Rachel Maddow: Grumpy Obstructionist Party With Sen. Chuck Schumer (HQ)

Rachel Maddow speaks with Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) on obstructionism by Republicans as well as the ongoing court battles between Al Franken and Norm Coleman over the Minnesota Senate seat, and prosecuting those responsible for the torture of detainees. MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show (aired: 04/07/09).

Rachel reports that today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) has lifted his objection against going forward with a confirmation hearing for Tammy Duckworth, a double amputee Iraq war helicopter pilot and Illinois Veterans Affairs chief, to be an Assistant Secretary at the Veterans Affairs Department.

"The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee didn't vote on the nomination last Thursday [04/02] because North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr asked that the panel hold off. Burr, the top Republican on the committee, wants Duckworth and the White House to answer some of his questions. Burr's spokesman, David Ward, would not say on Friday what the questions concerned." Kimberly Hefling, AP 04/03/09.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• rachel
• maddow
• republican
• obstruction
• duckworth
• schumer
• richard
• burr
• franken
• coleman
• torture
• dawgnpony

[MartySchrader]

Yeah, I wasn't too happy with Obama backing Ducky the Fresh Face over the long-standing 6th District Dem, Christine Cegelis (can you tell I was a Cegelis volunteer?). However, when Rahm "The Ram" Emanuel gets into your face and tells you that the DCCC is gonna back the Duck, you need to go along. Both Durbin and Obama went along. Craps.

[TuNnL]

Whatever. Obama had faith in Major Duckworth, and that's what matters. She's a Hawai'i girl by the way, too. As is her boss, Gen. Eric P. Shinseki. Glad Barack, our keiki o ka aina, understands what kind of talent springs from the Aloha State. Now if he can just get the economy back on track.

[MartySchrader]

His adult decision was to choose Chicago as his home base, a decision he has stuck with. Tammy Duckworth came and went. I stand by my assessment.

[TuNnL]

Just because Obama hung out in Chicago for a few years, doesn't mean he's from there. He was born in Hawai'i and spent his formative years attending Punahou School, in the most multi-ethnic state in the nation. If you knew anything Barack, you would know Hawai'i is the place that had the most profound effect on his identity and has guided his worldview. I'm glad that you appreciate our island son, whose decisions so far, have exemplified the Aloha spirit. In Illinois, it's all black vs. white.

[MartySchrader]

Try again. Barack Obama had been in Chicago since 1992. I have the clues, doode.

[TuNnL]

Most Illinois politicians are carpetbaggers. Look at the 2004 U.S. Senate IL campaign. You had Barack Obama from Hawai'i repping the Dems and Alan Keyes from Maryland repping the GOP. Please get a clue.

[MartySchrader]

Ducky! The carpetbagger of the 2006 IL-06 US Representative's campaign gets a national post! Craps. There is no such thing as karma.