You’re kidding, right? [Andy McCarthy on the budget deal]

NRO Corner ^ | April 9, 2011 | Andrew McCarthy

[Al B.]

With due respect, I think those who are praising the budget deal are deluding themselves. Under circumstances where we are trillions of dollars in debt, the GOP just caved on its promise to cut the relative pittance of $61 billion in spending because it’s just not worth fighting for more than the half-pittance of $40 billion Democrats claimed was their drop-dead number. “Drop dead” meant daring Republicans to shut the government down (which, as we know, doesn’t actually shut the government down). The Republicans blinked. 

For me, this is no surprise — as I’ve said several times (see, e.g., here and here), I don’t think they’re serious. But I want to make a point about how strange this praise of Boehner & Co. is. A mere four months ago, the big controversy in conservative and Republican circles was whether the GOP had reneged on their vaunted pledge to cut $100B in spending in the current fiscal year because they had seemingly come down to $61B. As I noted at the time, there was no question that, if you looked at the fine print of the pledge, the commitment was $61B — but that if you looked at reality, both $61B and $100B were laughably unserious. No matter. Folks around here pooh-poohed my criticism and insisted that a $61B pledge was a sober first step, showing real fortitude about getting our fiscal house in order.

So now they’ve stopped short, significantly short, of that purportedly serious step, and the reaction is, “We won!” You’ve got to be kidding me.

[Lysandru]

So I understand all of the wailing about the unseriousness of the budget deal. But for those of you who want the whole loaf or nothing...what is your practical alternative?

The 1/2 of 1/3 of the government is directly relevant here. There is simply no realistic way that we are going to get what we really want. Heck, even the Ryan budgetary proposal for 2012 and beyond is not enough. Politics is the art of the possible. The Sheeple still don't grasp the sheer magnitude of our fiscal crisis. And if both sides appear intrasigent, we can lose our support from those damned "moderates"-- who are unfortunately necessary to a winning electoral coalition.

We need to look to Fabius Cuncator for inspiration here. Winning everything you want today is useless if we lose the long term war.

[RnMomof7]

Agreed ...

[tumblindice]

Banning federal funding for abortions in Wash DC is the very definition of a `Pyrhhic victory.’
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/04/08/budget-deal-nets-dc-abortion-funding-ban-planned-parenthood-vote/

When I was in high school in Prince Georges county (way back when Obama was nodding his head back & forth memorizing the Koran) my classmates were always driving up to DC where the age to buy beer was 18.
It is just a `hop, skip & jump’ for DC residents down Indian Head highway to a Maryland Planned Parenthood clinic for “family planning.”

[Brimack34]

Fox was in the tank big time. The beltway insiders are all in the tank for big government it was sick. This whole dog and pony show was a joke and I want my money back.

[RnMomof7]

I imagine the Ryan budget is well supported by the leadership, as he reports to them. I think they are gearing up to expend more on the full budget for next year than this half measure.

I have this great bridge in NYC that I am looking to sell ..

[RnMomof7]

They still think they can make us happy with half ( or quarter ) measures.. keep the sheep happy...

I am ready to spend my time and money to replace every man that voted for this BS ... Out ... Get out and make room for people that love the nation more than their jobs

[cizinec]

That is absolute drivel. He know well how the budget process works. The Ryan Budget is the *only* budget being discussed for 2012. If we don’t get at least 5 trillion cut for the 2012 budget (yes, over the next ten years), then I will be angry.

No matter what came out of this stupid CR (and that’s all it was), everyone in Washington knows darn well the real fight will be over a real live 2012 budget. Boehner is letting Ryan go with his budget.

If we don’t get at least 5 trillion in cuts, 0bama and the dems will lose the Senate and probably the White House. They know it. There is already grass roots support *from liberals* supporting the Ryan budget.

If Boehner had decided to fight for $100b in cuts on a stupid CR at the cost of trillions in the 2012 budget, he would have been a fool.

[Lancey Howard]

It’s a matter of cowardice.

[Chi-townChief]

Can this guy cry or what!

[Lancey Howard]

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[GloriaJane]

The Republicans evidently don’t know how to horse trade. You ask for $61, when dems say no you ask for $65, if dems say no again you ask for $70 if the dems say no... then shut it down till the dems say yes.

Be my thought....

[fightinJAG]

No doubt we need to keep fighting. Situation normal.

That doesn’t mean we got nothing.

[fightinJAG]

Remember the days when we couldn’t get a flat dime cut off of anything?

We just need to keep ploughing ahead.

[fightinJAG]

My confidence is in us. That is all.

If you think we’re whupped, sit down and keep out of the way.

We have work to do, and all I’m saying is let’s keep our eye on the ball. Wailing does not help.

[Nuc 1.1]

I do think their strategy in these first few months is less than desired, but they are mostly going to be trimming around the edges until there is at least a GOP senate majority, and setting the stage for more pickups in 2012.

The dims will filibuster any changes. Sigh this is going no where.

[JoeFromSidney]

After the last redistricting, Boehner is no longer my rep. I can't vote against him. But I can support a primary ;challenger. How about it? What's the story in Boehner's district? Any chance of a credible challenger?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

There should be massive TEA party demonstrations all over the country today. Instead, we’re home doing yard work or playing golf.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Uh boy...

[Getsmart64]

I imagine the Ryan budget is well supported by the leadership

Doesn't Ryan's budget plan for a balanced budget after 26 years? That sounds jut a tad bit ridiculous to me if true.

[El Gato]

And I don’t want to hear about “1/2 of 1/3 of the government”

Exactly, by design that 1/3 can block anything. Not pass anything, but block it. They should be blocking spending and blocking an increase in the debt ceiling (which WILL cause a shutdown, as we are borrowing about half the budget).

But they'd rather compromise so the 4th estate won't speak rudely to them.