GOP tries to fire up base with Obamacare, other 'messaging bills'

Source: Christian Science Monitor

WASHINGTON — This is the week for GOP “messaging bills” in Congress – bills that defund much of Obamacare and Planned Parenthood and that roll back carbon emissions regulations. They won’t become law, but unlike past attempts to strike at President Obama’s priorities, they are expected to make it to his desk for a rare veto.

To some, that may seem like a difference without much significance. Senate minority leader Harry Reid (D) of Nevada describes these “show votes” as a “total waste of time.” But not to Republicans. The moves hold political advantages for them – even if some observers say they could come back to hurt the GOP, or even the greater body politic.

Republicans see the votes as a prime opportunity to excite the base as the country enters an election year. They show Republicans directly confronting the president, getting legislation to his desk that he doesn’t like – something they weren’t able to do when Democrats controlled the Senate last year.

Republicans “can go home and say, ‘This is what we did, and the reason for the failure isn’t that we didn’t try, it’s that the president has a veto. So guys, go win the presidential election, and then some of these things that we want can happen,’ ” says Rep. Tom Cole (R) of Oklahoma.

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Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2015/1203/GOP-tries-to-fire-up-base-with-Obamacare-other-messaging-bills