Mustang
Gold Member
This morning we find out that House Majority leader Eric Cantor is withdrawing from negotiations over the debt ceiling talks, citing the dems unwillingness to move from thir stance on tax hikes. Cantor says a tax hike cannot pass the House and so he pulled out of the meetings.
My opinion, he can spout off about it, but walking away does not look good. Reminds me of the dems that left Wisconsin or Indiana a little bit, you're supposed to keep fighting and talking rather than quit. I'm sure this is an attempt to apply political pressure on the president, McConnell is already saying the president has to lead. Maybe it makes political sense, but could backfire if the public's perception is that the GOP is being too stubborn and uncooperative. People want results not finger pointing.
Some time ago, I heard a conservatives republican (I don't recall who) say the following. (Since I don't have the exact quote, I will have to paraphrase it).
We're not going to negotiate with President Obama. He has to negotiate with us.
That's rhetorical nonsense. When two sides negotiate, they're each negotiating with the other party's representatives.
This is silly. And THIS is exactly what most Americans hate in Washington. If one side (or even both sides) take(s) a strident, inflexible negotiating stance, nothing meaningful gets accomplished. Considering the problems we now face, this is the legislative leadership equivalent of fiddling while Rome burns.
But I know the conservative base. They just LOVE it when one of their own has a little tantrum. They'll be cheering this move.
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