Wednesday, June 29, 2011
A prediction:The Republicans will be intransigent on the debt limit up to the very last minute. Throughout this time they will have gotten on the record – and already have – politically toxic Democratic concessions (e.g. Medicare cuts) that they can brandish in the next election. Obama’s ultimate “victory” on the debt limit issue will be a one day story because nothing bad will have happened and the issue is too abstruse for most voters anyway. The Democratic concessions will not vanish since they can be effectively portrayed as a hit against seniors and others. The Senate Democrats and Obama shouldn't have bothered with negotiations because the Republicans weren't interested in solving a problem. They were interested in gaining political advantage.
posted by Quiddity at 6/29/2011 04:27:00 AM
7 comments
If I were the president, I'd call Boehner, Cantor and McConnell into my office and say, "You want to cause a global economic catastrophe? Go ahead and do it. I dare you."
They won't. Wall Street won't stand for it. These guys know they're bluffing. I'd call them on it.
I agree completely.
The largest mistake was not insisting that the debt ceiling vote -- as such a vital procedure -- be "clean," with no negotiating about anything other than the size of the ceiling beyond that needed for the next couple years.
Instead we get this utterly cynical drama which is used primarily to advance Republican policy and political goals.
"Democrats will keep Medicare as is" is a helluva lot stronger message than what they'll be running on: "We won't allow you to go bankrupt or die in precisely the same way Republicans will."
"Republicans plan to destroy your future by driving off the cliff at 50MPH. We responsible Democrats will preserve your future by driving off the cliff at the same 100MPH that has served us so well for all these years."
Meanwhile the tea party is fighting both of them for the brake pedal. This makes them extremists.
jms wrote: "We responsible Democrats will preserve your future by driving off the cliff at the same 100MPH that has served us so well for all these years."
Except the Democrats aren't for cutting revenues insanely and starting incredibly expensive, useless wars they don't want to pay for.
Other than that the analogy holds up.
On the other hand, the Democrats are for cutting our military presence insanely and starting incredibly expensive, useless entitlements they don't want to pay for.
riflet wrote, The largest mistake was not insisting that the debt ceiling vote -- as such a vital procedure -- be "clean," with no negotiating about anything other than the size of the ceiling beyond that needed for the next couple years.
Yeah. I tried making that point at a blog overrun with "O-bots," and they responded "Obama did ask for that, but Boehner said no way!" Of course, the real point here is, as you said, no negotiating. Yglesias made this point repeatedly. Stupid, stupid O-bots...
jms blithered, On the other hand, the Democrats are for cutting our military presence insanely and starting incredibly expensive, useless entitlements they don't want to pay for.
LOL.
Cutting our military presence? Where are we "present," why are we "present" there, and to what extent does our being militarily "present" there advance or retard the national interest?
Doubt you have enough brain cells to process that one, though.
Re entitlements, ever hear of Medicare Part D?
|
