If the Gang of Six plan (or as I like to think of it, the Prolegomena to Any Future Deficit Reduction) is to have any chance of passing the House it will need broad Democratic support. Casing the prospects for securing such support appears to be the order of the day for the Gang, which will reportedly meet with top House Democrats Steny Hoyer and Chris Van Hollen (Md.) today at 1:00 PM.
Meanwhile, Rep. Frank Wolf, a Virginia Republican, and Rep. Jim Cooper, a New Democrat–type from Tennessee, have sent a letter to leaders Boehner and Pelosi calling for a vote on the Gang proposal.
This thing, for better and worse (and worse), could have legs.
stabbed in the back by our own yet again. If the GOP fails in this, I personally see no need to continue the GOP. It will be time for a new and truly conservative party, "Tea" or otherwise.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf the GOP helps and supports this fraudulent, tax-raising, help-Obama-get-reelected scheme, they are through as a party.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFrom what I've read so far, I don't think this plan has a snowball's chance in hell of passing in the house...even with broad Dem support.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFirst, nice Kant reference, Dan. (I always thought that was a particularly pompous title of Kant's.)
Second, when will Republicans come to their senses and push the Dr. K plan (which is also now the James Capretta plan (http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/272311/gang-six-disaster-worst-plan-so-far-james-c-capretta), the Tony Blankley plan (http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/07/20/no_more_washington_tricks_110631-2.html), and was probably also the Kevin Williamson plan (though he didn't obviously insist on the commensurate spending cuts)? If they don't seize the initiative and take this course, they're going to be faced with the potential political disaster of getting to Aug. 2nd without a deal, or the McConnell plan, which they hate. So just do it already!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe first question is whether it can pass the Senate! I don't see that happening unless it moves significantly to starboard.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Broad Democratic support"? As the Republicans hold a majority in the House and as the Gang of Six plan purportedly contains several provisions anathema to them (particularly in light of the recent spending cap bill they just passed), how would the plan ever pass the House even if every Dem voted for it?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAll Rep. Ryan has to do is take the podium in the House, in which he will create brain meltdowns with his facts. He is brilliant.
I still want to see a straight-up debate of Rep. Ryan against anyone on the other team and/or Dear Leader.
What is Obama's plan other than to raise taxes and raise the debt and skate (ok, golf) to November 2012.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'd like to second putting Paul Ryan out in front on this going forward. He has credibility with pretty much all of us - Tea Party and establishment alike. If he's not going to run for president, at least he can lead us here.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMaybe I'm missing something, but everyone (certainly in the media, understandably) keeps talking about whether the GOP will vote for it. But with 51 Dems in the Senate and 193 in the House, they Gang of 6 plan can pass the Senate and only needs 25 House GOP votes to pass in the House, if the Speaker allows it up (it will be hard to say no) and assuming no Dems oppose (probably not a good assumption, but it remains to be seen how well Obama and Pelosi can whip it). It will then become the responsibility of Obama and the Dems for whatever happens, which I don't think anyone believes is likely to be good for the economy. Of course, that that is so obvious may be the reason it may not get enough Dem votes to go anywhere. Some of them are smart enough not to want to volunteer to take joint responsibility with Obama for the economy in 2012.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHas everyone lost their minds? If they get 25 Republican votes in the House for this thing, then it will be touted by the MSM as a bi-partisan deal. How that translates to responsibility of Obama and the Dems for whatever happens certainly escapes me. The sooner the House Republicans understand this, the better.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSure, any House member, GOP or Dem, who is not in a safe District and votes for anything like Go6 will likely lose his or her seat in 2012 on account of the ongoing economic disaster that it does nothing to solve and only makes worse. But can the Dems peel off 10% of the 240 House Republicans with something like Go6? Maybe. That is not a lot considering RINOs. Now whether the Dem leaders can get their own members to vote for Go6 is another matter. If Pelosi has to get any more GOP votes than that, it will struggle. And I wonder if she will be able to get her at-risk members to fall on their swords.
The fact is that there is only so much you can do when you only have one house. And voting in 2012 in a way that consolidates Dem power will not make things better. I suppose we get the government we deserve. Certainly we have the economy that people voted for in 2008.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf the House passes this, the Republican Party is finished forever.
We will form a new party, plain and simple.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOnce again, the Republican party will get snookered by the Dems! Why are they so continually stupid!? They really are like Charlie Brown and The Dems for all their evil are just smarter and of course, much more devious! Once again, Lucy will pull the ball away from Charlie Brown and the Dems will promise spending cuts and only deliver tax increases! I thought we voted for change last November???
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