Mac Thornberry is the Republican representative from the 13th Congressional District in Texas (which runs from Wichita Falls to Amarillo, and includes most of the Texas Panhandle). He's a good foot-soldier in the right-wing army, voting just like the Republican leadership wants him to vote (for the Iraq War, for the Patriot Act, against the minimum wage, etc.).In fact, he's marched in lockstep with his right-wing masters so well, that the National Journal "gave Thornberry a composite rating of 91.7 for conservative positions and 8.3 for liberal ones." But tell me, can you name one piece of major legislation authored by Thornberry? I couldn't either, even after checking Wikipedia and Congresspedia.
He's been in the U.S. House for 15 years now, but I doubt that most Texans could even tell you who he is (let alone anyone outside the state). He hasn't lasted 15 years because of anything he's accomplished, but because he's a Republican in one of the reddest districts in America.
But somehow, Thornberry has decided that he's leadership material. I don't know what would give him such an idea, but he seems to believe it. For the second time now, he has tried to become the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. And for the second time, his fellow Republicans have shot him down.
Instead of Thornberry, the House Republican Steering Committee voted to make Howard McKeon of California the ranking Republican on the committee. Looks like even the Republicans, as wacky as they are, have yet to see any leadership qualities in Thornberry -- even after 15 years in the House.
Thornberry needs to realize that following orders makes you a good follower, not a leader. It's time for the 13th District to replace this "do-nothing" representative. If he hasn't shown any leadership skills in fifteen years, then he probably doesn't have any.
Wouldn't it be refreshing to have a representative who could actually accomplish something?
(for the Iraq War, for the Patriot Act, against the minimum wage, etc.)
ReplyDeleteYou do know that Obama voted for 2 out of 3 of those right? I know he didn't expressly vote to support OIF, but he did vote to fund it.
Which two?
ReplyDeleteAs Dr. Dean said this morning of Rep Gingrey; 'Good thing he's in congress because I'd hate to see what he does to patients.' Tho Thornberry pro'bly wouldn't be allowed in the exam room.
ReplyDeleteThis is one case where you don't know what you're talking about. Thornberry knows national security issues better than any Republican on Capitol Hill. He was the architect of two of the most significant pieces of national security-related legislation in the past decade -- the bill to reform the nuclear weapons complex in the wake of a spying scandal, and the bill to create the Homeland Security Dept. in the wake of 9/11 (which, in fact, the Republican leadership and the Bush Administration originally opposed). The reason he lost this race is because he does not blow his own horn and he is not a backslapper. He is a workhouse, who would rather spend the day studying up on an issue than playing golf.
ReplyDeleteSo, the next time you put up a posting like this, please do a little bit of research beyond Wikipedia. It would not only provide you with a better handle of what you are talking about, but allow you to maintain your credibility as well.
Bob-
ReplyDeleteYou may think the creation of Homeland Security was a good thing, but I don't. I think it just took us further down the road toward fascism and big brotherism.
I stand by what I said. I think he's one of the most ineffective reps in Congress.
I would have to agree with you about DHS. But your original point that Thornberry has authored no major legislation and has been more of a follower than a leader is simply not accurate. Again, I encourage you to do your research.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, keep up the good work. I find your blog very enjoyable.
I agree with Bob. Thornberry may be a right winger, but he knows what hes talking about when it comes to the military and is in nobodys back pocket.
ReplyDeleteObama voted for the Patriot Act and although he didn't expressly vote for the OIF (being that he wasn't a member of congress at the time) he has voted for funding and signed into laws at least one bill to fund the war.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like one of three to me, and I still disagree with the one vote. It was stupid.
ReplyDelete