a stunning blow to rusty’s leadership

TPM: With the help of 81 Democrats, the House passed legislation Thursday to fund the government through September and avoid a government shutdown. Fifty-nine Republicans defected from GOP leadership, leaving Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) woefully short of the necessary majority to pass the bill without Democratic help. The final vote was 260-167.

The fact that Boehner needed nearly 40 Democratic votes to pass the resolution and avoid a government shutdown was a stunning blow to his leadership, especially after he shut House Democrats out of budget negotiations and just a few days ago dismissed the need to secure any Democratic votes.

More here

Thank you Maji 😉

167? But as Maji said, Rusty promised this would be a ‘no-go’ if he couldn’t get 218 Republicans to vote for it. Oh dear.

bye, brasilia

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama depart Brasilia Air Base, March 19, en route to Rio de Janeiro

** wolf-whistle ** (michelle’s stunning too)

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner in Washington September 26, 2009.