Anyone Surprised?

Anyone really surprised by this?

It was a solemn pledge, repeated by Democratic leaders and candidates over and over: If elected to the majority in Congress, Democrats would implement all of the recommendations of the bipartisan commission that examined the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

But with control of Congress now secured, Democratic leaders have decided for now against implementing the one measure that would affect them most directly: a wholesale reorganization of Congress to improve oversight and funding of the nation’s intelligence agencies. Instead, Democratic leaders may create a panel to look at the issue and produce recommendations, according to congressional aides and lawmakers.

Ok, so let me get this straight. They are going to create a panel that will review the recommendations of a commission that investigated our nations Intelligence programs in regards to 9/11. Did anyone hear from the Democrats during this election cycle that they were going to create panels or did we all hear them say:

Our agenda includes:

Making our nation safer; and we will begin by implementing the recommendations of the independent, bipartisan 9/11 commission.

and:

Tuesday, Americans have a choice between staying the course and a new direction for our country. After six years of Republican leadership, some Americans may be considering doing something they haven’t done in a long time. Vote for a Democrat.

[...]We will enact the bipartisan 9/11 Commission recommendations because it’s time to inspect all cargo and lock down loose nuclear material and ensure our nation is prepared for disasters such as Hurricane Katrina – and the aftermath. We will ensure we properly equip our National Guard and first responders.

A few of the 9/11 victims families are a bit surprised and miffed:

The decision will almost certainly anger commission members, as well as families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, many of whom have pressed hard for implementation of the recommendations.

“The Democrats pledged to implement all the remaining 9/11 reforms, not some of them,” said former representative Timothy J. Roemer (D-Ind.), who served on the commission.

Carie Lemack, whose mother was in one of the jets that hit the World Trade Center, echoed that sentiment: “It wasn’t a Chinese takeout menu, the 41 recommendations. You have to do all of them.”

But I’m not surprised one iota. Now that they are the majority they will begin to give excuses for not doing what they promised to their followers.

Meanwhile Howie Dean is telling the public that the Democrats need to produce results instead of rhetoric:

Democrats face a challenge defending their gains in the 2006 midterm elections because “now it’s what we do and not what we say,” national chairman Howard Dean told party leaders Saturday.

It appears they are getting off to a great start huh?

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