The optimism about a bipartisan fiscal agreement before the looming deadline is gone. House Speaker John Boehner, instead of making a counteroffer to President Obama's latest proposal, is now giving ultimatums and preemptively trying to avoid blame for the increasingly likely failure.
This afternoon, Boehner appeared before Capitol Hill cameras, spoke for 52 seconds, demanded that Democrats accept his "Plan B" approach, and walked away. After the Speaker insisted that Obama's offer was insufficiently "balanced" -- it relies on accounting that Republicans have traditionally supported -- Boehner said:
"Tomorrow the House will pass legislation to make permanent tax relief for nearly every American -- 99.81 percent of the American people. Then the president will have a decision to make -- he can call on Senate Democrats to pass that bill, or he can be responsible for the largest tax increase in American history."
And with that, Boehner turned on this heel and left. As a practical matter, the Speaker wasn't just walking away from the cameras; he also seemed to be walking away from the entire fiscal talks that he initiated.
Note, it would have been pretty easy to say, as Obama indicated a couple of hours earlier, that he intends to keep working with the president towards a resolution, and he's encouraged by the recent movement on both sides. Instead, Boehner said Democrats can either accept his latest scheme or accept the blame.
As a rule, officials only start preemptively trying to avoid responsibility for failure when they expect to get blamed. For that matter, it's also a reliable rule that those saying my-way-or-no-way are not serious about working out an acceptable compromise.
One question to keep an eye on, which we do not yet know the answer to: after Obama and Boehner got awfully close to a deal over the weekend, did Republicans move away from the bipartisan agreement because Boehner deemed it insufficient or because his caucus told him to deem it insufficient? It's been an ongoing problem in the GOP conference for two years -- their leader is more often taking orders than giving them.
Regardless, if the talks collapse, as now appears likely, it'll be the second time in two years in which Obama offered a congressional Republicans a very generous offer -- to the consternation of the president's own allies, it's basically a center-right package -- on an issue they occasionally pretend to care about, only to have GOP officials refuse to compromise.
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Let them (tax cuts) expire, then.
Boehner's a coward and won't stand up to Grover.
That is what this is really about. Their own personal self preservation.
eric cantor must be really wantinmg boners job and grover norquist primary,s those who goa against his pledge . boners not running the show and it aint his way or the highway the teabagkkkers own john and soh elections are comng up jan 3rd ,my five cents
#1 Knobson,
Yes, it is all about Boehner's position, and he'll do anything to keep it and placate Norquist and his caucus. The hell with the American people, the deficit and the economy. Just keep the millionaires happy. That's the Republican way.
I sincerely hope that this slick GOP tactic does not deter the president, nor damage his leverage. I say No deal is better than a bad deal with Boehner and the stupid T-Party he represents.In my opinion, the T-part is a treasonous bunch of Koch lackeys. It has done great harm to the country. Grover Norquist needs to have done to him what we did with our male cat years ago.
Go over the cliff. I'll go with you, Mr. President.
They must not win this!
Mr. President, you promised us who voted for you that the entitlements would not be a bargaining chip for the damn T-Party. I should have bought a tube of KY after voting, just to be on the safe side.
Shame on you if you give one inch to these wolves. Shame on you! The average person on SS makes $22,000.00 a year. Boehner and his right wing caucus don't care about the poor.
I thought you did. That's why I voted Democrat. Don't let me down.
Well, at least we no longer have to worry about Obama giving away the store on his campaign promise to protect Social Security benefits.
And you really gotta thank Bonehead for proving so conclusively that "the only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies."
My bet is that Eric Can't, the Jewish Confederate traitor, and the Zombie-eyed Granny-killer little Paulie Ryan are the authors of this.
all this yammerin is really cutting into Boehner's bar time .
I used to drink a lot and work was always interfering with it .
Over the fiscal bump.... I don't care .
These idiots don't seem to understand. Heads we win tails you lose .
You don't have a bargaining position
Hmm. I don't think its bar time anymore...I think he's on meth!
These first two lines were hilarious and exactly what I was thinking: this is a guy that must constantly be thinking "Christ, I only took this job so I could play golf with rich guys and drink their bourbon..."
Bobby,#2.2
You hit the nail on the head there! I see that!
You Liberals should be happy with what Boehner is doing.
He is giving Obama everything he wants. Just changing the numbers a
little.
What he should have done is extend the bush tax cuts for all Americans.
Should have put it up for a vote and went home.
You should also be happy to know he is one of you a Liberal. But don't worry
the fight has just begun to get him Voted out as Speaker and then from Congress
and he can take Marble Mouth McConnell with him.
You see to save America from people like Obama who only want to destroy this
great Nation you need to cut all spending.
Im sure most of you don't agree because you spend all day with your hands out
looking for freebees.
Most real Americans believe nothing is for free. if you want something you
have to work for it.
You just don't take it from the ones that do. You don't have that right. But
Im sure you don't look at it that way because to you it means you would have to
work for it.
Oh Im sorry did I say work.
When there is none of us left to keep giving to freeloaders then what will
you do.
Most likely steal it from someone else
You are not living in the REAL world! Get on a bus, go stand on line at a department store or grocery store or just walk down the street, but LISTEN to what REAL Americans are saying. Watching the news and complaining to your co-worker (if you have a job) is not reflecting the real issues. Please, if you don't want your Social Security and Medicare, DONATE IT!! Refuse to pay out of your check. MANY REAL AMERICANS HAVE BEEN HURT BY BONERS, KOCH BROS. ETC. WITH THEIR GREED AND PETTY MANIPULATIONS. In the meantime, thank you for contributing to stupidity and to the medicare and social security, which I know you don't need. Go downtown and talk to someone whose home was stolen from your precious banks, whose job was taken overseas and ask them why, oh why didn't they have a better security blanket to fall on? I dare you.
So Obama wants to use the "chained CPI" formula which assumes that seniors will find cheaper goods and services to buy if their annual increase in social security income is lower. What are those people smoking?!! I don't know any seniors that don't shop at WalMart and all the discount stores already. The people proposing these ridiculous ideas should spend a couple of days shopping with the typical senior. They might get a real education! Passing the "chained CPI" will just continue to grind the face of the poor into the dirt. Where is the humanity in all of this.
Breathe!!!
It ain't gonna happen ... never was.
Maybe it isn't going to happen, but it angers me that Obama even proposed it! It also angers me that he is so willing to "give in" to people who have spurned him time and time before.
Only to have them spurn him again...believing they will change with us is just too optimistic to be true.
I admit that this is a reasonable reaction, but how 'bout we give the guy a bit of a chance. I think he has changed quite a bit, and he has always played a game of 3-d chess I don't always get. And I know you know some "offers" one knows will be refused. If he thought it was the end, he caved, else ...
I admit that this is a reasonable reaction, but how 'bout we give the guy a bit of a chance. I think he has changed quite a bit, and he has always played a game of 3-d chess I don't always get. And I know you know some "offers" one knows will be refused. If he thought it was the end, he caved, else ...
Please recall that changing the inflation adjuster for Social Security has a key benefit: it doesn't do anything immediately. Unlike, for instance, increasing Medicare eligibility age. Or even expiring stimulus measures.
As for later, well,
the horse may learn to singwe might even get a researched CPI-E (one that actually models the expenses of the elderly instead of working-age people.) Bottom line: what one Congress can do, another can undo. Assuming, of course, that people actually get off their butts in off-year elections and VOTE!i have no idea why that happened!!
first of all SSI is good till 2023 or longer # 2 SSI was always only a supplement
and not there only income,
we taxed our selves out of debt in the 50s and 60s so do what works do it again it will not hurt the rich one little bit not to be able to have there maid bring them there coffee in the am on a silver plater!
chained CPI is one of the worse ideas Obama has put forth in a long history of <strike>compromises</strike> bad ideas.
dammit Obama when will you learn? screw the republicans, they aren't going to work with you they are spoiled children and it's long past time they got spanked.
Hi, dave --
Clicking on the "use xhtml mode instead" before entering text with html tags will fit the bill. I learned the hard way, too.
first of all SSI is good till 2023 or longer # 2 SSI was always only a supplementand not there only income,
First chuckyl, 2023 is 10 years away and # 2 the sad part is that a lot of people either could not or would not plan on other sources of retirement income. Now they are 100% dependent on this soon to be gone (or diminished) benefit. As you point out Mari, Mari, these folks are already living the bare minimum. Unfortunately as chuckyl pointed out, this is/was supposed to be supplemental and that is all it ever will be.
Look on the bright side, they figure with all the dollar stores popping up with cheap defective goods, the food seniors are buying will be cheaper. Of course, when you check the prices, they aren't really that much cheaper, just the product is and most of it is from China.
And the idea that seniors have other income and SSI is only supplemental, I hate to burst your bubble, the other income is usually food stamps and other types of assistance. We seniors are living high off the hog, yes we are!
Oh, and the other thing, we got a 1.7% increase starting Jan. And the fools we elected get 3%, but it's SSI that's putting the country in debt. SSI that we paid into all our lives. The elected fools get theirs from our taxes. How much do THEIR raises and perks and pensions and benefits account for the debt? And why aren't all THEIR income and perks and pensions and benefits on the table?
Speaking of Walmart: Walmart is the largest seller of guns and ammo in the country. My family is boycotting them until that ends. I hope someone puts up a petition to the CEO's of Walmart.
Perhaps Obama is learning the definition of insanity today: doing the same thing (negotiating with Republicans) and expecting something different.
Indeed, TC. He sure is. What a shame!
TCinLA, Totally agree with you, it's insanity.
Don't make offers to people who don't want them.
Boy, that was a childish stunt Mr. Boehner just pulled. That little schoolyard BS just screams of insecurity.
Poor guy.
Boehner is doing what Peolosi asked him to do. How is that BS?
Yeah, poor guy. Poor constituency. Poor nation.
Right, RobDon. Boehner always does what Pelosi wants him to do. Boehner is slowly beginning to realize that he is not going to survive this debacle, and the Teabilly who succeeds him as speaker will only drive America deeper into the arms of the Democratic party.
What, RobDon, it takes 7 months for something to penetrate Boehner's thick skull? That letter from Pelosi was back in MAY, for cripe's sake. So he takes his sweet time thinking it over, wastes precious time pretending to be negotiating with the President, and then pulls this "You'll do what I say or else" routine at nearly the last moment? And you ask how is that BS?? Enough is enough!
@RobDon That is NOT what Pelosi asked him to do. Did you listen to what he said. He wants to extend tax cuts for OVER 98% including the wealthiest. But keep twisting the facts. It is not like any of us can actually read.
Best not go rob Don - I hear Don's "packing heat" nowadays.
TC...,
You say he's hot for Agent Orange?! :-)
President Obama would have done well to call former President George W. Bush before initiating these talks. Bush could would have given him some age-old advice: "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again."
I saw this coming... Boehner had no intention of compromising with the President. The GOPnuts and teaheads still have his cojones in a vise.
Yup, just Lucy with the football again. WHEN is Obama going to finally figure that out?
Bonehead is trying to keep his job as Speaker, can't you understand that and have sympathy for him. It's soooo hard to "lead" when no one will follow & they're cutting into your cocktail hours..... /snark
In this case, it's Lucy (Boehner) who is stomping off mad because Charlie Brown (Obama) did NOT fall for it again.
This should pass both houses with easily since the $1,000,000 threshold was the Democrats idea. These are the words of Nancy Pelosi (and I can find other Democrats who have supported the 1 million dollar level).
A letter from Nancy Pelosi to Boehner
yeah, nothing's changed since that happened
The Senate already passed a bill which extends tax cuts for those under $250,000. That is what the President said that could be done "without delay" a month ago.
What Pelosi put in a letter in May doesn't really matter. There's a lot of revenue between $250K and $1 million, and if the President doesn't want to give it away without other changes, that is up to him.
btw... my above comment was what is known in the trade as cloudy with a chance of smartass
wow, i'm a little fershimelt today
Sen. Reid has already said it will never pass the Senate. Sen. Sanders has said he will do whatever it takes to kill it. Need I go on?
What is the big fuss about? We already know Obama is gonna cave on Social Security and Medicare after he promised not to.
Maybe Obama and Boner can have a press conference to explain to the people (like me that care) why Social Security and Medicare are even on the table when they have nothing to do with the debt and we pay into it all our lives.
Then again, who would actually ask them the question and make them answer it?
A real journalist, but they are rare (like pterodactyls) in America.....
Yeah, because even though he had four solid years to "cave" on those things and **NEVER DID**, suddenly the people who were wailing about that are going to turn out to be correct after all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n5E7feJHw0
So true. Plus he's caved by raising the income on which higher marginal taxes will be assessed from 250K to 400K. What a disappointment. Who's Obama pandering to? From what I can tell the majority of Democrats want to stand firm. Am I delusional? Did we elect Boehner for President in Nov?
Zora -- is that 'rare' as in no living pterodactyls, or 'rare' as in no live or fossilized ones?
After all, don't a fair number of readers here count Rachel as a journalist? (But is she old enough to be fossilized? Or feathered? Gosh, the mind reels!)
Why should senior citizens have to pay the price?
So that the House Republicans can get Democrats to commit suicide.
Actually, this morning at his press conference, a journalist asked Obummer about his cave-in on Social Security and he spent 10 minutes with his non-answer answer "answering" the question and never mentioned the words "Social Security" while he droned on about "saving the middle class." That press conference was one only an Obamabot would not have puked over.
helena - rare as in "fossilized" ones......No fair throwing Rachael under the bus - yes she's a journalist, but if I'm not mistaken her PhD. is in politics! Besides never talk about a woman's age over 21 - that's the rule (plus she ain't that old)!
Sorry, I gotta stick up for my girl (not in that creepy stalker way)....
President Obama ............News flash: You won the damn election. Why are you serving the elderly and poor up to the Republicans? You have all the aces in your hand, and now you're throwing them on the table??????? WTF?
Call their bluff. I would say now the 400,000 level is off the table and so is social security change. The tax hikes will not immediately be felt and they can be retroactive. If he wants to keep this deal seperate from not raising the debt ceiling then so be it, crash the market, lose everyones savings and the Republicans can kiss it alll goodbye in 2014/2016.
And it's all the President's fault if your taxes go up . . .
I do hope he pulls back to his original offer -- fair and balanced, regardless of what the GOP House members say about it.
Our President can honestly say he tried.
BTW, the cliff is really more like stair steps, but cliff is so much more dramatic.
Yuk. This is sickening . . .
What a self-serving jerk.
Mr. President, you have the marbles. You earned them. Stand your ground.
Obama has already caved in and offered far more than he should have or he needed to. I would have hoped that he had learned his lesson from previous attempts to negotiate with today's GOP, but clearly he didn't. Do we have any hope that he will catch on now, or can we expect more unnecessary capitulation?
Insanity is the belief that one can do what has already failed, in the hope that it will not fail again.
Or better know as GOP policies since 1981.
Boehner is trying to avoid the blame of the American people by posing a very public ultimatum? Does the GOP never learn? They know they lost the election right? They lost seats in the Senate and while they still have a majority in the House, they lost seats there too. Why does this man continue to cave to the far right wing nut jobs? He should get his level headed members and the Democratic caucus together and just vote on the deal with Obama. That would really look like leadership. This looks like schoolyard games.
As soon as Boehner finishes his premature ejaculation, maybe he will realize that the people voted for the PRESIDENTS tax plan, not his chess playing partisan maneuvers.
No Bones About It
They took up two wars on retainer,
And payment is now a no-brainer,
But if, in a tiff,
They jump off the cliff,
We'll call the fiasco a Boehner.
--Curt Sytsma
Love it...may I share it?
That is genius. Pure genius!
Excellent, Curt! But you're speaking about the future....Boehner's already a fiasco right now!
Here we go again "Accept our Plan "B" or we are taking our ball and going home
I sure hope this time Obama's answer is "Please proceed, Speaker Boehner. Take your ball. Go home. Good luck in 2014."
What makes you think that anything can tip the House in 2014 short of redistricting?
Even with the gerrymandering, there's quite a few Republican districts that are in the low to mid 50s range. Should Boehner p&ss off enough people, those are the district Republicans could lose.
Then there's the fact that the composition of every district is always in flux. With any luck, in 2014 the GOP can get "fluxed"!
what is the deal i cannot stand whiner Boehner he is the most arrogant pompous snobbish ass i ever saw i hope they vote him out of office in 14 he didn't even say thank you to the press who took his stinking message he is a real piece if work
Lets take the long woalk off the short curb.
NO, President Obama! No give-aways to persons making more than 250,000 dollars! Leave my Social Security and Medicare Alone! I've physically served our nation--body and soul--and payed in, moreover! The death of the Middle Class is the death of America--you know this to be true! The one percent can afford it--especially given their windfalls and advantages of the last 30 years... the more honest of them have told you so themselves. Better the Cliff! Why, Sir! WHY!
Boehner-do your damn job! Why are you crying?
He's crying at the thought of actually having to do his job.
his own state they refer to him as whiner
Boehner is a puppet to his offshore depositors. His life is being dictated by the 2% greedy Americans with enormous wealth. The government should look into his personal financial statement and bet ya, he is one of the riches liquid cash Congressman in the U.S. President Obama should not compromise with these vultures and if the Republicans are trying to scare us, we've been scared already since Bush presidency.
Boehner really needs to grow up - maybe work his way up from Kindergarten to the 1st Grade!
Isn't it amazing what hoops the conservatives will go through to protect the filthy rich? They'd rather crash the economy than ask their rich overlords to contribute to a Treasury that is in trouble because an outlaw presidential administration, Bush/Cheney, pushed us into the red for ideological reasons.
Thank you, John Boehner! Go sit on Grover Norquist's lap now. I bet he has something sweet for you and the other little boys who kow-tow to his whiny little diktats....
Ya know what tax the rich more it will not hurt them a bit.
I do not care if they dont get to fly the privet jet this week because they had to pay more taxes this year to help our country they need to give back some times to help ya know help your nabor from time to time is not that bad of an idea
Boehner and the GOP are still digging in their heels to tax breaks for everyone and this short press statement by him shows they either refuse to consider an increase on the top 2% or he has not power with his caucus to get it thru so how effective is he as house speaker? the gop has since the election refused to offer any concrete suggestions on budget cuts and only waved vague ones with regard to "painful" cuts to the middle class and poor via medicare and social security. Obama made an offer weeks ago, they said we want more what do you got? he made another offer they again said what more do you have? and the offer he made this weekend again moved even further to the right but they wont have any part of that and now make an offer on tax breaks but nothing on budget cuts or changes to tax loop holes and now demand Obama take it or else.