Posted on 07/29/2011 6:44:37 AM PDT by RummyChick
House Speaker John Boehner has a new excuse for the dissent within the ranks of the House Republican Caucus he is supposed to lead.
The caucus, Boehner says, has been infiltrated by a cabal that hopes to take the US economy hostage in order to force political concessions from President Obama and Congressional Democrats.
Appearing Wednesday on conservative talk radio host Laura Ingraham’s,, Boehner acknowledged what every serious economic analyst has already said: that a failure to raise the debt ceiling before the August 2 deadline would be devastating to an already struggling US economy.
So “why,” Ingraham asked, were House Republicans resisting the deal that President Obama has offered—a deal that is ridiculously deferent to Republican demands for cuts to needed domestic programs and for tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy.
“Well,” Boehner said of the most belligerent members of his caucus, “first they want more. And my goodness, I want more too. And secondly, a lot of them believe that if we get passed August the second and we have enough chaos, we could force the Senate and the White House to accept a balanced budget amendment.”
Let’s be clear about what Boehner is saying: he has members of his caucus—perhaps sufficient in number to block resolution of the debt ceiling fight—who would be willing to force the United States to default on its debts. Why? Because they want to create so much economic chaos that the president and Congressional Democrats will sign on for a bad policy that could not otherwise advance.
That’s blackmail. But Boehner’s not concerned about the fact that his lawless colleagues would threaten the good faith and credit of the United States—not to mention the economic stability of their homeland—in order to score political points.
The Speaker’s only concern is that a wrong move might make it harder for him to maneuver politically.
“I don’t think that that strategy works,” Boehner explained to the radio host. “Because I think the closer we get to August the second, frankly, the less leverage we have vis à vis our colleagues in the Senate and the White House.”
That is sort of reassuring.
Boehner is not a responsible player. But at least he is enough of a hack to fear that his colleagues who have lost touch with economic reality might—if allowed to have their way—create chaos not just for the economy but force a crisis that Ingraham suggested could “be disastrous for the Republican Party.” John Nichols
True enough, which is all the more reason to stand firm and no reason to be complicit.
Nope. Not that I'm aware of. Perry, Bush, Palin....all as far as I know sitting on the same goddam fence that Obama is.
Perry and Palin are both playing pols: "don't touch the tough issue!"
Bush of course has been completely silent on everything about Obama, which is consistent at least, but probably not applicable to a classless freak like Obama. And he'd just make it worse.
The only person in leadership going on Rush Limbaugh's show, going on Laura Ingraham's show, DOING THINGS THAT THE TEA PARTY HAS DEMANDED is Boehner.
You see something different?
OK, OK...I was snookered...I admit it.
Thanks for pointing it out. (blood pressure slowly coming back down)
AMEN and AMEN. That says it all, and shout it out loud anywhere and everywhere.
This article is full of propaganda and deflects blame to conservatives. And you fell for it.
Clues:
-The 14th Amendment does not permit the US to avoid payment on the national debt. It is an impeachable offense. It must/will be paid with monthly tax receipts before anything else.
-Cutting current spending improves the US’s credit rating, whereas raising the debt limit damages the US’s credit rating.
The conservatives are insisting on greater spending cuts, just as the TEA party advocates. This protects the credit rating while depriving democrats the funds they need to buy political support.
If the Dems choose to not make debt interest payments it will skyrocket interest rates and they will face impeachment.
Oh? You mean the CCB that Boehner rammed through the House in response to Obama trying to pull a fast one on him and make him cave in a private meeting?
So what has Sarah done to get that through Reid's senate?
Laura’s been a bit of a disappointment.I believe that those who’ve been hanging around the WA DC NY circle have been ‘compromised’ in their outlook that it’s more important to play the ‘political’ game than to go all out for principle and common sense!
How can less than 100 of the 435 members be the reason for gridlock?
Boehner is aiming his frustrated inept anger at his own party instead of the true adversary the democrats.
It's not so much your fault as it is irresponsibly posting-and-defending a leftist propaganda piece on FR.
Personally, the Scarecrow is probably more appropriate.
Does the Boehner plan roll back spending to any appreciable degree? No it doesn't. Does it assume continued fuding for Obama care? Yes, it does.
Do you disagree with either of these assertions? Please, convince me.
“Perry and Palin are both playing pols: ‘don’t touch the tough issue!’”
THAT is BS. BS at least as far as Palin is concerned. She has been speaking out rather forcefully. Maybe you don’t care about that simple truth, but at least stop prevaricating about it.
You are an A WHOLE! You have terminal PDS!
Watch out...for these RinoCrat Clowns...an “Economic hostage-taker is only one short step away from being a terrorist.
Its terroristic to interfere with their spending delusions...doncha know?
LOL. You have no idea wtf you're talking about.
Which is why you were unable to post any content to make your point.
Stay away from PDS people. They are a waste of oxygen!
Such as what? What's Boehner not done that she wants?
Last I heard, Sarah Palin is a REPUBLICAN. What the hell is she supposed to do about REID’S senate???
Go post on DU!
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