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'Fully engaged' McConnell expresses optimism on debt deal
The Hill ^ | 07/30/11 | Molly K. Hooper

Posted on 07/30/2011 3:02:36 PM PDT by Qbert

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Saturday he and Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) are fully engaged with the White House on a debt deal and expressed optimism an agreement will be reached. 

“I’ve spoken with the president and the vice president within the last hour and a half," McConnell said at a press conference with Boehner shortly after the House rejected Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) debt-ceiling plan. 

"We are now fully engaged with the one person … who can sign a bill into law,” McConnell told reporters. 

Fewer than three days before the Aug. 2 deadline for raising the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling, McConnell insisted that the economic doomsday scenario would not happen. Faced with questions about whether soldiers would receive paychecks, McConnell said a deal would be made. 

“Our country is not going to default for the first time in our history – that is not going to happen – we now have a level of seriousness and the right people at the table that we needed and thought we had, as the Speaker indicated last week,” McConnell said.

McConnell added that he is “confident and optimistic that we can get an agreement in the very near future and resolve this crisis.”

McConnell spoke hours after House Republicans rejected Reid's plan and less than a day after Senate Democrats dispatched with Boehner's plan. 

The end game on the debt deal now appears to revolve around talks between McConnell, Reid and President Obama. 

Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) traveled to the White House for a meeting with Obama late Saturday afternoon. 

The tricky part for the congressional leaders remains finding a bill that can move through both chambers, including a House dominated by Tea Party freshman Republicans. 

McConnell said at his press briefing that he had talked with Obama and Vice President Biden on a way forward. Top ranking leaders in the House and Senate are "discussing ways to reach an agreement," McConnell said.

Boehner, who walked out on talks with the White House more than a week ago, agreed that a deal would come together soon.

He said “in spite of our differences, we are dealing with reasonable, responsible people who want this crisis to end as quickly as possible, and I’m confident that it will.”

Reid's proposal was defeated in a 173-246, with 11 Democrats joining House Republicans in voting down the measure.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: debtceiling; debtlimit; mcconnell; obama
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To: Perdogg

I guess we will see real soon won’t we.

U did not answer my question.

Will Bonehead “Table” this soon to come bill, like Reid “Tabled his?

yes or no. Real simple.


41 posted on 07/30/2011 3:37:46 PM PDT by tennmountainman
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To: Qbert

The entire process is being held up for one reason. Democrats do not want debt ceiling talks until after November 2012. Republicans are demanding a short term hike or nothing.

That is it. The House will not accept a deal that pushes the failure of the democrats past the elections. It is a very big topic that democrats are running from.


42 posted on 07/30/2011 3:38:15 PM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
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To: Cheetahcat

Just got back from there, and from what I heard and was told, KY is largely in agreement with that. He has been there WAY too long.


43 posted on 07/30/2011 3:41:09 PM PDT by gidget7 ("When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property." Thomas Jefferson)
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To: tennmountainman

You cannot table a Bill in the House, only in the Senate.


44 posted on 07/30/2011 3:41:14 PM PDT by Perdogg (0bama got 0sama?? Really, was 0sama on the golf course?)
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To: org.whodat

Ok. Thanks for the education.

However, since there will be a vote in the house, I will stick with my prediction. 50 or more RATS will vote for this bill. And I will stick my neck out even more.

Those 50 or more Rat votes will come from very liberal, protected districts.

After the vote, feel free to trash me if I am wrong. You can e-mail me and stick the knife in me, if u wish. But that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.


45 posted on 07/30/2011 3:43:32 PM PDT by tennmountainman
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To: tennmountainman

“Why won’t Bonehead tell Reid his bill will be tabled, like Reid Tabled his? Why don’t u think about that and get back to me?

Bonehead will allow a vote. 50 or more RATS will vote for this bill.
Thats my prediction. Whats yours?”

—I don’t disagree with any of this. My original point was simply that some Dems will want to vote no because they will say it supposedly “cuts too much” (thus making more R votes necessary)- but Obama and the Dem leadership will get as many on board as needed to pass.

And of course, Boehner will ultimately offer his people like lambs to the slaughter, as well.


46 posted on 07/30/2011 3:44:11 PM PDT by Qbert ("The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry" - William F. Buckley, Jr.)
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To: eyedigress

It will go past the election. One way or the other. Probably via Mcconnells method

btw,
This is how we lose the election:

chucktodd Chuck Todd
McConnell appears to be making the case he’ll deal with WH and not Reid. And from what I gather, WH apparently is playing go between
13 minutes ago

Obama, the great negotiator.


47 posted on 07/30/2011 3:46:17 PM PDT by RummyChick
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To: Qbert
We do not have enough House members, and we have (at most) 10 Senators.

This is going to take several election cycles.

48 posted on 07/30/2011 3:46:47 PM PDT by Jim Noble (To live peacefully with credit-based consumption and fiat money, men would have to be angels.)
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To: Qbert

Did he say he was fully engaged before or after drooling down his chin?


49 posted on 07/30/2011 3:48:16 PM PDT by Psalm 144 (Voodoo Republicans: Don't read their lips - watch their hands.)
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To: Perdogg

Ok, So they can’t table.

However, my prediction still stands.


50 posted on 07/30/2011 3:48:39 PM PDT by tennmountainman
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To: tennmountainman

Did not say you were right are wrong, the house was engineered for years to give power to the speaker and the majority party. The place under newt started to make changes, until newt started liking the power.


51 posted on 07/30/2011 3:48:44 PM PDT by org.whodat (What does the Republican party stand for////??? absolutely nothing.)
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To: Venturer

Venturer, we will look after each other. I have the same pains as you...waking up at night. Sometimes I think the debt crisis could just be the tip of the iceberg. Deep breaths, level minds.


52 posted on 07/30/2011 3:49:35 PM PDT by sanjuanbob (Festina Lente)
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To: bobk333

McConnell is filthy. He is as bad as Reid.

**********************************

Worse in some ways. Democrats are enemies at the gate. Corrupted Republicans are enemies inside our defenses. Trojan horses, as it were.


53 posted on 07/30/2011 3:50:47 PM PDT by Psalm 144 (Voodoo Republicans: Don't read their lips - watch their hands.)
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To: RummyChick

I don’t think the House will do it. If the GOP capitulates then they are toast.


54 posted on 07/30/2011 3:51:54 PM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
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To: Psalm 144

markknoller Mark Knoller
McConnell said Pres Obama is the only person in America who can sign a bill into law. He forgot the autopen.
42 seconds ago
»
Mark Knoller
markknoller Mark Knoller
McConnell says he had to interrupt talks with VP Biden when called to attend - what he called a “show vote on a quorum call.”
14 minutes ago
»
Mark Knoller
markknoller Mark Knoller
In mixed metaphor of the night, Reid tells McConnell: you can put lipstick on it, a nice skirt or suit - - it’s still a filibuster.
16 minutes ago
»
Mark Knoller
markknoller Mark Knoller
Reid slams GOP for filibustering his debt limit bill which would require 60 votes to bring it to a vote, 60 votes he doesnt have.
17 minutes ago
»
Mark Knoller
markknoller Mark Knoller
Minority Ldr McConnell stands by his assertion that he’s more optimistic and “I think we have a chance of getting” to a deal.
21 minutes ago
»
Mark Knoller
markknoller Mark Knoller
On Senate floor, Maj Leader Reid says Boehner/McConnell news conference “meaningless” and no closer to a deal.
22 minutes ago
»
Mark Knoller
markknoller Mark Knoller
@
@MaxPaige Minor players are interviewed all the time but they’re introduced as “key” members...
27 minutes ago
»
Mark Knoller
markknoller Mark Knoller
Have you noticed TV only interviews only “key” members of Congress. You never hear: “Coming up: we’ll talk with a minor player on the hill.”
34 minutes ago
»
Mark Knoller
markknoller Mark Knoller
All I can get from a senior WH official on Obama/Reid/Pelosi talks: “Trying to serve the main goal here – averting calamity.”


55 posted on 07/30/2011 3:52:56 PM PDT by RummyChick
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To: eyedigress

Boehner gets thrown a bone in the form of a BBA that doesn’t have to pass. One possibility. The House has to get something out of it.


56 posted on 07/30/2011 3:54:40 PM PDT by RummyChick
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To: Qbert

Hey Mitch! How ‘bout you “compromise” (surrender) to Barry and his Dingy Hairy Commie ‘RATS and help make it look like THEY saved the universe from the evil Wepublican empire! You jerk!


57 posted on 07/30/2011 3:54:53 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Hey Barry! Compromise this!!!)
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To: Qbert

Yes everything said this week was all for show. We’re screwed


58 posted on 07/30/2011 3:55:52 PM PDT by Huskrrrr
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To: RummyChick

“It will go past the election. One way or the other. Probably via Mcconnells method”

The McConnell plan is even worse than Boehner’s bill in this regard.


59 posted on 07/30/2011 4:01:24 PM PDT by Qbert ("The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry" - William F. Buckley, Jr.)
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To: RummyChick

I think the house will pass a short-term hike. I’m not so sure that the BBA is the sticking point right now.

Giving Obama and a Democrat Congress a pass on this issue in 2012 sure as hell is.


60 posted on 07/30/2011 4:02:59 PM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
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