TPM LiveWire
DeMint: Obama's Playing Politics With TSA Pick! (VIDEO)
Jillian Rayfield | December 30, 2009, 10:00AM
Share
Send to a friend!
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) said today that the President's nomination for head of the TSA concerns him because it shows that "the President is more focused on coming through with a campaign promise to the unions rather than keeping Transportation Security focused on the real security of American passengers."
DeMint appeared on CBS today and responded to criticism from Democrats over his hold on Obama's nomination to the TSA's top post, Errol Southers.
DeMint said that he's "not trying to block" the vote, he just wants "debate and a vote because the stated goal of the president and Secretary Napolitano is to submit our airport security to collective bargaining. This is something that has been prohibited since the agency was formed because it takes away the flexibility that we need to continually upgrade."
He continued:
I think their nominee for transportation security head is qualified, he appears to be a good gentleman, but I'm afraid the President is more focused on coming through with a campaign promise to the unions rather than keeping Transportation Security focused on the real security of American passengers.
Here's the video:
Join the Conversation!
Leave a comment
Follow us!
Most Popular
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2009 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
docrocktex
December 30, 2009 10:24 AM
Why does the MSM only interview the GOP? Am I missing something? Where are the Dems?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
expat46
December 30, 2009 2:49 PM in reply to docrocktex
No doubt.
Senator Demented now says the administration is trying to rush the Southers confirmation. Well...duh.
This guy just teed up a big juicy softball. Hopefully by the time the evening news rolls around some Dem will step up and take a swing. That scene from the Untouchables where Capone is explaining the time for individual achievement comes to mind.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Humpback
December 30, 2009 10:27 AM
Shorter DeMint: I will keep the qualified nominee away from doing the necessary job because I want to criticize the President about an irrelevant issue.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ProgressiveInNewYork
December 30, 2009 10:27 AM
Why does no one ever challenge the stupidity that comes out of these idiots mouths?
I thought journalists were supposed to interview. All we seem to get are enablers.
Just another example of the myth of the 'liberal media' in this country.
Liberal... hell, there isn't even an attempt at truth by these guys.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jeffgee
December 30, 2009 10:29 AM
No. Waterloo DeMint cares more about short-term politics than air safety. Never mind Souther's real experience and qualifications. In DeMint's alternate GOP teabag reality, a hack like Brownie would qualify if he's sufficiently anti-union.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Seeryer
December 30, 2009 10:33 AM
These F-ing douchebags will never get it. Or they will never tell the truth. DeKunt really thinks Obama cares more about a campaign promise than the safety of Americans? That is disgusting for a US Senator to insinuate that the POTUS would advocate something that dismisses the safety of US citizens. If he wants to make an ideological argument that Republicans want unions extinct and they think the TSA will become unionized and he is fighting that fine. It is a pitiful argument to say a unionized workforce for the TSA would not be flexible enough to keep American safe. Especially when you consider every police department and fire department in America are unionized and they still remain flexible enough to protect and serve the citizens of this country.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
artwrite
December 30, 2009 10:36 AM
I am so glad this nitwit is on their side. His shtick may play well in South Carolina, the land of Confederate flags and Jim Crow, but everywhere else he sounds like a bumpkin.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jsdc007
December 30, 2009 10:39 AM
The shocker - as always - is that our braindead press never bother to question these douchebags. They just sit there and give them a soapbox on which to air their noxious garbage.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
pmb50
December 30, 2009 10:40 AM
The msm only challenges the democrats because they are perceived as weak which is the meme of the republicans created that the msm buys into
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
wwstaebler
December 30, 2009 10:53 AM
As South Carolina once wanted to secede from the Union, so Charlestonians often wish that they might secede from South Carolina. Because not everyone in this state is a teabagging, gun-toting, braying ass; rather, we tend to herd and isolate them into our halls of state government. ;-)
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
geazer
December 30, 2009 11:25 AM
Has anybody in this administration ever heard the term, "recess appointment"?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
wildwilly1111
December 30, 2009 11:28 AM
hold - An informal practice by which a Senator informs his or her floor leader that he or she does not wish a particular bill or other measure to reach the floor for consideration. -- US Senate glossary
"DeMint said that he's 'not trying to block' the vote..."
Reasonable reporter follow-up: "If you're not trying to block it, why did you put a hold on it? Isn't a hold, by definition, blocking consideration?"
Obsequious reporter follow-up: "Thanks for your time, we do appreciate it."
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
celldumceen
December 30, 2009 12:02 PM
This guy is just a mean spirited piece of filth!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?