Spitzer's Real ID Shift Goes Against Congressional Dems Too
It's worth noting that Hillary Clinton isn’t the only one trying to get squared away with Eliot Spitzer’s new license policy.
The governor’s (original) plan would have allowed illegal immigrants to obtain a driver's license, but now it's being linked to federal guidelines that will be outlined in the Real ID Act. Although Spitzer backed Real ID this week, a number of Democratic congress members from New York opposed it during a 2005 vote (which may explain why it hasn't been easy getting most of them to say anything about Spitzer's new plan).
One congressional aide was kind enough to refer me to the results of the 2005 vote on the Real ID Act.
Democrats Gary Ackerman (Queens/Nassau), Tim Bishop (Suffolk), Joe Crowley (Queens/Bronx), Eliot Engel (Bronx/Westchester), Carolyn Maloney (Manhattan/Queens), Greg Meeks (Queens), Jerry Nadler (Manhattan/Brooklyn), Charlie Rangel (Manhattan), Jose Serrano (Bronx), Ed Towns (Brooklyn), Nydia Velazquez (Manhattan/Brooklyn/Queens) and Anthony Weiner (Queens/Brooklyn) all voted against it.
UPDATE: Another congressional staffer, putting this story in context, noted that every Democratic congress member in the state voted against Real ID, except for Mike McNulty, who voted for it, and Maurice Hinchey who was absent.
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Just goes to show how much effort Spitzer's team into consulting people whose support he'd need for his plan. The Governor acts like he can accomplish major policy proposals all by his lonesome, which of course, ain't the case.
Seems like he might be learning, though. I like the new hires announced on Liz' blog...although those folks are going to have their hands full.
Spitzer is an arrogant moron. Hillary will alienate more voters with this as well.
Keep it up Eliot, you loser now you will see the will of the people.
Spitzer is not arrogant, but more seems to be a moron without mind (and perhaps balls.)
He first teamed up with Dems - correct thing to do - to pass his original - and good - plan then turned around when faced with Chertoff. Pron actors call it a DP - except he did it without the camera, without chance to erase and record it again if it doesn't work out...
Will of poeple? C'mon what kind of will and who are the people? Rednecks from the sticks might be loud but should not be taken as seriously as millions in NYC who prefers to have these people insured when they are on the roads.
Ann and yes, Hillary will alienate more voters but that's because she's a disgusting opportunist prank without any principle. Voters never be able to tell her position on anything sensitive question - her evasive verbal maneuvers are sooo pathetic: she fudges, dodges, BS about any subject that could be character-defining. She's a joke, no matter how you look at her and precisley that's why she has no chance to get elected.
If the head lunatic has invaded Iran etc around election time I take all my bets off the table. Otherwise whomever gets the demo nomination will slaughter the repug. For me I would prefer a mixture Dennis K., Mike G. and Ron Paul. Alas money(power) rules in this country and that is why I have been hoping for a 1929 event. Then and only then might the people wake up and demand a national debate questioning most all the norms including electoral college,foreign policy,size and use of our entire military and intelligence(?)gathering operations, 'free trade',conservation,tax overhaul,Israel etc.. In other words questioning every aspect of the status quo.Just imagine if we eliminated most all military bases overseas,missile defense(?) on land and space the federal reserve etc. eddie
Thanks for reminding us to thank our Democratic Congressmen who were right to vote against the federal bill. They were right! The REAL ID is terrible policy. REAL ID is an unfunded federal mandate that will cost states billions to implement which is why 11 states have already passed laws to refuse the program.