Shutting Down the Government

[babylonsister]

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2010/8/31/124012/835

Shutting Down the Government

by BooMan
Tue Aug 31st, 2010 at 12:40:12 PM EST


Steve Benen thinks the Republicans, next year, are more likely than not to shut down the government like they did in 1995.

Likely Senate candidate Joe Miller (R) in Alaska told Fox News last week that GOP lawmakers must have the "courage to shut down the government" in order to eliminate government programs he doesn't like. Right-wing CNN personality Erick Erickson said with child-like excitement yesterday, "I'm almost giddy thinking about a government shutdown next year. I cannot wait!"

And sleazy GOP consultant Dick Morris told activists late last week that Republicans should do exactly as Gingrich/Dole did 15 years ago, but this time it'll work out better.

If the Republicans gain control of either house of Congress, it will be very unlikely that they will produce a budget that Obama is willing to sign. I just don't see how Boehner or McConnell could persuade their freshmen to produce a reasonable budget. But it's more likely that the Republicans will fall short of winning majorities. Even in that scenario, however, it's unlikely that the Senate could produce the votes for a reasonable budget.

On the other hand, the Republicans know that they got burned the last time they couldn't produce a budget that a Democratic president would sign, so they aren't going to be eager to repeat that mistake.

The problem is, I don't think the GOP has control of its base and it won't have control of the freshman class, either. They probably will create another impasse that involves continuing resolutions to keep the government operating. Whether they will back down before or after the government actually shuts up shop is unknowable right now.

One thing that is different is that the 1995 freshman class has actual demands, like the elimination of the Commerce Department, that they were holding out for. This time, there is no single issue that unites the candidates. They don't like bail-outs. Whoop-de-doo. Government is too big. Yeah...And?

What we're looking at is basically a train-wreck. The only way to avoid it is to win a net senate seat and maintain control of the House. That's a tall order, but the stakes are high.

[TBF]

1. Someone should remind them that they aren't going to be paid while

the government is shut down (and they shouldn't be). Everything provided for by public money should also be shut down - like the department of defense for example. Think how much money we could save by shutting down the Pentagon for a few days.

I predict these idiots aren't going to be too happy when they figure out government is paying their salaries, providing schools, and providing police protection.

And if they don't want to run the government maybe some of us should step up and take it over. I am ready to volunteer. I am happy to take Boehner's job if he doesn't want it anymore.

[FBaggins]

2. Good... let 'em try.

Republicans are under the impression that we misjudged the electorate in 2008. That they didn't agree with our policies... they just didn't like Bush. That by pushing supposedly liberal policies, we drive the electorate back into the waiting arms of republicans.

I guess we'll find out soon enough whether that's true... but true or not, this idea would let the republicans do in two months what has taken us two years to screw up. Newt's numbers were really never the same again after his "made me fly in the back of AF1!" temper tantrum. Tom DeLay said it was the worst mistake of his (Newt's) career.

I think the president has the playbook for handling this.

[WI_DEM]

3. They tried that in '95 and it backfired on them.

[Robbins]

5. They may do it but It will backfire on them

Gingrich reelected Clinton and If Bohener becomes speaker he will help Obama's reelection.This Is why I say If Republicans win Congress In November It will be their waterloo.Come 2012 Obama will be relected and they will suffer losses.

[Robbins]

4. 2010

If republicans take at least the House It will be because of depressed Democratic turnout and Independents voting Republican.
Independents aren't suddenly turning Into right wingers they want action on Economy and feel Democrats are not doing what they were
Elected to do.This Is what the idiotic rules of the Senate and the DINO'S are really hurting us.And If people think more liberal
bills could get passed they are forgetting about Lieberman,Ben Nelson,Landauru,and the arkansas Dems.The Bills Obama has gotten are
the best he could do witht the senate he has.Unforturtly many don't understand why the senate Isn't passing stuff.