Stategery - For Debt Ceiling

[TakeChargeBob]

I have come up with an effective solution that recognizes political reality, removes the political risks, maximizes our ability to obtain control of Congress and the Presidency in 2012 - all without compromising our position. The solution requires all of the components to be incorporated – there are no stand alone components. Here are the components:

1. Produce a clean debt ceiling increase bill for $400 - $500 billion.

This is not giving anything away it merely buys time to coincide with the budget and gets us out of the crisis mode that the public perceives that we own. This may provide us more leverage with the budget.

2. Pledge that all of the conditions in item 3 must occur for the debt ceiling to be raised the next time.

The key word is pledge. It is a pact to the people that the Republicans will stand firm and let the debt ceiling lapse if conditions aren’t met. Our rhetoric must consistently articulate the pledge so that we provide clarity that we cannot back down.

3. Conditions

a. Require that Obama submit a written budget. b. Require that Obama and the Democrats submit a written plan to save Social Security and Medicare. c. These must be scored by the CBO. We are forcing leadership from the President. We cannot negotiate with empty air. d. Require a specified minimum savings goal or amount. The amount in the clean debt ceiling bill will be reflected in the calculation. For example, assume the goal is to increase the debt limit by the same amount as savings. Then the savings must equal the new debt limit increase plus the amount in the clean debt ceiling. e. No tax increases Items d and e are no different than our current demands.

4. Back up the pledge and let the debt ceiling not be raised if conditions are not met. We need to explain that we want to avoid this at all costs. We have enough money for paying our debts and Social Security - we would not default. However, we recognize that people would be hurt. We also recognize that people will be hurt if we do not reign in spending.

5. Unity of Boehner and McConnell and the House Republicans to this plan.

No more negotiating with ourselves. We need to keep up the consistent message and focus.

6. Prime time speech for maximum impact.

The public will be listening. Label it as a solution to the crisis. It is a key opportunity. The importance of this speech cannot be underestimated. Some of the best orators could be utilized. We need to tie this together into one coherent message and provide clarity to our position and nothing can pass. We need to reassure the rating agencies that we will force some fiscal discipline.

Rationale

Political Reality: Our position of too much government and uncontrollable spending is popular. Despite what should be a slam dunk for us, we are losing the spin in the public. Absurdities and blatant lies from our opponents are utilized against us. The public hears that we are extremists who ant to hold the country hostage do not want to compromise. Perception is reality. As we are all over the place, there is no clarity to our position In addition, our performance was abysmal. We are negotiating with ourselves. I am sure that I am not the only one afraid of a sellout by Boehner or McConnell.

Political Risk: The biggest risk is having Obama elected for another term. There is too large a possibility of Republicans will be saddled with adverse consequences of no debt increase. With the economy so weak, it is possible that Obama may encourage disaster in order to place blame elsewhere. The small clean debt ceiling takes away our blame and our clarity and resolve to the suggested plan will allow us to gain the high ground and will hopefully put the debt ceiling onus on the Democrats.

Maximize Outcome of 2012: Smoking Obama and the Democrats out by forcing them to come up with a plan neuters their scare tactics and puts them at risk.

[Jabba the Nutt]

Sounds good, should have been done back in June though, too late for this plan now.

That the Senate has not produced a budget in over 2 years, which is required by law. Why not demand that the law be enforced? We can't ignore the law, why can the Democrats.

In fact, the lawlessness of the Federal Government ought to be made an issue by every Republican. Obama decided not to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act, Fast and Furious gun smuggling, Czars, Obama's executive orders.

Out of control Federal Government is the predictable result of Big Government. There can be no Freedom with Big Government. Cut spending, cut spending, cut spending.

[Iron Munro]

Your premise that Obama and the Democrats really do want to avoid a collapse and default is false.