Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Boehner Says Economic Hostage-Takers Have Infiltrated the House GOP Caucus
http://www.thenation.com/blog/162408/boehner-says-economic-hostage-takers-have-infiltrated-house-gop ^ | 7/27 | john nicols

Posted on 07/29/2011 6:44:37 AM PDT by RummyChick

House Speaker John Boehner has a new excuse for the dissent within the ranks of the House Republican Caucus he is supposed to lead.

The caucus, Boehner says, has been infiltrated by a cabal that hopes to take the US economy hostage in order to force political concessions from President Obama and Congressional Democrats.

Appearing Wednesday on conservative talk radio host Laura Ingraham’s,, Boehner acknowledged what every serious economic analyst has already said: that a failure to raise the debt ceiling before the August 2 deadline would be devastating to an already struggling US economy.

So “why,” Ingraham asked, were House Republicans resisting the deal that President Obama has offered—a deal that is ridiculously deferent to Republican demands for cuts to needed domestic programs and for tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy.

“Well,” Boehner said of the most belligerent members of his caucus, “first they want more. And my goodness, I want more too. And secondly, a lot of them believe that if we get passed August the second and we have enough chaos, we could force the Senate and the White House to accept a balanced budget amendment.”

Let’s be clear about what Boehner is saying: he has members of his caucus—perhaps sufficient in number to block resolution of the debt ceiling fight—who would be willing to force the United States to default on its debts. Why? Because they want to create so much economic chaos that the president and Congressional Democrats will sign on for a bad policy that could not otherwise advance.

That’s blackmail. But Boehner’s not concerned about the fact that his lawless colleagues would threaten the good faith and credit of the United States—not to mention the economic stability of their homeland—in order to score political points.

The Speaker’s only concern is that a wrong move might make it harder for him to maneuver politically.

“I don’t think that that strategy works,” Boehner explained to the radio host. “Because I think the closer we get to August the second, frankly, the less leverage we have vis à vis our colleagues in the Senate and the White House.”

That is sort of reassuring.

Boehner is not a responsible player. But at least he is enough of a hack to fear that his colleagues who have lost touch with economic reality might—if allowed to have their way—create chaos not just for the economy but force a crisis that Ingraham suggested could “be disastrous for the Republican Party.” John Nichols


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: boehner; debtdeal; defaultisimpeachable; democratpropaganda; lauraingraham; nodefault14amendment; obama; teaparty
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 261-269 next last
To: Conservativegreatgrandma
The fact is RATS control the Senate and the presidency. Our people are not miracle workers.

True enough, which is all the more reason to stand firm and no reason to be complicit.

161 posted on 07/29/2011 7:35:11 AM PDT by KittenClaws (A closed mouth gathers no foot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 111 | View Replies]

To: 9YearLurker; RummyChick; Safrguns
Have any Texas governors come out supporting a specific debt ceiling plan—and affected the debate at a key moment?

Nope. Not that I'm aware of. Perry, Bush, Palin....all as far as I know sitting on the same goddam fence that Obama is.

Perry and Palin are both playing pols: "don't touch the tough issue!"

Bush of course has been completely silent on everything about Obama, which is consistent at least, but probably not applicable to a classless freak like Obama. And he'd just make it worse.

The only person in leadership going on Rush Limbaugh's show, going on Laura Ingraham's show, DOING THINGS THAT THE TEA PARTY HAS DEMANDED is Boehner.

You see something different?

162 posted on 07/29/2011 7:35:19 AM PDT by sam_paine (X .................................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 149 | View Replies]

To: sam_paine; Erik Latranyi
I can’t wait to see how many on this thread fall for the salacious headline from THE “LEFT-OF-MARX” NATION rag vs. what Boehner’s actual quote was.

It took 8 posts before someone mentioned that Boehner never said such a thing.

OK, OK...I was snookered...I admit it.

Thanks for pointing it out. (blood pressure slowly coming back down)

163 posted on 07/29/2011 7:35:49 AM PDT by moovova (Obama rolled up his sleeves...and cut 2 strokes off his golf score.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: RummyChick
Vive La Revolucion!!!!
164 posted on 07/29/2011 7:35:49 AM PDT by Gaffer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Bronze Titan
""""the Rats were willing to risk political suicide in 2010 to screw the country, why can't our side do the same now TO SAVE IT?"""""

AMEN and AMEN. That says it all, and shout it out loud anywhere and everywhere.

165 posted on 07/29/2011 7:36:04 AM PDT by annieokie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 79 | View Replies]

To: skeeter

This article is full of propaganda and deflects blame to conservatives. And you fell for it.

Clues:

-The 14th Amendment does not permit the US to avoid payment on the national debt. It is an impeachable offense. It must/will be paid with monthly tax receipts before anything else.

-Cutting current spending improves the US’s credit rating, whereas raising the debt limit damages the US’s credit rating.

The conservatives are insisting on greater spending cuts, just as the TEA party advocates. This protects the credit rating while depriving democrats the funds they need to buy political support.

If the Dems choose to not make debt interest payments it will skyrocket interest rates and they will face impeachment.


166 posted on 07/29/2011 7:36:40 AM PDT by Justa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 152 | View Replies]

To: MestaMachine
She has been speaking on several different news shows, Fox Business for one, and she has stated repeatedly CUT, CAP, AND BALANCE.

Oh? You mean the CCB that Boehner rammed through the House in response to Obama trying to pull a fast one on him and make him cave in a private meeting?

So what has Sarah done to get that through Reid's senate?

167 posted on 07/29/2011 7:37:29 AM PDT by sam_paine (X .................................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 160 | View Replies]

To: cotton1706

Laura’s been a bit of a disappointment.I believe that those who’ve been hanging around the WA DC NY circle have been ‘compromised’ in their outlook that it’s more important to play the ‘political’ game than to go all out for principle and common sense!


168 posted on 07/29/2011 7:38:05 AM PDT by The Bronze Titan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Puckster
Am I the only one who believes that the 193 Representatives with the (D) after their names are the ones who are refusing to compromise here?

How can less than 100 of the 435 members be the reason for gridlock?

Boehner is aiming his frustrated inept anger at his own party instead of the true adversary the democrats.

169 posted on 07/29/2011 7:40:24 AM PDT by John 3_19-21
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: moovova; Erik Latranyi; RummyChick
moovova: OK, OK...I was snookered...I admit it. Thanks for pointing it out.

It's not so much your fault as it is irresponsibly posting-and-defending a leftist propaganda piece on FR.

170 posted on 07/29/2011 7:40:50 AM PDT by sam_paine (X .................................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 163 | View Replies]

To: FrankR

Personally, the Scarecrow is probably more appropriate.


171 posted on 07/29/2011 7:41:05 AM PDT by BenKenobi (Honkeys for Herman!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Justa
You must be talking to someone else. Fell for what?

Does the Boehner plan roll back spending to any appreciable degree? No it doesn't. Does it assume continued fuding for Obama care? Yes, it does.

Do you disagree with either of these assertions? Please, convince me.

172 posted on 07/29/2011 7:41:12 AM PDT by skeeter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 166 | View Replies]

To: sam_paine

“Perry and Palin are both playing pols: ‘don’t touch the tough issue!’”
THAT is BS. BS at least as far as Palin is concerned. She has been speaking out rather forcefully. Maybe you don’t care about that simple truth, but at least stop prevaricating about it.


173 posted on 07/29/2011 7:41:29 AM PDT by MestaMachine (Guns don't kill people, the obama administration does. (Gunwalker Ping List))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 162 | View Replies]

To: sam_paine

You are an A WHOLE! You have terminal PDS!


174 posted on 07/29/2011 7:41:46 AM PDT by The Bronze Titan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 150 | View Replies]

To: RummyChick

Watch out...for these RinoCrat Clowns...an “Economic hostage-taker is only one short step away from being a terrorist.

Its terroristic to interfere with their spending delusions...doncha know?


175 posted on 07/29/2011 7:43:08 AM PDT by mo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Bronze Titan
You are an A WHOLE! You have terminal PDS!

LOL. You have no idea wtf you're talking about.

Which is why you were unable to post any content to make your point.

176 posted on 07/29/2011 7:43:25 AM PDT by sam_paine (X .................................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 174 | View Replies]

To: MestaMachine

Stay away from PDS people. They are a waste of oxygen!


177 posted on 07/29/2011 7:43:57 AM PDT by The Bronze Titan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 173 | View Replies]

To: MestaMachine
She has been speaking out rather forcefully.

Such as what? What's Boehner not done that she wants?

178 posted on 07/29/2011 7:44:30 AM PDT by sam_paine (X .................................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 173 | View Replies]

To: sam_paine

Last I heard, Sarah Palin is a REPUBLICAN. What the hell is she supposed to do about REID’S senate???


179 posted on 07/29/2011 7:45:16 AM PDT by MestaMachine (Guns don't kill people, the obama administration does. (Gunwalker Ping List))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 167 | View Replies]

To: sam_paine

Go post on DU!


180 posted on 07/29/2011 7:45:56 AM PDT by The Bronze Titan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 176 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 261-269 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson