Mitch McConnell floats new debt ceiling plan: HuffPo

[ProfessionalLeftist]

WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) floated a novel way out of default on Tuesday, suggesting that Congress give up its power to raise the debt ceiling, and instead effectively transfer that authority -- and the political pain that comes with it -- to the White House for the remainder of Obama's first term.

With eight days remaining until the administration-imposed deadline, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters he had no plans to "trash" McConnell's plan and would give it a close look.

MORE...


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/12/mitch-mcconnell-debt-ceiling-plan_n_896254.html?1310496691&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008

[FSogol]

1. Translation: Gutless GOP Wants to Punt. Hey Mitch, You already raised the debt ceiling 17 times.

Or did you forget?

[damntexdem]

6. Boehner blinking?

But will enough House Repukes support his plan?

[Rex]

18. The debt ceiling has been raised 74 times since its creation.

75 is coming up soon. All this political posturing is going to fuck over the GOP next year! :woohoo:

[kenny blankenship]

2. Is this the one where Obama and Biden resign so Boehner can be President?

He's just full of creativity.

[Cali_Democrat]

3. Obama should tell McConnell to take that plan and SHOVE IT UP HIS ASS!

[global1]

5. And Sideways For That Matter......nt

[Better Believe It]

9. Why? If it only takes one vote, Obama's, do it! Call McConnell's bluff!

[Poll_Blind]

4. You...have got to be fucking kidding me!

You've gotta be fucking kidding....

PB

[Better Believe It]

7. So what's wrong with increasing the debt ceiling without needing any Republican votes?

Call his bluff.

Because approving the debt ceiling before has never been contingent on first passing a federal budget.

Increase the debt ceiling and then start work on the 2012 budget.

[DJ13]

14. I agree, but neither side wants to be the one to blame for increasing it

This is why Obama should take the 14th Amendment route, so the phony debt ceiling is no longer a hot potato that can be used to further a political agenda.

[Better Believe It]

17. Blame? It's routine and needs to be explained and done by President Obama.

But, repeating and agreeing with Republican talking points on the great "deficit crisis" by President Obama certainly won't help him to do that.

[whosinpower]

8. In other words

I CAN'T DO MY JOB....SO YOU WILL HAVE TO DO IT FOR ME....

[ProfessionalLeftist]

10. See response #5 at this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1474074#1474132

Poison pill?

[emulatorloo]

11. It is a trap.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

15. this part:

"The bill would require the president to recommend spending cuts -- without revenue-raisers -- in the same amounts of a debt ceiling increase request, although actually passing the cuts would not be necessary to raise the debt limit.

"It gives the president 100 percent of the responsibility for increasing the debt limit," Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) told reporters after the press conference.

The debt limit would be increased three times during Obama's term: First, by $700 billion over the next few weeks, then $900 billion in the fall and another $900 billion in the spring, McConnell said.

But the bill doesn't guarantee that spending cuts will happen, McConnell said."

At best, it's a chickenshit way to get away with not increasing revenues - which is an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY for a deal. At worst, looks to be a poison pill.

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. Obama can already do that. The CONSTITUTION 14th Amendment..you know, "That G-d damn piëce of paper?

as the idiot-in-chief so fondly called it.

[Better Believe It]

20. That's right. But if the Republicans want to pass a bill recognizing Obama's authority to raise

the debt ceiling without majority vote approval in Congress, let them!

I don't care.

Just pass the bill and sign the debt ceiling limit.

We talk about the 2012 budget later.

[BeyondGeography]

13. Spineless, bought-and-paid for fools

The funny part is they think they won't have to deal with him through 2016.

[kentuck]

16. Obama doesn't want to be talking about this issue next year.

This is their opening ploy in saving the Bush taxcuts.

[Unvanguard]

19. So that Obama can take all the blame? I think not. n/t

[Better Believe It]

21. Blame? For what? Increasing the debt ceiling when Congress passes a bill

proposed by Republicans to give him that power without needing a majority vote in Congress?

Are you claiming that President Obama is incapable of making the case and explaining the economic necessity of increasing the debt ceiling?

I swear Obama just appeared in two televised news conferences where he did exactly that!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

22. Does that mean that Obama can take SS and Medicare off "the Table"?