[sickoflibs]

RE :”But seriously, the only reason I can figure that the Republicans aren't clapping each other on the back and holding press conferences to laugh and brag about how they snookered the rats into helping them make 98% of the Bush tax cuts permanent without giving up a freaking thing is that they want to act down in the mouth and beaten so they can extract more spending concessions than they otherwise would during the next THREE upcoming “fiscal cliffs”.

Now that is a good strategy that I was thinking my self. That is the irony of the waves of these talking point public opinion battles.

The Debt limit battle as we have seen is very dangerous for either side, but this time Rs can say on TV of course “We gave in on raising taxes and got NO spending cuts in return , so now its time for a fair and balanced approach. Now come on Mr President you cant always have it your way. ”

Its not foolproof (and we sure have fools) , but its a MUCH better argument than Rs had in 2011.

[Lancey Howard]

In my opinion, the Rs’ best shot at getting rat concessions on spending is the automatic sequestration cuts due to trigger in early March. The Rs should let them happen (while playing like they are really, REALLY trying hard to avoid them, ha ha) unless they can get some MAJOR rat concessions. If they can’t, then they need to throw up their hands in despair and point the finger at the rats.

Again, the beautiful thing about these three upcoming “fiscal cliffs” is that the tax debate is over and settled, with 98% of earners now locked in at the lower Bush tax rates, and the Republicans are now holding all the cards. (I still can’t get over that the Republicans accomplished that despite an African communist in the White House and rat control of the Senate! Just wow..!)