FRIDAY OMGs

***  Inexplicably, the GOP is Supporting Tax Loophole for Foreign Companies.  House Repubs are encouraging members to vote against a bill that would fund medical services for 9/11 emergency responders by closing a tax loophole for foreign companies with American subsidiaries.  See New York Congressman Anthony Weiner’s emotional meltdown over Repub obstructionism on the floor of the House here.

***  Repubs in the Senate Vote to Kill Bill to Support Small Businesses.  In an effort to boost job creation the Democrats have been trying to pass a bill with a package to aid small businesses — tax breaks, expanded credit through lending via community banks, and new incentives to hire.  The bill had 59 supporters, but with 41 opponents the Repubs had enough to threaten a filibuster.  Sure seems like the “new” Repub Party fights hard to defeat policy that they were championing just a few years ago.  Either they’ve lost their minds or they are willing to cut off the nation’s nose, to spite the Dems. 

***  President Obama On The View.  President Obama charmed the ladies of The View, and impressed many with his knowledge on a wide range of issues and with his attitude of “taking the long view” of what’s good for the country rather than focusing on short-term political games.  Repub strategists have pontificated that going on The View was “beneath the presidency” and a mistake for President Obama.  We’re betting that they’re wrong, and that Obama will get a bounce in support from women.

*** Shirley Sherrod to Sue Andrew Breitbart.  USDA employee Shirley Sherrod, who was portrayed in the media as a “racist” based on an edited video clip, posted on right-wingnut Andrew Breitbart’s blog, has decided to sue the blogger for damages to her reputation — which led to her losing her job.

*** President Heads to Detroit Today.  President Obama visits General Motors and Chrysler plants today to tout the turnaround of the American automobile companies.  One million jobs were saved by administration efforts, and for the first time in a decade this industry is adding jobs, according to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

*** Newt Gingrich Declares Need for Legislation to Ban Courts from Replacing US Law with Islamic Sharia Law.  Sad to say:  this former college history professor evidently believes that making such a bizarro statement will be politically advantageous.  We’re at a loss for words. 

***  Coal Companies Join Forces to “Buy” Elections.  A Senior V.P. at International Coal Group of Scott Depot, W.Va., recently wrote a letter to other coal companies suggesting they join forces.  In light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling — that corporations and labor unions can spend unlimited funds to influence elections — which loosened campaign finance laws, this letter said that they now have an unprecedented opportunity to use their pooled funds to defeat Democratic candidates they don’t think will vote “pro Big Coal.” 

And, thanks again to John Robert’s Supreme Court … these candidates won’t have to disclose WHO paid for their political ads and activities.  The ruling last winter, that corporations and labor unions can spend unlimited funds to influence elections, without having to disclose that they have done so, has the potential to destroy whatever is left of fair elections.  Public campaign financing, anyone?