McConnell Warns of Risk to Party, and Country, of Default.

[elleng]

The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, warned Wednesday that allowing a federal default could have disastrous political consequences for his party and “destroy” the Republican brand.

With increasing numbers of House Republicans digging in against an increase in the debt limit and dismissing the potential economic consequences from a default, Mr. McConnell used a radio interview to defend his proposal . . .

Recounting how the 1995 government shutdown helped President Bill Clinton win re-election the next year, Mr. McConnell said any impasse that hurt the nation’s credit and led to government checks being delayed could have the same result for President Obama.

“He will say Republicans are making the economy worse,” Mr. McConnell, who is recognized as one of his party’s top political strategists, said . . .

“It is an argument that he could have a good chance of winning and all of the sudden we have co-ownership of the economy. That is a very bad position going into the election.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/us/politics/14fiscal.html?_r=1&hp

[Kahuna]

1. What an ice-hole. He played with fire. And now he's in panic mode. nt

[whosinpower]

2. He got the message loud and clear

from Wall street.

The teabaggers do not listen to Wall street however.

This is their own box they put themselves into.

[CoffeeCat]

5. Great point...

Republicans and their blowhard minions in talk radio--brought the teabaggers to the edge--telling
them that we MUST NOT raise the debt limit. These jerks thought they could threaten and cajole
Obama into a corner--and into doing what they wanted.

The problem is, Obama addressed the nation this week and took his case to the American people.
It was clear that the Republicans left themselves no options and Obama looked reasonable.

The problem is--that the Republicans and all of their media cohorts whip their ignorant base
up into such a lather--so no they've got to convince their base of this!!! Hilarious!

If you've ever talked with a tea bagger--and believe me, it's like running a track meet--they've
got their talking points and that's all they have. They believe what they are told and they echo
these talking points--but they know nothing else.

So now, the Republicans, in the eyes of the tea baggers--look like they caved.

It's like watching a train wreck.

[whosinpower]

9. Never in a million years did they think

A democratic president would outflank them with fiscal austerity even bigger than their own.

It snapped their synapses.....because they would have to swallow hard and agree with a president that they have vowed to destroy at all costs. They could not do it....and so they punted, showing the nation, and their supporters how trully cowardly and shallow their governance is.

It comes down to this. President Obama wants to govern. The GOP led congress want him to fail...so much that they will not even uphold their own fake principles of fiscal restraint 4 trillion high if that allows the president to get something done. PUNT!

Even I did not think they would collapse on their own hubris quite like this. And I must say....with an evil sort of grin....I am enjoying it.

[Necromancer]

3. McConned

And Obama would be correct. Republicans have been, are, and will continue making the economy worse. I can only hope that the brains of Americans have recovered from being turned into w brand toxic sludge.

[Turbineguy]

7. This story about the economy not growing due to "uncertainty"

is true. But the GOP are the ones causing it. These people could be showcased in "America's Most Wanted".

[searchingforlight]

4. I hope that Obama uses this to his advantage

It seems like there are a lot of missed opportunities to change the rhetoric these days.

[Dept of Beer]

6. I hope so as well, while not touching the third rail.

[DonCoquixote]

8. looks like Mitch realizes

that playing chicken only works when the driver of the car you are in is NOT suicidal.

[democratinnashville]

10. McConnell is majorly squirming at this point

And rightfully so. What an ass! The only way this economy gradually recovers is through tax increases. I really do think Obama has been brilliant through the debt ceiling talks. He has played the GOP for a bunch of rope-a-dopes.

[elleng]

11. Yes, PrezO has been brilliant.

Economy recovers with both tax increases and targetted spending, imo, as in, infrastructure projects, further stimulus $$$ like to States for re-hiring, etc.

[Cereal Kyller]

12. Go Mountaineers!

;-)