DEAL MAKING, REPUBLICAN STYLE….Monocle points us to the latest advances in senatorial courtesy from Orrin Hatch:
“Some [of your questions] I totally disagree with,” Hatch of Utah said. “Some I think are dumbass questions, between you and me. I am not kidding you. I mean, as much as I love and respect you, I just think that’s true.”
A stunned [Charles] Schumer asked if he heard the chairman correctly, to which Hatch said yes. Again, Schumer asked Hatch if he would like to “revise and extend his remark,” congressional speak for change his mind.
A former trial attorney, Hatch replied: “No, I am going to keep it exactly the way it is. I mean, I hate to say it. I mean, I feel badly saying it between you and me. But I do know dumbass questions when I see dumbass questions.”
This was reported by Fox News, and further down the story there’s actually a more interesting (though less entertaining) bit of news:
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, on Wednesday suggested a rule change that would prevent filibusters in exchange for preventing another technique of putting “holds” on nominees.
That’s a great idea, Kay! If Democrats agree to give up the filibuster, then Republicans will also agree to remove the only other method Democrats have for objecting to a candidate. It’s smooth sailing for conservative judges after that!
OK, I’ve got another one: if Hutchison agrees to deed her house over to me, then in return I’ll agree to take her car off her hands. I’m totally down with that.
