Dave Reichert's office was obviously pleased to put out a release noting his appointment to one of the most powerful committees in the House:
"I'm honored to accept an appointment to the Ways and Means Committee and ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work to address the economic crisis facing our nation," said Reichert. "Representing one of the most trade-dependent states in the nation, this assignment will enable me to continue my tireless advocacy for enacting free trade agreements, keeping taxes low for families, businesses, and individuals, and ensuring access to affordable, high quality health care. These are challenging times, and I intend to bring to the Committee the same pragmatic, solution-oriented approach that I employed as the Sheriff of King County and throughout my first two terms in Congress.
Joel Connelly's provides some more analysis of Reichert's ascension, noting the pragmatic mention of the traditionally Democratic issue of healthcare.
And at the end of the Connelly's post is this:
Burner is reportedly in line for a job in the Obama administration.
That wouldn't be a surprise. Off the top of my head, Jay Inslee and Mike Kreidler both used federal appointments to Seattle-based regional positions as springboards for successful runs for higher office.
Posted by Eric Earling at January 07, 2009 07:38 PM | Email ThisIs there a deputy regional moron position open? She'd be PERFECT!
Posted by: Hinton on January 7, 2009 08:24 PMMaybe Federal fire marshall?
Posted by: Aren't you embarrassed to be a democrat? on January 7, 2009 08:39 PMPerhaps bama will create a national office for head shrew.
Posted by: Perfect on January 7, 2009 08:43 PMbroken record skipping on turntable
Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on January 7, 2009 08:44 PMHow much more ineffective can he be?
Posted by: correctnotright on January 7, 2009 09:07 PMThe free trade agreements I have seen come out of DC are generally about 1400+ pages too big to be a free trade agreement. Free trade is far simpler than the thousand page documents Reichart is appearantly advocating for. He either does not understand what free trade means or he wants to disguise regulation under the cloak of 'free trade'.
keeping taxes low for families, businesses, and individuals,
Is he in favor of eliminating the federal income tax?
and ensuring access to affordable, high quality health care.
I thought we elected Reichart, not Burner!
Posted by: Lysander on January 7, 2009 09:12 PMReichert's on the Ways and Means committee. Burner? She's a washed-up has-been who may get a "politically correct" back-burner appointment to some 3rd rate position...
Lysander,
Maybe now that Reichert is on the committee, he can trim those agreements down by 1000 pages or so. Hard to do that when you get to vote either up or down on the whole package, or introduce an amendment and start the whole committee process over again!
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on January 8, 2009 06:07 AMIncorrect doesn't seem bothered, however, with Patty Murray being named..year after year...as one of the three dumbest Senators. And I'm certain Cantwell couldn't be far "behind".
Posted by: Saltherring on January 8, 2009 06:11 AMShe can end each one with "Fire Sucks!".
Posted by: Rick D. on January 8, 2009 09:44 AMI would typically say he would not but he did surprise me with his opposition to the bailout bill both times!
Posted by: Lysander on January 8, 2009 12:14 PM:sigh: it's going to be a long 4 years.
Posted by: cliff on January 8, 2009 01:34 PMOh-Blah-Blah can't be that dumb can he?
Perhaps white-house silverware arranger? She is curious about shiny things after all.
Posted by: TJ on January 9, 2009 05:59 AMglad Dave's on it; maybe he will be the irritant in it that causes good tax policy pearls to form in the oysters; (pinching self from dream)realistically, i doubt it with the current hope-n-change business-devestating welfare tsunami a-coming; but maybe a good start;
if anything, he will get an inside taste of the REAL shenanigans of law-making and sausage-making as that old yarn goes; he can't be any worse than the likes of a Rangel or others, right?
and Burner? cabinet post based on her edu. background & vetted degrees/credentials during the recent election--Director of Internal Transcripts Zapper (D.I.T.Z.)
Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on January 9, 2009 06:38 AMIdiot Reichert was an incompetent sheriff, graduated from a glorified hish school turned into a community college and is 401 out of 439 in congress.
Murray graduated from WSU, was a state senator and served on the school board before being elected to her third term as a Senator. Murray is ranked 21st in effectiveness - in the top 25% of the Senate. Reichert is in the bottom 10% of the house and rated the least effective in congress from Washington state. reichert's voting record is also deceptive as he admits to voting in line with his district only after voting against the same bill on the key procedural votes.
I consider this tactic to be deceptive and it shows a lack of conviction. I would be more impressed if he simply voted his conscince instead of voting for political expediency.
Posted by: correctnotright on January 9, 2009 06:59 AMJust because you refer to an elected official as an idiot makes it so?
And Murray is ranked 21st by whom...the abortion industry? Murray is 'owned' by Emily's List, a feminist abortion industry pac that has contributed hundreds of thousands to her campaigns. Murray is a disgrace to Washington state and all humanity.
Present facts or go back to your HA echo-chamber.
Posted by: Saltherring on January 9, 2009 08:08 AMCongress.com is a non-partisan group that rates members of congress. A bunch of wingnuts who are totally oput of touch with reality on this lame blog referred to Murray as stupid, yet they think Reichert is OK. I am just pointing out the hypocrisy of that.
Here is the reality for you Bush supporters:
"The nation's unemployment rate bolted to 7.2 percent in December, the highest level in 16 years, as nervous employers slashed 524,000 jobs, capping one of the worst years in modern history for American workers." AP wire
The worst economic performance since Hoover. This is the result of 8 years of Bush. The mideast is a mess, bin Laden is still at large, Iraq has been a trillion dollar waste, the largest budget deficit in history (over a trillion dollars)was just recorded and the wingnuts on (un)sound politics babble on about Reichert - the Bush supporter and enabler who was afraid to even let Bush campaign for him (but took Bush money). You guys are soooo relevant.
Riechert is a coward and an intellectual midget. Bush is the worst president since Hoover. Reality is tough for republicans to handle - that is why they LOST so big in November.
Posted by: correctnotright on January 9, 2009 09:03 AMAnd if you're comparing presidents, wait until the socialist you just elected gets through with us.