Enthusiasm wanes for "Gang of Six" plan in Congress

[ClarkUSA]

Washington (CNN) -- The burst of enthusiasm Tuesday for the "Gang of Six" debt reduction plan as a possible way out of the debt ceiling crisis appeared to fade Wednesday as Democratic and Republican lawmakers studied and found fault with the details of the proposal.

Most notably, both sides highlighted well-worn party-line divisions: conservatives complained the plan would raise taxes while liberals warned it would cut entitlement benefits.

But notice that this time, liberal Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is now playing along with President Obama's rope-a-dope strategy.

Despite some strong pushback from liberal groups and labor unions to the proposed changes to entitlement programs, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi seemed to leave the door open to the plan, telling reporters, "We haven't seen it but it has some good principles in it."

Psst! Any plan President Obama, much less Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, likes... is never, ever going to get votes from Republicans. It's that simple.

House GOP aides... privately cringed when President Barack Obama endorsed the proposal on Tuesday, because his very public embrace makes it even tougher to sell to House conservatives.... Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, leader of a large block of House conservatives, dismissed the proposal... "Forget the 'Gang of Six,' let's go with the 'Gang of 234,' " Jordan said, referring to the winning number of votes for the measure. He said the "Gang of Six" plan was a nonstarter for him and for the members of the Republican Study Committee.

What about Mitch McConnell's plan, you may be wondering? Well, since President Obama said he'd consider a short-term deal, that's now out of the question with Republicans, too.

With growing signs that the monthslong work would not provide the key to avoiding default, Democratic and Republican leadership aides in the Senate sought to turn attention back to a last-ditch plan developed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.... even that backup proposal appeared in trouble as Republicans continued to say it would not get the votes needed to pass the GOP-controlled House.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/07/20/congress.curbs.six.plan/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Lawrence O'Donnell's stomach must be sore from laughing. He's right: President Obama, you really are the most masterful President ever at rope-a-dope against the opposition party: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/12/993754/-Lawrence-ODonnell:-What-you-are-seeing-is-the-most-masterful-rope-a-dope-ever-seen-by-a-president


Hats off to our brilliant liberal Democratic President Obama and hugs to liberal Minority Leader Pelosi for her able assist at boxing in Republicans as they look more and more like spoiled whiny brats unable to make a simple decision, unlike the oh-so-grownup and reasonable President and his top allies in Congress.

[ClarkUSA]

1. Hmm, so despite all the Chicken Little squawking, no one cares that the plan is dead in the water?

How predictable. I guess complaining about President Obama is more interesting than whether or not the "Gang of Six" plan passes or not. :eyes:

[demgrrrll]

3. what did you make of the announcement by Pelosi and Hoyer

where they apparently stated that they would not support cuts to Medicare and Social Security. Someone at Kos had the quotes and a journal. This is a very dizzy pace I am trying to keep up.

[ClarkUSA]

4. Do you have the complete quotes?

There's a lot of strategic messaging going on now but very little progress due to Teabagger House refusal to compromise with President Obama's demand for revenue.

[gateley]

2. I'm glad to hear that because I heard someone today explain

why it isn't a good plan at all. Why did the Gang recommend it? Do they think it's a good one, or did they know it probably won't pass?