Country First

The Voguer-in-Chief strikes a pose denouncing posturing.  But can anyone figure this out?

So Cantor suggested a possible short-term extension in order to avoid default, with another vote next year.

The president -- frustrated -- said there would be no short term extensions. It would be bad for the economy, and resolving the deficit issue certainly won't be easier next year in the throes of the political season, he said.

If we can't do this now, we won't be able to do it next year, he said.

“This process is confirming what the American people think is the worst about Washington," the president said. "Everyone is more interested in posturing, political position and protecting their base than in solving problems.”

...

There needs to be a long-term debt extension, the president argued.

"This may bring my presidency down, but I will not yield on this,” he said.

Then he stood up.

"Enough is enough,” the president insisted. “We have to be willing to compromise. It shouldn't be about positioning and politics, and I'll see you all tomorrow."

Then he left the room.

Just what is it that is going to bring down his Presidency?  I don't see how a short term clean debt ceiling extension could do that; presumably, he means the economic chaos likely to ensue after a debt default will bring down his Presidency.

So after threatening (implausibly) to throw Grandma off the train by holding up Social Security checks despite the clear intent of the Social Security Trust Fund,  Obama is now holding the US economy hostage to his desire for a long term deal that lets him duck this problemduring an election year. Very dramatic, but where is our Mediator-in-Chief?

Comments

[Jane]

where is our Mediator-in-Chief?

Watching the British Open. How dare you ask?

[Rick Ballard]

Jane,

I thought he was working on his vision for whirled peas...

[Blue]

Raising the limit on the national credit card is a lot like 'Comprehensive Immigration Reform'. Both suppose that bad behavior will magically stop.

[MayBee]

Exactly, TM.

Thanks for drawing attention to what it is that Obama is willing to throw the country into disarray over. A completely optional political deadline. That's it.

[Extraneus]

Let's see what Obama and the Democrats do if the House passes a debt limit increase of any duration, with offsetting cuts and no new taxes.

You feel lucky, punk?

Make my day.

[Jane]

I thought he was working on his vision for whirled peas

That's Michelle.

[Rob Crawford]

Let's see what Obama and the Democrats do if the House passes a debt limit increase of any duration, with offsetting cuts and no new taxes.

They don't need to increase the debt limit.

The need to pass a law prioritizing spending: debt service first (as required by the Constitution), entitlements second, discretionary funding (except foreign aid) third, foreign aid last.

[jimmyk]

Rob, where do government salaries (such as Barry's $400K) fit in that scheme? I'd call that discretionary for the most part, most of those employees could be laid off with no discernible adverse impact. But someone has to send out the SS checks.

[bgates]

This process is confirming what the American people think is the worst about Washington,

namely that Barack Obama is President.

This may bring my presidency down

I thought he said his failure to lower unemployment was going to bring his presidency down.

[peter]

Not to depress anyone but minus only twelve at the Ras today, which means the One Big Ass Mistake America is a continuing mistake. sheesh

[centralcal]

An interesting take on the debt ceiling crisis and McConnell's ploy by Major Garrett:

Captain America Rips Off Band-Aid

[Chubby]

The Republican negotiators should pay close attention to what elicits the most squealing from the oppo. Currently that appears to be the topic of short term extensions. Gauging by the oppo's negative reaction to that idea, there's probably substantial benefit in it for Republicans if they push it.

[MayBee]

Claire McCaskill said Eric Cantor is losing his mind.

The new tone in politics is very very special.

[Bill in AZ sez it's time for Zero to resign]

"This may bring my presidency down"

TOTUS must have subliminally flashed that Sarah would be announcing in September.

[centralcal]

Go Boehner:

House Speaker John A. Boehner has told President Obama he sees no need to go to Camp David this weekend to continue debt talks.

The White House was floating the idea as talks have grown increasingly tense and a deadline looms, but a spokesman for Mr. Boehner told reporters that it's a no-go.

From TWT

[Want vs Need]

"presumably, he means the economic chaos likely to ensue after a debt default will bring down his Presidency."

Maguire, secretly, is apoplectic about the consequences of default. Sober, thoughtful people should be.

[macphisto]

i like they way you think there, Chubby. i think the best course at the moment may be for the House to pass a six-month extension with offsetting cuts/no tax increases, drop it on Bam-Bam's doorstep, and say "what's my name?"

[Chubby]

the unhinged reaction to Cantor is a big clue he's on to something they're skeered of

[Rob Crawford]

Rob, where do government salaries (such as Barry's $400K) fit in that scheme?

Always optional.

JEF should be paying us to put up with him.

[Want vs Need]

Asian shares mixed after US debt warning

by Danny McCord
AFP Asian Edition

Jul 14, 2011 06:52 EDT

Asian markets were mixed while the dollar faced heavy selling Thursday after Moody's warned it could downgrade the United States' top-class debt rating, raising fears of a default by Washington.

Moody's blamed US lawmakers' failure to hammer out a deal that would allow President Barack Obama to raise the country's debt ceiling, in turn paving the way for it to meet its repayment obligations.

With trillions of dollars of US debt held by countries and corporations around the world, a US ratings downgrade would likely send global markets into a downward spiral.

[macphisto]

for those who don't recognise the Muhammad Ali "what's my name?" reference, see LUN.

[Chubby]

hi macphisto,

hope all is well with you

did you do the "What Founding Father are you?" quiz?

[Captain Hate]

Claire McCaskill said Eric Cantor is losing his mind.

The new tone in politics is very very special.

Schmucky Sleaze's staff has lifted some Cantor high school yearbook quotes; imagine somebody who championed Anthony Weiner casting off on somebody else.

[Ranger]

Rush is saying that Dayton has caved in Min. He will now sign the Republican proposal. Apparently, no one missed the state government that much (except the state employees who weren't getting paid). And now that it appears that Dayton's officials may have activly worked to keep the beer and cigs from flowling during the shutdown, the tide has turned against him.

Obama should pay close attention.

[jimmyk]

Ok, I give up. What does JEF stand for? I must have missed that meeting.

[MayBee]

Oh sorry, it's McConnell that the New Tone Democrat McCaskill has said is losing his mind.

[narciso]

Jacobsen, called what Cantor went through yesterday. 'the Netanyahu treatment'

[MayBee]

Want vs Need:
Sober, thoughtful people should be.

So what do you think of Obama threatening to let the country go into default because he doesn't want another vote close to his election day?

Pretty bad, huh?

[Rob Crawford]

Jacobsen, called what Cantor went through yesterday. 'the Netanyahu treatment'

It is curious who Obama chooses to show the most contempt to, isn't it? As enlightening as who he bows to...

What does JEF stand for?

The first two letters are for "Jug Eared". The third is potluck.

[MarkO]

Whoa, I thought it was JEMF. My bad.

[jimmyk]

It is curious who Obama chooses to show the most contempt to, isn't it? As enlightening as who he bows to...

Repeating from an earlier thread what I posted about Barry's going after Cantor:

It wouldn't surprise me if that has something to do with Cantor's religion. To people like Barry, there's nothing quite like a Jewish scapegoat, especially in matters financial.

[Want vs Need]

MayBee;

With politics, it's all bad.

[Ranger]

And Via Drudge, here is the story:

Gov. Dayton Agrees to Republican Budget to End Minnesota Shutdown

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton sent a letter Thursday to House Speaker Kurt Zellers and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, saying he "reluctantly" agrees to accept the Republican budget proposal from June 30 if it will end the government shutdown.

This is the Republican plan that actually raised spending by 6%, which apparently wasn't enough for Dayton. No wonder he was on the losing side of this thing.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Jug Eared (Euphemism).

[narciso]

She said it on Morning Joe, and a rift in the Space/Time continuum, opened up subsequently, due to the pure paradox of the statement

[Clarice]

Must bug O to see a young, attractive congressman who knows so much more than he does.

[macphisto]

if that's the Constitution Center quiz, apparently i'm George Washington.

[alanstorm]

"This may bring my presidency down..."

That's the Hope'n'Change I've been waiting for!

[PD]

I can think of worse things for the country than Obama's presidency being brought down.

And I'm having trouble thinking of things that would be better.

[JM Hanes]

"Just what is it that is going to bring down his Presidency?"

Having to beg Congress to raise the debt ceiling three more times before the election, that's what.

It's always Opposite Day in ObamaLand, of course. The snake oil he's selling is the pretense that our grown-up President is the personified triumph of principle over political ambition.

[macphisto]

who'd have predicted that the place where the Left's dominoes would begin to fall would be the upper Midwest, of all places?

[MayBee]

MayBee;

With politics, it's all bad.

But this particular "requirement" is the easiest thing to get rid of. There's no ideological fight behind it.
Taxes and entitlement spending are legitimate arguments to have. They are each core principles to the two parties.

But the deadline is entirely optional, and entirely Obama's own will. Why bring the country down over that, and why would anybody support him for doing it?

[Charlie (Colorado)]

The first two letters are for "Jug Eared". The third is potluck.

Wouldn't that be "JEP"?

[Rob Crawford]

That just makes him sound oriental, Charlie.

[Jane]

What am I missing? Why don't Boehner et. al. just write the bill they want, pass it in the House and send it to the senate. Take it or leave it.

[Want vs Need]

"Why bring the country down over that"

Are you suggesting Obama is the only party playing this card?

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Maguire, secretly, is apoplectic about the consequences of default. Sober, thoughtful people should be.

They should also recall that actual default -- failure of the US to pay interest on loans or bonds, ore redeem them -- is completely optional, and under the complete control of the Executive. There's enough money to meet debt repayment and interest, plus SS and several other things, in current receipts.

[Melinda Romanoff]

PD-

Free pie.

[michaelt]

If there was a Jug Eared Potluck, the only thing the JEF would bring was his appetite.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

That just makes him sound oriental, Charlie.

Did you have to think that one out?

Or did you come by it occidentally?

[Melinda Romanoff]

Chaco-

Which has been my point, and fear...

[narciso]

Rush playing 'F. Chuck Todd' saying on Morning Joe, that he regrets how in '95,
the GOP was 'educated' toward the consequences, of Defying Clinton,

[MayBee]

Are you suggesting Obama is the only party playing this card?

He's the only one threatening to walk over the timing.
Why won't you answer what you think of that particular threat?

[Chubby]

macphisto, yes that's the quiz.

Sara first posted it on JOM a couple of days ago and JM Hanes is keeping stats. It was looking for a while like mostly all the JOM'ers were Madisons, but I think the George Washingtons are now catching up. Counting you, there are six George Washingtons in our ranks. (I'm GW as well.)

thanks for the explanatory 'what's my name' video

[narciso]

'Surprise, surprisee':

Please be advised that the David Cay Johnston column published on Tuesday stating that Rupert Murdoch’s U.S.-based News Corp made money on income taxes is wrong and has been withdrawn. News Corp’s filings show the company changed reporting conventions in its 2007 annual report when it reversed the way it showed positive and negative numbers. A new column correcting and explaining the error in more detail will be issued shortly.

[Want vs Need]

"He's the only one threatening to walk over the timing."

MayBee;

Obama is ignorant, not smart, and a coward. What action, you're describing, fits any of these qualities?

[narciso]

Of all the nerve, Sally,:

Perry’s critics are concerned about his distinctly Christian approach to public prayer as well as his association, through ‘The Response,’ with several problematic pastors, among them John Hagee, controversial for his comments on Israel, the Roman Catholic Church and Islam, and C. Peter Wagner, who has suggested that the Catholic veneration of saints is an evil practice.Should politicians be judged by the religious company they keep?

[MayBee]

What?

[MayBee]

That "What?" is to WvN

[Want vs Need]

Plato upon seeing politicians, whom he knew to be of means, campaigning in poor districts while wearing tattered rags, imbibed "Your hypocrisy shows forth through every hole in your garment"

[Want vs Need]

what, "what'?

[macphisto]

i'd go with "ignorant" and/or "not smart." Obama's current course is oddly reminiscent of the Japanese in 1942, all-in on the assumption that his rapier wit and strategic skill can pull him out of the corner he was backed into by his early Pyrrhic successes. i've got a feeling we're in the middle of the Battle of Midway now.

[PD]

Why won't you answer what you think of that particular threat?

Because his general M.O. is to answer questions with other questions, not answer them. Like the kid who says "why?" to every successive explanation.

[Melinda Romanoff]

I'm not going to provide a link, on principle, but Krugman's latest? Obama, Moderate Republican.

I can't make this up anymore.

[Want vs Need]

Mel;

One would think that if the Left is so upset with Obama, that would ameliorate some of the angst about him. It may not move Obama far enough right for your taste, but it mitigates SOME of the pain, doesn't it?

[Jeff]

so Obama is saying don't do X because I will veto it even if it brings down my Presidency ...
Really ????
That's his negotiating strategy ?

He wants to treat everyone else like children thinking that makes him the adult in the room when in reality it makes him the child in the room ...

[Melinda Romanoff]

Every seen a 10 yr clawback on corporate taxes by the IRS? He's trying for it.

And the new mercury rules on Coal-fired electrical generating plants? What's your position on nationwide rolling blackouts aith 35% unemployment?

So, no, in true Chicago fashion, he's playing TV Kabuki with one subject while jamming in new rules in another.

Nice try.

[Want vs Need]

I see. OTOH, David Brooks causes me less pain.

[Tom Maguire]

If I were Cantor for a day...

The House ought to pass two bills. The first (a bit redundant) would reiterate that the point of the Social Security Trust Fund was to create statutory authority for the Soc Sec checks to get funded, and it would address some technical glitches. Everyone agrees that if the Trust Fund redeems bonds to get paid and the Treasury sells bonds to pay them, the net debt issued by the Treasury has not gone up and the debt ceiling is not breached.

However! There appear to be mechanical, procedural timing issues related to the receipt of payroll taxes, the issuance of new public debt, and the redemption of Trust Fund bonds that create the possibility of technical violations of the debt ceiling or Soc Sec rules. Any Treasury Secretary determined to get the checks to granny would solve these problems or take his chances with a technical violation of a rule; one wonders why the Tax Cheat can't solve this. Anyway, the House should clarify Congressional intent and let the Senate sign on to protecting granny, or not.

The second bill would be a straight debt ceiling increase, one string attached, for, let's say, six months. The very tiny string - Obama needs to submit a budget prior to the next increase. Not a budget that gets passed, mind you, just any sort of plan at all that CBO can score.

Then we resume this battle next January.

Oh, add one more to the James Madison tally.

[narciso]

Which ever T.A. has the afternoon shift, doesn't understand that, mind you, most of
the reporters don't either,

[matt]

The president doesn't raise or lower anything. Congress does. The president either signs or vetoes.

So is the president going to veto a bill and allow the country to have to start shutting down government services and agencies to keep spending under the limit, and with perception being reality, create a crisis?

Or will he suck it up for the good of the nation? That is the question.

Is he truly interested in the long term best interests of the country or is he the community organizing ideologue out of his depth we think he is? By throwing our fate to the winds it is on his shoulders, not Cantor's.

[anduril]

I will not yield on this,” he said.

Then he stood up.

"Enough is enough,” the president insisted. “We have to be willing to compromise.

Translation: YOU have to be willing to compromise roll over.

[Porchlight]

TOTUS must have subliminally flashed that Sarah would be announcing in September.

Obama seems to be thinking about Reagan a lot, too.

Wonder why.

[JM Hanes]

Per what I think was one of DebinNC's terrific links, Captain America explains the McConnell plan:

[I]t gives Obama an immediate increase in the debt ceiling to avoid a default. All he has to do is agree, up front, that increases in the debt ceiling must be accompanied by spending cuts, not tax increases. And he’s got to put his spending cuts in writing—dollar for dollar—for each debt ceiling increase: $700 billion, then $900 billion, and then another $900 billion.

So, how do the following ABC's comport with what we're seeing:

Call McConnell Plan C. I'm not sure why that isn't a hell of a deal -- if Republicans could actually get it passed -- when they only control the House! Obama, if not the Senate Dems, clearly sees it as political poison. If we take the Capitol in 2012, we'll hold all the Congressional cards. That's when we can move on to the structural changes which will shift the course of American government. If we don't take both Houses, it won't matter what kind of deal gets made here, because the Senate will stop real reform in its tracks every time.

If McConnell's bill gets voted down, or the President vetoes it, we opened the door and he refused to walk through it. We gave the Prez everything he wanted (he claims to want big cuts) -- except tax hikes.

Plan A, in progress, is seeing just how good a deal we can get the Prez to buy into. He'll be virtually compelled to sell any bipartisan agreement that comes out of his own negotiations. Republicans have still got a week or so to see how far they can push him.

Plan B is passing a bill in the House that raises the ceiling and makes the cuts they want, and forces the Democrats to step up to the plate. I'm not sure whether prioritizing disbursements if the debt ceiling isn't raised should be incorporated in it, or be put forward as a stand alone bill.

[Want vs Need]

"Then we resume this battle next January"

WOOT! THERE IT IS !!!.

[Kurt]

In line with Chubby's points above, I think the actual proposal by Cantor et al to offer a short-term extension of the debt ceiling is a brilliant tactical maneuver, which is one reason that Obama is so furious about it. I think it's brilliant because it would ensure that Obama would be bogged down with this controversy and these negotiations (and more reports about even more petulance on his part) a year from now when he would be hoping to devote his full time and attention to running for re-election instead.

In other words, the Cantor proposal would force Obama to do something he's never had to do before in his life: actually do the job he was elected to do while also campaigning, instead of just blowing off what he was elected to do so he could campaign instead.

[JM Hanes]

And a really big get for Madison!

[anduril]

Mutant two-headed snake wows visitors at Ukrainian zoo

[Pic at link. Very cool, if you like two-headed snakes; not everyone does. TM]

[anduril]

Hey, name that snake. Winner gets a hearty handshake and a pat on the back. "anduril" doesn't count.

[JM Hanes]

Oh please, please, please delete that snake.

I cannot even look at my browser. I'm serious, it makes me gasp for air and literally recoil from the screen.

[anduril]

I go for "Harry Reid."

[anduril]

Per Walter Russell Mead (why can't it be just Walt or Russ?):

Canary Keels Over, Sticks Legs in Air

[anduril]

Mead is on a roll with his new short blog format. Another good one:

Europe Banking Lies Coming Unglued

[P]

So let me get this straight from The One and his minions. Default on the debt will totally destroy our economy and bring down the country, but I will let it happen rather then reduced future projected spending levels for 2015/15/17/18?

Does that make any sense? Why not just sign the bill, raise the limit and then argue in 2015/16/17/18 that the projected spending is too low?

Its like telling a doctor don't worry about the bullet next to my heart, treat the sunburn which might cause cancer in 20 years.

[Frau Lilie von S.]

"so Obama is saying don't do X because I will veto it even if it brings down my Presidency ...
Really ????
That's his negotiating strategy ?"

The "Blazing Saddles" strategy?

[rse]

I'm with JMH. I hate snakes and may have to switch to that Clemens thread.

That will teach me about thinking popping in would be a nice break.

[Frau Lilie von S.]

[Aside to JMH - I retook the test and changed at least three answers and still came out a Madison. At least I know my short stature is from his side of the family]

[Ranger]

Hmmm... Interesting stuff over at The Corner.

First off, the snare begins to tighten:

Boehner Won’t Rule Out McConnell Option

So, Obama may be presented with a "bipartisan" approach that will doom him to actually proposing cuts, and face three votes between now and next November.

Why would the Dems go along with this though?

This might have something to do with it:

Generic Republican Surges Ahead

Gallup:

PRINCETON, NJ — Registered voters by a significant margin now say they are more likely to vote for the “Republican Party’s candidate for president” than for President Barack Obama in the 2012 election, 47% to 39%. Preferences had been fairly evenly divided this year in this test of Obama’s re-election prospects.

Obama's re-elect numbers are starting to look really bad as this wears on. Dems in the Senate may be looking for a lifeboat right about now.

[macphisto]

Hey, name that snake.

Anthony Weiner!

[jimmyk]

The "Blazing Saddles" strategy?

Racist!

among them John Hagee, controversial for his comments on Israel

Hagee is a big supporter of Israel. That's controversial now?

[Frau Arzneimittel]

WRM and VDH make it easier.

[macphisto]

(why can't it be just Walt or Russ?)

it's all about the rhythm: WAL-ter RUS-sell MEAD. delivered just so, it rolls off the palate like a military drum tattoo.

[anduril]

Well, Hagee says that Hitler was fulfilling God's will, among other kooky things. If jimmyk wants that type of support and finds it non-controversial, who am I to gainsay him. If I had said that (re Hitler) I can only imagine the reaction. This is a perfect example of the kooks I want to keep out of the WH.

[anduril]

macphisto, Weener is good, but I still like Reid. The slightly hooded eyes seem so snake-like. Hmmm. If I try to give myself the hearty handshake and pat on the back that could affect my typing. :-( Better go with Weener.

I realize that with a short last name like "Mead" it sounds better to have a multi-syllabic lead in, but it does take a lot of typing. Walter Mead?

[Extraneus]

Instapundit notes that Obama is throwing himself a $35K/couple birthday bash on 8/3, the day after the supposed debt limit deadline. It'd be pretty mean to stop Granny's check the day before that party.

[Granny]

@Extraneus: Damn straight!!

[anduril]

A "non-controversial" John Hagee sampler:

"Theodore Herzl is the father of Zionism. He was a Jew who at the turn of the 19th century said, this land is our land, God wants us to live there. So he went to the Jews of Europe and said 'I want you to come and join me in the land of Israel.' So few went that Hertzel went into depression. Those who came founded Israel; those who did not went through the hell of the holocaust.

"Then god sent a hunter. A hunter is someone with a gun and he forces you. Hitler was a hunter. And the Bible says -- Jeremiah writing -- 'They shall hunt them from every mountain and from every hill and from the holes of the rocks,' meaning there's no place to hide. And that might be offensive to some people but don't let your heart be offended. I didn't write it, Jeremiah wrote it. It was the truth and it is the truth. How did it happen? Because God allowed it to happen. Why did it happen? Because God said my top priority for the Jewish people is to get them to come back to the land of Israel."

So, according to Hagee, the Holocaust was simply God's way of giving the Jews an incentive to go to Israel.

Which would logically seem to raise the question, what does Hagee think of Jews who thwart God's "top priority" by choosing to live in the USA instead of Israel?

[Extraneus]

Heh.

[anduril]

Oh, and did I mention that Hagee calls the Catholic Church "the great Whore." Nothing controversial there, eh, jimmyk?

[Frederick]

"This may bring my presidency down, but I will not yield on this,” he said.

Barry, relax. It is already down.