GOPers Lay Down Their Marker
While Democrats and Barack Obama are hard at work thematically outlining their economic recovery goals, Republicans got down to brass tacks this afternoon. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) signaled pretty strongly that they have a ceiling for an acceptable amount of stimulus spending -- and it ain't a high one.
Obama told CNBC yesterday that his transition is starting at the low end of the possible stimulus spending scale because "our attitude was that given the legislative process, if we start towards the low end of that, we'll see how it develops". Yet McConnell, speaking to reporters in the same ornate Senate room where Democrats unveiled their "top 10" bills yesterday, all but ruled out the trillion-dollar stimulus that some economists and state governments have urged.
Boehner didn't mince words. "An $800 billion to $1 trillion package, on top of the deficit we already have; you're adding an awful lot of weight to the debt," he said, adding: "It's those of us not here" -- the classic GOP touch of referring to future generations inheriting the unpaid bills they helped create -- "who are going to pay the debt."
"You can't buy prosperity with more government spending," Boehner finished.
Even Martin Feldstein thinks you can, congressman.
Late Update: Here's the video:
They're just freaking tone deaf, aren't they?
People are hurting. Now. In a society motivated by instant gratification, people are going to want to see progress now, and they're not going to be interested in the long term ramifications of debt.
The Republicans have no credibility on this issue. I hope their "concern" becomes a cement block chained around their ankles.
January 8, 2009 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
And I hope the chains are secured with big, long, nasty sharp spikes. Can't be too careful, can we?
January 8, 2009 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Elana, any chance you could drop some pills in Boehners drink that would cause him to poop every 5 minutes or so until this recovery bill gets passed?
That guy along with McConnell drive me frickin' bonkers. I understand Obama and his team would like to see 70-80 Senators sign off on this but if it ain't gonna happen, it ain't gonna happen. Maybe the recovery package should focus on all states where the Senators and House members vote for the bill. That would cut the costs down significantly. Just let the Senators vote out of the package, directly affecting their constituents.
These bozo's are going to vote Nay and still get the benefits.
January 8, 2009 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alright, Congressional Democrats, I know that this is not going to come to you naturally, but I would like to take this moment to explain to you that this is what we call an opportunity. The Republicans just said something very firmly, but which is also very politically dumb. I know that your natural reaction whenever a Republican leader speaks firmly is to cower and concede, but now would be a good time to climb up into the Bully Pulpit and contrast McConnell's and Boehner's words with the current economic news in a way that will make them cower and concede. Believe it or not, it can be done (the fact that they have been doing the same to you for the last 8 years proves as much).
Come on, kids, you can do it. I have confidence in you. Please do not show this confidence (once again) to have been a shallow illusion.
January 8, 2009 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Dear Dems, please show these a-holes to be what they truly are - vile, opprortunistic obstructionists. I detest Boner and McConHole! Fuck these guys - you can't deal with people who have no intention of working honestly for the common good.
January 8, 2009 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
"opportunistic obstructionists", I meant to say.
Boner and McConHole need to be crushed, or at very least marginalized - not deferred to in any way!
January 8, 2009 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love it.
Perhaps you should forward this to Pelosi and Reid's offices?
January 8, 2009 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Missouri Voter's comment makes me miss the old rating capability. It would have gotten a 5 from me.
January 8, 2009 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like Pelosi got the message. In an "in your face" statement she suggested repealing the Bush tax cuts to help offset the cost.
January 8, 2009 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
...repealing taxcuts = raising taxes = econimic suicide for Obama...
January 8, 2009 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the end, I expect that this is the sort of thinking that will make it impossible for Pelosi to find enough votes in her own caucus actually to make good on this proposal. Still, if the Distinguished Lady from San Francisco can make it happen, I will tip my hat to her.
January 8, 2009 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Given that they're going to expire next year anyway, it's probably not worth the energy and political capital to repeal them. But it does make a handy club any time they hear McConnell and Boehner whining about how concerned they suddenly are about the deficit.
January 8, 2009 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sergeant, I'm not sure what you're trying to say. Did you mean "economic" suicide? Because that's an awfully dubious conclusion given the actual economic underpinnings of this particular recession. The segment of the population receiving the Bush tax cuts has actually not been hurt very badly by the drop in housing-related asset values. Relatively little of their wealth is tied up in real-estate related assets, with a lot more in securities and business equity. Now that the stock market seems to have stabilized, these folks are in good shape going forward. Being that the "wealthy tax cuts == lower investment" theory has absolutely never been borne out by history, and considering that this segment of the population has enough income that their consumption will not be affected, it seems like a reasonable option to put on the table. On the other hand, it could certainly amount to "political" rather than "economic" suicide.
January 8, 2009 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
The vast majority of the people affected by the tax cut repeal probably didn't vote for Obama in the first place. I don't see how that translates into economic suicide.
January 8, 2009 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, yeah. I'd forgotten about the many economic benefits wrought by these tax cuts. Without them we'd be looking at trillion dollar deficits and a sinking economy right now...umm...err...wait...
January 8, 2009 3:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, you're not going to make these particular two numbnut morons condede anything, but if you expose them as fatuous asses by making half their caucus abandon them because the constituients are calling, that's even better.
Its like all the passengers and crew of the Titanic got off the ship, into the lifeboats and rowed to safety on another ship going the other way while the Captain and his officers stayed on the bridge, obstinately determined to ram the damn thing into the icebergs.
January 8, 2009 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Make the bill one trillion and if they say they will vote no, tell them that their state will get shit.
January 8, 2009 2:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Re McConnell, this is a guy whose opposition to the auto company bailout condemned 80,000 autoworkers and their families in his own home state of Kentucky to unemployment, homelessness and starvation.
He just won re-election, he revels in being the most hated politician in the country, and he doesn't care about anything except screwing Obama and the dems with giant barbed dildos nonstop for the next six years.
Take that fact into account, and move on. But for pity's fucking sake, stop pretending McConnell is worth a second's consideration, much less negotiation. He's an obstacle, period.
January 8, 2009 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
"...opposition to the auto company bailout condemned 80,000 autoworkers and their families in his own home state of Kentucky to unemployment, homelessness and starvation."
LMAO!...nothing like a little "over the top" dramatics. Reminds me of when Newt wanted to "throw grandma down the stairs" and "steal lunches from the children." Is this the change y'all were talking about?
January 8, 2009 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please, we bow to the masters. Democrats have nothing on Republicans when it comes to over-the-top dramatics ("we don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud" anyone?). I will grant you that KY Yellow Dog may be laying it on a little thick, but only a little. Given that you have admitted to listening with enjoyment to Rush Limbaugh, I am afraid that I will not be able to take any criticisms you might voice on this matter at all seriously.
January 8, 2009 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I also freely admit to enjoying Ann Coulter's weekly column and looking forward to her new book...
January 9, 2009 8:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
That is just the GOP flexing their muscle. I see the stimulus package between $800-$1 trillion.
They can say what they want but it will end up being about that range.
January 8, 2009 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Further to my Kingdonesque comments to Elana's earlier post, seventy nine percent support Obama's Recovery plan per a Politico poll
It's the politics not the policy points ....
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/17204.html
January 8, 2009 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
After they've spent the last eight years idly watching the Bush administration recklessly run up the deficit, you would think the dissonance in their brains caused by their sudden "concern" would make their heads explode.
January 8, 2009 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
These guys are coming down just about where I'm betting Obama wants them. If, in 2010, the recession has, as ones of this magnitude historically do, advanced, the likely national cry will be "Help us O Federal govt. you needed to do more!" Any republicans making the case that "Obama's" stimulus package didn't work will also be saddled with the blame for obstructing it. At that point, it's goodbye to everyone who stood in the way. Supermajority, anyone?
January 8, 2009 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm so pissed! The nation voted these assholes out in the last 2 elections and they still control govt.
You can already see the outlines of what's to come, Obama and Reid are going to let them control the agenda.
Fuck them all!
January 8, 2009 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where, pray tell, to you get the idea that they still control the government? Just because they puff themselves up and talk like they still matter? They don't. They are cyphers. Non-entities. McConnell in particular is a political gelding. The possibility that he can muster enough votes to block a stimulus bill in any amount in the Senate does not exist.
Seriously, do you really think we can't peel away the two or three Repbulican votes we'd need in the Senate from among those are either facing tough races next time or else are retiring and thus can afford to, if you'll pardon the expression, put country first?
January 8, 2009 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
The ground has shifted under their feet and they're going on as if nothing has changed. Actually, they're playing right into Obama's hands. While Obama talks about cooperation, they look like obstructionist fools with their new found concern over the deficit. Bet that outside of a few hardliners, most Republicans are looking at McConnell and Boehner and then at Obama and trying to decide who to align themselves with. Except for a few completely tone-deaf ones, they're going to have heard their constituents' message and reject the hardliners. Self-preservation trumps ideology.
January 8, 2009 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
McConnell doesn't give a damn because he's in for the next six years - Schumer specifically went after his seat IIRC, so he's going to be a pain in the ass for the next six years.
I love how the GOP all of a sudden are worried about spending. It's funny that they're all "Look at the debt, look at the spending" whenever a Democrat is in office, but when a Republican is in office he's free to spend at his leisure.
How much did Bushes war with Iraq cost so far?
My CT says the GOP purposefully spent money the US didn't have hand over fist in hopes of bankrupting the system so the Government have no choice but to end Social Security and Medicare - so much better if it's on a Democratic Presidents watch.
How many BILLIONS went missing in Iraq? It's insane that that kind of money just disappeared. Somebody who knew the game took it. The Iraq War was all about the GOP cronies getting filthy rich. How many BILLIONS were blown up in forms of bombs and missiles in Iraq?
The MIC needed to clear out inventory so let's go to war. There wasn't enough stuff to bomb in Afghanistan - they were already living in the stone age. Iran is lucky that Iraq didn't roll over, because if Iraq was too easy and the MIC still have inventory to clear the military adventurism would have looked for somewhere else to bomb.
January 8, 2009 2:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
What I wonder is:
Boehner didn't mince words. "An $800 billion to $1 trillion package, on top of the deficit we already have; you're adding an awful lot of weight to the debt,"
How many months in Iraq does that money buy?
January 8, 2009 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now, all of a sudden, a Dem is in the oval office and now they're worried about the deficit?? LOL!
Let us hope that Obama does not go too far in looking for large #s of Repubs to sign on and realizes he can get through painful legislation without them based on the #s the Dems have in Congress.
January 8, 2009 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
These are the same assholes that have funded their Iraq misadventure from here to eternity, deficits be damned. If they continue to play this game, Obama should use his bully pulpit to hit them HARD.
January 8, 2009 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Give me a break. The Republicans laid down their markers long ago: stall, obstruct, obfuscate & filibuster. The more you try and please them, the more they'll move the goalposts - and in the end the vast majority will vote against it anyway.
Democrats need to concentrate on keeping Democrats together and getting just one or two Republicans to override the filibuster in the Senate. That's the only path to victory.
January 8, 2009 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink