Why Are We Negotiating With The GOP At All? --- Statements About Everyone Not -

[TheMastersNemesis]

liking what they get makes me think that the GOP might get 98% of what they want. Seniors and the vulnerable will get screwed in the end.

[Fumesucker]

1. Because the GOP refuse to negotiate, silly

Go ahead, admit it, you just really don't understand intergalactic chicken, do you?

[FreeJoe]

2. they control the House

If we don't negotiate, nothing gets passed and taxes go up for everyone and spending gets cut very inefficiently. We are in a much stronger position, so we should get much more of what we want, but there will need to be some compromise.

[John2]

4. I'm listening

to local news in North Carolina, and I think the Republicans in North Carolina are beginning to feel the pressure. People are starting to complain to them. I don't think the Republicans can hold out for two years, with taxes going up and the safety net getting cut. Those programs do help people. There is one local show in North Carolina talking about milk prices going over seven dollars if the Congress don't act on the farm bill. One republican congress woman in North Carolina is getting an ear full.

[unblock]

5. "they" don't really seem to be in control of themselves....

yes, we need some republican votes, but at this point, obama's best way to achieve passage in the house would be to garner the votes of a couple dozen republicans rather than get the ok from the party leadership.

you know, the way republicans always seem to get their way by getting just a few democratic votes their way against the wishes of democratic leadership.

[FreeJoe]

6. speaker

We can't get a bill to the floor of the house without cooperation from the Speaker, can we?

[unblock]

7. i think it's actually the rules committee

but you're right that there are some parliamentary challenges beyond just getting the cooperation of enough republicans to get a majority.

so it depends on who the republicans are, if any are on the rules committee, if that majority can translate into a major p.r. problem, etc.

[RandiFan1290]

3. In 2001 we were told Bush had a mandate after the closest election in history

Dems played along and he got his tax cuts less then 5 months after taking office. No deals. No grand bargains.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_Growth_and_Tax_Relief_Reconciliation_Act_of_2001