The Senate has just voted to “table” the deficit-reduction bill just passed by the House hours earlier. The motion passed 59 to 41, with six Republicans — Paul, Vitter, Lee, Hatch, Graham and DeMint — joining the Democrats. Prior to the vote, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) offered to hold a cloture vote on the legislation proposed by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.), noting that the House had already scheduled a vote on Reid’s plan for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Reid clearly does not have the 60 votes he would need to end a filibuster, and said he’d be happy to hold the vote if McConnell would agree to make it a simply majority vote. The Republican leader responded that he was “genuinely perplexed” by Reid’s request. “It looks like the House will vote on the Senate plan before the Senate does,” joked McConnell.
Yep, exactly. That's what I've been saying over the past few days. Keep throwing bills at the Senate so the media, try as they will, just can't ignore the fact that Reid and the Democrats are the TRUE obstacles.
Yes, and be sure to make the bills simple enough, with self-descriptive titles, so the public will quickly understand their significance and reflexively support them. Put out bills to make immediate year budgetary cuts, eliminate baseline budgeting, repeal ObamaCare, shut down various federal agencies, etc.
Anything of a fiscal nature, put it all out there. The Senate Democrats are on their heels. Keep them there.
Just out of curiosity, what's this "gang of 6"'s plan?
Did they vote no on the Boehner bill because they support the cut, cap, balance bill (which nearly all House GOP would prefer anyway) and just nothing else will do? Or do they have some other plan that they would be proud to vote for?
If the Balanced Budget Amendment is too much for the Dems, why not try eliminating baseline budgeting? That would kick the rhetorical legs out from under all future Dem arguments about spending. Plus, it would be very hard for them to oppose it - are they willing to block a debt limit extension over an issue that they will find hard to demagogue (since very few will understand it)?
And in about two seconds, everyone in the media will soon direct their outrage against the (D)s for being stonewalling, jack*ss-stubborn, hostage-holding ideologues who don't care about anything except their party. Boy, it's gonna be fun to read all that well-reasoned criticism heaped on the (R)s to finally settle on the (D)s! I can't wait. I am going to kick back with a Shiner and marvel at what a rational, fair, sensible left wing population we have to keep everything in perhaps the most healthy perspective that any age in American history has ever experienced.
Thanks Boehner, NRO and rest of the useless etablishment GOP for this kabuki theater that accomplished nothing except making us in Tea Party utterly disgusted with you.
How is this the Republicans fault? You do realize that Senate Democrats would have shot down ANYTHING that came out of the House, right? Anything short of a clean debt limit rise that lasts through 2013, anyway.
As for 2012, Republicans are not the ones who need to worry - Obama's approval just hit its lowest ever at 40.
Here's how it's the Republican's fault. They should have sent Cup, Cap, and Trade up again. They are compromising with a devious and malicious negotiator, and they should have stood firm with a win-lose outcome. They are more concerned about the Op-Ed page of the Washington Post than the welfare of the nation.
This is what some of us have been gently trying to tell some of those newly arrived to the political thickets. Have you never heard the expression that no one should ever watch sausage or legislation being made?
Fighting the left is much more guerilla warfare than a conventional battle, because the other side never quits, it never gets discouraged, it never loses sight of its ultimate goals and it will do anything and everything to advance its agenda, with no regard for truth or decency. This is a war of attrition that has been going on since at least about 1916, although conflicting visions about the proper role of the federal government go back far before that. A few hours ago people were demanding immediate, uncompromised gratification. Now, they want to walk away from the fight because it looks like things are not going to go completely their way after all. Step back, realize how far we've come in a few months, understand that no debt ceiling raise has ever been linked to spending cuts in any form or fashion, remember what the other side did and would do again if it held both houses of congress and think of what could be accomplished as quickly as the next election, which is not that far away.
Or, you can quit, take your ball and go home, because Nirvana did not arrive on the wings of a debt ceiling bill.
Wait, Graham voted with the democrats?? Really? You can't be serious?? Wasn't there a early post in The Corner quoting Graham's support of the bill? He stabbed the Republicans in the back??
Graham Pleased with Boehner Plan Revisions
July 29, 2011 3:05 P.M.
By Robert Costa
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) tells NRO that he is pleased with the revised Boehner plan. “With the balanced-budget amendment, it is certainly more in line with what I’m trying to support,” he says. “It’s a clear improvement.”
“John is trying to find the sweet spot. I don’t know if he has found it or not, but he has a tough job,” Graham says. “I hope the country realizes he is doing this all by himself.”
Graham met with South Carolina’s GOP House delegation earlier today. That bloc has reportedly been tough to sway in the final hours. “They are not a ‘create chaos’ crowd,” he says. “They like Boehner and want to help him. But they have got to feel like they got real change.”
The Senate Democrats tabled the bill. Fine. Let the public read about that while the media increasingly crys about the coming default.
Meanwhile the House Republicans should get the next several bills ready to pass out of the House.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYep, exactly. That's what I've been saying over the past few days. Keep throwing bills at the Senate so the media, try as they will, just can't ignore the fact that Reid and the Democrats are the TRUE obstacles.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes, and be sure to make the bills simple enough, with self-descriptive titles, so the public will quickly understand their significance and reflexively support them. Put out bills to make immediate year budgetary cuts, eliminate baseline budgeting, repeal ObamaCare, shut down various federal agencies, etc.
Anything of a fiscal nature, put it all out there. The Senate Democrats are on their heels. Keep them there.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJust out of curiosity, what's this "gang of 6"'s plan?
Did they vote no on the Boehner bill because they support the cut, cap, balance bill (which nearly all House GOP would prefer anyway) and just nothing else will do? Or do they have some other plan that they would be proud to vote for?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf the Balanced Budget Amendment is too much for the Dems, why not try eliminating baseline budgeting? That would kick the rhetorical legs out from under all future Dem arguments about spending. Plus, it would be very hard for them to oppose it - are they willing to block a debt limit extension over an issue that they will find hard to demagogue (since very few will understand it)?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRegardless of whether the Democrats may or may not oppose it, make them vote on it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAnd in about two seconds, everyone in the media will soon direct their outrage against the (D)s for being stonewalling, jack*ss-stubborn, hostage-holding ideologues who don't care about anything except their party. Boy, it's gonna be fun to read all that well-reasoned criticism heaped on the (R)s to finally settle on the (D)s! I can't wait. I am going to kick back with a Shiner and marvel at what a rational, fair, sensible left wing population we have to keep everything in perhaps the most healthy perspective that any age in American history has ever experienced.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseComment of the year! Thanks!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat a bunch of drama queens. The best plan out there is almost the same as the worst one.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDrama Queens! That is spot on, my friend. Don't achieve - merely make a fuss about everything. Glad this bunch wasn't running the show during WWII.
God bles,
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDan Hoffman
Complete and utter defeat. What a joke.
Thanks Boehner, NRO and rest of the useless etablishment GOP for this kabuki theater that accomplished nothing except making us in Tea Party utterly disgusted with you.
Good luck in 2012, you will need it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow is this the Republicans fault? You do realize that Senate Democrats would have shot down ANYTHING that came out of the House, right? Anything short of a clean debt limit rise that lasts through 2013, anyway.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAs for 2012, Republicans are not the ones who need to worry - Obama's approval just hit its lowest ever at 40.
Here's how it's the Republican's fault. They should have sent Cup, Cap, and Trade up again. They are compromising with a devious and malicious negotiator, and they should have stood firm with a win-lose outcome. They are more concerned about the Op-Ed page of the Washington Post than the welfare of the nation.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseKaren, did you think this was going to be fast, quick and easy? Hang in there. We're just getting started.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis is what some of us have been gently trying to tell some of those newly arrived to the political thickets. Have you never heard the expression that no one should ever watch sausage or legislation being made?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFighting the left is much more guerilla warfare than a conventional battle, because the other side never quits, it never gets discouraged, it never loses sight of its ultimate goals and it will do anything and everything to advance its agenda, with no regard for truth or decency. This is a war of attrition that has been going on since at least about 1916, although conflicting visions about the proper role of the federal government go back far before that. A few hours ago people were demanding immediate, uncompromised gratification. Now, they want to walk away from the fight because it looks like things are not going to go completely their way after all. Step back, realize how far we've come in a few months, understand that no debt ceiling raise has ever been linked to spending cuts in any form or fashion, remember what the other side did and would do again if it held both houses of congress and think of what could be accomplished as quickly as the next election, which is not that far away.
Or, you can quit, take your ball and go home, because Nirvana did not arrive on the wings of a debt ceiling bill.
Wait, Graham voted with the democrats?? Really? You can't be serious?? Wasn't there a early post in The Corner quoting Graham's support of the bill? He stabbed the Republicans in the back??
There really is a first time for everything...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhy would Jim DeMint join the Democrats on this?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDeMint says he's going to try to block anything and everything unless BBA is voted out first.
Ref: External Link
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWithout (further)comment.
Graham Pleased with Boehner Plan Revisions
July 29, 2011 3:05 P.M.
By Robert Costa
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) tells NRO that he is pleased with the revised Boehner plan. “With the balanced-budget amendment, it is certainly more in line with what I’m trying to support,” he says. “It’s a clear improvement.”
“John is trying to find the sweet spot. I don’t know if he has found it or not, but he has a tough job,” Graham says. “I hope the country realizes he is doing this all by himself.”
Graham met with South Carolina’s GOP House delegation earlier today. That bloc has reportedly been tough to sway in the final hours. “They are not a ‘create chaos’ crowd,” he says. “They like Boehner and want to help him. But they have got to feel like they got real change.”
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThat HAS to be some sort of world record.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse