GOP refuses to accept victory in surreal debt ceiling fight

[Modbert]

GOP refuses to accept victory in surreal debt ceiling fight - The Plum Line - The Washington Post

Moments ago, Harry Reid formally unveiled his latest offer: $2.7 trillion in spending cuts, and no tax increases, coupled with a debt ceiling hike sufficent to give the Treasury authority to pay the U.S.’s obligations through the end of 2012. The plan also establishes a bipartisan committee to come up with future deficit reductions that would certainly put entitlements directly in its crosshairs, and would even guarantee a Congressional vote on its recommendations.

Though this gives Republicans everything they want while dropping any demand for new revenues, the White House just blasted out a statement endorsing Reid’s proposal: “Senator Reid’s plan is a reasonable approach that should receive the support of both parties, and we hope the House Republicans will agree to this plan so that America can avoid defaulting on our obligations for the first time in our history. The ball is in their court.”

Which prompted a good question from David Dayen: What exactly is the difference between the Reid and John Boehner proposals?

Both cut spending by similar amounts over time. Both raise the debt ceiling over time by roughly the same amount. Both virtually guarantee entitlements cuts later. Neither offers new revenues. It seems that perhaps the only meaningful difference between the two plans is that the Dem one gets it done in one fell swoop, while the GOP proposal does a short term deal followed by another one later — something that financial analysts say could lead to a downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and that Republicans themselves once opposed.

So how can Republicans oppose the Reid plan when it gives them virtually everything they want — it gives them more than twice as much in spending cuts up front than the Boehner plan does — while asking for nothing in the way of revenues in return? There are only three options that immediately come to mind. First: The GOP wants another debt ceiling fight closer to Obama’s reelection. Second: Even though Dems have given up on getting new revenues, a one-shot deal could help the president politically. Third: Republicans, having seen Dems concede multiple times already, see no reason not to drag us even closer to the brink in hopes of extracting still more. Perhaps GOP leaders think getting still more will make it easier to sell the compromise to a caucus that is now populated with a non-trivial number of public officials who are so delusional that they won’t raise the debt ceiling under any circumstances — even if Republicans are given 100 percent of what they want in return.

The GOP have shown tonight with their newest plan that they have no intention of actually cutting the deficit or wanting to raise the debt ceiling. They want to play politics with this country's economy all the way through election day on the chance it will better get them the White House.

There is no reason for any Conservative on this board to support the Boehner plan over the Reid plan unless they want to see the U.S suffer in order to hurt President Obama's chances at reelection.

 

[candycorn]

GOP refuses to accept victory in surreal debt ceiling fight - The Plum Line - The Washington Post

Moments ago, Harry Reid formally unveiled his latest offer: $2.7 trillion in spending cuts, and no tax increases, coupled with a debt ceiling hike sufficent to give the Treasury authority to pay the U.S.’s obligations through the end of 2012. The plan also establishes a bipartisan committee to come up with future deficit reductions that would certainly put entitlements directly in its crosshairs, and would even guarantee a Congressional vote on its recommendations.

Though this gives Republicans everything they want while dropping any demand for new revenues, the White House just blasted out a statement endorsing Reid’s proposal: “Senator Reid’s plan is a reasonable approach that should receive the support of both parties, and we hope the House Republicans will agree to this plan so that America can avoid defaulting on our obligations for the first time in our history. The ball is in their court.”

Which prompted a good question from David Dayen: What exactly is the difference between the Reid and John Boehner proposals?

Both cut spending by similar amounts over time. Both raise the debt ceiling over time by roughly the same amount. Both virtually guarantee entitlements cuts later. Neither offers new revenues. It seems that perhaps the only meaningful difference between the two plans is that the Dem one gets it done in one fell swoop, while the GOP proposal does a short term deal followed by another one later — something that financial analysts say could lead to a downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and that Republicans themselves once opposed.

So how can Republicans oppose the Reid plan when it gives them virtually everything they want — it gives them more than twice as much in spending cuts up front than the Boehner plan does — while asking for nothing in the way of revenues in return? There are only three options that immediately come to mind. First: The GOP wants another debt ceiling fight closer to Obama’s reelection. Second: Even though Dems have given up on getting new revenues, a one-shot deal could help the president politically. Third: Republicans, having seen Dems concede multiple times already, see no reason not to drag us even closer to the brink in hopes of extracting still more. Perhaps GOP leaders think getting still more will make it easier to sell the compromise to a caucus that is now populated with a non-trivial number of public officials who are so delusional that they won’t raise the debt ceiling under any circumstances — even if Republicans are given 100 percent of what they want in return.

The GOP have shown tonight with their newest plan that they have no intention of actually cutting the deficit or wanting to raise the debt ceiling. They want to play politics with this country's economy all the way through election day on the chance it will better get them the White House.

There is no reason for any Conservative on this board to support the Boehner plan over the Reid plan unless they want to see the U.S suffer in order to hurt President Obama's chances at reelection.

Good Post. Very good post.

The only thing I can say in rebuttal is...duh. As with the second Bush administration, every issue is a political football.

 

[jillian]

GOP refuses to accept victory in surreal debt ceiling fight - The Plum Line - The Washington Post

Moments ago, Harry Reid formally unveiled his latest offer: $2.7 trillion in spending cuts, and no tax increases, coupled with a debt ceiling hike sufficent to give the Treasury authority to pay the U.S.’s obligations through the end of 2012. The plan also establishes a bipartisan committee to come up with future deficit reductions that would certainly put entitlements directly in its crosshairs, and would even guarantee a Congressional vote on its recommendations.

Though this gives Republicans everything they want while dropping any demand for new revenues, the White House just blasted out a statement endorsing Reid’s proposal: “Senator Reid’s plan is a reasonable approach that should receive the support of both parties, and we hope the House Republicans will agree to this plan so that America can avoid defaulting on our obligations for the first time in our history. The ball is in their court.”

Which prompted a good question from David Dayen: What exactly is the difference between the Reid and John Boehner proposals?

Both cut spending by similar amounts over time. Both raise the debt ceiling over time by roughly the same amount. Both virtually guarantee entitlements cuts later. Neither offers new revenues. It seems that perhaps the only meaningful difference between the two plans is that the Dem one gets it done in one fell swoop, while the GOP proposal does a short term deal followed by another one later — something that financial analysts say could lead to a downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and that Republicans themselves once opposed.

So how can Republicans oppose the Reid plan when it gives them virtually everything they want — it gives them more than twice as much in spending cuts up front than the Boehner plan does — while asking for nothing in the way of revenues in return? There are only three options that immediately come to mind. First: The GOP wants another debt ceiling fight closer to Obama’s reelection. Second: Even though Dems have given up on getting new revenues, a one-shot deal could help the president politically. Third: Republicans, having seen Dems concede multiple times already, see no reason not to drag us even closer to the brink in hopes of extracting still more. Perhaps GOP leaders think getting still more will make it easier to sell the compromise to a caucus that is now populated with a non-trivial number of public officials who are so delusional that they won’t raise the debt ceiling under any circumstances — even if Republicans are given 100 percent of what they want in return.

The GOP have shown tonight with their newest plan that they have no intention of actually cutting the deficit or wanting to raise the debt ceiling. They want to play politics with this country's economy all the way through election day on the chance it will better get them the White House.

There is no reason for any Conservative on this board to support the Boehner plan over the Reid plan unless they want to see the U.S suffer in order to hurt President Obama's chances at reelection.

they are desperate... and boehner's hands are tied by the loons in his party.

i don't know why anyone's surprised, though. mitch (turtle face) mcconnell said the primary goal of this congress was to try to make the president a one-termer. they really don't give a flying what kind of damage they do if it gets them there.

 

[editec]

Anybody who continues to support these anti-government radicals, radicals willing (or even hoping for) a crash in the nation's and the world's economy, -- just so they can score some kind of pyrrhic political victory in Congress! -- are either clueless patriots, or people who truly hate this nation

Most of them live in some kind of political echo chamber where all they hear is their own goofy, lying propaganda.

Anybody who disagrees with them so much as a jot off their party line, they think is a socialist.

Ignoramuses, the lot of them.

 

[Truthmatters]

disaster caplitalism is good for the republican base

 

[JoeB131]

Again, we wouldn't be in this mess if "The One" hadn't run up 4 trillion in new debt.

I have a couple problems with the Reid plan.

First, it puts most of the hurt beyond the 2012 election. So once again, the goal of the Democrats here is to protect Obama politically.

Second, a lot of the math is fanciful. It works on the assumption that military operations in the middle east will wrap up on a timetable and about a trillion in savings can be realized through ending the war.. It also assumes unemployment will get better.

Well, ummm, what if the wars don't end and we go into a second dip recession?

I do think that we will see some kind of comprimise between the Boehner and Reid plans, and default will be avoided. then we can get back to bashing Obama on what he deserves to be bashed on.

 

[Seawytch]

And still the GnOP says no. Why? Because their goal is not what is best for this country. They care ONLY about making sure this President fails.

 

[driveby]

What "offer" do you people keep referring to? Has Obama put a damn thing ON PAPER yet?......

 

[Nunz]

The GOP have shown tonight with their newest plan that they have no intention of actually cutting the deficit or wanting to raise the debt ceiling. They want to play politics with this country's economy all the way through election day on the chance it will better get them the White House.

There is no reason for any Conservative on this board to support the Boehner plan over the Reid plan unless they want to see the U.S suffer in order to hurt President Obama's chances at reelection.

It's called Politics, something that President Obama plays to the hilt. This time around, the GOP are at an advantage; anyone who thinks that President Obama is going to allow the US to lose it's Triple A Bond rating, while under his presidency, is out of their freakin' gourd!

 

[driveby]

The GOP have shown tonight with their newest plan that they have no intention of actually cutting the deficit or wanting to raise the debt ceiling. They want to play politics with this country's economy all the way through election day on the chance it will better get them the White House.

There is no reason for any Conservative on this board to support the Boehner plan over the Reid plan unless they want to see the U.S suffer in order to hurt President Obama's chances at reelection.

It's called Politics, something that President Obama plays to the hilt. This time around, the GOP are at an advantage; anyone who thinks that President Obama is going to allow the US to lose it's Triple A Bond rating, while under his presidency, is out of their freakin' gourd!

True, but i say Obama doesn't care as long as he can successfully blame it on the Republicans....

 

[WillowTree]

spend spend spend spin demonize, that's the plan the dimocrats have.

 

[Article 15]

GOP refuses to accept victory in surreal debt ceiling fight - The Plum Line - The Washington Post

Moments ago, Harry Reid formally unveiled his latest offer: $2.7 trillion in spending cuts, and no tax increases, coupled with a debt ceiling hike sufficent to give the Treasury authority to pay the U.S.’s obligations through the end of 2012. The plan also establishes a bipartisan committee to come up with future deficit reductions that would certainly put entitlements directly in its crosshairs, and would even guarantee a Congressional vote on its recommendations.

Though this gives Republicans everything they want while dropping any demand for new revenues, the White House just blasted out a statement endorsing Reid’s proposal: “Senator Reid’s plan is a reasonable approach that should receive the support of both parties, and we hope the House Republicans will agree to this plan so that America can avoid defaulting on our obligations for the first time in our history. The ball is in their court.”

Which prompted a good question from David Dayen: What exactly is the difference between the Reid and John Boehner proposals?

Both cut spending by similar amounts over time. Both raise the debt ceiling over time by roughly the same amount. Both virtually guarantee entitlements cuts later. Neither offers new revenues. It seems that perhaps the only meaningful difference between the two plans is that the Dem one gets it done in one fell swoop, while the GOP proposal does a short term deal followed by another one later — something that financial analysts say could lead to a downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and that Republicans themselves once opposed.

So how can Republicans oppose the Reid plan when it gives them virtually everything they want — it gives them more than twice as much in spending cuts up front than the Boehner plan does — while asking for nothing in the way of revenues in return? There are only three options that immediately come to mind. First: The GOP wants another debt ceiling fight closer to Obama’s reelection. Second: Even though Dems have given up on getting new revenues, a one-shot deal could help the president politically. Third: Republicans, having seen Dems concede multiple times already, see no reason not to drag us even closer to the brink in hopes of extracting still more. Perhaps GOP leaders think getting still more will make it easier to sell the compromise to a caucus that is now populated with a non-trivial number of public officials who are so delusional that they won’t raise the debt ceiling under any circumstances — even if Republicans are given 100 percent of what they want in return.

The GOP have shown tonight with their newest plan that they have no intention of actually cutting the deficit or wanting to raise the debt ceiling. They want to play politics with this country's economy all the way through election day on the chance it will better get them the White House.

There is no reason for any Conservative on this board to support the Boehner plan over the Reid plan unless they want to see the U.S suffer in order to hurt President Obama's chances at reelection.

This scenario will totally create the stable markets many Republicans say are needed for businesses to hire and investors to invest and will in no way hamstring economic growth, nor will it hurt the economy in a purposeful way like many accuse the president of doing.

 

[Flaylo]

What "offer" do you people keep referring to? Has Obama put a damn thing ON PAPER yet?......

Shut the hell up insane jackass, don't you know how to give a proper response instead of just baiting?

 

[WillowTree]

What "offer" do you people keep referring to? Has Obama put a damn thing ON PAPER yet?......

Shut the hell up insane jackass, don't you know how to give a proper response instead of just baiting?

aren't you people the people who use a jack ass as your symbol? why yes, jack ass I think you are.

 

[Flaylo]

Just as with all GOP spin games and politic football they will fail the same way they tried to play the game with Bill Clinton nearly a decade ago. Read your history books Repugs, your plan to make Obama a one term president will fail because you have no real strong candidates to unseat him and second if he's bending over backwards to suit the Repugs and give in mostly to their demands and they still refuse who looks like the stubborn deadlock ones?

 

[Nunz]

The GOP have shown tonight with their newest plan that they have no intention of actually cutting the deficit or wanting to raise the debt ceiling. They want to play politics with this country's economy all the way through election day on the chance it will better get them the White House.

There is no reason for any Conservative on this board to support the Boehner plan over the Reid plan unless they want to see the U.S suffer in order to hurt President Obama's chances at reelection.

It's called Politics, something that President Obama plays to the hilt. This time around, the GOP are at an advantage; anyone who thinks that President Obama is going to allow the US to lose it's Triple A Bond rating, while under his presidency, is out of their freakin' gourd!

True, but i say Obama doesn't care as long as he can successfully blame it on the Republicans....

It'll go on record as having happened while under his watch. No way he'll ever allow for that to happen. The economic/political ramifications of having the US Bond downgraded are tremendous.

 

[Flaylo]

The GOP got their wish for no tax increases and they're still balking and for what? Obama and the Dems have clearly moved towards the center on their stance, the Repugs are still out there in far-right field playing foul ball.

 

[Full-Auto]

Just as with all GOP spin games and politic football they will fail the same way they tried to play the game with Bill Clinton nearly a decade ago. Read your history books Repugs, your plan to make Obama a one term president will fail because you have no real strong candidates to unseat him and second if he's bending over backwards to suit the Repugs and give in mostly to their demands and they still refuse who looks like the stubborn deadlock ones?

That is comedy. I was just reading this morning about the two government shutdowns of that time. We didnt default.

Then Since SS is so protected by the trust funs, why is the president threatening America.

 

[Flaylo]

It's called Politics, something that President Obama plays to the hilt. This time around, the GOP are at an advantage; anyone who thinks that President Obama is going to allow the US to lose it's Triple A Bond rating, while under his presidency, is out of their freakin' gourd!

True, but i say Obama doesn't care as long as he can successfully blame it on the Republicans....

It'll go on record as having happened while under his watch. No way he'll ever allow for that to happen. The economic/political ramifications of having the US Bond downgraded are tremendous.

Thats what the Repugs thought nearly a decade ago when they played political chicken with Bill Clinton as if people aren't watching what the Senate and House does, you turkeys already got sweep out of office nearly in the Senate and House and you are still banking on the blame game? Absolute nutcases.

 

[Full-Auto]

The GOP got their wish for no tax increases and they're still balking and for what? Obama and the Dems have clearly moved towards the center on their stance, the Repugs are still out there in far-right field playing foul ball.

Now all you have to do is put up real cuts.