Posted on 04/14/2011 11:55:11 AM PDT by Libloather
DeMint: If vote to raise debt ceiling is GOP's Waterloo, 'let it be'
By Jordan Fabian - 04/14/11 10:03 AM ET
A top conservative senator on Thursday indicated he is willing to go to extreme lengths to prevent a vote on raising the debt ceiling, even if it hurts the Republican Party politically.
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) said on the conservative Laura Ingraham Show he is considering filibustering an upcoming vote to raise the nation's $14.3 trillion debt limit if it doesn't contain other fiscal reforms.
Asked if that would serve as the GOP's "Waterloo" in the 2012 elections, the senator replied, "If it is, then let it be."
That could pose a conundrum for leaders in both political parties, who say it is imperative for Congress to raise the debt ceiling to prevent the government from defaulting on its debt.
DeMint's remarks evoke his mantra from the last election, when he pledged to make the Democrats' healthcare law President Obama's "Waterloo," referring to the ultimate defeat of 19th century French leader Napoleon Bonaparte.
"If we’re able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo, it will break him,” DeMint said in the summer of 2009.
The White House has warned Republicans not to block a vote on the debt limit. Failing to raise the ceiling would be "Armageddon-like" for the economy, Obama spokesman Jay Carney said recently. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has said the U.S. is expected to reach its debt limit by May 16.
Meanwhile, GOP leaders have said they would be open to doing so if serious spending cuts or fiscal reforms are attached to the vote. Some GOP senators have called for their balanced budget amendment to be attached to the vote.
DeMint, whom Tea Party activists consider a key ally, urged Republican leaders to draw the line.
"I think Republicans have to decide this is a time to start the fight," he said. "Not passing the debt ceiling is not going to cause us to default on our debt."
Please don't mess with my hopes and dreams.
LLS
I love this man....
I agree. Close her down.......................!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i’m with you. GOP leadership are wimps. maybe we do need some women to take over and mommy the bunch of cowardly babies in this party.
‘Failing to raise the ceiling would be “Armageddon-like” for the economy, Obama spokesman Jay Carney said recently.’
They threatened tanks in the streets to frighten Republicans into backing the trillion-dollar bailouts.
Demint won’t run. He is the best and my 1st choice. But he wants to knock Mitch McConnell off and become Majority leader of the Senate (as soon as we get the majority). He will be very valuable in that position. I hope he does filibuster the debt vote.
Amen. Damn the torpedos - full speed ahead.
It’s really sad that one Republican with a little bit of backbone stands out so much from the crowd.
Over and over the White Hut cries about the GOP using scare tactics, but everything the White Hut supports is a dire emergency. Raise the debt limit or the economy will implode, and kittens will die!
It’s time to pay the piper. The piper will be paid, and the longer we delay, the more painful it will be.
Raising the debt ceiling WOULD NOT cause us to default on our debt. The federal Gov’t confiscates more than enough income each month to make the interest payments on the federal debt. It would, however, force them to eliminate other spending. Republicans SHOULD NOT vote to raise the debt limit without major spending cuts if they are serious about cutting spending and balancing the budget. This will force the budget to be balanced.
“maybe we do need some women to take over and mommy the bunch of cowardly babies in this party.”
I know a good one from Alaska.
Love the sentiment.
Unfortunately, we all know Republican leadership is going to cave.
To the GOPs defense - somewaht. Blame idiots who watch TV. TV demonizes any republican if they stand up. Fox is no better. If you watch TV then you support the regime.
He's one of my FAVORITE politicians. An intelligent committed conservative with a set of brass balls.
What is Armageddon for the economy and way of life is the ever-expanding government and its debt.
Decisions Decisions!!
DeMint/Sessions :-]
Sarah at DoD
Michele at Treasury
Coulter at DoJ
West - Secy of State
“DeMint/West? West/Demint? Palin/Demint? Demint/Bachmann?”
Any of the above tickets would get my vote
Works for me. I don’t need the debt ceiling raised. Do you? Anyone? Class? Anyone?
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