...there is no basis on which Obama can make a deal with Republicans.

[babylonsister]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/03/15/this-just-in-gop-won-t-negotiate.html


This Just In: GOP Won't Negotiate
by Michael Tomasky Mar 15, 2013 9:03 AM EDT


It seems worth reiterating this morning that there is no basis on which Obama can make a deal with Republicans. Greg Sargent took note of a vote in the Senate yesterday that was telling. This was on an amendment designed to ensure that corporations could not use loopholes to avoid entirely the payment of income taxes. Note that word "entirely."

Every Republican on the Budget Committee voted no.

Sargent:

Republicans have argued in the past that corporations have a responsibility to their shareholders to reduce the amount they pay in taxes as much as possible within the law. But what this vote shows is that Republicans prioritize this corporate imperative over deficit reduction, even in the cases of corporations that pay no taxes at all. This really doesn’t bode well for the chances that Republicans may agree to new revenues, does it?

When Republicans say Obama needs to show "leadership," what they mean is that he ought to just embrace the Ryan budget. They really won't accept anything else. Oh, they might accept $4.4 trillion in cuts over 10 years instead of Ryan's $4.65 trillion, but that's about all the compromise they're up for. We need to remind ourselves of this fact on a regular basis and say it often. There is nothing Obama can do to please them except drop entirely his demand for revenue, which would be indefensible on political and policy grounds.

[The Magistrate]

1. Home Truths, Ma'am

[spanone]

2. i've never seen such blatant obstructionism and defiance. they refuse to govern.

[malaise]

11. No they don't refuse to govern

They refuse to allow Obama to govern - effin' sabotage.

[1StrongBlackMan]

3. And this ...

IMHO, is WHY we are hearing President Obama (and Nancy Pelosi) saying, "We are willing to deal on entitlements, if/when the gop deals on new revenue."

They came to the unmoving conclusion months ago. This is all about 2014 ... yes, X-dimensional Chess ... appearing to be willing to go against his base (as evidenced by the wails and cries from the Left), while giving all appearences of reaching out to the gop (who are proving are just able to deal).

I'm loving it, as it puts the gop in a real box ... if they even appear to deal, they will be primaried; which will result in either an unelectable general election gop candidate (because there still remains a few sane gopers and right-leaning independents) or, if the incumbant survives the challenge, disaffected/unmotivated gop electorate (when the "real conservatives" stay at home, in protest).

The only downside is having to watch the angst of Democrats, who for whatever reason seem to REALLY want President Obama to carry through on their worst fears.

Rest assured folks ... he won't; it won't get to there because the gop won't move on new revenue.

[MNBrewer]

4. it's just possible, well, maybe not so likely though, that

The GOP is making the same type of calculus. That they're holding fast on revenue because they don't really believe that the Democrats will follow through on their stated willingness to cut earned benefits.

[babylonsister]

5. They're playing chicken. Sigh.

There's no answer to this. Something's gotta give...

[Phlem]

13. Seriously Agree

But what's left for us to give?

We've been pillaged and it seems to be getting worse.

-p

[MNBrewer]

17. +1

[zeemike]

16. Well I want to believe.

But so far, after 4 years I am still waiting for him to do something meaningful....Obamacare was not one of them...did not change a thing, we still have a corupt for profit health care system and still millions that can't afford it...and that is his major accomplishment.

Can't you see why we may feel we are being punked yet again?
Especially sense his appointments went to Wall Street...

[meow2u3]

6. Republicans' attitude towards Obama

Show some leadership. Betray the voters and then bow and scrape to us.

[asjr]

7. I wish we could fire all the Republicans on the Hill. The ones

who voted for them should be ashamed of themselves. I still think they are being traitors.

[freshwest]

8. Obama rightly refused to play the no revenue game but the GOP is going to punish us for own votes.

[lexw]

9. GOP is already running Lyin' Ryan for the 2016 presidency.

They want Ryan and the GOP to have credit for the currently improving economy.

[MannyGoldstein]

10. Obama knew this was over (for now) a few days ago

He started walking things back.

But he might have another shot in a few months, as Republicans increasingly pull away from the rotting corpse they've chained themselves to.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

12. Does this mean that he'll have to cut SS with a chained CPI all on his own?

[FreeBC]

14. Then Obama should take it to the people and rake the republicans over the coals.

[cantbeserious]

15. Republicans - Just Another Name For Do Nothing Takers

eom

[indepat]

18. BHO's strategy should be imo the destruction of the Republic party's influence by highlighting the

Republics' obstruction and budget agenda and thereby win the House and gain seats in the Senate in 2014. Sadly appeasement of the Republics on taxes and cutting social security and Medicare would serve, again in my opinion, to only turn away Dems from the polls in droves. This will be truly a watershed moment in our nation's history and BHO's actions on this front will clearly show where his politics lie on the political spectrum.