Ryan Saves GOP from Itself

Townhall.com ^ | December 14, 2013 | Larry Kudlow

[Kaslin]

Did Paul Ryan’s budget deal save the Republican Party from itself? I think it did.

Everyone acknowledges that Ryan-Murray is not a great deal. But the fact is, its passage will avoid a government shutdown. That’s crucial.

If the GOP wants to retake the Senate and hold the House in 2014, the key issues must be the catastrophic pitfalls of Obamacare and better economic growth. A shutdown would be a distraction. It would take the heat off Obama and Obamacare, and all the Democrats who falsely promised that if you like your insurance and doctor, you can keep them.

Obama’s “like it, keep it” promise was just named the lie of the year in the annual PolitiFact survey. Reminding voters of that lie is much more important than a government shutdown -- which would be blamed on Republicans anyway.

Millions more people will be uninsured over the next year than those who are newly insured. At the very least, hundreds of thousands of people who thought they enrolled in Obamacare via the website will find out they are not enrolled. Sick people will lose their doctors and probably their hospitals. Healthy younger people will by and large boycott Obamacare.

In economic terms, Obamacare taxes and regulations are holding back business investing and hiring. And I can add another 5,000 words on the flaws of this state-run health plan. But suffice it to say, those very flaws must be a key ingredient in a Republican takeover next November.

Sure, there are a lot of disappointments with Ryan-Murray. Even Ryan agrees. The worst is that only 70 percent of the sequester is left over the next two years. And although Ryan believes the caps will be restored to 90 percent, that’s probably a triumph of hope over experience. The budget caps of the last couple of years have brought down the level of spending and its share of GDP, thereby functioning as a pro-growth tax cut. Losing that discipline is my biggest problem with the deal. But if there’s a Republican Senate and House in 2015, chances of restoring a large measure of budget discipline are better than if the Republicans lose both houses.

The purest path for the budget talks would have been a clean bill keeping all the sequestration budget cuts. But the votes were never there in the House. Defense hawks and others would have left that bill short by 40 to 50 Republican votes. And Democrats would never have supported it. Hence the shutdown threat.

Ryan knew all this. So he went to work with Senator Patty Murray on a common-ground compromise that pleased no one fully but at least temporarily got the job done and took the shutdown off the table.

And in my view, the GOP got the better of this deal. The spending increases are tiny and there are no income-tax hikes. The sequester itself is not dead. And a costly extension of unemployment insurance never made it in the bill.

The Democrats wanted an end to sequestration and a big tax hike and got neither. And Ryan was able to get minor entitlement reforms with larger co-pays for federal employee retirements, and a small COLA reduction for younger military retirees who find second careers after leaving the armed forces. And the costs of the federal guarantee of private corporate pension benefits will be raised.

Yes, airport fees are going up. That’s a nuisance. But the overall numbers are palatable, with $63 billion in higher spending, $85 billion in so-called fees and other spending cuts, and possible a net deficit reduction of $25 billion.

It’s a political solution, not a fiscal one.

But Senate Republicans could be on the verge of a big political mistake. Senator Mitch McConnell is leading the charge to vote against this deal. He may have a lot of support. But with all due respect, this is a hypocritical position. It was McConnell and other GOP senators who trashed senators Cruz and Lee and House Republicans over the defunding shutdown last summer. Now Mr. McConnell wants a shutdown? Makes no sense.

Fortunately for Republicans, the Obamacare disaster erased the political downside of the shutdown. Paul Ryan understands this. And the really strong Ryan budget -- which he put forth in recent years, and includes entitlement and pro-growth tax reform -- would have a lot better chance if Republicans controlled both houses of Congress and then claimed the White House in 2016. A small watering down of budget caps seems like a small price to pay on the road to controlling Washington.

Ryan says he has the presidency in the back of his mind. Well, fine. But meanwhile, in the run-up to next year’s election, he may have saved the GOP from itself.

[dirtboy]

Fortunately for Republicans, the Obamacare disaster erased the political downside of the shutdown.

And what was the shutdown about, Kudlow? Obamacare. Not your best moment, moron.

[Aurorales]

I feel so far removed from the GOP.

This Ryan baloney and how he/they have sold out military retirees just might be the final nail in the coffin for me.

I am disgusted I voted for the slimey weasel.

[SoFloFreeper]

If the GOP wants to retake the Senate and hold the House in 2014, the key issues must be the catastrophic pitfalls of Obamacare and better economic growth. A shutdown would be a distraction. It would take the heat off Obama and Obamacare, and all the Democrats who falsely promised that if you like your insurance and doctor, you can keep them.

Kudlow said later, correctly: "It's a political solution, not a fiscal one."

Guys, that is the best we can expect, I think, with the Clown occupying the White House and the Demon Rats controlling the Senate.

I am inclined to go along with Kudlow on these points.

[DannyTN]

"And the really strong Ryan budget -- which he put forth in recent years, and includes entitlement and pro-growth tax reform -- would have a lot better chance if Republicans controlled both houses of Congress and then claimed the White House in 2016

I don't think I want the Ryan budget. The problem with Ryan is that he's not doing anything about unemployment. We do't need to cut entitlements if we put people back to work.

Ryan doesn't get it. His solution is like taking a family whose breadwinner has lost his job and focusing on cutting meal portions. When the real effort should be in finding a new job.

Our country needs jobs. Raise the import tariffs and give China something to worry about other than challenging us militarily.

[Patton@Bastogne]

Kaslin .... thanks for posting .... if ObamaCare is indeed the GOP target, then defund ObamaCare, run a tv media blitz to that effect, submit seperate budget bills, like we used to do ... baby blue Ryan has simply proposed a frankenstein pork laden budget that GOP cowards endorse.

[1rudeboy]

Now that's what I call tax reform! How high should we raise them?

[Zakeet]

From Wikipedia: Larry Kudlow is an American economist, television personality, and newspaper columnist. He is the host of CNBC's The Kudlow Report.

Kudlow graduated from University of Rochester in Rochester, New York with a degree in history in 1969. Known as "Kuddles" to friends, he was a star on the tennis team and a member of the left-wing Students for a Democratic Society at Rochester. In 1970, Kudlow joined Joseph Duffey's "New Politics" senatorial campaign in Connecticut. Duffey was a leading anti-war politician during the Vietnam war era. Kudlow, working with Yale University student Bill Clinton as well as many other rising young Democratic students, was known as a "brilliant" district coordinator. In 1971, Kudlow attended Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, where he studied politics and economics.

Kudlow began his career as a staff economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He worked in a division of that bank that handled open market operations, which involve buying and selling bonds to help control inflation and interest rates. In 1970--still a Democrat--Kudlow worked on the U.S. Senate campaign of Joseph Duffey, along with Bill Clinton, John Podesta, and Michael Medved, another future conservative, and in 1976 he worked on the U.S. Senate campaign of Daniel Patrick Moynihan, along with Tim Russert, against Conservative Party incumbent James L. Buckley, brother of William F. Buckley, Jr.

In 1987 Kudlow was rehired by Bear Stearns as its chief economist and senior managing director. He was fired in 1994 after abuse of cocaine caused him to skip an important client presentation. Kudlow later admitted to a $10,000 a month cocaine habit.

On June 26, 2002, in a commentary in NRO titled "Taking Back the Market — By Force", Kudlow called for the United States to attack Iraq because "a lack of decisive follow-through in the global war on terrorism is the single biggest problem facing the stock market and the nation today." Kudlow was one of 250 economic experts to sign an open letter dated February 12, 2003 endorsing George W. Bush's policies on economic growth and jobs.

Kudlow firmly denied that the United States would enter a recession in 2007, or that it was in the midst of a recession in early to mid 2008. In December 2007, he wrote: "The recession debate is over. It's not gonna happen. Time to move on. At a bare minimum, we are looking at Goldilocks 2.0. (And that's a minimum). The Bush boom is alive and well. It's finishing up its sixth splendid year with many more years to come". In May 2008 he wrote: "President George W. Bush may turn out to be the top economic forecaster in the country" in his "R" is for "Right". He said that "I don't believe we're heading into a recession" in regards to the large Wall Street drop of August 4, 2011 and recent signs of weaknesses in the United States' GDP.

[Steven Tyler]

Fortunately for Republicans, Cruz stood tall and strong against 0bamacare, demonstrating the Republicans did not create the mess, and want to repeal the law

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I reject Kudlow's premise.

NONE of the Republicans are talking about Obamacare - Not one. They are not out there bringing the people who lost their coverage for press conferences, they are not running ads, and they are not speaking out against Obamacare.

So for Kudlow to say that this stupid deal is keeping the "heat" on Obamacare is patently false, because the media and Dems are doing all they can to whitewash it.

Notice the stories that are running about Obamacare. Note the tone - "Mr. and Mrs Smith just lost their coverage - but it's all good! They have better options under the Affordable Care Act. It's not that big of a deal, why, Mr. Smith can work a part-time job or get a subsidy to get the coverage he needs!"

Pound sand Kudlow.

[Gaffer]

You and me both. It is like the country I grew up in just up and left for somewhere.

You cannot even trust your own congressmen and women. Mine, Doug Collins was a fighter whom I previously thought of as a conservative willing to fight the good battle voted for this capitulation of values. All he has/had to do is vote NO and he’d have maintained my vote, and many many others. He didn’t have anything to do except listen and heed. Yet, he’s succumbed to the DC brainwash and Boehner influence. Disgusting!

As it is, I just finished up an email to him telling him I won’t forget, and he is out in my book. I’ll vote for his primary opponent, and failing that WILL NOT vote for him in the General Election. He joins that list of traitors which includes both of my Georgia Senators.

The only comment I can make is the two congressmen that voted against the bill were Broun and Gingrey, both of whom are running for Senator to fill traitor Chambliss’ seat.

However, I’m sure that vote for both was political to Georgia Senatorial politics. I’d not hold hope either would not be an appeaser once they are elected.

[Kaslin]

What is the purpose of this? The article isn’t about the author

[Gaffer]

I would also like to add something to all the Freepers out there. You are about to see a whole host of lilly-livered appeaser RINO Senators up there seeming to have gotten a backbone saying they will vote against it. DO NOT BE FOOLED.

They KNOW their vote is a “show vote”, especially for the ones up for re-election in 2014. Do NOT believe them and do not let their votes on this change your mind. They are ever staunch in their conniving, appeasing RINO traitor ways and will not change. They know, even when they vote NO, the bill will pass.

[Olog-hai]

Who will save TownHall.com from itself, now?

[Gaffer]

No, not specifically. However, as a contributor to Townhall, knowledge of who and what he is is important. His conclusions about this are just wrong.

[RegulatorCountry]

He looks dorkily ill at ease, like he’d really be much more comfortable in a bowtie.

[EternalVigilance]

Ryan Saves GOP from Itself

Yeah Kudlow. The prison camp is always nice and safe and cozy for those who totally surrender.

[Zakeet]

What is the purpose of this? The article isn’t about the author

The article is nothing more than Mr. Kudlow's opinion, which makes information pertaining to his background and credentials very valuable indeed in considering his qualifications, credibility, and thus to some extent, the overall validity of his viewpoints.

[Slambat]

“If the GOP wants to retake the Senate and hold the House in 2014, the key issues must be the catastrophic pitfalls of Obamacare and better economic growth. A shutdown would be a distraction.”

Dream on Kudlow, you have all the RINO talking points down. I guess the RINO’s are having their morning media talking
points get togethers gust like the tards.

“Millions more people will be uninsured over the next year than those who are newly insured.”

That’s right and the RINOs are all in for standing by and
letting it happen so it will punish the citizens into voting
for the spineless RINO party. Looks like Kudlow is all in
with the false opposition side of the democrat party.

[RightLady]

The budget can be changed from year to year. Obamacare will last forever if not repealed soon. Right now the important thing is to nip Obama(don’t)care in the bud. The Tea Party’s success was mainly due to its opposition to Obamacare. Let’s not cut off our nose to spite our face.