Behind the scenes of a dramatic debt vote

Politico ^ | 2/12/14 | MANU RAJU and BURGESS EVERETT

[jimbo123]

Sen. Ted Cruz and the GOP rank and file ultimately backed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Whip John Cornyn into a corner on the debt ceiling increase.

The leaders had wanted to allow the toxic measure to pass with just 51 votes so all 45 Republicans could vote against it. But Cruz, the Texas tea party freshman, demanded approval by a 60-vote threshold.

So McConnell and Cornyn tried to persuade more than five Republicans in safe seats to support the plan, but they were met with stiff resistance. No Republican wanted to be vote No. 60 on a bill to raise the debt ceiling without spending cuts, forcing the GOP leaders to secure a comfortable margin of victory or risk being blamed for a historic debt default.

Miffed that they have long been asked to take tough votes when the GOP leaders voted ‘no,’ Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski, privately pressured McConnell and Cornyn to vote to break the filibuster, sources said. Murkowski resisted voting for the measure without the support of her leadership team.

So McConnell and Cornyn — both facing reelection this year and battling tea party-inspired challengers in their states — took the plunge and risked the political backlash by voting to break a filibuster, the type of vote the two wily leaders have long sought to avoid in this election season.

After hoping the measure passed without their fingerprints, McConnell and Cornyn were forced to own part of it by allowing it to move to a final vote with their consent, even persuading several of their colleagues to switch their votes. The leaders later voted against final passage.

[Diogenesis]

Our hated Masters are EXEMPT to the taxes and “laws”
they pass for others, as they empower more corruption
daily against Americans — by ignoring it.

Disgusting. Never have Americans hated their Masters more.

[VRWC For Truth]

Time to dump McCornhole and Cornrow. Act like ‘Rat and get ejected. Cruz is making these cockroaches dance.

[yldstrk]

we are screwed

a bunch of chattering old bags

[Tzimisce]

Before I can vote for a third party, there has to be a viable second party....

[ConorMacNessa]

And my emails to McConnell and Cruz have been sent. I know not what will ensue, but I promise every right-thinking American that I will not fail to remind - as many times as necessary - our elected representatives of their duty to "We The People."

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

O stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their command.

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Paladin2]

"So McConnell and Cornyn — both facing reelection this year and battling tea party-inspired challengers in their states — took the plunge and risked the political backlash by voting to break a filibuster, the type of vote the two wily leaders have long sought to avoid in this election season.

After hoping the measure passed without their fingerprints, McConnell and Cornyn were forced to own part of it by allowing it to move to a final vote with their consent, even persuading several of their colleagues to switch their votes. The leaders later voted against final passage."

Pure slime.

[mrsmith]

The RINOs made Mitch (and Cornyn) vote for it because they want their jobs LOL!
The RINOs have their knives out for each other.
Fascinating.

[Timber Rattler]

I guarantee that GOP-E knives are out for Cruz tonight behind closed doors for smoking out the weasels.

[Paladin2]

"“All Republicans opposed raising the debt ceiling and that was the main event; I think everything else was sort of window dressing,” Cornyn said. “It wasn’t a tough decision to have an up-or-down vote. And I think that is a growing consensus on our side.

Distracting from the differences between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to debt and spending would be a mistake. I think the vote provided the kind of clarity and definition that was accurate.”"

Pure weasel.

[ConorMacNessa]

IMO, the Republican Party is dead. I am registered as a Conservative. I will vote for those who espouse the ideals that made this Nation great. I will not vote for Quislings who cave to the Socialist clique now in power.

I'm here, here I stay, and my powder is dry!

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

O stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their command.

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Timber Rattler]

Miffed that they have long been asked to take tough votes when the GOP leaders voted ‘no,’ Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski, privately pressured McConnell and Cornyn to vote to break the filibuster, sources said. Murkowski resisted voting for the measure without the support of her leadership team.

I guess Mookowski and Collins aren't quite as stupid after all when it comes to falling on their own swords to save McConnell and Cornyn.

[Paladin2]

"What made the vote more difficult, Republicans said, was that they didn’t have enough time to forge a strategy, given that the House changed its tactics repeatedly and senators were rushing to catch their flights home ahead of the storm."

Most of those RINO LibTards have been in DC for decades. That should be plenty of time to think up a strategery.

[skeeter]

The GOPe knives were out for Cruz six months ago. He’s got nothing to lose, bless his heart.

[Timber Rattler]

Oh I know that, but I bet they are really livid at him tonight, especially McConnell and McCain.

[JParris]

Bless their little hearts. They just had to get home before the snow.

And notice the jab at the house. “No reason for us to stand against if the house leader is a wuss....”

[skeeter]

With a little luck maybe they’ll bust a vein.

[tennmountainman]

I don’t think Cruz gives a $hit.

[Timber Rattler]

And I’m proud of him for it!

[tennmountainman]

Amen!