As much as I want this government reigned in, I don’t see how that’s possible at this time. President Obama simply refuses to compromise with the Republican-held house, the senate will block any attempt to impeach the president, and the only recourse is a government shutdown that tends to favor Democrats (with media help of course). If a shutdown ensues, we know President Obama will also use it to inflict the most pain possible.
So what’s the right course of action? I just don’t know. As much as I’d like to accuse the RINOs of being sellouts, that’s just one interpretation. Another interpretation is they don’t see any other way forward and fear another shutdown will hurt our chances in the next election.
Even worse, I don’t see the power balance changing even if we retake the senate. Harry Reid may be evil, but he plays politics to win. I think he saw the handwriting on the wall, so he eliminated the filibuster in order to push through Obama’s judicial nominations before it’s too late. That reduces a future senate’s leverage over a lame duck Obama administration.
Given President Obama’s continuing refusals to compromise, we are a faced with no good choices going forward. A shutdown by itself is not a political victory. Some will undoubtedly disagree, but a shutdown should be a means to a political end. It’s not good governance by itself, and if it can’t deliver results (an Obama capitulation or compromise) without hurting Republicans, then maybe it’s better to delay until American voters can weigh in again this November.
You have got it right
Absent the raw political power, there is no recourse at present
The reason the shutdown fails is the lack of proper PR spin from the Republican side. Beginning with Gingrich during the Clinton years Republicans have talked about shutting down the government. The fact some Republicans brag about shutting down the government allows the press to blame them for shutting down the government when it is actually the Democrat Senate and President shutting the government down by failing to pass the budget originated in the House.
The proper way to play the budget game from a PR perspective is for the Republican House to vote a conservative budget that truly defunds a number of worthless, failed programs and pork. In addition it defunds Obamacare while funding essential services. Call it a “responsible budget”. Send the budget to the Senate with no comment other than “we have passed a responsible budget reflecting the wishes and priorities of the majority of the American people.” Every Republican should be parroting the same talking points when confronting the press.
Let Harry Reid and the Democrats vote down the budget. The Republicans should then state, “We have passed a responsible budget to fund essential services. We are sorry the Democrats wish to create a budget crisis. We think it would be tragic for the country if the Democrats shut down the government. The right thing for America is to pass this budget which will keep the government running, ensure social security and government worker checks are paid on time, and allow the government to perform the functions specified in the Constitution. We are also reasonable people and willing to have a debate on the Democrat spending priorities. Therefore we encourage the Democrats to propose specific legislation dealing with their priorities which we will be happy to bring to the floor of the House in a separate vote. Let us make it clear. If the Democrat Senate votes down the budget approved by the House, it is the Democrats who are shutting down the government. We have passed the legislation to fund the government”.
Then hang tough. If they hang tough and keep repeating the soundbites, the Senate will either have to pass the legislation or let the government shut down. Keep hanging tough. Keep saying in unison, “We passed a budget to fund the government. The Democrats are the ones refusing to pass a responsible budget. We don’t understand why they want to shut down the government and make government workers go home and keep Social Security checks from going out.” If the Republicans will hang tough for a couple of weeks, the Democrats will have no choice but to pass the budget as is. Their constituents will demand their checks. The Democrats will have to cave.”
The minute the first Republican beats on his chest and says “we are going to force a shutdown” the game is over and the PR game is lost. If the Republicans can stay on the same page and talk about the responsible budget and hoping the Democrats don’t choose to shut down the government they can win.
In today’s soundbite world, it is all about the PR spin. The Democrats stay united on message. The Republicans can’t come out with a coherent message, much less stay on message. Until they are able to use the language to their advantage, they will always lose the PR game.