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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Republican mocks 'Beijing George'

Posted: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 12:31 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: ,

From NBC's Mike Viqueira
The following was written by a Republican leader in the U.S. House after it was announced that President Bush, the leader of his party, would not be calling Congress back into session to deal with energy policy.

As chairman of the policy committee, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) is the No. 5-ranking Republican in the House. In unfavorably comparing George Bush to Harry Truman, here is, in part, what he wrote in a memo to fellow Republicans (bold added):

"Today, in his final term, the wildly unpopular President George W. Bush boarded Air Force One bound for the Beijing Olympics and a meeting with his chum Hu Jintao, the dapper ruler of a nuclear armed, communist dictatorship. Yet before jetting off, the President's spokesman Tony Fratto bid "Beijing George's" best wishes to the Democrats' "Drill Nothing" 110th Congress: 'We don't have plans to call Congress into session -- it won't make a difference if Democratic leaders are unwilling to bring up a bill for an up-down vote.'"

He also writes, "[P]erhaps our Compassionate Conservative-in-Chief will bring our absent Democrat Congress some "Made in (communist) China" souvenir
t-shirts: 'Bush went to Beijing and all I got was this lousy five week, paid vacation.'"

McCotters full note is here:

House GOP Fights on Alone for American Energy Security
Bush Throws Them under the Bone-Dry Bus on Way to Beijing Games


Facing momentous domestic problems and mounting disapproval ratings, two modern Presidents have differently dealt with "Do Nothing" Congresses.

Facing an "impossible" re-election, on July 26, 1948, the wildly unpopular and doggedly anti-communist President Harry S. Truman accepted his Democratic nomination and boldly confronted the GOP's "Do Nothing"
80th Congress:

"My duty as President requires that I use every means within my power to get the laws the people need on matters of such importance and urgency.
I am therefore calling this Congress back into session July 26th."

"Give 'em Hell Harry" got re-elected; and the "Do Nothing" 80th Congress got booted.

Today, in his final term, the wildly unpopular President George W. Bush boarded Air Force One bound for the Beijing Olympics and a meeting with his chum Hu Jintao, the dapper ruler of a nuclear armed, communist dictatorship.  Yet before jetting off, the President's spokesman Tony Fratto bid "Beijing George's" best wishes to the Democrats' "Drill Nothing" 110th Congress:

"We don't have plans to call Congress into session - it won't make a difference if Democratic leaders are unwilling to bring up a bill for an up-down vote." 

Regardless, we will continue our "Speak-In" on the adjourned House floor to protest Speaker Pelosi's refusal to vote on lowering gas prices and furthering American energy security and independence.

On his part, perhaps our Compassionate Conservative-in-Chief will bring our absent Democrat Congress some "Made in (communist) China" souvenir
t-shirts:

"Bush went to Beijing and all I got was this lousy five week, paid vacation."

Bon Voyage, Mr. Bush!

House Republicans will fight on for America!

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Comments

Contrary to everyone's notion that Bush can call the Congress back into session, he also knows that Pelosi can gavel them back to adjourment as soon as they all show up. Once again She will show her power. Not to worry, the House & Senate will be hearing about this travesty on Election Day.
Someone please tell McCotters that the only people on earth more "wildly unpopular" than George Bush are the Congressional Republicans who have abandoned their constituents desires in favor of trying to appease the leftist Democrats.

Tell him to check on the house's job approval rating.
somebody call the Waaaahmbulance!

seriously, they hit one mediocrely tested talking point and they drill it into the ground (with as much effect as their intended policy)

So when you voted in lockstep with Bush for all these years, Bush was still the bad guy?!?!?!  So what does that say about the Republicans in Congress that are willing to follow a man like Bush?

Keep digging your graves Republicans, you are going to get absolutely CRUSHED in this election cycle.
Nice try!

You Republicans have had your heads up George Bush's you-know-what for 7 1/2 years - don't try to distance yourselves from him now.  He is YOUR Commander in Chief, YOUR leader, and nothing you say or do now is going to change that.

This just proves that the Republican party will do ANYTHING to hold on to power, even attack the sitting President of their own party.

I say, let's get those impeachment hearings started - looks like some of the rats are ready to jump ship.


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