Corker: GOP shutdown threat a ‘silly effort’

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) on Tuesday blasted a plan endorsed by at least a dozen Republican senators to shut down the government to block funding for ObamaCare.

“I think it’s a silly effort,” Corker said on MSNBC’s “Daily Rundown.” “What people are really saying who are behind that effort is that, 'We don’t have the courage to roll up our sleeves and deal with real deficit reduction and spending decisions, and we want to take ourselves out of the debate and act like we’re being principled to the American people.'”

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) says he’s recruited more than a dozen Republican colleagues willing to block a continuing resolution to fund the government beyond Sept. 30 if it includes funding for implementing the president’s healthcare reforms.

The second- and third-ranking members of Republican leadership, Sens. John Cornyn (Texas) and John Thune (S.D.), have said they support Lee’s plan, as do influential conservatives and potential presidential candidates Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Ted Cruz (Texas).

 “I don’t look at that as very courageous. I think most of us see through it and realize that these people are really just taking themselves out of the debate,” Corker continued. 

“We’ve got an opportunity to get our country right as it relates to fiscal issues. We’ve taken some big steps, and when people take themselves out of the game like this, I think people see through it and understand what’s really taking place,” he added.

Backlash against the plan has picked up steam recently among some Republicans in the Senate.

Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) spoke out against the plan last week, and Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) called it “the dumbest idea I've ever heard.”

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) warned Friday a government shutdown would cost the GOP control of the House and could destroy the party.

“The strategy that has been laid out is a good way for Republicans to lose the House,” Coburn said in an interview with the Washington Examiner's Byron York.

“Lee’s answer [to critics] is, ‘Give me a different strategy,’” Coburn said. “Well, there isn’t one because we lost the [election]. I’m getting phone calls from Oklahoma saying, ‘Support Mike Lee,’ and I’m ramming right back — support him in destroying the Republican Party?”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), however, has refused to back the idea.

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Second Recall Effort Launched Against San Diego Mayor

SAN DIEGO (CBSLA.com) — Opponents of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner launched a second recall effort against the mayor Monday, in the wake of accusations from seven women of sexual harassment.

The San Diego City Clerk’s office said petitions to recall Filner can begin circulating on August 18.

Last week, Filner said he was going into treatment but was not quitting his job.

City Clerk Says Recall Petitions For Filner Tom Reopelle

KNX 1070's Tom Reopelle reports that seven of the nine San Diego Councilmen want Filner out of office.

“I think seven out of nine, a very clear super-majority, sends a message that the council has lost faith in Bob Filner’s ability to lead the city,” said Councilman Mark Kersey.

“Filner should deal with his demons as a private citizen,” he said.

On Sunday, Senator Dianne Feinstein joined the growing number of officials calling on the mayor to resign.

Filner has two weeks to respond before either group can begin collecting signatures. Supporters of a recall will need to collect 102,000 valid signatures to get a recall on the ballot.

The second recall effort has raised questions over the legality of two such efforts under the city’s charter.

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Finn targeting early England effort

By Tom Fordyce Chief sports writer at Trent Bridge

First Test, Trent Bridge (day one, close)

England fast bowler Steven Finn is targeting a big early effort from his side as they look to capitalise on a dramatic opening to the Ashes series.

Finn took two wickets in two balls as England reduced the visitors to 75-4 at stumps, having been dismissed for 215.

He said: "The first hour will be very important - how we set the tone as bowlers and how we attack Australia.

"A few early wickets and we could put our noses in front. It's pretty even at the moment, a very tight battle."

The Middlesex paceman added: "To have them four down at the end of the day was a good result for us."

Australia's hero on a thrilling first day was Peter Siddle, who took five wickets, including four of the first five batsmen.

On the opening day of the last Ashes series, Siddle took six wickets, including a hat-trick, and he was once again England's scourge in overcast conditions ideal for swing bowling.

Siddle said: "It was an extraordinary day. Once we all settled down in the field, things went our way. I think we are still on top.

"Rocking up, we wanted to bat and to get the job done with the ball was good. Hopefully we can now go on and get some runs.

"I was surprised how Australia came out and played with the bat, so I'm not sure what will happen tomorrow. Shane Watson and Ed Cowan came out and played their shots and gave their wickets away.

"Steve Smith surprised me - without being nasty, he looks like a good club batsman. He is not technically correct like Michael Clarke but the way he played today was excellent. He stayed back to the seamers and then gave it a club when he got chance. He could take the game away from England tomorrow if he gets in."

"I don't think the pitch played a big part in the day's play, it was the cloud cover. Hopefully the sun will come out on Thursday and we can set up the match. If we can get in there, dig in and be patient, there is still Brad Haddin to come and a few of us tail-enders can still bat."

Finn insisted that he and his team-mates had not underestimated Australia, who began this series as most judges' second favourites, having been thrashed 4-0 in India over the winter after England had beaten the same opposition 2-1.

He said: "I think everyone knew it was going to be a tough series. The fact they bowled us out for 215 highlighted that.

"Having won the toss and batted we would have liked to get a few more runs on the board. But we knew if we came out and attacked off stump and brought the batsmen forward, we would get our reward in the end."

Finn's strike partner James Anderson also took two wickets in the final session, including the prize wicket of skipper Michael Clarke.

Finn said: "I think we fought back really well in that last session. Jimmy is a special bowler and has been for a long time. It's testament to producing and developing new skills and the ball that got Michael Clarke was an absolute beauty.

"We've seen him do that a few times with magic balls. I thought we played really nicely until lunch, but we know we deal well with setbacks."

The pair led the bowling attack, with Stuart Broad off the field after suffering a blow on the right shoulder while batting.

"We're hopeful he'll be fit," said Finn. "(If not) I'll have to bowl a few more overs, I think, and we'll just have to rotate ourselves.

"But at the moment, we don't know the extent of Broady's damage."

Australia coach Darren Lehmann said the match was finely balanced - despite pre-match claims from some that his side would not be able to compete with England.

"It's pretty even stevens, isn't it? Tomorrow is going to be a pretty big day - most of them are in an Ashes series," he said.

"Anyone who left the game today would have been pretty impressed with both sides. We're very pleased to bowl them out for 215 and it probably should have been cheaper. But we're here to play, no doubt about it.

"Hopefully the odds (on an Australia win) will come down."

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