(as usual this can be found at Ruck Pad and is at dkos)
The Representative from CA-10 has done a lot of talking in the last few months. She spoke of Kabuki, insinuating that Democrats will be put on a show, but standing, as Sirota says, "for nothing other than than their own party." She has spoken of the dangers of "getting the majority and running over the left cliff". This was of course before the election, which had the lovely consequence of reinforcing Republican talking points that a Democratic majority would be disastrous.
This week, we learn that she is going to some more talking, this time with President Bush. The blogosphere is not happy, worried that this is an attempt by Bush to peel off Democrats for his own agenda. The Democrat, representing a district outside San Francisco that went overwhelmingly for Kerry in 2004 says:
It won't work, Tauscher says.
"I'm going to tell the president that I really wished that this was a bigger meeting that included other members of the Democratic leadership, including the Progressive, Hispanic and black caucuses," Tauscher said by phone from the House earlier this afternoon. "This idea that he's going to pick off the moderates is ridiculous.
"We are fully committed members of the Democratic Party and we are foursquare with Speaker Nancy Pelosi. There is no sunshine between us."
The difference is that you are going to this meeting and Speaker-elect Pelosi is not. The Democratic leaders already had their post-election make nice meeting. Are you really telling me that in the 20 minute meeting you are having with the president that you will start off criticizing him? Aren't you worried that George Will is going to accuse you of disrespecting the President?
More from Tauscher:
When the White House called the New Dems last week to request the meeting, they were skeptical.
"We wanted to know, 'Why now?' " Tauscher said. "After all, our phones have been working for six years."
But when the President of the United States calls, Tauscher says, members of Congress pick up the phone.
"We are public servants that believe in the U.S. Constitution and the importance of dialogue between the branches of government," she said. "We have had significant complaints about the fact that this White House has not engaged with us for a very long time. But we respect the office and when the president calls, members of Congress want to cooperate."
Ok, this seriously made me laugh. You know exactly why, everyone knows why. Bush has not abruptly changed his tune. He wants to find a way around the majority and he has the best shot at it by talking to you.
Lest you worry that this is a one time shot, Tauscher makes it very clear that she is looking for this to turn into a regular thing.
"It's barely more than a photo opportunity, a fresh-start kind of meeting," Tauscher said. "We've made it clear that this is nice and thanks, but we're not going to take it too seriously unless there is some regularity to the offer and our colleagues are included."
There you have it folks. Tauscher wants to take this meeting seriously. She wants it to be a regular occurrence. Rather than having the President go directly to the Democratic leadership, she finds value in this sub group meeting with Bush. The only value is to split our caucus.
Tauscher needs to go.
