No, no and no.
This is the correct maneuver. They are finally getting it right.
The debt ceiling is a losing argument. The money has already been spent and the bill has arrived. You have to pay it.
It doesn’t mean surrender and it’s not a cave. The specifics are important.
The schedule of events were not good for the argument. The real battle is the Continuing Resolution that has served as a substitute budget for 4 or 5 years. THAT is the legislation that determines spending. It was defined in Aug 2011 to expire March 27. The debt ceiling was to expire then too, but the projections were wrong and it arrived first.
Now the GOP has arranged for it to arrive last, and the Dems are falling for it. They will have to propose spending for the new CR. The media optics on that are very difficult.
Yes, I know the response is “the media will support them and make them look good”, but they, the Dems, STILL have to propose spending and get it past the 8 Dem Senators from red states who are up in 2014. They are going to have the same trouble getting past them as they will with gun control.
This is a good GOP maneuver. The CR is the battle, not the ceiling.
I agree the real battle is the budget and stopping laws that increase spending and have pork in them.
I wish I could share your optimism that the Republican caucus will stand up for Constitutional principles and fight ... I really do. But I don’t. I have been disappointed too many times and do not expect them to stand fast on the CR or most anything else for that matter. I hope beyond words that I’m wrong ....
I agree, BUT they will screw it up. They will allow the Senate to pass a poison bill and then the House will balk at it then they republicans will get the full blame because the senate and Zero both agree and it’s the do nothing House causing problems.
I almost would rather see them just spend it all. Spend $5 trillion more this year and $10 trillion more next. Just burn it up quicker and get it done.
B.S. Not going into battle guarantees losing the war.
It should be interesting to see what happens to the bond ratings. The Obama/Dem/media line is that the wrangling over the debt limit is the reason for downgrades. If the GOP passes a clean debt limit increase, they should make darn sure that they are merely doing what the president and his constituents want.
I got it, this would be Super Secret, Super Genius plan # 64,449. GW Made lots of them and kept spending down, right?