Democrat Bipartisanship: Jobs Bill Edition

Well, that didn't last long:

Harry Reid doesn't like the Baucus-Grassley compromise stimulus package "jobs bill," so he's calling for a rewrite:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is rewriting a jobs bill after Democrats complained of too many concessions to Republicans.

Reid announced Thursday that he would cut back on the jobs bill Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) introduced only hours earlier, essentially overruling the powerful chairman.

“We’re going to move this afternoon to a smaller package than talked about in the press,” Reid said.

No matter what they end up calling it, the facts remain: This is another stimulus bill, paid for by borrowing another $100 billion or so at a time when a handful of highly indebted developed countries are teetering on the brink of default. Whatever stimulative effect this bill might have on its own (and I doubt it would have much) would be offset by its contribution to our rapidly rising government debt, which will sooner or later generate a significant drag on growth.

In a way, it's good that Reid is nakedly eschewing bipartisanship* — it gives Senate Republicans cover to take our advice:

... Obama hopes the public will not notice that his new “jobs bill” is composed of the same policies that were in the old “stimulus package.” Senate Republicans should have better sense: They should unite in opposition to this folly, pointing out that it’s been tried, and that it’s time to try something else.

It's times like these where the Republican party has really failed in recent years. Just when they most need a spine, they fail to find one. Red State says this about saying NO:

I am hearing from multiple, prominent people that the Republicans in Washington are seriously thinking of caving and having an on camera sit down with Barack Obama even though their pre-conditions for a meeting will not be met.

Why?

Because the GOP does not want to be seen as the Party of No.

If the GOP meets with Barack Obama, they will be compromising for more government at a time the people want less government. That is the fatal flaw that undermines any on camera appearance. People are not saying we can’t do better. What people are saying is that Washington will make things worse.

The GOP should not worry about being seen as the Party of No. It was saying “No” to Obama’s agenda that got Scott Brown elected. The GOP should worry about about being seen as capitulators and compromisers willing to sell out the American people for a seat at the table or a better image with the press.

Ronald Reagan said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’” The GOP should remember the American people still think that and know the GOP is all too happy to be from the government.

Mitch McConnell and John Boehner need to tell Barack Obama, “No.”

I agree. The American people are saying NO to every piece of the Obama agenda. Why is it so hard for the Republicans to do the same? Let's all hope they can; a few phone calls might help.

There's my two cents.