Getty Images
Obama to Republicans; Your move.
President Obama had to endure some deeply unpleasant experiences with Congress over the last couple of years, but the result of the incidents taught him valuable lessons. It's clear, especially after last year's debt-ceiling crisis, that the president now knows exactly how to negotiate with reckless, radicalized Republicans.
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner presented the House speaker, John A. Boehner, a detailed proposal on Thursday to avert the year-end fiscal crisis with $1.6 trillion in tax increases over 10 years, $50 billion in immediate stimulus spending, home mortgage refinancing and a permanent end to Congressional control over statutory borrowing limits.
The proposal, loaded with Democratic priorities and short on detailed spending cuts, met strong Republican resistance. In exchange for locking in the $1.6 trillion in added revenues, President Obama embraced the goal of finding $400 billion in savings from Medicare and other social programs to be worked out next year, with no guarantees.
For years, Obama hoped to strike deals by being conciliatory, starting with opening offers designed to satisfy Republican demands. These efforts repeatedly failed miserably, and only emboldened GOP leaders to demand agreements tilted heavily in their favor.
Fine, the president is now saying. Let's start with an ambitious plan designed to make Democrats happy, and see how that works out. The days of preemptive concessions and negotiating from a defensive crouch are over.
Republicans seemed stunned late yesterday while condemning Obama's offer, as if the president shouldn't have the audacity to present a plan he knows they won't like. But I'd remind GOP lawmakers that everything in Obama's proposal is consistent with his previous budget plans and the policies he presented to the public during the recent national campaign (which he won fairly easily).
Indeed, Obama is acting like a confident, re-elected president who expects congressional Republicans to start moving in his direction, not the other way around. GOP leaders aren't accustomed to this dynamic, but it's probably time they adapt to their new surroundings.
For the left, if there must be a focus on debt reduction, the White House proposal is the right way to do it. The plan roughly meets the broad outline House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) says he wants, but does so in the most progressive way possible. Indeed, Obama's offer -- which was leaked by Republicans, not formally presented to the public by the administration -- even includes additional economic stimulus in the form of infrastructure spending, extended jobless aid, and an extension of the payroll tax break.
And did I mention it calls for the elimination of the debt-ceiling law altogether? It does that, too.
Republicans, not surprisingly, absolutely hate everything about the president's proposal, and that was the expected reaction. But the point of an offer like this is to set the parameters of the debate -- Obama will no longer make GOP satisfaction his primary goal -- and press Republicans to put on their big-boy pants for a change.
Throughout the recent negotiations, Republicans have said they want entitlement cuts, but they won't say which ones. Republicans have said they'll accept new revenue, but they won't say how or where the revenue would come from. Republicans have said they'll make concessions on deductions, but they won't say which ones. Republicans have said they expect deep spending cuts, but they've offered no specifics.
As of this morning, there's one plan on the table, and it's Obama's. Boehner & Co. don't like it? Fine. Where's their competing plan?
Republicans desperately want the president to negotiate with himself -- keep presenting increasingly conservative ideas until GOP leaders say they're satisfied. Obama clearly isn't willing to play that game anymore.
Leave a Comment:
Obama has the right by the short hairs, he should give them a good yank every so often just to enjoy the screams because the right will not show up in good faith before January
Repubs were the ones that taught Obama the futility of trying to reach across the aisle and get their support by offering concessions which Repubs then used as a new starting point for negotiations. Now they cry because he won't bargain in good faith??? They made their own bed, now now lie in it!
Also what comes around, goes around! Suck it up like real men and quit your whining. Its payback time
!
I'm concerned Rachel...really concerned. I read that President Obama has put on the table $300 Billion in cuts to Medicare...something I, an uninsured person, will be eligible to receive next year. Yes, I also read that Obama's team says these will be cuts in 'over expenditures'. But I listened to an analyst on The Ed Show yesterday say that these expenditures are to doctors, nurses, hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care, etc. But he added that $300 billion is a lot of money and the previously mentioned people and businesses will find a way of milking the patient for those billions; meaning our deductibles will rise. For people who have little to spend after bills and rent every month, this sounds as if we're being thrown under the bus just to make the GOP happy.
Actually, it's Obama throwing you under the bus to make his "base" happy.
I think this is really just a shuffle, I think some of that will be going to ACA. So doctors etc may be getting paid less from the medicare pool, but they will pick up more from ACA.
I watched Boehner's press conference following his "very nice" talk with the president, and got absolutely nothing out of any of his comments and answers. "Look, this" may not be a game, but it certainly does seem like a contest.
Good for President Obama. I am proud of him, as usual!!!
Sue. You're lost
When I heard that the administration had sent the Treasury Secretary to speak with Congress I stood up and cheered! Mr. Geithner knows the facts, understands the context and knows what the words Economics and Economy actually mean. And by the way, the plan presented to the GOP controlled house is the kind of plan I was expecting from the man I voted for to serve a second term as my President. It is BALANCED. It is FAIR. And - BONUS - it stops the Lunatic Fringe from shutting down the government. Now, if Harry Reid will stop the filibusters and the damn super majority we might actually get a lot done this time around.
And let's be clear about GOP motives. These folks are openly worried that if they support the President then the Lunatic Fringe aka The Tea Party, will oust them in the primaries and they will lose their jobs.
Ladies and Gentlemen, your attention please: To paraphrase fictitious President Andrew Shepherd - These folks are so busy trying to keep their jobs, that they are not doing their jobs.
The election was long and the amount of political sewage that was spewed from multiple media outlets onto the American public was simply outrageous. In the end, big money couldn't buy this country.
The People have spoken and unlike the Senate, a super majority is not required. The President has been re-elected. The largest issue of the campaign was the economy. The Romney-Ryan Plan was defeated and the President's point of view prevailed.
The administration is ready to work now. They have made a proposal and the largest piece, going back to the Clinton tax rates, will take the angst out of the holidays for 98% of Americans as well as 97% of small businesses. The GOP continues to insist that making the top 2% pay more will stop growth and cost the country jobs. They continue to believe in Trickle Down Economics.
Let's be clear: We practiced Trickle Down Economics for the 8 years of the Bush Administration. Anyone know what trickled down at the end of 8 years? Anyone? Anyone? Buehller? Bueller? Yeah - that's right. And the Obama Administration is still cleaning that up in the face of 4 years of obstruction. It's a miracle we've gotten this far.
And all the GOP can do is whine. When pressed for details about what the GOP wants we get the same broad stroke phrases that imply going after government spending that cares for seniors, children and the disabled. In other words - the oldest, the youngest, the most vulnerable amongst us will see programs cut.
Selfish. And completely contrary to the ideal that is America.
This is the biggest load of tripe I have ever read. Geithner had the nerve to want to have the Executive branch in control of the debt limit amount. I laughed out loud when you said he had knowledge of the facts. It's just the opposite
Go Mr. President! Kick some Republican ass! Seriously, something needs to give right wing, you can't just sit there and whine until you get exactly what you want. Leaking the President's proposal in effort to inflame the public against him only works on some, on the majority of us it angers us that you are playing games when you should be coming up with a proposal of your own! There needs to be discussion, and give and take, a concession here and there to come to a mutually acceptable agreement-that is the nature of compromise-now get off your richly padded asses and get to work, please!
Besides cheering for the President's plan, do you release what is in this proposal... He is proposing more reductions in Medicare in addition to the cuts proposed in ObamaCare. Unless he using the same cuts, his proposal is a radical cut into a program that is expanding as the baby boomers reach 65. Where are these cuts coming from?
He is proposing eliminating Congress oversight of the debt ceiling. That is part of their Constitutional duties. This eliminates any oversight. I'm sorry that this is not an option that either side should be willing to accept. If by some miracle a Republican administration is elected, how will the liberals feel when their Congressional representatives have no power to restrain the spending of the Republicans.
Despite the current climate, we go through cycles when the Democrats are in power and then replaced by the Republicans who then get replaced by the Democrats.
You lefties can try to delude yourselves that "congressional Republicans [will] start moving in [Obama's] direction," but it isn't going to happen. "Soak the rich," isn't a workable debt-reduction strategy and even if the Left is dumb enough to believe it is, the Right knows better. Obama is never going to get his petty vindictiveness through the House.
For a lot of years, California has tried "soak the rich," and look where it's gotten them--wealth and productive people are abandoning the place at a rate of 225 thousand people every year and have taken with them about $20 billion in wealth so far. And all of those even reasonably wealthy people are being more than replaced by low-wage, low-skill, immigrants who pay little, if anything, in taxes. If Obama tries "soak the rich" nationally, there are a lot of countries who'd be glad to welcome a lot of displaced Americans, and especially their money.
We are paying the price for the continued existence of the criminal organization of democrats, the party of waste fraud and abuse.
Fiscal cliff, here we come. It's the only solution. President Obama refuses to cut any spending in any material way; the sequester at least cuts some. So let's go.
Besides, it will be instructive to take away all the Bush tax cuts and expose the lie that they only benefitted the wealthy. Everyone got tax cuts, and now everyone will pay more.
Which is, after all, the only way - as President Obama and Mr. Benen surely know - to pay for the Welfare State on the scale that the Democrats want.
I think the President was a little shocked at the universe the Republicans live in. Don't think he was prepared for people that don't care about 47 percent of the people they represent.
Ok I get it, Obama is a brilliant negotiator. I have just one question - do most of you really believe that if the Repubs some how saw the great wisdom of his offer and accepted all of it that it would be good for the economy? More taxes and continued spending? How can a totally irresponsible offer be considered good leadership? Obama is a great political operator, he has succeeded in convincing the majority of Americans that we have nothing to fear except rich peoples selfishness and their republican protectors. Yes he won now show me how we get out of this mess, it isn't about republicans. His way has been the way for four years I am not impressed with the results. When are you going to wise up, all he cares about is making sure when things go south he has someone else to blame. Well count me as one of the conservatives who say fine take away the excuses give him everything he wants, it has worked out well for Greece I am sure we will be fine to.
"GOP should put on their big-boy pants", huh? How's about you guys doing the same.
On 11/6 the country voted to reaffirm France-sized government (actually, per capita government spending in France is lower than in the US). As such, get your heads out of your butts and stand up proudly to proclaim: "Yes, I want a European Socialist State sized government, and am damn sure willing to pay for it MYSELF, along with everyone else.
As is usual on libtard boards, the continuing 'most popular taxpayer' is 'Someone Other Than Me'. MAN UP! If you want this size government, stand up and agree that every man and woman in the US gets to pay for it!
You guys know damn well that 'taxing the rich' (of which, I am not one, don't make enough money) will not make a dent in the deficits we're running. If you don't understand that, you are obviously the product of government schools, and union teachers. Obviously, cutting spending can't be accomplished - so you're saying "I WANT THIS SIZE GOVERNMENT!" If so, quit being hypocrites and agree to pay for it.
I await your applause for the above common sense. :)
This article is excellent, and many of the comments lauding it are excellent also, in the sense that it shows the liberal-left mindset perfectly. The President has no "debt-reduction" plan of any sort. His plan consists of more taxes and even more spending. The Republicans are really in a weak negotiating position, so Democratic plans to tax and spend into oblivion are probably safe. The people voted for this, although I don't think they'll be so happy when the bill comes due.
I'm reminded of H.L. Mencken's quote "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard."
I used to laugh when Dr. Michael Savage always said that "liberalism is a mental disorder". I'm not laughing any longer. This people have affirmatively voted to slit the throats of their grandchildren.
When the world figures out what a house of cards this is, and demands interest on our debt appropriate to the actual risk, we're all going to be standing around wishing we had it as good as the Greeks....
I think Steve must be a product of the DC public school system.
no deal will be reached. Both sides want "the other side" to own the result. No one-NO ONE in Washington really wants to help us. The media trys to scare us and Washington lies to us. We believe all we read and hear, and all the idiots sitting behind their computers will continue to repeat disparaging remarks about "the other side" in a vain attempt to make their brain/penis bigger. We are finished, and we deserve what we get.
"Give me more money and power" is not a budget plan.
This guy is making Chavez and Morsi look like conservatives.
Yes, Dems tax and spend.
But, Republicans borrow and spend.
The last time a Republican CUT spending will be the first time.
Its all talk...smaller government, less spending.
Look at the debt piled up by the tax cutting GOP starting with Reagan.
Unconscionable. But the obedient rank and file love it...to death.
Bush starts that war in Iraq...and then cuts taxes!
The result? We now owe over 2 trillion dollars for Bush's 2 wars...
The debt isn't 2 trillion dollars, it's more like 16 trillion dollars. We could cut the military budget to zero and we'd still be running a deficit. The real problem is entitlement spending, unless we get that under control the debt will continue to rise. Blaming it all on Bush (who certainly derserves some of the blame) is stupid. This has been a bi-partisan affair, and Obama has spent even more than Bush.
I hope the man you all seem to have so much faith in gets what he wants and you all get what he is dishing out. I personally dont agree with him or you (collectively) the nation voted him in and so the majority rules. I just hate to see this nation perish and i am afraid that is exactly what is happening. Once again good luck to you all.
I've been reluctant to criticize anyone that still favors the presidents policies but I think the evidence is in. We are in deep dodo folks. Write your congress persons and make it clear that we need serious spending reductions and serious increases in energy exploitation. It is getting serious.
frankly, i'm tired of reactionaries like ms. maddow who think this is the battle of the 99% against the 1%, or over raising tax rates 4.6% on those earning more than $250,000.
no! ms. maddow's myopic neanderthalism must be stopped now and permanently.
the real battle that we must carry forward is the bottom 50% against the top 50%, and it is clear to me where ms. maddow's class sympathies lie, but what else do we expect from a man in the top 50%? where does ms. maddow get off thinking she is better than anyone else, and i mean anyone. does ms. maddow write or broadcast better than others? while that may be questionable in fact, it is not questionable when measured by the market, which pays her more than a mcdonald's counter worker or bun toaster (a job i know i loved, and was quite good at--but i was actually better at the shakes in the days when we had to make them from scratch). but, ms. maddow's talents do NOT allow her to be haughty or to live better. less ability is merely a DISability to be remedied. if ms. maddow owns a house, especially a big one like al gore or tom friedman, well, others need housing. cut the darn house in half, then quarters, until her living space matches everyone else's.
now, i know this cannot be done overnight. but the "enough" of the president's plan--a mere 4.6%, is not enough. we can do better. i suggest top rates of 51% this year, and an increase of 10% every year until we get to that magic eisenhower era number of 91% i've heard about. and NO deductions, either. after all, if you earn $100 million, do you really need more than $9 million? even if you earn only $10 million, do you really need more than $900,000? after we do this, which will take another 5 years or so, we can see where we are and what the rate has to be to make everyone come out the same, the exact same.
mainly, though, as i said, enough of these small-time advocates of change. 4.6%. gee whiz. what a lunatic regressive ms. maddow is. we're headed for 91% or bust. now THAT would be progressive.
whatever the president wants, double, triple, and quintuple it. (hey, what happened to quadruple?) but, you get my point. even the whole thing out, baby. let's be FAIR for once.
keevan d. morgan, esq., chicago
So you really believe the top 50% are your enemies? Wow now you want to talk about the kool aid being strong. Who would furnish you a job? O wait thats right the Govt pays for everything but if the wage earners are brought down to your level there will be no money to hand out for free. I am sorry but this class war fare thing is just ridiculous.
i see by the actual byline that ms. maddow's blog was hijacked by mr. benen. just switch out the names, what's the difference. obviously, i need a drink for not noticing.
keevan d. morgan, esq., chicago
sick-n-effin-tired
"OH OH reality is depressing our young friend Poor Shooty ...you lost :
Seats in the House
Seats in the Senate
The Presidency
Just a reminder"
The criminal organization of democrats that fiend for power and tax payer dollars likes to pretend the shellacking of 2010 never happened. Then when their corrupt partners in the Media commit mass election fraud to deceive their way to win elections they gloat as if they have earned something. They are still the same filthy lying losers they were before the election and will always be nothing but filthy lying criminal losers.
I agree with President Obama. The Republicans have seen his proposal, now it is time they take a seat at the table and offer theirs. It is the only way this gridlock congress will ever do their job.
I have been watching what our congress has done for more than half my life and I have never seen any that have accomplished so little. It is about time you the 112th congress do SOMETHING, and do right by ALL Americans!