John McCain: Ted Cruz had "no plan" on debt limit

CBS ^ | February 16, 2014, 3:04 PM | Jake Miller

[SoConPubbie]

Rather than allowing Senate Democrats to pass the bill with their own 55-seat majority, however, Cruz insisted on a 60-vote threshold, forcing a handful of Republicans help move the bill forward. No Senate Republicans ultimately voted to pass the legislation, but Cruz’s maneuver ruffled some feathers among his colleagues who felt he forced them to take an unpopular vote without any clear strategy to pass an alternative bill.

The Treasury Department has warned that a failure to extend the borrowing authority on time could invite a default on the nation’s debt.

Shortly after the bill passed on Wednesday, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., took a swipe at Cruz’s tactics, saying the Texas Republican had no “end game.”

Corker also praised the fortitude of Senate Republican leaders who helped advance the bill, saying they demonstrated “tremendous courage,” especially given the primary fights some of them are facing in 2014.

McCain echoed that commendation Sunday. “I appreciate our leadership voting the way that they did, even though they face primary oppositions,” he said. “There was enough of us that we move forward and put this issue behind us, and now focus on Obamacare, on the economy, on many other issues, in which we think are winning issues.”

Cruz has defended his approach to the debt ceiling vote, saying Republicans should put up or shut up if they’re so opposed to extending the U.S. borrowing authority.

“I recently had my staff print out a list of three pages of Republican senators — I might note all the people that are running around the press saying nasty things about me — saying ‘We will stand on the debt ceiling and fight for it,’” Cruz told conservative radio host Mark Levin on Thursday.  “And then a few months later, it’s like they think the American people are just a bunch of rubes, that we don’t remember what they say.”

McCain and Cruz have clashed in the past, with McCain dubbing Cruz and some of his like-minded colleagues “wacko birds.” He later apologized for the label, but he’s continued to criticize Cruz’s confrontational style and tactics.

[noinfringers2]

Having spent some time in Phoenix schools before and after WWII service I am befuddled that the people of Arizona would vote for McCain the second time let alone the first time. My guess would be the increased Mexican population and a lot of war hero propaganda was the key. Of course having a brother who was killed on Okinawa fighting all the way against enemies probably clouds my emotions.

[dowcaet]

How about taking a stand against more government spending senator? Why is it the GOP always reacting to one bad liberal policy after another by coming up with an alternative plan to the bad policy. The taxpayers are more agitated with Washington spending us into oblivion than concerned with another spending plan. The Democratic Party is a sitting duck but the GOPe keeps giving them a lifeline. Hold the line and the Democratic Party will implode upon itself. They have nothing in their arsenal but threats and scare tactics for the voters. Their liberal ideas have been thoroughy repudiated and now it’s long past time to destroy those people once and for all.

[TigersEye]

I’m sure McCain has more plans to subvert the Constitution.

[RedMDer]

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59%

Woo hoo!! And we're now over 59%, looking for 60!! Go, FReepers!! Thank you all very much!! We can do this.

Two percent a day keeps the 404 away. 

[deport]

I am befuddled that the people of Arizona would vote for
McCain the second time let alone the first time.

*********************

Heck they have elected McCain twice as a Representative and
then five times as their senator.

[TWhiteBear]

Please put me on the Ted Cruz ping list.
Thanks,
TWB

[Blue Turtle]

Wow...McCain & Rove never say a think about Obama or DEMS....but they sure say a lot about the Tea Party folks. hmmmmm! Looks like I may just have to leave the party.

[COBOL2Java]

Seems we have a few freepers getting their talking points from the GOP-E!

I have a hard time telling whether they are fellow travelers or useful idiots for the GOP-E.

[COBOL2Java]

I must have missed it. What was the plan of the Bozo from Arizona?

I remember his plan: "My friends, you have nothing to fear from an Obama administration."

[BilLies]

I heard Cruz being interviewed by Mark Liven Radio and his End Game was very clear. His intent was to inform the consistencies of the Republican Senators as to what they were really doing, to expose their attempts at lying to the citizens. Cruz said if he did not insist on a full vote of the Senate, as he was entitled to under senate rules, that the Democrats would have been able to vote and carry the Budget by a simple vote of 51 Democrats; and the Republicans, all 40 plus could JUST say they voted against the lifting of the debt ceiling. On the other hand by Cruz being able to force the 60% vote, Cruz was able to expose to the Republican voters what their individual Senators were doing, voting YES or NO for the extension of the debt limit. He thought the citizens were entitled to know HOW FAR THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS WERE WILLING TO FIGHT/GO REGARDING LIMITING FEDERAL SPELLING.
Suits me, but then I have already left the Republican party, though I might be able to vote for one or two, depending upon the issue.

[House Atreides]

“Seems we have a few freepers getting their talking points from the GOP-E!...”
********************************************************************

Indeed. And they frequently enter in the guise of a conservative-—a conservative who puts forth the name of another conservative who could be construed as “competition” of the TARGETED conservative. And the targeted conservative now (as he will continue to be through 2016) is Ted Cruz.

The Left (and their GOPe junior partners/vassals) always let you know who they fear. And the fear Ted Cruz mightily. The instigators of the conservative circular firing squads will always be amongst us.

[VRWC For Truth]

When is McDemocrat going to chastise his good friends across the aisle? I hear crickets.

[Balding_Eagle]

LOL! Post 63 is for you.

I’m beginning to develop a theory.

[okie01]

I must have missed it. What was the plan of the Bozo from Arizona?

Same as the leadership's plan: concede defeat.

Then celebrate, having dodged the bullet of making a tough decision...again.

[Colonel_Flagg]

John McCain: Ted Cruz had "no plan" on debt limit

Of course he did, John. His plan was to smoke out losers like you.

[Balding_Eagle]

Oh, wrong thread, this is what my post 63 I was referring to says:

“What has been surprising to me though is how intense the pushback is when anyone choses Walker over Cruz.

Must be a subconscious thing.”

And yes, I am developing a theory.

[tet68]

John McCain had no plan either, he didn’t even
have a plan to win the presidency, other than
riding on Sarah Palin’s coat tails.

[stanne]

Eh, I think the plan is to abide by the constitution and if necessary shoe the voters who is against doing that.

It happens to be a winner

Legacy threat for the takes-one-to-know-one wacko bird

[Theodore R.]

That's the problem with today's Republicans - they are afraid to act if they don't know with 100% what the "end game" outcome is. Democrats don't care about the end game. They know that anything can happen once you engage and start mixing things up.

Brilliant analysis

[octex]

What happened to being a maverick?
**************************
He pretends to be a conservative Republican when running for reelection, then turns Maverick and works hand-in-glove with the Dems to write and pass bills that are strictly socialistic in nature.

I’m ready for this obvious Republicrat to be GONE!