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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
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To: Puckster

Now we know who’s side BONER is ‘NOT’ on!


41 posted on 07/29/2011 6:56:28 AM PDT by The Bronze Titan
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To: RummyChick

I tend to sleep very peacefully at night, when I know that the federal government operation is frozen solid. But that’s just me.


42 posted on 07/29/2011 6:56:32 AM PDT by ZX12R (FUBO GTFO 2012 !)
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To: Safrguns

Exactly. If the Obama deal is such a good one, let the RINOs and Dems combine and pass a bill. Why and how can 22 members of the House stop a bill from passing? Who is really being partisan?


43 posted on 07/29/2011 6:56:32 AM PDT by kabar
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To: RummyChick
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.

I'm not buying that Boehner actually said that for two reasons: 1) It's an indirect quote.. the writer's paraphrasing of what Boehner actually said; and 2) The publication is the Marxist rag, "The Nation."

44 posted on 07/29/2011 6:56:52 AM PDT by ScottinVA (As a party that gives Obama what he wants, what again is the GOP`s 2012 selling point?)
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To: RummyChick


The fix was in.
45 posted on 07/29/2011 6:56:56 AM PDT by jimbo123
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To: sam_paine
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.

Some FReepers better start thinking more effectively and less reaction to headlines or Obama will be re-elected!

46 posted on 07/29/2011 6:57:20 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi
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To: sam_paine

The article has a spin on it..but it doesn’t change the fact that Boehner is indicating such.

More and more I am beginning to believe Boehner intentionally cut off Demint -who was criticizing him strongly in public - on the CCB vote so it wouldn’t pass.

Boehner needs/wants to tamp down the Tea Party to get control.

We must not let him do it.

He already has gotten to some of them.
And as Palin indicated - they need to be primaried.


47 posted on 07/29/2011 6:57:26 AM PDT by RummyChick
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To: cotton1706
What once was responsible is now deemed reckless by most faux conservatives.

If having ones house in financial order is now fool-hearty by the nations elected.......Lord, please protect us from this new “responsible”.

Bless the infiltrators......long may they run.

48 posted on 07/29/2011 6:57:54 AM PDT by Puckster
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To: cotton1706
Laura Ingraham has now gone to the other side. I’m not going to bother listening to her anymore.

I'd already given up on her before this. She too is getting just a bit to cozy with the Boehner cabal of elitist Blue Blooded Republicans of late all set to sell out the American tax payer.

49 posted on 07/29/2011 6:57:59 AM PDT by Ron H. (Help your neighbor find a job - turn in an illegal alien job stealer.)
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To: cotton1706

“Laura Ingraham has now gone to the other side. I’m not going to bother listening to her anymore.”

Soon you will not have anybody to listen to.


50 posted on 07/29/2011 6:58:46 AM PDT by nbenyo
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To: ScottinVA

You are correct. It is paraphrasing with a spin to gain headlines.

But I agree with the assessment given the way Boehner has operated. He is trying to take out the Tea Party.


51 posted on 07/29/2011 6:59:09 AM PDT by RummyChick
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To: RummyChick
Boehner Says Economic Hostage-Takers Have Infiltrated the House GOP Caucus

That sounds like something I'd expect a Dhimmiecrat to say. We really don't have a two-party system. What we have is one ruling political class that has different factions within it that are constantly trying to out jockey the others for more power and influence. Our only hope at this point is the Tea Party members. If they fold under pressure then we may find outselves as really nothing more than the peasant class.

52 posted on 07/29/2011 6:59:59 AM PDT by OB1kNOb (Financial Repression.......it answers a lot of questions.....read about it on FinancialSense.com.)
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To: RummyChick

Does anyone know where I can find a list of the Republicans who say they will vote against the bill? I want to congratulate every one of them! I hope my own congressman, Doug Lamborn (R-CO), is among them.


53 posted on 07/29/2011 7:00:05 AM PDT by American Quilter (Take back the White House and Senate in 2012--end the Obama Depression.)
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To: Venturer
It was said here in Free Republic long ago that Republicans would fold up like a heap suit.

Apparently you are not even bothering to pay attention to what is going on in DC. Republicans are the only thing standing between you and the DC beast.

54 posted on 07/29/2011 7:00:17 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (Giving politicians more tax money is like giving addicts free drugs to cure their addiction)
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To: RummyChick
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.

So, how is that any different that the 'gangs of xxx' that have permeated the Senate for a decade?
55 posted on 07/29/2011 7:01:08 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: RummyChick; Puckster; listenhillary; Da Coyote; saganite; cotton1706; skeeter; sam_paine; cp124; ...
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.

Look, knee-jerkers! You are looking at a "quote" from a leftist rag tha QUOTES A SINGLE WORD FROM LAURA.

And WTF is wrong with Boehner's quote without all the bullsh@t The Nation editorializing around it?

“Well 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.... 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.”

AND STILL!!! There are freepers who are still posting, to paraphrase, "Well. Sure he didn't say any such thing, but still, the leftists are just saying Boehner's a right wing tool paying too much attention to Tea Party people because we like what he's doing!"

Look at the point of the article! Look at the summary! The LEFT is pissed at Boehner because he's not doing what they want!

56 posted on 07/29/2011 7:01:37 AM PDT by sam_paine (X .................................)
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To: RummyChick

“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.”

It is obvious the writer is using his value judgements to come up with these words. That is how the writer is describing those who think they can force 0bama and the Senate to do more than the current offer. Boehner just described the situation he did not do any name calling.

I think that creating chaos to get what you want is very dangerous. It shows a certain amount of disregard for collateral damage to real people. Also, 2008 shows that chaos instigated to gain power sometimes causes lasting damage which is difficult to recover from so you get blamed for that chaos and its aftermath.


57 posted on 07/29/2011 7:01:37 AM PDT by Truth is a Weapon (Truth, it hurts so good.)
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To: saganite

You may be on to something.


58 posted on 07/29/2011 7:01:45 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (Eh ?)
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To: RummyChick

So Boehner has bought the bull spit that economic disaster is going to occur if the debt limit is not raised by August 2nd, when all the rest of us know that’s just not true.

Wall Street takes a dive at the rumor that Warren Buffett has a wart on his toe or King Abdullah sneezes, or Nike hires Michael Vick back. They get their panties in a wad about every third day the last two years. Who frankly gives a RIP?

Just pass a freaking resolution that says the US government is not going to pay more interest than what anybody else would get with a AAA rating. There, problem solved and the rich bankers can go hang and the American people win.

NOW, tackle your SPENDING PROBLEM, which is what Americans and American businessmen and women are objecting to. LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS, like most of us have to do!

Now, the biggest question for me is, WHO BOUGHT BOEHNER? The man has gone over the edge! What’s he been doing? Boinking his secretary and the democrats found out?


59 posted on 07/29/2011 7:01:59 AM PDT by RowdyFFC
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To: Erik Latranyi

No one here claims he used those EXACT words.

But look at what he said as he was trying to get his bill passed.

Go see where the South Carolina block is right now on their votes. Have any of them caved as of this morning - despite the Boeing issue???

What about Jim Jordan - despite the rumors of redistricting that just happened to happen as Jim Jordan was roundly criticizing Boehner.


60 posted on 07/29/2011 7:02:29 AM PDT by RummyChick
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