Rep. McHenry on House GOP: ‘Our goal is to bring down approval numbers’ of Democrats.
Rep. McHenry on House GOP: ‘Our goal is to bring down approval numbers’ of Democrats.
Greg Sargent notes that in the National Journal today, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) “offered an unusually blunt description of the Republican strategy right now.” Dropping any pretense that his party’s opposition to Obama’s agenda is based on anything other than politics, McHenry explained that House Republicans’ only goal right now is to “bring down approval numbers for Pelosi and for House Democrats”:
“We will lose on legislation. But we will win the message war every day, and every week, until November 2010,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., an outspoken conservative who has participated on the GOP message teams. “Our goal is to bring down approval numbers for [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and for House Democrats. That will take repetition. This is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Despite how “blunt” McHenry’s pronouncement may be, it is a widely held view among House Republicans. In fact, McHenry is echoing the sentiments of the House Republican leadership. Steve Benen explains the implications of such positions, writing, “If we take McHenry at his word, Republicans can’t be constructive, they necessarily have to be destructive.”
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You do know that the original marathon runner DIED at the end of his run, don’t you?
March 9th, 2009 at 5:08 pmParty over country. Always and at all times. I wonder if the constituants of NC know what their representative is trying to do? Bet they don’t.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:09 pm**yawn**
Like a bunch of feckless chickens pecking at my ankles.
Besides, with the President’s availability to warrantless wiretapping and their own ability to commit political suicide, methinks nothing but Republicans will be suffering continued lowered approval numbers.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:11 pmFor once, couldn’t the Rs do something CONSTRUCTIVE to bring their poll numbers UP, instead of being DESTRUCTIVE?
The party of “country first” is such a joke!
March 9th, 2009 at 5:12 pmPPF:
Pathetic
Party
First.
At least this pint sized scumbag admits it freely.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:12 pmAs I teach my little boy, there are two ways to look good. One is to work hard, do your best, stay true to yourself, be fair, and earn the respect of others. The other is to try to make someone else look bad.
The GOOP has obviously chosen the latter. Fcuking losers.
PEACE
March 9th, 2009 at 5:12 pmDidn’t this guy (almost) tip off insurgents in a video that the Pentagon had to ban?
March 9th, 2009 at 5:15 pmHis district is the redneck capitol of the universe and he’s a punk.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:18 pmAnother of the American Taliban spews……….Party first, country second.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:19 pmSo basically, the Democrats are going to do their best to improve the country, to solve problems and create new opportunities for American citizens, and the Republicans are going to try to stop them.
Sounds about right.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:19 pmOnce again, the Republicans demonstrate that their only goal is to win elections. They have no ideas, do not like government, cannot run a government, and do not care about the people who elect them. I was once a proud Republican, but now I hate them. I will send every campaign dollar I have to Dems in the south and anywhere else that Republicans stand a chance of being elected.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:19 pmWell, that’s good to know. I was afraid they were, like, concerned about serving the American public… you know, the people who elected them…
March 9th, 2009 at 5:19 pmIt’s a waste of time going after Pelosi as she was shot down at the first meeting with President Obama and she will never recover. All Americans know Nancy Pelosi sold out the American people when she got the top job and then met with George W. Bush. She came out of that meeting saying the Impeachment was off the table and we should pray for the President as she got her pay to play money. Harry Reid and Feinstein are also on the Bush Team of pay to play. Democrats have to clean house and the good Republicans should kick the idiot ones to the curb. John Boehner better stop talking out of his butt and Miss Graham is lost without John McCain.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:19 pmAt least he is being honest about the republican’s true goal. It is not about Obama’s policies, never has been, it is about winning the next election anyway they can. Too bad repubs can’t understand Americans are getting wise to their tactics.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:21 pmI’m not aware of the composition of the congressional delegation in NC, but I hope McHenry is far away from my Eastern district (Walter Jones, another R, albeit more moderate in recent years, is my rep). His district must be the most downtrodden, backwoods part of the state.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:22 pm“Bring It On” is now “Bring It Down”. What a great bumper sticker you got there, McHenry.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:23 pmi really don’t like these people.
and this guy represents ‘the people’?
i don’t get it.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:24 pmWell, at least the mask (hood?) is off and the Right Wing of the Republican Party is letting America know where they really stand instead of hiding behind strawmen as they usually do.
I just hope that the moderate wing of the Republican Party finally decides to grow a spine and reclaim the Party for their own.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:26 pmHow very Unpatriotic…instead of being part of the solution the GOP is trying to add fuel to the fire.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:26 pm…God Bless America.
It’s official: Rethuglic party policy is:
Party ABOVE country.
No snark.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:28 pmOnce again they are putting party first before country and in these serious times this is treasonous. Until the goppers get on board to what is good for our country they should be considered to be at the same level as the terrorists.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:28 pmFitting for a guy put in office by a bunch of people waving confederate flags and waiting for the south to rise again. Have a nice (long) wait Pat.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:29 pmBecause governing is too hard.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:35 pmParty above all.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:36 pmRepugniscum do not care about America, nor Americans — they care about their party and their power (or lack thereof).
If this doesn’t spell it out for people I don’t know what does.
They care about controlling the message – their message to the public. They have lied and bluffed and obfuscated for so many years now, that it is a way of life.
Jackie: “Democrats have to clean house and the good Republicans should kick the idiot ones to the curb.”
There ARE no ‘good’ Republicans as far as I can see at the moment (in as much as they presently incompetent even judged by ther own ranks, and are doing nothing for nation).
March 9th, 2009 at 5:47 pmBut I agree that Dems have their own ‘bad actors’ and it’s up to us citizens to do our best to ensure the Democrats dopn;t assume that having ‘won’ they don;t have to be continually accountable.
A marathon of lies is the best the GOP can offer. To bad they weren’t concerned with economic numbers when they were in power but the health of our country took a back seat to their pursuit of money and power. They will step on faces lying all the while to attain power in a repetitive, endless, howl.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:47 pm“We will lose on legislation. But we will win the message war every day, and every week, until November 2010,”
then we will lose our cushy seats in the house. i finished patrick mcassclown’s thought for him.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:50 pmAnd the Republican message is… federal spending freeze!
March 9th, 2009 at 5:51 pmThanks for reporting this~This just proves that the GOP cares nothing about the country….they only care about getting back into the Majority to stop Obama from fulfilling his promises for the betterment of the country. Another “butt-boy” of Limbaugh’s GOP bag of gifts that keep on giving!!
March 9th, 2009 at 5:53 pmI wonder if this little fellow can identify the leader of Republican party?
March 9th, 2009 at 5:53 pmIn other words, it’s not about doing the People’s business, it’s only about power. As soon as one election is over, the next election cycle begins.
I’m surprised Republicans haven’t started calling for the impeachment of President Obama yet. After all, in their mind, he is responsible for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the failed economy, falling housing prices and rising unemployment. It won’t be long now before they begin blaming Obama for 9/11, too.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:54 pmno one’s buying the “message” the repukies are peddling these days…you know “party first, partisanship and failed ideology”
March 9th, 2009 at 5:55 pmGOP goal is to bring down approval numbers for [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and for House Democrats.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:57 pmWell now, isn’t that SOME NEW Strategy for the GOP to use to re-invent itself for Inspiring younger people to become Republicans????
Talk about OUT of IDEAS, IDEALS, INSPIRATION !!!!
Two-to-Four years of harping and complaining ???
Wow, how INSPIRATIONAL can you get ???
Geeezzzeee…..
People like this character, who enter the political arena because they cannot hold a job at anything else, and who play politics for the sake of politics and not for the public good, should be expurgated from the system. These guys are why America frequently runs in reverse.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:57 pmlet face it, the repukies left in the house are from “safe” districts and can afford these hysteronics. if they think hysteronics will woo voters over to their cause…that’s a different story.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:59 pmEither Bush is standing on a box or this guys a munchkin.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:06 pmThe repukes have never had a plan or policy. The speak in bumper sticker terms. They lie about their oppenents. They take credit where it is not due. And they dream up dirty political moves and lies to win. That is how Reagan won, Daddy Bush won, and you all know how baby bush won. Nixon did his dirty politics and lies. They never have a plan. Just never vote for the frauds and this country will be much better off.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:09 pmOf course that is what their goal is, you don’t really think Repukes would put country first, would you?
FTR
March 9th, 2009 at 6:11 pmRich H Says:
——————————————————————————–
Either Bush is standing on a box or this guys a munchkin.
=======================================================
He is a munchkin. I have seen him before and he is so short he could sue the city for building the sidewalks too close to his ass and probably win!
March 9th, 2009 at 6:12 pmI’ve had employees that worked so hard that they took the notice away from others who were good but not great.
I’ve also had employees who did everything they could to make sure that the organization didn’t progress.
When the later left, I cheered.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:16 pmWhy are Republicans still the official opposition? Where are the other political parties when you need them?
March 9th, 2009 at 6:17 pmTo call him a no talent Republican is to state the obvious. I have relatives from that state, and when I visit and meet people there I am surprised by how little they know. They vote out of habit. McHenery is a product of this part of the country. This is how he got in and how he has stayed in. He does not get noticed by the people who elect him. So unless he is caught having sex with a goat on camera, he will remain.
He had this rare moment of honesty. It will probably never happen again. It passes scrutiny because it is typical GOP rhetoric. In the pre-Bush years no one would have thought to say such a thing even though they thought it. But the nature of politics has changed. There is no loyal opposition only knee jerk politics. No longer do people expect politicians to do what is best for America. We now understand that America is truly on it’s own. And the most frightening of our enemies are not outside this country, they are here inside.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:19 pmWant to bet the terrorists are out there cheering the goppers’ actions?
March 9th, 2009 at 6:29 pmEvery time one of these idiots mouths off like this, the Republican approval numbers drop. Do you suppose they will ever get a clue?
March 9th, 2009 at 6:32 pmHi Archie B!
March 9th, 2009 at 6:37 pmThe Republicans should sell bumper stickers stating their governing philosophy…”Party before Country”. And they called people opposed to the Iraq War traitors…..
March 9th, 2009 at 6:46 pmAssuming they get wind of McHenry’s strategy, here’s a memo to the Obama administration: No more outreach to the House GOP on any big issue from now on and until at least 2010 then.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:52 pmAnd President Obama is suppose to reach out to these people? They’re worthless, completely self-absorbed, money grubbing, power hungry morons.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:54 pm… so you’re saying that Republicans are again wasting energy and focus on tasks that would accomplish themselves without their help?
Good point.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:55 pmGeez, ralph don’t you know that Archie B is easily confused…
March 9th, 2009 at 6:57 pmWhat ever happened to Republican principles? Even the new front man for the GOP, Joe the Plummber, is pleading for principles. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102×3774791
When it comes to message, you can’t have 7 different voices saying 7 different things. Even Meghan McCain is going after Ann Coulter. Let the comedy show continue.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:58 pmSorry, dbadass, I didn’t mean to confuse the li’l bugger… jes’ tryin’ to find some area where we can agree on sumpin’…
March 9th, 2009 at 7:03 pmThe RepubliCon liars and thieves are not only destructive, most are down right evil, and the people who vote for them need to wakeup.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:05 pmWhat would you call a civil servant who spends his days not doing the job the taxpayers are paying him well to do, but rather trying to sully the good name of other civil servants who are doing their job? A damn thief.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:08 pm“Our goal is to bring down approval numbers for [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and for House Democrats. That will take repetition. This is a marathon, not a sprint.”
All he did was tell the truth. What the GOP’s intentions truly are. This is nothing new.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:11 pmANOTHER CLOSETED HOMOSEXUAL REPUGLICAN DRAMA QUEEN JEALOUS OF DEM POPULARITY
March 9th, 2009 at 7:16 pmArchie B Says:
March 9th, 2009 at 7:19 pmObama Approval 68%, Archie Blowsgoats Approval 0%
Arch, can you share where you got those figures? They seem suspiciously bogus. Without seeing the context and the source, we have no reason to trust your suggestion.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:20 pmHow bizarre that they announce so nakedly that they are not in government to govern, but to “get” the other guys (who are actually working at this task). But I guess this has always been the conservative [so-called] way; I recall how shocked everyone was that the USC boys Haldemann-Erlichman treated governing under Nixon as just such a game. Now winning this silly game is the Republicans’ only reason for being. “Winning is all” — the outcome for the nation be damned.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:26 pmIf they are assuming that disapproval of Democrats = approval of Republicans, they are terribly mistaken.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:34 pmArch, can you share where you got those figures? They seem suspiciously bogus. Without seeing the context and the source, we have no reason to trust your suggestion.
—
March 9th, 2009 at 7:49 pmI am not sure if it is symptomatic of his Grover Syndrome but Archie doesn’t answe questions even real easy ones
Democrats = Fixing the horrible problems the Republicans have created and making life better for people on Main Street.
Republicant’s = Our goal is to bring down approval numbers for [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and for House Democrats.
Remember the mantra of the GOP, “Country First”. Yeah, right.
Unfortunately for them, the American Public isn’t buying their $hit any longer. Latest poll from WSJ/NBC:
Opinion of Democratic Party:
Positive 49%, Neutral 18%, Negative 31%
Opinion of the Repubican party:
March 9th, 2009 at 7:56 pmPositive 26%, Neutral 14%, Negative 47%
Source?
–
March 9th, 2009 at 8:02 pmSink?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Our li’l Archie wants a source!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
March 9th, 2009 at 8:05 pmNow we see why Archie was reluctant to produce his source earlier. From the link supplied by our li’l Archie:
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 38% of the nation’s voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President.
Overall, 56% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President’s performance
Nice one, Arch!
March 9th, 2009 at 8:08 pmHi Archie B
March 9th, 2009 at 8:09 pmOkay all kidding aside what do you think as to the “Unitary Executive” concept?
So basically, sports fans, Archie misread his poll — he saw “38% STRONGLY APPROVE of the President’s performance” and thought that meant an overall approval rate of 38%, as he stated above:
How embarrassing, huh, Archie?
March 9th, 2009 at 8:11 pmArchie, do you understand the difference between “Strongly approve”, “approve”, “disapprove” and “strongly disapprove”?
Doesn’t seem like it.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:13 pmI strongly think Archie B is in over his/her head
March 9th, 2009 at 8:14 pmLet’s see how well that’s working. From the latest Newsweek poll:
Nancy Pelosi
Favorable: 35% Unfavorable: 41%
John Boener:
Favorable: 21% Unfavorable: 17%
Is it your impression that Republicans who have opposed Barack Obama’s economic proposals have a plan of their
own for turning the economy around, or not?
31 Yes, have a plan of their own
March 9th, 2009 at 8:15 pm58 No
11 Don’t know
No one called me a liar, Arch. Not even you. RHF simply pointed out that Rasmussen, while generally regarded as a competent polling organization is nevertheless right-leaning in both its management and its results.
The number I cited is what the poll you cited actually reports as the President’s approval rating in this poll, rather than the 38% STRONG APPROVAL that you misrepresented as overall approval.
Which brings up the question:
When a troll pwns himself, does he get credit for the pwn?
March 9th, 2009 at 8:16 pmralph: When a troll pwns himself, does he get credit for the pwn?
100% of me strongly approves/agrees to/with this question.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:20 pmCan someone remind me who the idiot that misread that comparative chart of quality of life issues between nations was. Man that shit was classic.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:22 pmIs there any reason you won’t shre your thoughts as to the “Unitary Executive” concept?
March 9th, 2009 at 8:24 pmFirst, it’s “McHenry,”
(Damn, it took me so long to reply someone fixed it)
Second, he is a repellent little dwarf who has spent 100% of his time in Congress on political propaganda and character assasination and 0% on useful policy promulgation. He is a useless tool, and honest to God, even North Carolina deserves better.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:26 pmOoo, good one, db! I remember the incident, but not the troll.
See, we really should establish a troll Hall of Fame. That way great accomplishments in trolldom would be preserved and celebrated for all time.
I think Archie’s performance here today would merit strong consideration for enshrinement.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:27 pmAnd by the way, Arch… it’s not from September 08, it’s from November.
See, for the dates of polling November 7th through the 9th, Speaker Pelosi scored 42%.
A month earlier, October 6th through the 8th, she scored almost twenty points lower.
Arch, can i suggest you stay away from trying to make your points using statistics for a while? It seems to always come back to bite ya.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:29 pmIs it possible that Archie B is a deep cover political provocateur whose goal is to sink the GOP’s approval ratings even further by coming off as this sloppy and clueless?
I really want to know.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:30 pmwe really should establish a troll Hall of Fame. That way great accomplishments in trolldom would be preserved and celebrated for all time.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:31 pm—-
This is an excellent idea!
Trollspotter, I’ve often had the suspicion you speak; that trolls were so inept that they could not possibly be anything other than subversive counter-agents from the left.
Of course, it’s always possible that they’re really as clueless as they seem.
BTW, we have also seen the reverse; fake progressive trolls who log on and post stupid shit about how Hamas is a human-rights organization and all Progressives need to support Iran. Curiously, they almost always capitalize “Progress” and “Progressives”. Very easy to spot, generally.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:38 pmPelosi’s popularity?
Read http://www.pollingreport.com/p.htm
What I read there has her at, variously, 41% approval, 34% approval, 46% positive or neutral, Gallup 42% favoable v. 41% unfavorable, and so on.
To compre briefly, Mitch McConnell’s favorable/unfavorable numbers are
21%/51% (Daily Kos)
21%/51% (Harris poll)
John Boehner
Harris poll:
Excellent/pretty good
16%
Only fair/poor
52%
Here’s a good one. People really listen to Republicans:
Diageo/Hotline Poll conducted by Financial Dynamics. Feb. 16-19, 2006. N=807 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3.5.
“Please tell me if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the following public figures. If you haven’t heard of them, just tell me and we’ll move on. John Boehner.”
Favorable 6%
Unfavorable 5%
Heard of/Can’t Rate 9%
Haven’t Heard of 72%
Yes, everyone pays attention to Patrick McHenry. I am sure they are all swaying the public. Aren’t you?
Did I mention the 41% approval of Congress in the Faux news poll?
March 9th, 2009 at 8:43 pmhttp://www.pollingreport.com/CongJob.htm
Archie vanishes but Tim Vaculik appears….
March 9th, 2009 at 8:54 pmHow much more clearly can the Rethugs state their goals? They are the self-proclaimed party of propaganda. RushBo is the Minister of Malice; Cheney is the Sultan of Sleaze; Newt is the Emperor of Ego; Botch is the Shah of Shucks; Rove is the Ambassador of A–hole; Steele is the Puppet of Pantywaist. The whole fam-damily of them are “the nattering nabobs of nepotism.”
March 9th, 2009 at 9:11 pmThe truth is reconfirmed – the rethuglican party’s purpose is to continue being the party of NO. Thanks for confirming that fact McHenry. As a resident of NC – I will make sure that I work reallllly hard to discourage everyone I know and don’t know NOT to re-elect you!
March 9th, 2009 at 10:11 pmOdd. I would have thought the the main goal of both Republicans and Democrats would be to improve the economic well-being and security of all American citizens.
Methinks the GOP has its priorities screwed up.
March 9th, 2009 at 10:18 pmThese ass clowns learn this kind of crap in young rethuglicans in high school. I have watched it for a long time, my first presidential was 1968, and these guys never have a platform. They only attack, usually with some bs, bumper sticker slogan. This little loser should really consider turning in his crap and going back home to his district to discuss it with the people there who are looking for work.
March 9th, 2009 at 10:50 pmThis post reminds me of Sen David Vitter. When he did his press conference after his outing with hookers via the DC madam bust. Vitter after all these escapades with hookers on Senator time. Told the press he was sorry and, ” now I need to get back to Washington to do the peoples work”.
So Rush-likins like McHenry feels his job as an elected House of Representative congressman of his district. It is not to represent his district voters nor his state on national issues. In his view, his job is to obstruct and make democratic party congressmen “appear” less popular.
And Americans pay for McHenry’s health care to do this?
March 10th, 2009 at 3:18 amArchie B Says:
Pelosi has no problem bring down her approval numbers all by her lonesome.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I guess in the same way YOU have no problem being an utterly worthless and ignorant punk. What a waste of oxygen you are.
March 10th, 2009 at 4:47 amYou are an ignorant piece of garbage Archie. Why are you SO proud to be SO stupid?
March 10th, 2009 at 4:53 amThey want to party over country almost instantaneously.
March 10th, 2009 at 7:33 amIsn’t this the bimbo that was somehow connected to some shady murder in Florida about 2 years ago? This guy has no cred at all. McHenry is competing with Rush for slimeball of the year award.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:05 amMcHenry; a little man in thought and deed. Methinks little in other aspects as well.
Karma baby, it’s gonna get Cha! Cha! Cha!
March 10th, 2009 at 6:05 pmThank god the demographics are a changin’
March 10th, 2009 at 6:05 pmTrollspotter Says:
Is it possible that Archie B is a deep cover political provocateur
________
HA! hahahahahahaha! deep cover Ha! That would actually require a brain capable of thought and planning.
March 10th, 2009 at 6:08 pmHA! hahahahahah :]
Greg Sargent notes that in the National Journal today, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) “offered an unusually blunt description of the Republican strategy right now.” Dropping any pretense that his party’s opposition to Obama’s agenda is based on anything other than politics, McHenry explained that House Republicans’ only goal right now is to “bring down approval numbers for Pelosi and for House Democrats”:
Just like the Democrats wanted to bring down the Republicans from 2000 to 2006. Same thing only different. Right?
March 10th, 2009 at 8:12 pmNorth Carolina turned a little more blue in the last election. If McHenry succeeds in being a big enough embarrassment, then perhaps the good people of his state will put an end to his need to be noticed and vote him out next election cycle.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:45 pm4httr Says:
North Carolina turned a little more blue in the last election. If McHenry succeeds in being a big enough embarrassment, then perhaps the good people of his state will put an end to his need to be noticed and vote him out next election cycle.
Then again when they see the increase in their taxes from the new elected Democrats in NC they just might not.
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