Because Republicans are more likely to be blamed for any fiscal cliff fallout, the closer they get to the deadline the more pressure they’ll be under to make concessions. Which is why the White House is slow-walking negotiations, according to John Boehner:
Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) accused the White House Friday of trying to “slow-walk” the “fiscal cliff” negotiations.
Boehner said there was “no progress” in the talks just three weeks before tax hikes and spending cuts are set to kick in, and expressed frustration that President Obama hasn’t made a counter-offer to the GOP’s proposal of $800 billion in new tax revenue as part of a $2.2 trillion deficit-reduction plan.
“This isn’t a progress report, because there’s no progress to report,” Boehner said in a brief press conference at the Capitol.
The White House’s refusal to negotiate on tax rates has little to do with economic concerns — ending tax cuts for top earners would make barely a dent in the deficit. As Charles Krauthammer writes, it’s all part of Obama’s longer political game:
Such nonsense abounds because Obama’s objective in these negotiations is not economic but political: not to solve the debt crisis but to fracture the Republican majority in the House. Get Boehner to cave, pass the tax hike with Democratic votes provided by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and let the Republican civil war begin.
It doesn’t even matter whether Boehner gets deposed as speaker. Either way, the Republican House would be neutered, giving Obama a free hand to dominate Washington and fashion the entitlement state of his liking.
Democrats have a tough road to taking back the House in 2014. But if Republican leadership caves on tax hikes, conservative members will revolt, and incumbents up for reelection may be faced with a primary backlash. Obviously that could make it easier for Democrats to compete for the seats.
But if Republicans don’t cave, and go off the cliff, they’ll get blamed for the economic fallout. Most Democrats seem confident the GOP won’t let this happen, and will be willing to make serious concessions to avoid it. Krauthammer suggests Republicans call that bluff:
What should Republicans do? Stop giving stuff away. If Obama remains intransigent, let him be the one to take us over the cliff. And then let the new House, which is sworn in weeks before the president, immediately introduce and pass a full across-the-board restoration of the George W. Bush tax cuts.
Obama will counter with the usual all-but-the-rich tax cut — as the markets gyrate and the economy begins to wobble under his feet.
Result? We’re back to square one, but with a more level playing field. The risk to Obama will be rising and the debt ceiling will be looming. Most important of all, however, Republicans will still be in possession of their unity, their self-respect — and their trousers.
The White House will still try to blame the GOP for the economic consequences. But plenty of Democrats are already on the record arguing that going off the fiscal cliff isn’t the end of the world. If Republicans can somehow pull a better deal out of it, that could be the best of a lot of bad options.
Boehner = Charlie Brown; Obama = Lucy.
Well then they only thing to do is stop talking and start thinking how to spin this into Obama's fault. While he'll never stand for an election again and doesn't care about the 2014 mid term elections he does first and foremost have his eye on history.
Republicans need to courageously bite the bullet. It will be close to another two years before the next elections. Do the right thing, and hope for the best.
Exactly. Well said.
Follow Krauthammer’s advice. Please.
Follow Kraithammer's advice. Please. Obam will ultimately pay the price for his bullying intransigence.
"…President Obama hasn’t made a counter-offer to the GOP’s proposal of $800 billion in new tax revenue as part of a $2.2 trillion deficit-reduction plan." n nThe GOP's Phantom Proposal, you mean, closing unspecified loopholes. It's a little late to be so unspecific.
I have come to believe that before any real reform of our corrupt system can take place, the current one needs to crash and burn. To that end, I love Rand Paul's idea of giving the libs everything they want so that all that follows is laid directly at their feet. Perhaps a small, but satisfying, side benefit would be that the lib posters here would have no more excuses… lol
Before contemplating such a suicide pact; it would be wise to understand what it would all mean. I personally think it would ultimately mean the abrogation of all basic human rights (they being supplanted by artificial rights: a job, free housing and the 'Brave New World' Life of Julia) and the categorical end of democratic elections, except for phony elections along Iranian lines, with all legitimate choices being approved by a panel of unelected experts. Unapproved choices might be allowed, except all advocates of such would be personally harassed, mocked, and persecuted. And of course there would be an "iron clad" guarantee that our government would not be totalitarian. (snark) n nBear in mind, thirty years ago the Progressives would never have admitted that they would now be advocating homosexual marriage. n nWant to buy some nice lots of “land” in central Florida? n
Sooner or later the American public, which isn't completely stupid, is going to realize that Obama's blaming everything on the Republicans isn't logical and will stop believing him. n nThe "big lie" theory only works when no one counters the lie. The Republicans have equal time, if they are willing to do the work and perhaps be a tad aggressive, they could easily refute most of Obama's lies and spin this right back at him.
I'm not so sure the American public isn't completely stupid. What are they (we) waiting for? How could we not only reelect Obama but increase the Democratic majority in the Senate – the party that hasn't passed a budget in over 3 years? Why in the world would North Dakotans, for example, put a Democrat in the Senate, when it's her party that is trying to destroy the very industry that keeps ND populated? Why? Why? nStupidity. n(Any North Dakotans reading this, please explain!)
I agree with mike_ste’s point, and offer the following additional comment/explanation: n nUnder that present paradigm there is essentially NO chance that the American public will ever figure out where they went wrong, and what to do about. If they ever do, it will be centuries too late. Surely the media is NOT interested in helping to arrive at any corrective; it is all about safeguarding and promoting the Progressivism. Academia is all about self-selective Progressive indoctrination, via post-modern deception and self-deception – The Truth? No way, forget about it. Be politically correct, or take a hike. n nConsider Ancient Greece: They NEVER figured out where they went wrong in such a way that they were ever able to do anything about it. First they were supplanted by Macedonia (a sort of Mexican copy of the real thing), then Rome conquered them almost effortlessly and enslaved them; they have become even less and less relevant ever since. (I cannot get out of my mind Lord Byron(!) quixotically trying to personally save Greece in the 1820’s from centuries of Muslim domination, and dying in the process.) n nWill the fate of the USA follow such a pattern? I think that it is pretty likely, unless there is a radical change and soon. n
Contrary to what some of my Commentary friends think, I'm a very conservative guy. But I also think I'm a practical guy as well. Here it comes: let Boehner make the decisions. Yes, I do trust him. We conservatives should have our dreams, but we must be realistic. We need experienced politicians, not amateurs who mouth the bravado(and irrelevances) of many of our talk show allies. If it weren't for many who believe that emotion is superior to logic, we would have a Republican senate with a good number of conservatives. Okay, I've given you a target. Go ahead and fire.
The problem with your logic is that you are presuming that the other side is as honorable as you are, and they aren't.
Ed, I no longer presume that the Democratic left is honorable. I think Boehner agrees with this sentiment. Remember, this guy's background is not that of a shrinking violet. His father was a saloon keeper and he had eleven, I think around there, siblings. He's tougher than the cry-baby image that he, at times, projects. His recent purge of some committee members shows he knows how to play hardball. It's true, if a deal is made, it's not going to be what you and I would consider ideal. But he knows the best he can get, particularly dealing with the people who we agree are dishonest louts.
PJ O'Rourke quote – "The Parliament of Whores is us." If the Democratic left is dishonorable – and they are – they are dishonorable because the people allow them to get away with it. Is it worth getting a "deal" under those circumstances? It merely slows the bleeding until the next opportunity for the Dishonorable Ones to reopen the wound. I say let it bleed. Maybe the patient will start paying attention before it's too late. Or maybe not – but we might as well find out now.