VIDEO- Fox Host To Bunning: You're A Rock Star

By GottaLaff

"Rock star", huh? If this is what his groupies look like, he should go back to baseball:



I haven't seen this much sucking up since Chris Matthews opined about Jokey McNewBook's jeans while discussing her stint on the Leno show.

Cartoon of the Day

Click to enlarge, via.

Jim Bunning Amendment fails

By GottaLaff

On CSPAN2, I just popped in to see the vote on Jim Bunning's amendment to H.R. 4213, the Extending Tax Breaks, Jobless Benefits, Highway Funds Bill:

Bunning (R-KY) Amendment: Requires use of unspent econmic stimulus funds to pay for provisions in the bill.

56 yeas, 41 nays, meaning the motion is tabled.

BunningFail.

VIDEO- Daily Show's Jon Stewart: Jim Bunning Is Just a Dick

By GottaLaff

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Jim Bunning Is Just a Dick
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Reform

The best "news show" on the Tee Vee Machine.

What I'd give for his research team and video/graphics editors....

BREAKING: Senate stand-off with Senator Bunning is over

By GottaLaff

MSNBC (The Ed Show) is reporting that the stand off is over. Bunning agreed to allow a vote on one amendment that would pay for the $10 billion cost of the package, he won't object. He'll have a chance to have 2 amendments on the larger package.

Roll Call has more:

In the end Bunning agreed to a deal allowing him one vote on an amendment to pay for the bill’s $10 billion cost. That proposal was offered by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) last Thursday at the start of his filibuster, but Bunning rejected it because he feared his amendment would not pass.

Reid has also agreed to give Bunning two votes on amendments to a larger, one-year extension bill that is currently under consideration in the Senate.

Bunning has put a hold on all of President Obama's nominees. Senate Democrats were threatening to hold an all night session, "forcing Bunning into an actual filibuster by repeatedly offering up unanimous consent agreements to bring the bill to a vote."

Harry Reid's Office: Bunning Holding All Nominees

By GottaLaff

There are times I don't want to be politically correct. There are times I want to let out a stream of expletives that would put a drunken longshoreman on leave who stubbed his toe on a sharp rock to shame.

Via TPM:

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), who has become a one-man filibuster of a bill to extend unemployment benefits, apparently placed a hold on all presidential nominees last week.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office confirms...

The Dems need to trumpet this all over the place. They need to make an example out of this millionaire Rushpublic obstructionist sicko.

People are dying and going broke every day because of his maneuvers. Now he's preventing the entire government from functioning properly. We need to push Obama's nominees through, because we've had enough holds to last a lifetime.

When's the next recess again? We need a few appointments.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go somewhere to vent. Loudly.

H/t: DCPlod

An actual filibuster? Senate Democrats May Force All Night Session

By GottaLaff

So blocking the blockage gives us the "political upper hand". Wouldn't it be more effective to get the upper hand via our own maneuvering, compelling messaging, stiffening our spines, and passing legislation without continually caving to the Obstructionist Party?

"Democrats are hoping to turn the procedural tables on Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) and use Senate rules to break his blockade against an extension of unemployment insurance, including possibly forcing a round-the-clock session," Roll Call reports.

"Newly energized Democrats, who believe they have gained the political upper hand thanks to Bunning's one-man crusade against the short-term benefits extension, rejected outright a Republican proposal to allow three votes on pay-fors for the bill before a vote on final passage. Bunning has demanded the measure, which would run for one month at a cost of $10 billion, be paid for." [...]

This time, it is increasingly likely that Democrats will force Bunning into an actual filibuster by repeatedly offering up unanimous consent agreements to bring the bill to a vote.

Where were these same Democrats a year ago? Six months ago? Six days ago?

Better late than never, I suppose. Or, too little too late?

VIDEO: Bunning still not answering questions

By GottaLaff



What? No "finger" action? What a gentleman:

CNN's Dana Bash and a CNN camera crew again tried to get Bunning to comment more extensively on the controversy but the senator emphatically declined.

He only shoots off his mouth on his terms.

To respond to those who have been wondering whether he represents the Senate's Grumpy Obstruction Party, and is not just a crazy old coot lone wolf, the answer I've been hearing is yes, he has their support. And the reason he is the designated loud mouth is because he's leaving, just as we've all been saying.

See how well he represents "the people"? America first!

Video- Bunning Objects To Unemployment Bill Again, Despite GOP Support

What. A. HUGE. Ass. Via TPM.

Video- The Daily Show: Senate After Dark

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Senate After Dark
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Reform

Video- VP Biden goes after Bunning fillibuster

Good old Joe, doing the yeoman's work.

Bunning Blockade Leads To 21% Pay Cut To Doctors

By GottaLaff

Not only did Jim Bunning block the (temporary) extension of unemployment and COBRA benefits for the unemployed, scream at reporters, and flip them off, he was also is responsible for cutting pay to doctors:

[I]ncluded in that package is legislation to prevent a mandatory pay cut for doctors--and by standing in it's way, he's triggered a 21 percent fee reduction to doctors seeing Medicare patients starting today.

Attaboy. Keep up the good work. Stay classy.

Bunning Flips the Bird + VIDEO: "Excuse me! This is a Senator's only elevator!"

By GottaLaff



I got wind of this little incident on Twitter. Now here's the story itself... of the lovely, genteel, screw-America Jim Bunning:

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) refused to answer questions from ABC News about his decision to filibuster a bill extending unemployment benefits.

Said Bunning: "I'm not talking to anybody."

When producers asked him to stay and talk on camera, Bunning "walked toward the elevator and shot the middle finger over his head."

Ohhh, what I'd give for a clip of that!

Nothing like offending your fellow citizens, causing them even more pain, and alienating the press, Ace.

Stee-rike three! Or four. Or five. I'm losing track.

Isn't he just the best role model ever?

Immorality of the Right: Special Comment by my 72-year-old friend

By GottaLaff

My impassioned 72-year-old Twitter pal, who goes by the name 42bkdodgr, would like to share his feelings about the way the GOP has (mis)behaved lately. I am more than happy to oblige.

But first, a personal note from 42bkdodgr:

Many of you may wonder why I chose to use the “ 72 year old friend” as the introduction to my Special Comments. I selected the moniker so readers could see that from my age and life experiences I give a different perspective to the issues of today.

Now for his Special Comment:

Immorality Of The Right

For some time I have given much thought about writing a Special Comment on the Immorality of the Right. There are so many topics that could be covered in such an article, such as their positions on (a) health care, (b) women’s rights and (c ) gay rights. But a couple of things happened in the last few days that really shows, the immorality of the Republicans.

Unemployment Insurance coverage and COBRA benefits ends for many Americans on February 28, and they need Congress to approve extensions of both programs for their benefits to continue.

Yet there stands Sen. Jim Bunning, single-handily blocking a unanimous consent vote of the Senate for a 30 day extension of coverage. The Senate needs this time period to address the issue of continuing the benefits of the long term unemployed for the remainder of the year.

It is estimated that 1.2 million Americans will lose their benefits, which they surely need, if both extensions aren‘t approved. Sen. Bunning is against extending the benefits as it will increase the country's deficit by $10 billion unless there is an offset to it.

Yesterday, Sen. Bunning received the support of Sen. John Cornyn who said "I admire the courage of the junior senator from Kentucky... Somebody has to stand up finally and say, ‘No more inter-generational theft!’"

I have to wonder: Where were their concerns about the growing deficit during the Bush Administration?

You may say, these are only two Republicans who seem to be against the extension of benefits. My response is, the Republican leadership knows how important this extension is for the American people, and they could have put the clamps on Senator Bunning if they so desired, but their silence is deafening. Is it any wonder why Senator Reid took these items out of the jobs bill?

The Senate has recessed for the weekend without taking any action on the extension of benefits; which mean thousands of Americans will wake up Monday morning without any funds to pay their bills, and many will be without any health coverage.

By not extending COBRA coverage, the Republicans just increased the number of Americans without any health insurance. Just what this country doesn’t need, more people foregoing medicines and doctor visits while putting more stress on our emergency rooms.

What the Republicans fail to realize is, their inaction will not only affect those receiving benefits, but also their immediate family members. In many cases those unemployed are receiving financial assistance from their parents, and some have moved in with their parents because they can no longer afford either the rent or mortgage payment.

In many instances their parents are senior citizens who are trying to deal with our tough economic times and now will have a greater burden placed upon them. The additional people affected is never discussed by our politicians or the media. When they say 1.2 million American will be affected, it is much greater than that, by an unknown numerical factor.

Today is a very sad day for America, when Republicans show they have very little care for people in need. I wonder how they can look themselves in the mirror?

Republicans are the modern day Neros: They fiddle away their time while the country crumbles to the ground.

Many thanks again for another thoughtful, relevant piece, 42bkdodgr. You often say what many of us are thinking and feeling, and we thank you for your unique perspective.

Sen. Jim Bunning holds up unemployment insurance and Cobra extensions on Senate floor: 'Tough s--t'

Fun starts about 422. I didn't get a chance to listen to all of it for the cussing, so let me know in comments if you can hear it. Bunning should get together with McCain and they could start a Cranky Old Farts Club.

Senate Democrats spent Thursday night hammering away at Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) for single-handedly holding up action in the upper chamber – but he blurted out a message to one of them on the Senate floor: “Tough s—t.”

In an unusual display in the normally sleepy chamber, Bunning – without the support of GOP leadership – has blocked efforts to quickly approve a series of extensions to measures that would otherwise expire Sunday, including unemployment insurance and the Cobra program that allows people who lose their health benefits to continue getting coverage.

And that has led to a furious exchange on the floor, with Democrats attacking the senator, who has refused to relent on his objection, in unusually harsh terms.

In a colloquy with Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. Jeff Merkley, a freshman Democrat from Oregon, was pleading for Bunning to drop his objection, when the Kentucky Republican got fed up.

“Tough s—t,” Bunning said as he was seated in the back row, overheard by the floor staff and others in attendance.

A spokesman for Bunning did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Photo-O'-The-Day: Bunning asleep during health care bill mark-up

By GottaLaff

I guess this is what Rushpublics mean when they say they want less government interference:

During opening remarks at the Senate Finance Committee session, the Kentucky Republican appeared fast asleep for several minutes, with his head cocked to the side and his eyes closed, before a staffer roused him. Bunning’s head was propped in his hand and his mouth was slightly open while he slept, several witnesses told HOH.

The staffer nudged his shoulder to wake him once it became clear that members of the audience had noticed the snoozing Senator (it was apparently the giggling from the crowd that tipped the staffer off).

Bunning Calls it Quits

By GottaLaff

Bye bye!

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) "has announced that he will not seek re-election to a third term in 2010," the Louisville Courier Journal reports.

"His decision ends months of speculation that he would drop out of the Senate race because of his inability to raise money, poor poll numbers and lack of support from top Republican officials."

Can't imagine why anyone would think he was such a losery loser.

Three strikes and ...

Jim Bunning calls Mitch McConnell a control freak

By GottaLaff

How controlling of him to call Mitch McLipless a control freak:

In a conference call with reporters, Bunning called McConnell a "control freak" and said McConnell's animus is an asset. "If Mitch McConnell doesn't endorse me, that may be the best thing that could happen to me in Kentucky." It should be noted that McConnell is the most popular Republican in the state.

Bunning acknowledged that McConnell has told him he's "too old" and can't win re-election in 2010. Bunning continues to insist that he'll seek a third term next year. But his fundraising has been abysmal, and early polls show that he would be trounced by Democrats in 2010. [...]

The feud between Kentucky's two Republican senators has been raging for weeks, with Bunning making a string of strange -- and sometimes conflicting -- statements. For example, he encouraged Kentucky Secretary of State Republican Trey Grayson to launch a Senate exploratory committee, even though he would be running against Bunning. And Bunning claims to be planning several fundraisers in the coming weeks, but won't give any details about them. He raised only $263,000 last quarter, for a race that is sure to cost upwards of $10 million. [...]

But wait, it gets better: Also potentially running in the GOP primary is ... Ron Paul's son, Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist who lives in Bowling Green, KY. Rand Paul says he is weighing a Senate run, and would likely have the support of his father's network of donors. Ron Paul raised $35 million for his presidential run last year.

There they go again, cannibalizing each other. Don't you just love spectator sports?

Bunning running?

By GottaLaff

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), "the most endangered Republican up for reelection in 2010, appears headed for retirement after giving his leading GOP rival the blessing to prepare to run for his seat next year," Politico reports.

"Bunning's retirement would be a huge victory for national Republicans who have grown increasingly nervous that the 77-year-old two-term senator would lose a critical race as the party tries to cling to its diminished minority in the Senate."

However, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal, a Bunning spokesman insisted late today that nothing has changed: "Senator Bunning has every intention of running," he said.

Why we want him to run... badly:

1. Insensitive.
2. Insensitive squared.
3. Loser.
4. Embarrassing loser.
5. Partisan loser.
6. Unpopular loser.
   

Jim Bunning Loses to Any Democrat

By GottaLaff

Jim "Ted Kennedy will be dead by the time health care reform passes", "Judge Ginsburg will be dead in 9 months" Bunning is nearly as big a loser as we thought he was:

Political Wire got an advance look at a new Public Policy Polling survey in Kentucky that shows Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) with a 28% favorable rating as he attempts to run for a third term.

Bunning loses head-to-head match ups with all four Democrats considering a run against him: Kentucky Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, Attorney General Jack Conway, state Auditor Crit Luallen and Rep. Ben Chandler.

Complete poll results will be released tomorrow.