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
Conservatives! Hold that line! Hold it!!!! Remember why and for whom you are fighting. If you die, then die with honor.
Hang in there hostage takers.
They were elected Boner, not infiltrated. We need to ‘infiltrate’ alot more of them apparently.
I am happy for the state of Indiana that they will have Mike Pence as governor, but heartbroken, because he would be an historically great Speaker of the House. He has the principles and the media skills we so desperately need. Boehner has his good and bad points, but in the end, is a creature of DC. This last three days proves what most of us thought all along. This bill is garbage and is a sellout to the Democrats.
They just needed to make minimal cuts and go the mics and lay out there case that the country is in danger until Harry Reid and Obama are gone from their leadership positions. They simply refuse to address the problem, and in fact are THE reason we have a 1.5 TRILLION dollar deficit...racking up more than 200 billion a MONTH in spending on failed ideas.
I am happy for the state of Indiana that they will have Mike Pence as governor, but heartbroken, because he would be an historically great Speaker of the House. He has the principles and the media skills we so desperately need. Boehner has his good and bad points, but in the end, is a creature of DC. This last three days proves what most of us thought all along. This bill is garbage and is a sellout to the Democrats.
They just needed to make minimal cuts and go the mics and lay out there case that the country is in danger until Harry Reid and Obama are gone from their leadership positions. They simply refuse to address the problem, and in fact are THE reason we have a 1.5 TRILLION dollar deficit...racking up more than 200 billion a MONTH in spending on failed ideas.
And of course O dummy will be on today at 10 20 and I guarantee he will skewer the tea party...every time he says tea party is opposed he will say we need a balanced approach and therefore in the listeners mind he hears the tea party is unbalanced.
Of course, Bonehead completely circumvented the tea party newbies in any awards of status in the party, relegating them to back benchers...he adopted the “tea party” mantle when it served its purposes. He is finished as speaker.
It was said here in Free Republic long ago that Republicans would fold up like a heap suit.
Boehner has folded his suit and is now in his underwear bending over for the ram.
The only direction he ever maneuvers is LEFT.
It’s from the Nation...
I agree with the assessment that this is Kabuki theater. They have a deal, it will get done, even if it’s McConnell’s plan.
Why do I say that?
CONgress won’t kill the goose that laid the golden egg. Apparently we have a few members of the House that are rabble. They actually want to do the right thing. Silly newbies.
One doesn’t spend millions, and in many cases, quit a job making mid 6 figures, to take a job that pays about $150k, unless there’s more to it. The “more to it” is that no one leaves CONgress poor.
Ugh. Boehner approaches his own side ALL WRONG. What a dumba**. He’s been fighting the Libs hard and then he goes and throws it all away like this. And gives zer0, the socialists and their media sycophants affirmation of their stupid talking points.
Ugh. Boehner approaches his own side ALL WRONG. What a dumba**. He’s been fighting the Libs hard and then he goes and throws it all away like this. And gives zer0, the socialists and their media sycophants affirmation of their stupid talking points.
Hey it’s in the Nation so it has to be true. Freepers always read the Nation and believe every word. ;-)
Bad for who Speaker B., bad for you, bad for the Tea Party, bad for America? I suspect that you are only looking out for you and your own version of a cabal of RINO Republicans that just can't break themselves from the tax payer teat. Get your grubby hands out of our pockets, now! CCB. That's the ticket.
FU John Nichols!
Your “analysis” is a screed.
Pence is a yes.
As a supporter of the “hostage takers” would that make me boehner’s enemy?
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