Posted on 01/22/2013 10:51:55 AM PST by Starman417
A week ago John Boehner insisted he was ready to do battle against Obama and his Democrat allies over the debt limit:
“The American people do not support raising the debt ceiling without reducing government spending at the same time,” House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. “The consequences of failing to increase the debt ceiling are real, but so too are the consequences of allowing our spending problem to go unresolved.That responsible legislation?“Without meaningful action, the debt will continue to act as an anchor on our economy, costing American jobs and endangering our children’s future,” the Ohio Republican said. “The House will do its job and pass responsible legislation that controls spending, meets our nation’s obligations, and keeps the government running — and we will insist that the Democratic majority in Washington do the same.”
To surrender and allow the debt limit to go up:
House Republicans are teeing up a vote this week on a new debt ceiling bill, marking the first legislative battle of President Obama's second term and one that could determine whether the country once again risks default over a political fight.The debt limit would be suspended for four months and what do we get for it? Zero spending cuts.House leaders, after unveiling the legislation Monday, are planning to hold a vote Wednesday on their plan to allow the government to keep borrowing through May 18.
...As for the debt ceiling provision, the legislation does not set a specific limit; rather it would automatically increase the limit by the amount required to fund U.S. government obligations through May 18.
But wait...there's more.
Another provision in the bill says that unless the Senate passes a budget, which they haven't done for years, then no one in Congress will get paid.
Smoke and mirrors. What does that have to do with spending cuts? Does anyone think that a Democrat majority in the Senate is going to pass a budget with spending cuts?
It's a gimmick to make the Republicans feel better. That's it.
...I'm sure some members of Team GOP will say, "Oh but the final cuts will retroactively include this four months of debt increase". Does anyone think Democrats (or Republicans) are going to "pay for" something they've already gotten for free?
(excerpt) Read more at floppingaces.net...
Boner is going to be the Dem Prez in 2016...
...WHY THE HELL ELSE!?!?!
This is not even kicking the can down the road. They kicked the can into the recycle bin to be melted down into obscurity.
That can is getting pretty dang big.
It’s bad policy, and it’s bad strategy. Otherwise, I can’t see anything wrong with it. It’s just greasing the handbasket so it goes faster.
The Repubs are still practicing their folding lawn chair schtick? Who would have guessed?
Boehner’s apparent treason does suggest another possibility: that he has info on a potential short-term catastrophe that would occur were he not so compliant. But what?
No, no and no.
This is the correct maneuver. They are finally getting it right.
The debt ceiling is a losing argument. The money has already been spent and the bill has arrived. You have to pay it.
It doesn’t mean surrender and it’s not a cave. The specifics are important.
The schedule of events were not good for the argument. The real battle is the Continuing Resolution that has served as a substitute budget for 4 or 5 years. THAT is the legislation that determines spending. It was defined in Aug 2011 to expire March 27. The debt ceiling was to expire then too, but the projections were wrong and it arrived first.
Now the GOP has arranged for it to arrive last, and the Dems are falling for it. They will have to propose spending for the new CR. The media optics on that are very difficult.
Yes, I know the response is “the media will support them and make them look good”, but they, the Dems, STILL have to propose spending and get it past the 8 Dem Senators from red states who are up in 2014. They are going to have the same trouble getting past them as they will with gun control.
This is a good GOP maneuver. The CR is the battle, not the ceiling.
The Weeping Boner kneeling down at the feet of the petty tyrant is bad enough ... but what about those many members of the Republican majority who follow their leader to the ground?! Are they scared? inconvenienced? ignorant? .... there must be a reason behind their deliberate unwillingness to honor their oath and perform their duty to defend the Constitution!
I agree the real battle is the budget and stopping laws that increase spending and have pork in them.
I wish I could share your optimism that the Republican caucus will stand up for Constitutional principles and fight ... I really do. But I don’t. I have been disappointed too many times and do not expect them to stand fast on the CR or most anything else for that matter. I hope beyond words that I’m wrong ....
He probably was - but then the banksters made clear to him what was expected of Congress, so now everybody is back on the same page.
I agree, BUT they will screw it up. They will allow the Senate to pass a poison bill and then the House will balk at it then they republicans will get the full blame because the senate and Zero both agree and it’s the do nothing House causing problems.
I almost would rather see them just spend it all. Spend $5 trillion more this year and $10 trillion more next. Just burn it up quicker and get it done.
What a sorry excuse for a "leader".
B.S. Not going into battle guarantees losing the war.
John “Surrender Monkey” Boehner
Capitulation assumes boehner does NOT want to raise debt ceiling. My take is boehner doesn’t care about debt limit but just wants to spend less and tax less than obama. Typically RINO or dem lite position
Ha! As if the bulk of our Representatives' income comes from paychecks. :)
If Bonehead lies or cries (or even dies) in the woods, will anybody give a smelly Obama?
Boehner is a Democrat working as the leader of the Designated Opposition which is the present function of the Republican wing of the Democrat Party.
Nnnnnoooootttttttt Aaaaaaggggggaaaaaaiiiiiinnnnnnn!!!!!
You knew he would. The only question was when.
It should be interesting to see what happens to the bond ratings. The Obama/Dem/media line is that the wrangling over the debt limit is the reason for downgrades. If the GOP passes a clean debt limit increase, they should make darn sure that they are merely doing what the president and his constituents want.
Supposed to be a telephone town hall tonight with my Congressman. They phoned yesterday to say they’d be calling at 7PM.
I’ll be there: I have 4 points.
1) NO AMNESTY/CITIZENSHIP whatsoever,
2) I don’t care whether the FED goes insolvent, no debt limit increase,
3) ABSOLUTELY NO VOTES FOR ANY DEMOCRAT GUN-CONTROL PACKAGE, no universal checks, no registrations, no AWB, no mag limits, period.
4) If my congressman ever votes to make Boehner speaker, I’m done with him.
There needs to be a public effort to send Boehner lipstick and ladies undergarments.
John Boehner is so flaky and wishy-washy. Blows whichever way the wind goes... The House GOP should revolt and elect a new speaker......one that actually has a SPINE, like Michele Bachmann.
BUT they will screw it up. They will allow the Senate to pass a poison bill and then the House will balk at it then they republicans will get the full blame because the senate and Zero both agree and it’s the do nothing House causing problems.
Yep. McConnell is totally cowed by the dems. He will allow Reid to pass some crap sandwich bill and dare Boehner to oppose it.
We have seen the bad ending to that movie numerous times the last few years.
1) Focus on budget and spending into the summer means no talk about anything else, especially gun control
2) Rubio has a reasonable immigration plan that is worth a look. I think we can find some middle ground and put that issue behind us.
3) Spending and deficit is a huge issue, and polls show public on our side. However, if we dig our heals in and fight to the death then we lose. That may not feel good but I believe that is fact. It is what it is.
4) Anger and rage do no one any good. Pick our battles wisely and fight to win. Retake (or make headroads to) the Senate in 2014 and add a few seats to Congress.
5) Retake the White House in 2016
I understand the frustration, but expectations are a bit unrealistic in my opinion. If the goal is to marginalize the Conservative cause then we are well on our way. In my opinion you can reach the same end point while rebuilding the GOP brand (which is badly tarnished). Just my 2-cents.
“Curt” is either off base on this or a troll. Engaging in this kind of battle now, so soon after the election and inauguration, would be seen as pathetic and childish.
Boehner and the GOP are - - finally - - making a smart move.
The rats won’t have an opportunity to convince the ignorant chattering class that the Republicans are vindictive sore losers, and the fossilized undertaker Reid will be forced to finally DO something, ie., pass the first budget from the senate in four years. Plus, the African communist will have three months to wonder what the Republicans are up to.
In three months, after the ignorant chattering class has gone back to sleep, the time will be much better to go to war with the African communist.
I like this. Finally, a genuine strategy is emerging.
Yup, pretty much my point from earlier.
Note also that Reid will face his own conference that have significant numbers who want real, actual spending cuts to the baseline. This will make it very hard for him to produce a budget.
The optics on that failure would be favorable.
I got it, this would be Super Secret, Super Genius plan # 64,449. GW Made lots of them and kept spending down, right?
How long do you think it will take to amend the Constitution to make that possible?
In other news, the Pope is still Catholic.
Boehner has a Super Secret Super Genius plan to bite Obama's legs off.
GOP- The Washington Generals of political strategy and principled conservatism.
Don't ask me, ask Boehner.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.