Remember, as pieces like this begin to proliferate, that you heard it from me first. Does this sound familiar?
By some accounts, there are now enough Republican votes for Boehner to successfully bring a clean government-funding resolution to a vote and send it on to the Senate, ending the shutdown. But Boehner has been so “crippled” since Tea Party–aligned newbies in January threatened to oust him from his post, according to National Review’s well-sourced Robert Costa, that he hasn’t dared to stand up to them since.
“What we’re seeing is the collapse of institutional Republican power,” Costa told The Washington Post.
Adding to the chaos, powerful outside groups have targeted Republicans who have broken with Cruz. When some Republican senators supported cloture on the first House budget bill — meaning, they merely refused to stall a vote on the bill itself — the Senate Conservatives Fund called it the “ultimate betrayal.” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the SCF said, was a “turncoat” who had “surrendered to Barack Obama.”
Combined, this has created a no-win situation for Boehner, leaving him, and the party, hopelessly hamstrung. Under fire from both sides in his own caucus, he will eventually have to cut one wing loose and suffer the backlash.
Whatever Boehner decides, it could determine who is in control of the Republican Party: The Ted Cruz wing or what is left of the establishment.
The Democrats can have a say in this if they are smart and nimble enough to understand the situation and act in time.
‘When some Republican senators supported cloture on the first House budget bill — meaning, they merely refused to stall a vote on the bill itself — the Senate Conservatives Fund called it the “ultimate betrayal.” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the SCF said, was a “turncoat” who had “surrendered to Barack Obama.”‘
To which I say, who the fuck cares?
And after a few more days of this, nobody will, other than a few power-crazy tycoons and a small bunch of lunatics under their control.
Yep…this is why I come here to figure out what the f*ck is going on.
This appears to be a reasonably accurate detailing of what the f*ck is going on. Better understanding of the circumstances and motivations of the key players does not comfort me much. They might destroy their short-term future prospects with this nonsense, but the GOP might cause a new Great Depression in the process. It appears that a lot of the Tea Partiers WANT to do that, or at least would see that outcome as worth the price if it hurts this President and Federal governance in general.
Years of high- to mid-range crisis governance followed by a potential Mach 11 crisis both angers and frightens me. Both sides do NOT do this,
I cannot remember when the Dems were as united as they are now. A few rumblings from Manchin and Durbin (WTF), but otherwise solid. Under many circumstances, a fig leaf or face saving gesture to the R’s might be warranted. But not this time. The White House may have some interest in propping up Boehner. But the best option is to ramp up pressure on the tea party and diminish their influence.
Durbin was getting interviewed by Chuck Todd today and Todd asked him about his support for repealing the medical device tax. Durbin brushed it off and basically was like we are not discussing any of those issues until the government is open again. It was encouraging.
Obama invites GOP to discuss the debt limit.
Unsurprisingly Boehner cast it as a willingness to negotiate on Obama’s part.
Hilarious comment by Boehner there. Wish Obama would respond in kind:
Which it is. What else is there to talk about except what the Democrats are going to give up to end the shutdown?
What’s to talk about? Howzabout:
Dems: Forget sinking Obamacare. That ship has sailed and is over the horizon. You give us a clean CR and then we can talk about minor fixes to it. Meanwhile, start writing a bill to repeal the debt ceiling and figuring out how to get it through your pack of crazies. Because we’re not negotiating with hostage-takers any more.
Reps: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH WHIIIIINNNNE
Dems: Tough shit. Better do what’s right before your corporate paymasters decide to take you down. Because we’re not budging. Now go cry and whine about how unfair we are to the media.
Gleefully waiting for the results of their Come To Jesus Moment out back in the woodshed with the US Chamber of Commerce.
Obama craves compromise at the expense of politics and policy, but let’s hope this is the true purpose of the meeting. To shove their faces in what they’ve done.
As the old saying, “From your mouth to God’s ear.” Although I rather hope it’s Loki (or Coyote), he (they) always enjoyed a good practical joke.
His presidency is on the line here, he will not negotiate.
I’m not betting either way. Sometimes the 40:1 long shot wins, but I’m not betting on it.
“If your plan depends on moderate Republicans, get another plan.”
-John Podesta
Interesting that the President has moved to the debt limit, which means that for now the “clean-CR” stand on the budget is the the holding strategy for Democrats. That IMO is a good sign.
The question on the debt ceiling at a minimum is “How high?” At best the question is “Why is a debt ceiling needed, given its conflict with already passed legislation of the Congress?”
It seems that the shutdown will not end until the debt ceiling issue is safely put away. That is at least three weeks and possibly longer because the GOP will wait to the last minute on that one as well. Possible longer because the burn rate of expenses slows during the shutdown.
This could limp along for awhile because the shutdown maniacs like Huelskamp are telling themselves that their constituents are not going to be hurting and blaming them in any measurable way.
Starting point should be the repeal of the debt limit act itself.
It appears the Republican Party wants a 1000 little fights, instead of passing a budget. President Obama should not negotiate with economic Terrorist– GOP Congress.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Wire/2013/1002/Latest-GOP-strategy-on-government-shu
tdown-Can-it-work
When you put it that way, it makes sense for the GOP. They might win a few little fights, but they will definitely lose one big fight.
OT: your money is in the mail; look out for it.
Somewhat late to the party, but certainly welcome.