Why does this feel like we’ve been here before? Eric Cantor (R-VA) and John Kyl (R-AZ) abandoned out of the so-called bipartisan budget negotiations, because Democrats refused to cave-in across the board to Republican blackmail. This isn’t the first time Republicans have pretended to negotiate in good faith only take their toys and dessert the sandbox, when a solution appeared near. Who can forget how Grassley abandoned health care negotiations and bragged about stalling the process long enough to hold their infamous town halls, where Republicans confused the public with lies about “killing granny”, among others. Republicans walked out of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, and issued their own report, saying Wall Street did not cause the crisis. That’s the tip of the iceberg. For Republicans, the meaning of “bipartisanship” is somewhat obscene.
Republicans on Thursday pulled out of bipartisan talks aimed at finding a way to raise the federal debt ceiling and cut trillions of dollars from future federal budget deficits, triggering fresh fears of deadlock that could roil financial markets and kick the economy back into recession.
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., said they wouldn’t participate further because Democrats were pushing for higher taxes in any agreement.
The Republicans’ withdrawal from the seven-week-old negotiations, chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, staggered but didn’t doom prospects for a deal…
Inserted from <Kansas City Star>
Lawrence O’Donnell provides more information and interviews Nancy Pelosi.
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Did you notice how Pelosi set her jaw when talking about Cantor’s announcement?
Ed Schultz covers the walkout with Ezra Klein.
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A big part of the problem is that Republicans have painted themselves into a corner. Whichever one breaks on revenue enhancements will be savaged by the rest, so none want to be the one. Democrats have negotiated in good faith. If Republicans get their way, the American people face disaster, and Democrats will be blamed. If Republicans refuse to lift the debt ceiling, the American people face disaster, and Republicans will be blamed. I remain convinced that Republicans will cave-in, because Banksters will be the first and worst hurt in a debt ceiling crisis. But if there must be a disaster, let it be their disaster. Stand firm.
16 Responses to “Déjà vu: Republicans Abandon Budget Talks”
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Personally I thin NOW is the time to flood the White House with the message to grow a pair and let the right drive the bus over the cliff. There is no EU to bail us out, there is no China going to send out Social Security checks and pay Medicare costs and seeing as every move they have made so far on the right has been pure political kabuki then I say tell the left, order our public servants to not participate in the theater. RAISE THE GOD DAMN TAXES!!!
My point exactly, Mark.
Nothing is going to get done about the country’s problems, fiscal or otherwise, as long as these clowns are in power and can hold the government hostage to their theatrics. The priority has to be to get back the House next year, as well as holding on to the Presidency and the Senate. Until then, all that will happen is a bunch of Republican grandstanding and Democratic work-arounds.
There’s nothing to lose by standing firm. If Democrats cave, the Republicans will just up the ante and manufacture another hostage crisis.
I agree, Infidel. There will be zero progress before 2013. The best case scenario is to hold the line for now.
Koch-sucker Cantor wants to be Speaker of the House so he’s throwing Bonehead under the bus.
Have you ever noticed how Cantor looks like a snake?
How grossly unfair… to the snake!
Unless he is afraid of the bus himself.
They havenbacked themselves into a corner – and although I fear the consequences I agree with you Tom – insist that taxes be raised or get out! Play dirty in like manner – Koch aka Cantor play temper tantrum hissy fit – placing the country in jeopardy – expecting the dems to bow – turn the table!!!
Lee, there’s nothing at all dirty about defining a fair position and sticking to it.
To play their game is only to lower themselves to the same level as the Republicans .who will and really are selling the country and our future to the sociopath gang of Kochs . Cowards and toadies all of them-The only way is to stand firm, the more the Dems cave-The more will be demanded– Cantor and crew are acting like spoiled brats—so treat them as the immature demanding children they are ,
Phyllis, don’t immature demanding children deserve better?
Stand up ! Way past time for Obama to do that. His past actions do not show us he will stand up. He had majority and renewed the Bush tax cuts. With majority, this is the best Health insurance program he could pass? And much more.
The Republicans were never going to vote for any bill offered by the President, or the Democrat party. The Republicans told Obama that. I’m confused why he never used his majority and passed more (better) laws.
Obama is just another politician, whose goal is to get reelected. He knows the country is center right, and needs a majority vote from the American people, to get reelected.
I’ll be voting for Obama, but there is plenty of criticism to throw at him.
There is no answer, but to raise income, That reality has to be told to the American people. That’s what responsible leaders do.
That’s why Republicans have been irresponsible leaders.
Tom I agree he is to blame for caving in on renewing the Bush tax cuts, but .on health care, he did not have the 60 (not counting DINOs) needed in the Senate. Lots more “better laws” passed nthe house only to did in the Senate. The person most to blame is Harry Reid, because he did not push ending the filibuster when he had the best opportunity to do so. He bought a promise to be nice from Bitch McConnell. That said, I agree that there is plenty for which to criticize Obama.
When’s the damn donkeys gonna get their fill? 👿
Soon I hope.