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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: RummyChick

The only thing dangerous for Americans is the depression that POTUS Obama & his Democrat ilk have put this once great nation into by design and purpose!!! Give Obama not one red cent more!!!! In fact: Force him to resign right now!!!!


61 posted on 07/29/2011 7:02:32 AM PDT by JLAGRAYFOX
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To: Freddd
“It’s from the Nation...”

I'm going out on a limb here.....moi? Me an infiltrator?

Behold the power of an outraged citizenry?

Imagine that.

62 posted on 07/29/2011 7:02:46 AM PDT by Puckster
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To: RummyChick
Anyone saying “default on debt” is lying.

We only default on our debt if the Treasury decides that paying our creditors is less important than paying the NEA, NPR, the DOE, ‘homeland security’, the ATF, Foreign aid, our UN dues, etc, etc, etc.

Fear-mongering like this is ‘talking down the economy’ and making our creditors nervous.

The USA has, and always will, pay its debts. Talk otherwise is idiotic, not patriotic and is done to wind people up and get them after a red herring.

63 posted on 07/29/2011 7:02:56 AM PDT by allmendream (Tea Party did not send the GOP to D.C. to negotiate the terms of our surrender to socialism.)
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To: sam_paine; Freddd; rhombus; ScottinVA

45 posts and we are the only ones who saw through the incendiary headline that has no basis in fact.

Everybody else posting are unwitting puppets of the left.

This reminds me of the “NRA Endorses Reid” crap that was started by the leftists to divide us. There are still FReepers who believe that lie!


64 posted on 07/29/2011 7:03:04 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi
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To: TomGuy

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.

When one starts knifing their largest single portion of the caucus, they show they are beyond desparate. Expect to hear the some commentary from his majesty in 45 minutes.

Of course, if this was such a balanced and compromised deal, why are no dems behind it...simple, they don’t want a deal.


65 posted on 07/29/2011 7:03:35 AM PDT by Mouton (Voting is an opiate of the electorate. Nothing changes no matter who wins..)
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To: cotton1706

She sure has! I am currently screaming at the radio...she is a traitor and continues, with her RINO pals, to bash the Tea Party. I am never listening to her again...


66 posted on 07/29/2011 7:03:35 AM PDT by halo66
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To: RummyChick
Infiltrated???

You mean you don't even know who the trouble-makes are? What good are you as a leader if you can't even identify who is causing the problem?

Step down. Retire. Quit. Go get a real job. Go out and live in the world you helped create.

Jerk.

67 posted on 07/29/2011 7:03:51 AM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
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To: Puckster
No...we have been infiltrated by RINOS.

When Reid can get on teh floor on the seante...AND QUOTE REPUBLICANS...AGAINST REPUBLICANS...then you know we have lost.

We've lost the debate...because Fred Thompson...John McCann...and their Ilk...Didn't dtick together.

If we don't stick together...we shall all hang separatly.

You have to give it to the dems...on the BIG issues...they know how to STICK TOGETHER.

68 posted on 07/29/2011 7:03:51 AM PDT by NELSON111
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To: nbenyo
“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.

Then be sure to write a bigger check to Free Republic.

69 posted on 07/29/2011 7:03:53 AM PDT by Night Hides Not (My dream ticket for 2012 is John Galt & Dagny Taggart!)
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To: caver
Obama has not offered any deal other than raising taxes.

The one bill that was said to be Obama's was voted down in the Senate 97-0.

That is what the Senate thought of Obama's plan.
70 posted on 07/29/2011 7:04:13 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: sam_paine
I wasn't referring to his quote. I'm referring to his bill.

And what really tickles the left is when RINOs take to the floor and call conservatives hobbitts.

71 posted on 07/29/2011 7:04:14 AM PDT by skeeter
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To: Free Vulcan
Boehner's "infiltrators" are doing exactly what they were elected to do ... stop the out-of-control spending, reduce the debt and maintain conservative principles as the House is the only portion of government where such principles are currently represented.

Boehner has obviously forgotten these are the reasons he was elected, too. As bad as it was, even Pelosi managed her caucus and stood firm by her principles better than Boehner has his.

Boehner continues to lead by the "Stupid Party's" well-worn strategy of "we-might-have-caved-this-time-but-just-you-wait,-we'll-really-get'em-next-time".

72 posted on 07/29/2011 7:04:24 AM PDT by glennaro
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To: cotton1706

Of note Laura I. has become the go to mouth piece to sit in for Bill O’bloviator on the unwatchable Factor.


73 posted on 07/29/2011 7:04:32 AM PDT by iopscusa (El Vaquero. (SC Lowcountry Cowboy))
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To: RummyChick
Boehner Says Economic Hostage-Takers Have Infiltrated the House GOP Caucus

Boehner needs to cool it if he doesn't want a sizeable percentage of his base to dump him.

74 posted on 07/29/2011 7:04:32 AM PDT by Lazamataz (If you pet a tiny goose, you will feel a little down.)
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To: sam_paine
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!

They should be told to get their asses in line.

75 posted on 07/29/2011 7:04:38 AM PDT by kabar
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To: RummyChick

Dang that cabal of hostage taking Hobbits.


76 posted on 07/29/2011 7:04:55 AM PDT by calico_thompson
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To: RummyChick

Fire this gutless wonder, this Vichy Republican mannikin.


77 posted on 07/29/2011 7:04:58 AM PDT by Psalm 144 (Voodoo Republicans: Don't read their lips - watch their hands.)
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To: JaguarXKE

I’m thinking that default, even if it can be avoided, is going to happen and it will be intended.

We better start looking at what the other hand is doing. I’m getting the impression that this is less about defaulting and more about seizing complete control by the marxists.


78 posted on 07/29/2011 7:05:13 AM PDT by Outlaw Woman (Palin/Perry 2012)
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To: muddler
We have a bunch of "Leaders" who are interested in the "politics" of the thing, who've been part of the system, and are married to it, even so-called 'good ones' like Mike Pence, who will buckle to the media pressure if it means it could cost them their political jobs!

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?


79 posted on 07/29/2011 7:05:45 AM PDT by The Bronze Titan
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To: RummyChick

the pubies have more power than they’re willing to use.

the democrats and their gerbilist media are not going to like them no matter what they do.


80 posted on 07/29/2011 7:06:12 AM PDT by ken21 (liberal + rino progressive media hate palin, bachman, cain...)
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