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The McConnell Plan's Pitfalls (Doesn't guarantee real cuts; GOP will be blamed for any defaults)
Weekly Standard ^ | JUL 13, 2011 | STEPHEN F. HAYES

Posted on 07/13/2011 9:00:08 AM PDT by Qbert

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To: Qbert; ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas; stephenjohnbanker; DoughtyOne; calcowgirl; Gilbo_3; NFHale; ...
RE :”McConnell’s plan gives the president the ability to raise the debt ceiling through 2012, in three separate increments, by requiring Obama to propose spending cuts greater than each request. Its main virtue is that these hikes would have to pass largely with Democratic support – something that McConnell and others believe will redound to Republicans’ benefit heading into the 2012 election cycle. And, the theory goes, if President Obama offers phony spending cuts, as he almost certain to do, his posturing as the “adult in the room” on entitlements and spending will be exposed as unserious. But there’s the catch, too: the spending cuts do not have to be real or even implemented in order for the president to get his debt ceiling increases. McConnell acknowledged this at the press conference to announce the plan Tuesday afternoon. ABC’s Jonathan Karl asked: “Does it guarantee you’ll get your spending cuts or not?” McConnell responded: “No, it doesn’t.” That fact means the McConnell plan will be nearly impossible to get through the House of Representatives. “There is zero chances it’ll pass the House,” said one House leadership aide. “Zero. I’m not sure it would get any votes from our side.” A second leadership aide agreed. “It won’t pass.

McConnell proposing things that cant pass the house is looking for trouble. It looks like he wants to surrender now getting weak kneed.

I know the House members took pledges to not increase any taxes, but I wish Republicans could call Obama’s bluff and pass a cynical House bill that eliminates those tax loopholes BUT also eliminates all the liberal hot button programs: planned parenthood, head start, green subsidies, student loans, (man this is fun) dust off the ‘riders’ list from the last budget propoal that died that liberals live for, and then throw in a few hundred $B of budget cuts that MUST go into effect at least by FY12 in September,

Then congressional Republicans could get on TV and play the game correctly :
We gave the president EVERYTHING he asked for. He needs to declare victory. He needs to stop playing politics with the nations economy. He needs to protect Seniors. He needs to move this nation forward. He need to take this historic deal he won.
And Democrats would be on the defensive saying NO,NO,NO for everyone to see.

Want to play?? Then win damn it. In 1995 a make believe public 'line in the sand' turned into complete capitulation to Clinton . Let's hope that doesn't happen here.

A team is as strong as it's weakest link. Keep that in mind when engaging in a battle.

21 posted on 07/13/2011 9:29:06 AM PDT by sickoflibs (If you pay zero Federal income taxes, don't say you are paying your 'fair share')
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To: Qbert
McConnell: "if people start not getting their Social Security checks, military families start not getting letters saying that service people overseas don't get paid, you know that's an argument he would have a good chance of winning"

What a Chicken Sht! Get rid of this "Leader". He's no "Leader"!

22 posted on 07/13/2011 9:32:41 AM PDT by The Bronze Titan
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To: Qbert
http://olbroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/taxes.jpg From 4 of 2009
23 posted on 07/13/2011 9:43:37 AM PDT by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spiritui Sancto.)
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To: Qbert

Senate Republicans are trying to have their cake and eat it too. At the end of the day, they want to be able to increase the size of government while still being able, at the end of the day, come back home and claim to represent our values.

A vote for McConnell’s plan is a vote for raising the debt ceiling. We don’t put up with this cr*p from Democrats and we sure as well won’t put up with it from Republicans.


24 posted on 07/13/2011 9:44:09 AM PDT by MWS
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http://olbroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/bo-red-ink.jpg From 3 of 2009
25 posted on 07/13/2011 9:45:32 AM PDT by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spiritui Sancto.)
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To: Qbert

Our economy is melting down and our leaders are playing parlimentary games. Lead, follow or get out of the way. The markets are reacting accordingly to his surrender.

Pray for America


26 posted on 07/13/2011 9:49:24 AM PDT by bray (Palin is the DC Nightmare)
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To: sickoflibs

The little man from Kentucky is showing the same great leadership as he did during the 960 billion dollar dead duck. Time to fire this man.


27 posted on 07/13/2011 9:56:08 AM PDT by org.whodat
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To: org.whodat
RE :”The little man from Kentucky is showing the same great leadership as he did during the 960 billion dollar dead duck. Time to fire this man.

The Senate is always the weak link, but a strong political game/hand can rally even the most liberal RINOs to your side as we saw in Obama-care.

In the end I only judge by results not intentions, did they win? What did they get? Newt could talk a tough game but he couldnt play chess and ended up getting slaughtered.

28 posted on 07/13/2011 10:08:44 AM PDT by sickoflibs (If you pay zero Federal income taxes, don't say you are paying your 'fair share')
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To: technically right
The Senate Republicans are irrelevent. The action is in the House. Time for Boenher and the boys to lay down the marker. $2 trillion in cuts and no tax increases. Take it or leave it. Oh, and by the way Mr. President, if you violate the 14th amendment by not honoring the debts of the United States, articles of impeachment will be served immediately. Have a nice day Jug Ears.

Right On! This is exactly how easy it is & use this exact language. End of story...

29 posted on 07/13/2011 10:12:53 AM PDT by Digger (T)
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To: Digger
I think it is unconstitutional as Congress tried to give Clinton the line item veto and the Supreme Court denied it.

The only way that Congress can give that power to the President is through the passing of a Constitutional Amendment. In his 1996 majority opinion, Stevens concurred:

Clinton V. City of New York

30 posted on 07/13/2011 10:17:56 AM PDT by scooby321
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To: Qbert
McConnell sold out the House GOP just so that the GOP senators would not get the blame.

If McConnell's plan were passed, then it would guarantee that Obama would get the best of both worlds - the ability to raise the debt ceiling, and the ability to propose harsh spending cuts (to make himself look like a fiscal conservative) with the knowledge that there was no way they would pass.

The way the McConnell plan would work is that the Congress would allow Obama to propose a raise in the debt ceiling, but he would also have to propose corresponding spending cuts. The presumption is that he would propose fake cuts, and that the GOP could use that to show that he is not serious about lowering the deficit. But that would not be necessary.

If Obama proposed real, serious cuts along with the request for the increase in the debt limit, the House GOP would pass them, but the Dems in the Senate wouldn't. The way the plan is proposed, unless both the House and the Senate approve the increase and corresponding cuts, or unless both houses disapprove the increase and override the expected veto, the debt limit increase goes into effect. So Obama can look like he is trying to make real cuts (undercutting the GOP strategy), and still get the debt increase without any cuts actually happening.

31 posted on 07/13/2011 10:26:59 AM PDT by CA Conservative
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32 posted on 07/13/2011 10:52:33 AM PDT by TheOldLady (FReepmail me to get ON or OFF the ZOT LIGHTNING ping list.)
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