Republican Obstructionism

If you've ever thought that the Congressional Republicans weren't simply working toward a better America for us all, we have this little bit for you from Congressman Patrick McHenry, in which he spells out quite clearly that the Republican strategy going forward is to obstruct, denigrate, delay, and destroy America. In his own words:

GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry, a key player in helping craft the Republican message, has offered an unusually blunt description of the Republican strategy right now.

McHenry’s description is buried in this new article from National Journal (sub. only):

"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."

McHenry’s spokesperson, Brock McCleary, tells me his boss is standing by the quote.

McHenry’s description of his party’s goal — to “bring down approval numbers” for Nancy Pelosi and House Dems — is being much talked about today among Congressional Dems. It’s likely that Dems will grab on to the quote today to bolster their charge that Congressional Republicans aren’t interested in playing a constructive role in governing and see their hope for political revival in the eventual failure of the Democratic majority’s policies.

You may (or may not) remember McHenry's contretemps with Rep. Barney Frank on the floor of the House when Barney had to (figuratively) smack down the little weasel because he was either too stupid or too foolish to know the rules of the House. It's a gem!