Posted on 07/12/2011 11:10:19 AM PDT by Kaslin
As the political tug-of-war wears on in Washington over a deal on reducing the deficit as part of a compromise to raise the debt limit, some conservatives are beginning to fret about the possibility of the GOP "caving" (there's a plethora of definitions of what "caving" would be). And, today the media's attention is focused on differences – perceived or genuine – within the GOP Leadership.
Over the weekend, Speaker Boehner had a conversation with President Obama that ended with Boehner rejecting Obama's recommendation because it contained a trillion dollar tax increase. The fact that Boehner even accepted the President's invitation to talk raised some eyebrows. Majority Leader Eric Cantor and others have consistently said raising taxes is a non-starter in the GOP controlled House, and Boehner has again confirmed that position.
Politico.com asked me to reply to the following questions in the wake of the weekend's events:
"Did Boehner have a choice but to exclude tax hikes? And does the weekend episode demonstrate that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (Va.) is the real center of power among rank-and-file House Republicans, who have the votes to block most any deal?"
Here is my answer that can also be seen here:
The 87 Republican House freshmen didn't get elected to raise taxes. They were sent to Washington to rein in government growth and over spending. They know it; so do the 153 other Republicans in the House, and the voters who sent them there haven't forgotten. Boehner and Cantor are principled leaders who also know what they can and cannot get passed by their majority and what the American people are expecting.
It's only normal to speculate about what Boehner and the GOP will or will not finally get done, and to obsess about perceived or genuine differences. However, I'm grateful that they are the ones in charge. The real difference we should remember is the political dynamic that exists now on Capitol Hill as opposed to two years ago.
The final deal the GOP House puts forward likely won't satisfy everybody's definition of perfect, but it will be dramatically better than had Nancy Pelosi still been the Speaker. If the Democrats still had the majority cutting spending and shrinking government wouldn't even be on the table. The only discussion going on would be about raising taxes – which ones, and by how much.
“Boehner and Cantor are principled leaders...”
Well at least Cantor is...All I know is Boehner tends to weep and cave at all the wrong moments...
Funny, I keep going back to Tom Delay’s heyday...I’m not sure he’d even give POTUS the time of day, knowing there would be no dealing with a socialist like this...
My counsel to any elected official would be to tow a hard line, don’t cave or compramise at all...We can and must weather the next year and a half before the next election to stop this progressive/socialist agenda...PLain and simple...
“It’s only normal to speculate about what Boehner and the GOP will or will not finally get done, and to obsess about perceived or genuine differences. However, I’m grateful that they are the ones in charge.”
I am very dubious about Boehner, but this author is correct.
“Funny, I keep going back to Tom Delay’s heyday...I’m not sure he’d even give POTUS the time of day, knowing there would be no dealing with a socialist like this...”
True, but look what was done to him.
“Provide for the Common Defense, promote (not provide) the General Welfare, establish Justice and Pure Domestic Tranquility...”
Or something along those lines, seem to be the only thing the Federal Government “should” be doing...
Call me crazy, but those original ideas sure do look good to me...
Can you imagine if the rats would have captured the house again? I shudder to think about it
And the media would have portrayed him as a baby like they did Gingrich.
Tom Delay is gone today because he was destroyed by the left. I don't know why one would think he could have done better in this current fight...
Yep, the Republican Party abandoned him (when it would have been nice to have someone watching his back), and he basically said “screw you guys!!!”, and he moved to Virginia...
And look how many Jack-A$$es (democrats) are still in Congress even after they are found with their hands in the cookie jar...In a much more ethical quandry than Tom Delay ever was, or could be framed with...
I am not sure there is much more they can loot without the whole thing collapsing.
Easy...He wasn’t known as “The Hammer” for crying and compramising/caving...
Ummm...the "Hammer" had to fold. It's always nice to dream but for all Delay's "strength" he didn't make it. The left beat him...yet Boehner's still in the arena.
The MSM is now doing all they can to destroy Boehner as they did Delay but I don't think it will happen this time.
We shall see...
Boehner has had the gavel for only half a year...
Delay never had the gavel, but he did set the agenda and held the conservative line for as long as he could...
Boehner will certainly survive if he stays to the middle on important issues and doesn’t keep the minority from getting their way, most of the time...
Funny how the dems treat being in the minority as a strength, instead of a defeat...Something the country clubbing, socialites we have in the Republican party leadership need to learn from...
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not crossing swords with you at all, the media will get Boehner eventually...
Delay was got by a democrat DA back here in Texas who took 15 years, and many grand juries, just enough to get an indictment...Per our rules in the Republican party that’s all it took to take him (Delay) out of the leadership position, and off the hill eventually...It was BS from the start...
Not so sure about that.
Most people think they know Boehner because of what they've been fed. I think most will be surprised in the end...
But, but, but Boehner was supposed to cave and, and, and gather all the RINOs and have a crying session so everyone could share their tears and, and, and make sure 0zero can be reelected then roll over like a puppy and weep some more.
Wait a minute...
Or you can get raw with these strings. Either way, the violin is sweet yet lethal.
Do it!
I don't like Boner much at all, was never my choice for speaker, but I have to admit he didn't cave last weekend when he had a golden opportunity to do so. Credit where it's due and all that...kudos to the folks that got to him Friday night and told him he was finished as Speaker if he caved. I don't trust him, but we go to battle with the army we have, and so far he's done OK on this issue.
I like Boehner. He’s good on camera, comes across as genuine.
And tough...
Bingo! And of course we want him and all Pubs in the House to get and stay tough.
Or you can get raw with these strings. Either way, the violin is sweet yet lethal.
Do it!
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