Posted on 06/29/2011 6:44:09 PM PDT by ejdrapes
Bachmann won't commit to 'Cut, Cap and Balance' pledge Rock Hill, South Carolina (CNN) - Nearly every Republican presidential candidate has pledged to sign the "Cut, Cap and Balance" pledge to slash government spending, but U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann is not ready to commit. Her reason? It doesn't go far enough. The pledge, backed by more than 150 conservative groups and a dozen GOP Republican senators, demands that Congress not raise the debt ceiling unless it passes "substantial" budget cuts and spending caps along with a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney became the sixth GOP candidate to support the pledge on Wednesday. Bachmann, though, said she wants it "to go a little further." She told a town hall audience in South Carolina that she wants to add "the full defunding of Obamacare" to the pledge first. She revealed that U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, a leading conservative backer of the pledge, had asked her to get on board. She and DeMint had "a wonderful conversation" about the pledge during a phone call last week, Bachmann said. She only told him, though, that she "would take a look at it."
By: CNN Political Reporter Peter Hamby
(Excerpt) Read more at politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com ...
If it doesn’t include repealing Obamacare, then I agree with her.
Basically, if it’s something Mitt Romney can sign, then it ain’t conservative.
On the one hand, that's a lame excuse.
On the other hand, politicians should announce that they will sign no pledges and that their spoken promises and past actions can do their talking for them.
On the third hand, if Jim DeMint is behind a pledge and asks you to support it, then you support it, period.
Bachmann desperately needs new handlers.
Sign a "no new taxes" pledge? Replace the current tax system with a flat tax you've violated that pledge.
I pledge to urge my Senators and Member of the House of Representatives to oppose any debt limit increase unless all three of the following conditions have been met:Cut - Substantial cuts in spending that will reduce the deficit next year and thereafter.
Cap - Enforceable spending caps that will put federal spending on a path to a balanced budget.
Balance - Congressional passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution -- but only if it includes both a spending limitation and a super-majority for raising taxes, in addition to balancing revenues and expenses.
On this issue, I cannot fault Bachmann.
The whole thing is just an attempt to cave in on holding the debt ceiling.
A meaningful pledge would be simply “We see no cause to raise the debt ceiling; cuts must be made to work within the already over-generous existing debt ceiling.”
A “balanced budget ammendment” would be insane.
It would simply give them more excuses to raise taxes.
Bachmann sure talks a though game, but when push comes to shove and she is put on the spot, she manages to find some excuse. While I suppose being too principled is one of the better problems a politician could have, the fact is, we need to take all this talk with a grain of salt.
>> “She could also sign the pledge, and then say she will go further.” <<
.
No, none of them should sign any pledge that calls for a “balanced budget ammendment.”
It would in reality be a “guaranteed annual tax hike ammendment.”
>> “we need to take all this talk with a grain of salt” <<
.
Absolutely!
Its a smoke screen to let them do as they always have done and blame the devastating taxes on the public for wanting a balanced budget.
Michelle is the media flavor of the moment. Let’s see how long she lasts and how well she takes the heat. She obviously is making it easier for her liberal media critics to snipe at her. She needs to shore up her game or else she will be attached to the “not ready for prime time” tag.
Her reason? It doesn’t go far enough. “
Oh brother!
I was warming up to her, but obviously she lacks a simple component of logical thinking. A promise to do “X and Y” does NOT prevent you from doing “X and Y and Z”.
She can sign the pledge and sign another demanding repeal of obamacare.
repealing obamacare is about as unrealistic as the Democrat pipedream of raising taxes.
“I’d love to defund Obamacare right now but it won’t happen until we get him out of office.
Nonsense...
Attach a complete and inseparable Obamacare repeal to the debt limit... dump the whole smelly pile right into Harry Reid’s lap...
Done deal. “
I agree that it would make a good negotiating tool, and I’d go for your plan, but it aint gonna be in the final product.
it could be used as a “mr president, you give up on tax hikes and we will give up on obamacare repeal” position.
“On the third hand, if Jim DeMint is behind a pledge and asks you to support it, then you support it, period.”
I concur.
NOPE. That is NOT meaningful. You havent done the math or you are advocating an instant 44% reduction in Govt spending, which is impossible since entitlements + debt payments alone are above that.
And no Republican is calling for such sudden and drastic spending, AND it would have to pass AS A BUDGET and not merely a refusal to increase the debt.
In the end, the cap cut balance pledge is the BEST we could do. We either do it or we will end up with a lesser result.
Then the debt limit stays right where it is and there is no money for it anyway.
That was NOT spam, you supporter-of-backstabbers.
It exposed your nonsensical RINO.
Don’t like that, do you, little RINO-lover?
The ‘it doesn’t go far enough’ reason is wearing a bit thin with me. Michele has said it numerous times on various occasions when she’s voted no.
More spam. Is that the only thing you’re good at?
You are seriously starting to become unhinged. Seek help.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.