Bernie Sanders endorses Mitch McConnell's plan: "I agree with Mitch McConnell."

[ClarkUSA]

‘I Agree with Mitch McConnell'

As an Aug. 2 deadline neared, Sanders stressed the importance of raising the debt ceiling so the United States can continue to pay its bills and avoid default for the first time in history. In a phrase he probably never uttered before, Sanders embraced a proposal by the Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to raise the debt ceiling now and debate what to do about deficits during the 2012 campaign. "Let's take the case to the American people," Sanders told radio host Ed Schultz. Listen to Thursday's interview.

http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=BC108D81-AB34-47C7-973F-E49F9BA0AC7E

"David Kendall of the Third Way said he was warming to the McConnell proposal":
http://thehill.com/homenews/news/171885-budget-experts-raise-concerns-over-mcconnell-debt-limit-fallback-plan

"McConnell-Reid Debt Plan Includes Catfood Commission II with Teeth":

The key part of the new McConnell package is a joint committee to review entitlements in a massive deficit-reduction package. Unlike the Bowles-Simpson commission, this committee will be mandated to have a legislative outcome — an actual vote — that will occur early next year. No White House members. Evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. No outsiders. This will be the first time such a study would have an expedited procedure mandated with no amendments permitted. Also, tax reform could be air-dropped into this committee’s report.

<snip>

If I’m reading this right, what this means is that in order to make the McConnell proposal more palatable to conservatives, there would be a mandated bipartisan review of entitlements next year. The source tells me that if a majority of the committee can agree on recommendations for entitlement reform, the proposal would also mandate a Congressional vote on those recommendations.

http://skydancingblog.com/2011/07/15/mcconnell-reid-plan-includes-catfood-commission-ii-with-teeth

Washington Post Editorial Board Opinion: Tweaking Mitch McConnell’s ‘escape hatch’

One twist to the McConnell plan involves creating a new congressional super-committee — yes, another commission — tasked with producing additional debt reduction measures by the end of the year. Unlike, say, the Simpson-Bowles commission, the committee would not have to achieve a supermajority vote, and its proposals would be subject to an up-or-down majority vote in both houses of Congress.

It is essential that this committee have jurisdiction to consider all elements of the budget: discretionary spending, entitlements and tax revenue must all be on the table, as they were for Simpson-Bowles.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/tweaking-mitch-mcconnells-escape-hatch/2011/07/18/gIQA9LOhMI_story.html

[bobburgster]

1. I agree with Bernie.

Otherwise I believe we'll end up getting screwed.

[slay]

4. Same here

Bernie is right as usual.

[bvar22]

15. Me too.

A clean bill that Raises the Debt ceiling.

I told ya the Republicans were BLUFFING.
Their BIG MONEY Paymasters would have NEVER allowed a default.
No need for ANY secret BIG DEAL with the Republicans.

Thanks, Bernie.

K&R

[ClarkUSA]

6. Yet there was massive outrage last week when it was rumored that Pres. Obama favored this plan.

[Enrique]

11. that's not true

it was treated as a major victory when McConnell offered it, followed by confusion when we didn't take it, and the negotiations continued.

[ClarkUSA]

19. You are speaking for yourself, I see.

I see you're using the same phrase in your July 15 OP about it:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x711964

[Enrique]

22. also in this other OP

titled, "Why don't we just take McCcnnell's deal." No offense to anyone who answered, but the answers were very unconvincing, not to mention contradictory.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x709734

[Blasphemer]

7. I agree... a rushed deal is doomed to be the result of over-compromising... nt

[Enrique]

13. me too n/t

[robinlynne]

2. OF COURSE!!!!! Finally some reason.

[EFerrari]

12. How screwn are we when McConnell is the voice of reason.

lol

[bobburgster]

29. Ha, ha, ha......love your sentence!

"Screwn" gave me a smile after a crappy day.

Thanks

[Oceansaway]

3. k & r...nt

[Raven]

5. You bet! I think that called Democracy. n/t

[bullwinkle428]

8. Cool. At least that plan doesn't completely give away the farm.

[Faryn Balyncd]

9. McConnell's plan is the only one that doesn't totally STINK!

[Davis_X_Machina]

10. Ir's a shame it can't pass the House. n/t

[KittyWampus]

14. They attach it to a ....resolution? Not sure of the term for the legislation... but they find somet

something that came from the House and attach it.

Explained on Laurence O'Donnell the other night and it's too hot for my brain to work right.

[Davis_X_Machina]

21. Still needs a House Majority...

...and Boehner can't deliver enough of his caucus to pull it off. 70 House 'pugs have signed a letter saying no to plan B. So Orange Julius has at most ~150 votes.... the rest -- 70-odd -- have to come from Pelosi's caucus. McConnell can't whip the House.

If it passes only because of a Democratic majority, Boehner loses his gavel by Christmas.

[Faryn Balyncd]

23. .

(dupe)

[Faryn Balyncd]

18. I guess we'll just have to let Ryan & Cantor re-write SS & MC then, eh?

:sarcasm:





(and let the President put a big "Democratic" stamp on it, for the benefit of all present and future seniors & voters!)







:hi:

[ClarkUSA]

26. Actually, the McConnell plan could do that for Ryan & Cantor.

"McConnell-Reid Debt Plan Includes Catfood Commission II with Teeth":

The key part of the new McConnell package is a joint committee to review entitlements in a massive deficit-reduction package. Unlike the Bowles-Simpson commission, this committee will be mandated to have a legislative outcome — an actual vote — that will occur early next year. No White House members. Evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. No outsiders. This will be the first time such a study would have an expedited procedure mandated with no amendments permitted. Also, tax reform could be air-dropped into this committee’s report.

<snip>

If I’m reading this right, what this means is that in order to make the McConnell proposal more palatable to conservatives, there would be a mandated bipartisan review of entitlements next year. The source tells me that if a majority of the committee can agree on recommendations for entitlement reform, the proposal would also mandate a Congressional vote on those recommendations.

http://skydancingblog.com/2011/07/15/mcconnell-reid-plan-includes-catfood-commission-ii-with-teeth

Washington Post Editorial Board Opinion: Tweaking Mitch McConnell’s ‘escape hatch’

One twist to the McConnell plan involves creating a new congressional super-committee — yes, another commission — tasked with producing additional debt reduction measures by the end of the year. Unlike, say, the Simpson-Bowles commission, the committee would not have to achieve a supermajority vote, and its proposals would be subject to an up-or-down majority vote in both houses of Congress.

It is essential that this committee have jurisdiction to consider all elements of the budget: discretionary spending, entitlements and tax revenue must all be on the table, as they were for Simpson-Bowles.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/tweaking-mitch-mcconnells-escape-hatch/2011/07/18/gIQA9LOhMI_story.html

[Faryn Balyncd]

27. Thanks for bringing that to my attention...I obviously misunderstood the McConnell plan.

The accounts I had seen of the McConnell Plan did not mention the mandatory commission, which obviously is the most important aspect of it.


Thanks.

[madokie]

16. If thats where Bernie is coming from

then I'll have to agree with him. I've kind of been thinking that anyway as it won't be good with the voters if they're reminded every day or so that the repukes want to cut SS and Medicare. Bring it on Mitch. Trouble is Mitch knows that they've fucked up and by doing this they can act like they're doing something when in reality they're only kicking the can on down the road. By election time they'll have forgotten all about this fight and I know that I suspect a lot of other voters know that. Theres going to be a pretty good house/senate cleaning this next election. I don't care if they've been there for ages their seats, if they're up for election, are vulnerable, Dem or Puke.

If I ever get a chance to vote for Bernie Sanders for President I'm break my neck getting to the poling place. If by chance he was to pick Alan Grayson I'd believe that there maybe a heaven after all. I'd like to see them two in the Whitehouse together. Damned if that wouldn't be the ticket. Shit, then I woke up

[reformist2]

17. I hope the adults prevail.

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. The problem is that proposal has zero chance of passing the House

[Angry Dragon]

24. An up-or-down vote for raising the debt ceiling

nothing more nothing less

[Davis_X_Machina]

25. Had one. In May. Only got 97 votes...

...and there are way more than 97 Democrats....

[rucky]

31. sadly, that's not what we're asking for.

but McConnell's plan comes closest to sanity.

I can't believe I just typed that.

[applegrove]

28. Fuck the McConnell plan. GOP could simply vote to up the debt ceiling and all would be well. The

deficit isn't such an immediate problem.

[rucky]

30. And why the fuck not?

What's the reason for pushing for a comprehensive plan, and making it long-term, when we have an urgent deadline approaching?

Considering all the other things Obama's been flexible on, why is he digging in his heels on that point?