Posted on 02/13/2014 4:50:31 PM PST by LD Jackson
If you follow an all or nothing strategy you usually end up with nothing!
I was very disappointed that both Speaker Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell(R-KY) both caved on efforts to exact a compromise from Obama for a debt ceiling increase. I had hoped that attaching approval of the Keystone pipeline would force Obama to accept this worthy and environmentally safe project and help create tens of thousands of new good paying jobs for Americans.
But Tea Party Republicans in the House refused to vote for ANY increase in the debt ceiling. Had Speaker Boehner brought up a debt ceiling increase that included Keystone, House Democrats and Tea Party Republicans would have voted it down thus weakening political support for the pipeline. Without majority GOP support for any alternative to a clean bill (debt increase only) Boehner was left with no option than to allow a clean bill to come to a vote where it got majority Dem support and only a handful of GOP votes.
It's doubly disappointing because the debt ceiling increase was supposed to be the fight worth fighting. Only a few months ago when Ted Cruz waged his battle against ObamaCare GOP leaders were instructing members to keep their powder dry and save it for a fight over the debt increase. But without flexibility on the part of GOP members, and lacking the unity necessary for an alternative there was no choice. It is unthinkable that the Speaker would have simply refused any vote on a debt increase. Such a path is not one that is winnable in any sense of the word.
The same goes for Sen. Mitch McConnell who put his own political future on the line and cast the magic vote in the Senate for approval. Quin Hilyer writing at National Review concludes:
To conservatives, McConnell’s vote felt like another in a series of punches to the kidney. But it wasn’t a cowardly vote; it was a courageous one. Sometimes courage can be misguided or even foolhardy, but that doesn’t make it any less courageous. Conservatives might think he is the wrong leader for Senate Republicans. We must, however, acknowledge that he did show leadership, and in doing so, afford him at least a grumbling form of respect.Another government shutdown, with the GOP forced to give in after being pummeled for days would risk efforts to retake the Senate in November.
I'm reminded of Tea Party candidates who represented something of a conservative ideal but whose other qualities meant that they could not win a general election. Christine O'Donnell in Delaware leaps to mind. Instead of the almost sure election of RINO Republican Mike Castle, the primary victory of O'Donnell paved the way for the very liberal Democrat Chris Coons who is now enshrined in that seat. Had the Tea Party been willing to compromise and accept Castle we would be one seat closer to taking control of the Senate where we would have more flexibility to counter Obama.
Had the House Tea Party Republicans been more flexible with the debt ceiling we might have had the leverage to win approval for Keystone. In the end, the debt ceiling was increased anyway and we have nothing to show for it!
Until the happy day arrives when we have a conservative governing majority in both houses of Congress we have to keep our tactics and strategy flexible to make the most of the limited power we do have. That's not something some on the right want to hear but it's better to get something rather than nothing!
barf
It only rises. Why not call it a Debt Floor.
Idiots.
/johnny
Being more flexible means losing every time. It is either right or wrong, no in between. If 100 years of flexibility got us where we are today, then lets get real inflexible, now.
“Another government shutdown, with the GOP forced to give in after being pummeled for days would risk efforts to retake the Senate in November. “
So basically what is now being said is that there is simply no way to stop spending by this government.
And as far as retaking the Senate, this argument is a Red Herring. The idiotic amnesty that was proposed is what would have endangered a Senate takeover in the fall.
The lying big spenders in Washington blame the Tea Party for spending being out of control. Blaming the Tea Party is just one more way for politicians to not take responsibility for their actions.
There is no such thing as an un-winnable battle, there is only cowardice, and incompetence. Based on this notion, the Seahawks should have stayed home because Denver was favored to win. Most of the talking heads insisted no one could beat Manning. Unfortunately the Republicans have broadcast loud and clear the point that will draw their surrender. McConnell is not a hero, he should have been out in front of this issue months ago trying to shape public opinion. His heroics consisted of trying to proceed with a sham vote to provide cover for fellow rinos that don’t have the guts to fight. Obama said he would not negotiate, and the Republicans have been so weak he did not have too.
Utterly a lie; Leadership really didn’t even try to go to the table with Democrats for a “trade-off”.
Miller is a small mind.
The Keystone Pipeline will be built just not now under Boehner-Reid-Obama. When these three are taken off the stage in part or in whole, the trans-border pipeline will be built.
Right now it isn’t even necessary. There are so many pipeline projects in works in N. Dakota and Montana, and in their branches to junctions in other states, that America is booming despite the politics on Keystone. Last I counted there are about 30 pipeline projects throughout the Midwest stemming from the Bakken. And BNSF just announced they will invest about 5 billion into rail because of the Bakken. Rail is like one huge mobile pipe. It’s economical costing about $1 to #2 a barrel.
It is the Alberta oil that is held back by lack of pipe. They will get the Keystone after we kick the GOPe and Obama in their asses. For now it’s for later.
The Tea Party conservatives in Congress stood their ground on principle. It is time to stand for something.
The GOP establishment and the democrats have compromised our freedom away with all of their ‘compromise deals’. It is now not even a question as to what are the true aims of Boehner and McConnell.
Let me make it clear so that any person with half a brain can understand.
1. Politician Establishment Players ‘Players’ love taxes and they love getting fiat dollars in return for treasury bond paper. Make it even shorter, Players love money, they can’t get enough of it.
2. Obamacare is one huge tax wrapped in a bullsh*t health wrapper. Players want it, that’s the truth. And they will smooth talk voters and constituents to make them believe they are against it. It’s a con job.
3. Debt Ceiling increases are like free money as long as inflation is held in check. Inflation is held in check by channeling funds only to government and banks and away from commerce and housing. Also the manner in which the inflation rate is determined has been politicized. I just noticed a 20$ increase in my grocery bill this month. But I wouldn’t know by reading the government numbers on inflation. The Players love raising the debt ceiling because of number 1 above.
What the Tea Party conservatives have done is to expose who the Players are. It is now up to us to send them packing in this primary season and in the general in November.
Should have held out for the Paul Mac Penney Plan. So easy to sell. But no.
Sometimes you have to say NO. When someone is tearing down your house you do not compromise. You say NO.
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bttt
This guy’s an idiot. There’s NO WAY Bammy was going to cave on Keystone, his base would have crucified him.
Had the Tea Party been willing to compromise and accept Castle we would be one seat closer to taking control of the Senate where we would have more flexibility to counter Obama.
Had the gopE supported the candidates supported by the voters, those tea party candidates would have won. When will the gopE compromise?
It works a lot better when the "no" has some teeth in it though o one can feel good about their decision (and rightfully so), but the other side still wins another battle.
If they’re a majority in the House why are they the ones that need to compromise? Shouldn’t the opposition have had to compromise?
This Miller person is not to be trusted. He’s on the same take as the (literal) sellouts. Probably getting paid to write the compromise crap. I recall the Administration has funds and a program setup to ‘influence political discourse’ which sounds to me like greasing the journalists.
I agree - too many say "no" only if they know a "yes" is inevitable without them. That said, we need to take what we have an opportunity to take, when it becomes available. The Dims didn't gain all the control they have in one fell swoop - they took small bites wherever they showed up for decades. If we expect some "fell swoop opportunity" we are deluding ourselves. Push hard for what's right and accept whatever morsels appear as they appear. If we stay focused, our opportunities will become bigger and more often. Until we can weed out the entrenched RINOS and outright commies we need to focus on the causes of the sickness instead of the symptoms as we seem wont to do.
The shrill call of the wounded, obsolete RINO could still be heard throughout the Land:
” - - - If you follow an all or nothing strategy you usually end up with nothing! - - - “
While on Cruz Mountain is heard:
“THOSE WHO STAND FOR NOTHING WILL FALL FOR ANYTHING ! “
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