties when everyone was doing very well?

Michael Bersin: And, and part of the frustration of that is that in some, some cases, you know, people are, are using, uh, people’s unfamiliarity with what marginal tax rates actually are and the history, you know, the past history of marginal tax rates and it’s harder to explain. So, you know, is, is this sort of a, a, an option to, to basically to try to teach people about this?

Senator Claire McCaskill (D): Well, I think that’s part of it. I think, um, the other part about the, the deficit is looking at all the goodies in the tax code….

As if any republicans will allow Congress let the tax giveaway for the top 1% expire at any time before the 2012 election? Even attempting to discuss it will lead to a severe political clubbing from the republicans, their enablers, and the Mighty Wurlitzer. Let’s face it, the administration and the Democratic leadership in Congress let themselves get rolled. They kicked the can down the road.

Otherwise, you’re just telling us it’s raining.

Okay, this…

Senator Claire McCaskill (D): a conversation with bloggers in Kansas City (January 20, 2011)

….Blue Girl: Are you gonna sit across the aisle at the State of the Union?

Senator Claire McCaskill (D): You know, I, it’s funny because it’s now there’s this pressure to get a date.

Blue Girl: [laughter]

Senator Claire McCaskill (D): A Republican date. So I’m busy casting about for my republican date. I feel like I’m back in high school.

Blue Girl: Yeah.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D):  Um, you know, I , I, uh, I’ve, I’ve asked Susan Collins but, you know, I sent her an e-mail. I said, Susan, are you already taken?

Blue Girl: [laughter]

Senator Claire McCaskill (D):  You know, uh, would you be willing to be my date for the State of the Union? So, we’ll see. I think what you’re gonna see is a lot of people now kind of, you know, sitting with Republicans and it being much more mixed. I hope so. I think it would be a good thing.

Blue Girl: I want to see Barney Franks sit by Joe Wilson.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D):  Well, I don’t know that that will happen, but…

Blue Girl: Oh, I would pay cash money.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D):  [laughter] I don’t know that that will happen. But, you know, let’s hope this isn’t just a, like a hula hoop, you know, let’s hope this is just not a fad, that we can keep some of this going. Because the vitriol is pretty bad.

Blue Girl: Yeah, yeah.  Crazy doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D):  Right….

…is getting silly.

@clairecmc  Claire McCaskill

Glad that seat mate for tonight is new R Sen Jerry Moran from KS.He’s also KU grad.The D v R thing is probably easier than Tiger v Jayhawk. 1 hour ago

Evidently Susan Collins was busy or already taken. I guess we’ll have to watch to find out.

@NancyPelosi  Nancy Pelosi

I thank @GOPLeader for his #SOTU offer, but I invited my friend Rep. Bartlett from MD yesterday & am pleased he accepted 1 hour ago

How long will it last? And will they ever call?

This is more like it:

@daveweigel  daveweigel

By my estimate, the discussion of #SOTU seating arrangements has created 124,087 jobs 1 hour ago

@rkref  roadkillrefugee

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., will sit with anime blow-up doll at #SOTU 34 minutes ago

Ouch.

@GottaLaff  GottaLaff

RT @owillis: alito, thomas, scalia not going to the #sotu? oh, poor babies. #watb |They’ll be on a date w/ the Koch Bros. 23 minutes ago

Okay, that was funny.

@crutnacker  Crutnacker

Justice Thomas WAS going to go to the State of the Union address, but was unable to follow the directions to get there. #sotu

10 minutes ago

That one cost $690,000.00.

Update:

Win!

@jennakimjones  JKJ

This year the Dems & Repubs are sitting among each other. If ur confused, the Repubs will be wearing American flag pins & a scowl. #sotu 2 hours ago