McConnell outlines new proposal on debt ceiling

[TomCADem]

Source: Washington Post

McConnell was quickly excoriated online by tea party bloggers, with Erick Erickson of the Web site RedState.com blasting the plan as “the Pontius Pilate Pass the Buck Act of 2011.”

Still, with less than three weeks left until the default deadline and no viable alternative in sight, House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) declined to shoot it down. “I think everyone realizes there needs to be a backup plan if we can’t come to an agreement,” he told Fox News.

* * *
Since pulling the plug on the deal, Boehner has been largely silent in the meetings, leaving House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) to present details of the House’s position. On Tuesday, people in both parties said, Obama tried to reestablish Boehner’s primacy. Cantor, who is advocating a smaller deal, at one point demanded that Obama offer the details of his vision for a “grand bargain.” “Where’s your paper?” he asked angrily.

Obama snapped back: “Frankly, your speaker has it. Am I dealing with him, or am I dealing with you?”


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/debt-talks-show-growing-gap-between-white-house-gop/2011/07/12/gIQAbKuiAI_story_1.html

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The Republican leadership continues to contradict and undercut each other as the United States slides into default. Now, Eric Cantor continues to appeal to politics by demanding that the debt limit be raised in small increments so that we can repeat this process during the lead up to the elections. President Obama is wisely telling him to go take a hike.

[msongs]

1. push for a clean bill - up or down, like repubs gave BUSH. save the deficit crap for another time nt

[liberalla]

8. I agree. The debt ceiling bill should have nothing attached.

They act like this is their last chance to take hostages/play chicken with the economy/suck up to T-baggers/screw over the little guys and generally demoralize US citizens.

Jeez. They'll always get another chance at that. Save it for another day. Damn arseholes.

[reformist2]

2. Does McConnell's crazy plan have a chance in hell?

I have to admit, the fact that the press is giving it any credence at all tells me they are miles away from an agreement.

[neoralme]

5. It is a clever, insidious trap.

[TomClash]

3. Does the President have to come up with matching cuts per year?

Or over the ten year period?

[neoralme]

4. McConnell's plan is a trap. It requires Obama to come up with

successive cuts to increase the debt ceiling. And where do you think the cuts will come from? And where do you think the new increases will go? I'll tell you where. The cuts will come from entitlements. The increases will go to wars and tax breaks to the rich. And the Democrats in the form of Obama get the blame for the increases to the debt limit. The Republicans will play their notice of non-compliance to the hilt at election time. Disaster.

[jtown1123]

6. YES. THIS.

[QC]

7. You are absolutely correct.

It's amazing to see so many otherwise shrewd and politically savvy people falling for this.

[Frustratedlady]

10. Never fall for any deal proposed by McConnell.

He's an evil man.

[neoralme]

11. The main thing in these end-of-times machinations is to just get

something done to get to the next crisis. I just wish I knew whether Obama wants to get re-elected or not. If he starts cutting entitlements, he will not get re-elected and I would not be surprised that he will have to leave the country. If he doesn't cut entitlements, there is no increase in debt limit and we go through this scenario again. The tricky part is the 2/3rd's majority that would be required to overrule Obama's veto of the Republicans vote against the cuts Obama used to get the debt limit increased. Say Obama can't cut entitlements because of the election and decides to go after military spending. The Republicans vote against that, but Obama vetoes it, and there is no overrule. Obama is going to be blamed for cutting defense at a time of war. That won't play to the electorate either. McConnell's play not only takes the onus away from the Republicans for the debt ceiling increase, it puts Obama in a virtual checkmate. It is an absolutely stupid plan.....accordingly, that is what they'll probably do. Let me know if you understood what I said. This chit has made me ill.

[liberalla]

9. I think Obama will reject this. He was firm that he

wanted a single increase to take us to 2013.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x710469 ">As promised, POTUS is taking his case to "the American people". Media blitz starts today.

Also,

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1488260&mesg_id=1488260 ">Today is NATIONAL BUDGET CALL-IN DAY! Call your Senators toll-free: 1 [phone]

[neoralme]

12. Depending on what he does, we will know where his bread is

buttered conclusively.

[neoralme]

13. Dupe

[classysassy]

14. "The Chin" is not your friend

unless you are super rich.