Senator Shelby's Blanket Hold.

[jimzmum]

Despicable man. What a blow-hard bully!

Sen. Richard Shelby's (R-Ala.) decision to place a "blanket hold" on all presidential nominations until a pair of billion-dollar earmarks for his home state are fast-tracked has reignited the debate over the parliamentary tactics being deployed by the Republican Party. It also has thrust into the spotlight the clout that major defense contractors often yield on the political process.

On Thursday evening, news broke that the Alabama Republican has taken the extraordinary measure of holding up at least 70 "nominations on the Senate calendar" -- essentially threatening to filibuster the confirmation processes if they came to a vote. The move has spurred a series of recriminations from Democratic officials who see it as yet another instance of over-the-top obstructionism of the president's agenda.

It also has turned inquisitive eyes towards Shelby himself.

The Senator confirmed that he launched the hold, in part, because he is upset with a tanker contract worth $35 billion that remains unresolved between Northrop Grumman/EADs and Boeing. Shelby favors the Northrop Grummann-EADS bid largely because it would result in tankers being assembled in his home state. The two contractors, in turn, have donated to Shelby's campaign committees, hoping ostensibly to secure favor or at least an audience with the Alabama Republican.

According to a review of campaign finance records, Shelby's political action committee received $7,500 in donations from EADS's PAC during the past two election cycles and an additional $21,500 from Northrop's PAC since 2000.

Airbus Chairman T. Allan McArtor, meanwhile, donated $1,500 to Shelby in May 2009. Samuel Adcock, EADS Senior Vice President of Government Relations, donated $1,000 to Shelby in 2003. A fellow lobbyist and top executive at the company, Ralph Crosby, donated the same amount that same year. One other EADS employee, Bacon Douglas, donated $1,500 in 2003.

The strongest connection between Shelby and EADS, however, may not involve campaign contributions. The senator's former legislative director, Stewart Hall, is a major lobbyist for the defense contractor -- he was signed up by EADS North America in 2006 while a member of the firm the Federalist Group. During that time period, the Federalist Group was given $240,000 to help advance the company's legislative interests. When Hall left for another major lobbying firm, Ogilvy, he brought EADS with him -- receiving $160,000 in compensation for his work for the company.

To be sure, Shelby was just one of many lobbying targets for EADS and Northrop Grumman -- both of whom are major players in the world of money in politics and influence peddling. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), for one, received a series of suspicious donations from the companies after he threw his support behind granting them the $35 billion Pentagon contract. Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.), meanwhile, serves on EADS's board.

A host of prominent Democratic lawmakers -- from former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle to current Vice President Joseph Biden -- also have one-time staffers who now lobby for EADS.

For Shelby, moreover, there are other compelling interests at play. A major tanker plant in the heart of Alabama could result in hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs for his state. And well before he decided to hold up 70 presidential nominees, he proved he was willing to go to great parliamentary lengths to secure goodies for his state. in 2009, Taxpayers for Common Sense ranked him the second most proficient securer of earmarks, having brought home $114,484,250 worth of pet projects. In addition to the EADS contract, Shelby also is currently attempting to secure a $45 million improvised explosive device testing lab for the FBI, according to CongressDaily.

In April 2009, Shelby held up another Obama nominee -- Ashton Carter to the post of Pentagon acquisition chief -- in order to receive assurances that the competition for the contract between Northrop/EADS and Boeing would be "conducted in an open and transparent manner based on a best value process."

Unlike with that hold, however, Shelby's most recent efforts to stop Obama nominees has earned him the scorn of the president's advisers. Briefing reporters on Friday morning, white House Press Secretary Roberts Gibbs called Shelby's actions to strongest reflection to date of how badly Washington is broken.

"I guess if you needed one example of what's wrong with this town, it might be that one senator can hold up 70 qualified individuals to make government work better because he didn't get his earmarks," Gibbs said. "If that's not the poster child for how this town needs to change the way it works, I fear there won't be a greater example of silliness throughout the entire year of 2010."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_450934.html

[Sal Monella]

So much for the GOP and "pork"

[MinnMs]

"Broken"? ...to say the least. Seems more and more like being a scumbag is the main qualification for senator.

[chickypea]

Interesting...
a senator from a conservative state who claims he wants less govt. is holding the country hostage until he gets these 2 huge pork barrel pieces for his state, but will not even consider compromising on health care.

He should be hog tied and whipped- pork indeed.

[SJR]

I agree with all comments made about this Southern senator!

[ohhhhhhhhhm]

From my point of view, it seems to me as though the Republicans are holding the country hostage for the simple and necessary act of removing the majority of seats from their party.

Give them their dolls and dishes and let them go home. It's working, but if the electorate vote them back in because of it, the country will be stuck with the party of dough and no for the forseeable future.

That's just painful; look what they do when they have power!

[Cami]

Selfish

[norphan]

no, is pure corruption. and it is so accepted in congress that they aren't even concerned about doing it publicly. I can't imagine supporting such a man but clearly this support is given to him and repeated for others, just as corrupt.
It is times this these that make want to give up.

[SJR]

They are screwing with our security and if something happens, they will be the first to blame President Obama.

[norphan]

Originally Posted by SJR

...if something happens, they will be the first to blame President Obama.

The one solice I take from the whole situation in washington is this: whatever dem was president, the repugs would be doing the same thing.

[SJR]

Originally Posted by norphan

The one solice I take from the whole situation in washington is this: whatever dem was president, the repugs would be doing the same thing.

Norphan, I don't remember because I wasn't into politics much when Clinton was in office, but did the Republicans do the same thing they are doing to President Obama?

[ohhhhhhhhhm]

Not quite as bad as they have become. These tactics have been honed by Rove. The republicans were obstructionist, but they weren't as blatant as they have become......although they did smear the Clintons very badly, and did spend a lot of time and money trying to make the impeachment charges stick.

They've been working on the corporate takeover for a long time. That was one of the themes of The Grand Chessboard, and Brerezinski has been around at least since the Carter administration.

[MarblesLongGone]

remember the origins of the term BORKED.

Karma is so funny some times...

[P.S.]

remember the origins of the term BORKED.

Karma is so funny some times...

So....you're comparing the hard questioning of Bork already in front of a committee for Supreme Court with the blocking of 70 Obama nominees being held up by this Senator to even get to a committee because of his own greed? And this is Karma in your opinion? Whatever. And some wonder why you can't discuss issues with Republicans.

[chickypea]

Bork...a pig of a man, even most GOPers would agree. Then we got stuck with Thomas, oh yeah another "brilliant" mind- that imbecile.

[Tootie5347]

Never forget that we are in this horrible pile of dog crap because of the modern Republican ideology or should I say modern Republican idiocrisy?