[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/24/art.deval.cnn.jpg caption="The NRSC criticized Paul Kirk's appointment to the Senate."](CNN) - National Republicans Thursday were quick to criticize the appointment of Paul Kirk to fill the vacant Senate seat in Massachusetts until a special election is held in January.
“The Democrats’ power play in Massachusetts has nothing to do with principle, and everything to do with politics," Rob Jesmer, Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee said in a statement. "With their unpopular government-run health care bill on the brink of failure, Democrats in Washington desperately need another vote in the U.S. Senate, and it is clear that this Administration will stop at nothing to ram it through the Congress."
Full statement after the jump:
NRSC Response To Massachusetts Senate AppointmentWASHINGTON – Rob Jesmer, Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), issued the following statement today in response to Massachusetts Democrat Governor Deval Patrick’s appointment of an un-elected United States Senator:
“The Democrats’ power play in Massachusetts has nothing to do with principle, and everything to do with politics. With their unpopular government-run health care bill on the brink of failure, Democrats in Washington desperately need another vote in the U.S. Senate, and it is clear that this Administration will stop at nothing to ram it through the Congress. By meddling in the affairs of state politics just weeks after promising to leave it up to the elected Massachusetts officials, Democrat leaders in Washington have demonstrated a willingness to put partisan politics over principle, a far cry from candidate Obama’s pledge to change the way business is done in Washington.”
After the GOP forced one of their own (Martinez, in FL) to resign, didn't they appoint whomever they wanted? These guys are beyond explanation. Could they actually get some work done? I'm tired of hearing them complain and accuse. They obviously don't have better things to do, eh? Must be hard work, being 'anti' everything and not even have any suggestions.
I'm shocked, SHOCKED, to find out that one of our fine political parties is actually putting politics over principle!
Ok, it doesn't surprise me one bit, nor does the hypocritical response from Republicans, who would have done the same thing if they had been in that position.
I couldn't agree more. Those liberals have no principles.
I think I will join the GOP where promilitary leaders join teh Coast Guard, gay congressmen bash gays, and family values leaders cheat on their wives. I feel more principled already.
where was your concern when GWB was SELECTED in 2000. All the neo-nazis were delighted and you did not have any concerns. And now you have a very big concern because the President is doing the right thing and got one more supporter in the senate...and you are not mad that the President is doing the right thing – YOU ARE MAD BECAUSE A BLACK MAN IS DOING THE RIGHT THING – omg how can a black man do the right thinig we got to stop this any which way we can...racists...
As much as I am in favor of health care reform and the public option, this is not the way to do it. Its like cheating on a test and is indictitive of what is wrong with American politics.
Senator Kennedy must be delighted! He worked so hard for so long for healthcare reform.
I say to the Repubs if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. Reform will pass with or WITHOUT you.......preferably the latter.
If the GOP were ever constructive, this article might be worth reading. They are not. I care less and less what their opinion is.
Somebody call the waaaaambulance!
Boy you can see all the Libs are on this page. Isn't it amazing that each one of you fogot that this stunt was pulled when Republicans tried to put in MItt Romney and the Democrats had a fit and Democrats made it a law. Now that they need the votes, they reverse their own law???? I hope each one of you that is hoping for the Chosen One's Health reform end up paying out of your money pockets dearly and cry like a baby when you realize you are not getting something free and will have less benefits than you do now!
"With their unpopular government-run health care bill on the brink of failure"
CNN can you please clear things up? I hear stuff like that from the GOP all the time, but when I read statements put out by the Democrats they're usually along the lines of "We are closer than ever to passing healthcare reform with the support of 80% of the American people and groups like the AMA"
These are mutually exclusive statements. So who's right?
Please ...take a hike already! Your days are numbered. I'm counting down to 2010.
If we can get a dollar for every time a repub. say no. We can pay for Health Care reform.
What an idiot. Do you really think Republicans wouldn't have done exactly the same thing if in the same position? There is nothing undemocractic about this. Kirk will fill the seat until January when the voters will choose someone new. What is the big deal? They are just mad because they gleefully thought the Democrats would lose a vote with Kennedy's death.
Same old democratic hypocrisy. Say one thing and do another. THAT'S why we don't trust you. Healthcare? Won't increase our taxes? Won't increase the deficit. Nah... you can't be trusted.
What a lot of nerve.. after what the republican party has done to this country, innocent people in other countries, the environment, health insurance, worker's rights, they have the nerve to go WHINE WHINE WHINE ...
I'm a resident of Minnesota and I understand what it's like not to have equal representation in Congress. It's obvious that Republicans do not care about equal representation. This is a really tool-y statement.
So apparantly laws helped crafted by Ted Kennedy mean nothing in Massachusetts?
THIS type of liberal political arrogance is why 2010 will be like 1994 on steroids. If conservatives take only the 54 seats they won in 1994, the socialists should consider themselves very fortunate.
If you think the shouting at townhalls this August was loud, wait until you hear the conservative tornado that will roar through voting booths next November. Pack your bags now hippies, because Obama's Lame Duck Express will be rolling into town in 13 months.
Yes, the Dems should appoint a Republican. What were they thinking???
I wish the wingnuts would learn that making laws is usually left to elected officials. Unlike during the Bush years, we will follow the constitution.
I'm not suprised. The Dems have and always will change the rules in the middle of the game. What an embarrassment for our country.
The only way MA should have handled this was the special election and let the citizens of MA decide.
If you believe in what america stands for, this is a slap in the face no matter what party you belong to.
What are they talking about? The PEOPLE elected a DEM senator in Kennedy. Kirk is one of his senior advisors. Ergo, why would the people suddenly feel that all bets are off and it's election time again? Hello, the seat is up for election in Jan. Do the Rep whiners not hear how childish they sound?
Republicans can be trusted to recognize power play and politicing. Afterall, they drew out a senate race in Minnesota for half a year just to keep one democrat out of Congress.
More fake outrage from the GOP...this is getting very tiring.
Please, the republicans need to go in a corner and wipe their noises and stop crying, poor us GOP. This is a game for winners not loser. Anty up and be men, and please put a mussel on Sarah Palins mouth.