Chambliss latest US Republican to break with anti-tax lobbyist

reuters ^ | 11/24/2012 | Kim Dixon

[tobyhill]

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss this week became the latest Republican lawmaker to loosen his ties to Grover Norquist, the anti-tax lobbyist famous for getting elected officials to sign a "taxpayer protection pledge."

The rebellion, albeit a modest one, comes as Republicans prepare to negotiate with Democrats and President Barack Obama on a deal to avert the so-called fiscal cliff - some $600 billion in tax increases and spending cuts set to start jolting the economy at the beginning of 2013.

"I care more about this country than I do about a 20-year-old pledge," Chambliss told Georgia television station WMAZ on Thursday. "If we do it his way, then we'll continue in debt, and I just have a disagreement with him about that."

Chambliss, who represents Georgia, is a member of the so-called Gang of Eight group of senators, a bipartisan alliance working for deficit reduction, formed last year when the country was on the verge of default thanks to a partisan battle over raising the country's borrowing limit.

[KeyLargo]

Newsmax

Norquist Blasts Back after Chambliss Reneges on Pledge

Friday, November 23, 2012 07:12 PM

By: Sandy Fitzgerald and Greg McDonald

Conservative lobbyist Grover Norquist blasted back at a Republican senator on Friday for backing off his promise to oppose tax increases.

Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss said he has dumped his pledge to Norquist about the tax increases, telling a Macon television station he “more about my country than I do about a 20-year-old pledge,” referring to the Taxpayer Protection Pledge he signed when he first ran for the Senate.

Norquist, who heads the conservative group Americans for Tax Reform, created the pledge, which nearly every Republican member of congress has signed.

In a statement to Newsmax, Norquist said, “Sen. Chambliss promised the people of Georgia he would go to Washington and reform government rather than raise taxes to pay for bigger government. He made that commitment in writing to the people of Georgia.

“If he plans to vote for higher taxes to pay for Obama-sized government he should address the people of Georgia and let them know that he plans to break his promise to them.”

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Norquist-pledge-Chambliss-taxes/2012/11/23/id/465199

[yldstrk]

A pledge is a pledge, loser, no matter how old it is. This guy is slime

[faithhopecharity]

I think that Congress should propose, and champion, a significant LOWERING of taxes now.

The economy is so fragile, it is obvious that lower taxes are a good prescription at this time

and this would utterly shake up the D-leadership scheme to finish destructing America and our jobs market

[sarge83]

I actually contend that had Romney won, we would still be getting tax increases and the RINOs would be lined up spouting the same line as Chambliss about taxes.

A liberal is a liberal even if there is an (R)in front of their names and unfortunately we have a lot of them in the republican party and they control it with an iron fist.

[EricT.]

Let us not forget that Republicans made this mess.

They had the votes to make the tax cuts permanent, but decided to make them temporary instead.

Let’s be honest, Democrats are what they are, but the GOP does not deserve one bit of cover for their gutlessness, duplicity, and malfeasance.

[Georgia Girl 2]

The only thing that saved that RINO last time was a last minute rally at Gwinnett Civic Center with Sarah Palin and the big scare that if we didn’t vote for him the Dems would have a super majority. We will primary this guy in 2014.

[i_robot73]

I think that Congress the States should propose, and champion, a significant LOWERING of taxes re-learning of the 9th and 10th by refusing to adhere to any laws, rules and/or regulations that 1) Do not come from Congress and 2) are based on their Article I Sec. 8 enumerated powers, now.

Fixed it for you

[AFPhys]

I vouch that Toby, who I have argued with for many years about various positions, is definitely NOT any type of liberal plant.

[rusty millet]

I do hope that he is primaried. The election is far away for voters with short memories, but we have to challenge politicians that always want to confiscate more because government MUST continue to increase its spending.

[faithhopecharity]

Yes of course you make a good point! Meanwhile, let’s all. Tell these congress-critters that we need a major tax CUT to (applying their Keynesian ideas) “stimulate” the economy back into life! More taxes now equals an even worse recession for us all.

[tobyhill]

Thank you and I think most our arguments is process arguments attempting to reach the same outcome, Conservative control and RINO Extinction.

[tobyhill]

I’ll make one clarification, before the GOP should do nothing, The House should pass the Bush Tax Cut Extension for ALL for at least 4 years and then tell Reid and Obama to take it or leave it.

[palmer]

I agree completely. The problems that my employer will have (that may ultimately impact my job) pale in comparison to the rampant socialist spending that will end the America that led the world in free enterprise and saved the world from a couple of fatal threats.

The nice thing about getting this thing shut down now is that it forces the Senate to come begging for a deal. The House may still cave but that would just a bring about a TEA party resurgence in the R primaries in 2014.

[palmer]

He will accomplish that by wrecking the economy that maintains it, via the fiscal cliff. Dictatorial rule by emergency decree awaits in the wings

I doubt it. He is much more likely to appeal to the media in a TARP-like vote for all the marbles. The more he can persuade the same stupid voters that reelected him that a few R House members are trying to "crash the economy", he will quickly change enough RINO votes to get his whole package passed. The past election proves he has no need to resort to emergency anything.

[palmer]

Whether republicans and or Dems are in the majority, we are losing our freedoms and liberties to a behemoth central government.

Although you have to admit at least it would be a little slower under Romney/Ryan. The basic difference is that R/R understand that private enterprise has to exist to feed the beast whereas Obama (and especially his puppetmasters) want the beast to die with the result of the end of the age of America.

[bmwcyle]

They are all pretending they are real Republicans. Their souls are cheap these days.

[mort56]

Georgia’s two senators, Chambliss and Isakson, were AWOL during the Obamacare disaster. They are both useless RINOs who are more interested in their own re-elections that what is good for America. “Johnny” just got another 6 yrs in 2010 but Saxby is up. It is time to defeat this useless and arrogant legislator.

It’s not the revenue folks. It’s the spending!

[NKP_Vet]

http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/11/24/grover-norquist%E2%80%99s-reply-to-saxby-chambliss-%E2%80%98his-promise-wasn%E2%80%99t-to-me%E2%80%99/

So it looks like we have a renewal of last year’s sniping between U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform and originator of the no-tax-increase pledge that many Republicans – Chambliss among them – say will only aggravate a $16 trillion federal deficit.

Given the dearth of news on Thanksgiving Day, Chambliss’ comments on Norquist and his pledge, made to WMAZ in Macon, drew an inordinate amount of attention. Said Chambliss:

“I care more about my country than I do about a 20-year-old pledge. If we do it his way then we’ll continue in debt, and I just have a disagreement with him about that.”

That kind of rebellious chatter could have an impact on negotiations between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans that are set to begin in earnest on Monday. Late Friday, Norquist sent us this lengthy response:

Senator Chambliss promised the people of Georgia he would go to Washington and reform government rather than raise taxes to pay for bigger government. He made that commitment in writing to the people of Georgia.