• American Debt Linit,  Day By Day,  John Boehner

    Day By Day July 29, 2011 – Skin Job

    July 29, 2011 /


    Day By Day by Chris Muir

    Speaker Boehner has done his best but it is not good enough. New Members of Congress were elected to CUT spending and the Boehner Plan like the Reid Debit Limit Plan kick the can down the road.

    Let the President and the majority Congressional Democrats propose their own debt limit plan that could pass both Houses of Congress or prepare for living in a world where the USA does not borrow any more money.

    Here is a graph to frame the debate:

    But, stay tuned as the House GOP Caucus is meeting presently. 216 positive votes are needed for passage of the Boehner Plan.

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  • American Debt Linit,  American Economy,  Barack Obama,  John Boehner,  Polling

    Poll Watch: Obama Fairing Better than Boehner and Reid on Debt Limit Debate Although All Are Negative

    July 28, 2011 /

    According to the latest Gallup poll.

    Americans are more likely to approve of the way President Obama is handling the negotiations to raise the federal debt ceiling than they are to approve of the handling of the situation by Speaker of the House John Boehner or Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, although opinions about all three are more negative than positive.

    These results are from a special one night USA Today/Gallup poll conducted July 27, as Speaker Boehner was marshaling support for Thursday’s House vote on his version of a new budget plan.

    President Obama’s 41% approval rating on handling the situation is 10 percentage points higher than Boehner’s and 18 points higher than Reid’s. However, more Americans have an opinion about Obama’s handling of the situation than is the case for the other two men, so when those with no opinion are factored out of the results, Obama’s advantage is lessened. Among those with an opinion about his handling of the situation, the president has 44% approval and 56% disapproval, compared with 39% and 61% for Boehner and 31% and 69% for Reid.

    Americans are saying a POX to all of the POLS.

    But, Boehner does NOT have the support of the rank and file GOP. Only half of the Republicans approve of Boehner’s handling of the debt situation and 75 per cent of the Democrats approve of Obama’s handling of the situation.

    What about independent voters?

    And, Tea Party supporters?

    A Third of Tea Party Supporters Disapprove of Boehner’s Handling of Situation

    Tea Party supporters have been among the most vocal participants in the current debt crisis debate. Many observers suggest that the pressure Tea Partiers are putting on newly elected freshman Republican House members is a reason the parties have not been able to strike a debt agreement so far. House Speaker Boehner is attempting to broker a deal to get the debt ceiling raised while at the same time reflecting the intense sentiments of Tea Party followers.

    Boehner does slightly better among all Tea Party supporters — 61% approval and 33% disapproval — than he does among all Republicans — 50% approval and 35% disapproval. These differences reflect the fact that in this survey, less than half (46%) of Republicans identify as Tea Party supporters, and that this group has a much different view of Boehner’s efforts on the debt situation than those who are not Tea Party supporters. Republicans who support the Tea Party approve of Boehner’s handling of the debt situation by 65% to 30%, while Republicans who are not Tea Party supporters split evenly, 38% approve and 40% disapprove, with the rest having no opinion. This difference is significant despite the smaller sample sizes involved, and suggests that Boehner is having more trouble pleasing the moderate and liberal wing of his party than he is the conservative wing.

    So, what does this all mean?

    Americans are not approving of any of the parties or POLS. It may be too early to assess the true impact of the situation, unless some financial crisis results. But, for election 2012, this entire matter is a negatve for both sides of the aisle. If anyone thinks the President can claim a victory in this situation, they better read and weep.

    Both sides are likely to cut a deal now that it is very apparent, they are both losing the public perception.

    It is too early to determine the long-term impact of the current debt ceiling crisis on the political fortunes of President Obama, Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Reid, and the other politicians who have been in the middle of the unfolding drama. The current short-term data suggest that to date none of those involved receive glowingly positive reviews from the American public. More Americans disapprove than approve of the way Obama, Boehner, and Reid have each handled the situation.

    Obama does better than the other two, based in large part on the high approval rating he receives from his fellow Democrats. Boehner receives significantly less loyalty from Republicans, half of whom approve of his handling of the situation. This no doubt reflects the current divisions within the Republican Party, with conservatives and Tea Party supporters pressing for a rigid stance against compromise and tax increases, while other Republicans are more inclined to push for a settlement with Obama and the Democrats. At this point, the former group is the most supportive of Boehner, which suggests that he faces more problems from the moderate wing of his party than from the conservative Tea Party wing. The fact that as many Republicans who do not support the Tea Party say they disapprove of how Boehner is handling the situation as say they approve highlights his leadership challenges.

  • American Debt Linit,  American Economy,  Harry Reid,  John Boehner

    Harry Reid Says Senate Will Defeat Boehner Debt Limit Plan Tonight – Then What?

    July 28, 2011 /

    Then, the deal making will begin.

    The Senate will take up, and vote down, House Speaker John Boehner’s bill to raise the federal debt ceiling immediately after its anticipated House passage Thursday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said.

    “As soon as the House completes its vote tonight, the Senate will move to take up that bill. It will be defeated,” Reid said, citing a letter sent last night to Boehner in which all 53 Democratic Caucus members vowed to vote against the measure if it passes. “No Democrat will vote for a short-term Band-Aid that would put our economy at risk and put the nation back in this untenable situation a few short months from now.”

    Boehner was still working to round up votes Thursday. But both parties now expect his measure to narrowly pass over Democratic opposition.

    So, what are the options?

    Reid has two options: He could “table” the proposal, postponing its consideration indefinitely, or bring it up for a vote, which would kill the bill directly. The advantage of tabling is that it’s faster. Under the byzantine rules of the Senate, the Majority Leader would have to wait about two days before being able to bring the House bill up for a vote, whereas tabling the bill could take just a day and a half. The disadvantage of tabling is that Republicans will insist that Boehner’s proposal had a chance in the Senate, and that Reid was simply afraid that it would pass. But with the Aug. 2 approaching, Democratic aides think tabling is more likely.

    Once Reid kills the bill, there are two new paths he could take: He could bring his own plan up for a vote or he could try to come up with a compromise plan with Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

    Since Dingy Harry’s bill has NO chance of passing in the House, the deal making will begin.

    But, of course, there will be plenty of blaming the other side and at the last minute there will be a deal or the August 2nd deadline passes which will probably prove to be a non-event.

  • American Debt Linit,  American Economy,  John Boehner

    Updated 11 AM EDT: The Boehner Debt-Llimit Plan GOP Whip List

    July 28, 2011 /

    Whipping The Boehner Proposal To Raise The Nation’s Debt Ceiling

    The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported Wednesday that House Speaker John Boehner’s revised proposal to raise the debt ceiling deficit reduction plan would reduce budget deficits by about $915 billion over 10 years through FY2021. With the bill slated to hit the House floor Thursday, Boehner is trying to secure the necessary number of votes needed to pass the measure.

    A vote originally scheduled for Wednesday was delayed late Tuesday amid disunity within the GOP conference and a previous report from the CBO that Boehner’s plan would accomplish cuts $150 billion below the $1 trillion target House Republicans want.

    National Journal has compiled a list of Republican Members who have committed to voting no, and those who have declared they are undecided. We’ve also included the stances of notable yes votes as well as the positions of notable Democrats, based on the recent House vote on the GOP’s “Cut, Cap And Balance” measure. If no Democrats support the Boehner plan, the maximum number of votes the House speaker can lose and still pass the measure is 23. Right now, 19 Members have committed to voting no.

    Here is the revised NO GOP List:

    NO (19)

    Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md.
    Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz.
    Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas
    Rep. Phil Gingrey , R-Ga.
    Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio
    Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo. 
    Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan. 
    Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah
    Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. (multiple news reports) 
    Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas 
    Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill.
    Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ga. (National Review) 
    Rep. Jeff Landry, R-La. (National Review)
    Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla.
    Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga.
    Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C. (The Hill)
    Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa (The Hill) 
    Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla. (The Hill)
    Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn. (Washington Post)

    LEANING NO (3)

    Rep. Tim Scott, R-S.C.
    Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. (The Hill)
    Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz.

  • American Debt Linit,  American Economy,  Day By Day,  John Boehner

    Day By Day July 28, 2011 – Put It in Drive

    July 28, 2011 /

    Day By Day by Chris Muir

    The GOP has won the debt-limit debate and American voters now understand how President Obama has spent the United States into a ditch. Look at this graphic:

    So, the House should pass the Boehner Plan and if the Democrats decide to vote against it  in the Senate, then they broke it and they will own it.

    Stay tuned as the vote commences this morning. Looks like a close vote.

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  • American Debt Linit,  American Economy,  John Boehner

    The Boehner Debt-Llimit Plan GOP Whip List

    July 28, 2011 /

    The Hill has an updated list for either this morning’s vote or one which could be postponed if the votes are not there.

    House Republicans are scrambling to come up with the votes to pass Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) new plan to raise the nation’s debt ceiling.

    While they have some work ahead of them, House GOP leaders are starting to pick up more yes votes. On Wednesday, several Republican members who had been undecided earlier in the week said they are leaning toward yes, including Reps. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), Bob Goodlatte (Va.), Rob Woodall (Ga.) and Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.).

    Yet, it appears that the vote will be a nail-biter as a slew of Republican members are firmly opposed to the bill.

    If all Democrats vote no, Republican leaders will have to minimize defections to about two dozen members.

    Here is the list who are opposed:

    House Republicans against/leaning no on Boehner plan (22)

    • Todd Akin (Mo.) — Senate hopeful is a no
    • Justin Amash (Mich.) — Not shy about breaking from GOP leaders
    • Michele Bachmann (Minn.) — Against raising debt ceiling; voted against CCB*
    • Paul Broun (Ga.) — Against raising debt ceiling; voted against CCB*
    • Jason Chaffetz (Utah) — Possible Senate candidate is a no
    • Jeff Duncan (S.C.) Told thestate.com, a South Caroline media outlet, that he is a no
    • Jeff Flake (Ariz.) — Senate hopeful “can’t support the current bill”
    • Phil Gingrey (Ga.) — A definite no
    • Louie Gohmert (Texas) — Planning to vote no
    • Paul Gosar (Ariz.) — Leaning no
    • Trey Gowdy (S.C.) — Leaning no
    • Tom Graves (Ga.) — Firm no
    • Andy Harris (Md.) — Strong proponent of BBA**; Indicated to Baltimore Sun he is a no
    • Tim Huelskamp (Kan.) — Firm no
    • Jim Jordan (Ohio) — RSC chairman is strongly opposed
    • Steve King (Iowa) — Firm no
    • Connie Mack (Fla.) — Voted against CCB*; firm no
    • Mick Mulvaney (S.C.) — A no vote
    • Ron Paul (Texas) — Against raising debt ceiling; voted against CCB*
    • Dennis Ross (Fla.) — Leaning no, according to National Journal Daily
    • Steve Southerland (Fla.) — Lawmaker told AP he is a no
    • Joe Walsh (Ill.) — Said on MSNBC he is a no
  • American Debt Linit,  American Economy,  Harry Reid,  John Boehner

    Senate Democrats Send Speaker Boehner a Letter Favoring an American Debt Default?

    July 27, 2011 /

    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is pictured as he speaks to the press following more U.S. debt reduction talks on Capitol Hill, July 26, 2011

    Well, something like that because their letter promises to reject Boehner’s Debt-Limit Plan.

    Fifty-three Democratic senators have signed a letter to House Speaker John A. Boehner saying they intend to vote against his plan for an increase in the debt ceiling, virtually assuring its defeat in the Senate even as the speaker lines up Republican votes to pass it in the House on Thursday.

    Votes are not final until they are cast. But if the Democrats hold to their promise in the letter, Mr. Boehner’s plan for a six-month increase in borrowing authority will not make it to President Obama’s desk.

    “We heard that in your caucus you said the Senate will support your bill,” the senators say in the letter. “We are writing to tell you that we will not support it, and give you the reasons why.”

    In the letter, the senators argue that a short-term extension of the debt ceiling would “put America at risk” and “could be nearly as disastrous as a default.”

    Some compromise there, eh?

    I say the House GOP and whatever Democrats who dare, pass the bill anyway and dare Dingy Harry to hold it up for defeat in the Senate.

    To the Democrats then, you voted twice against House passed plans, so if it breaks the American economy, you own it baby – House/Senate Democrats and President Obama.

    Here is the double dare letter to Boehner:

    Dear Speaker Boehner,

    With five days until our nation faces an unprecedented financial crisis, we need to work together to ensure that our nation does not default on our obligations for the first time in our history. We heard that in your caucus you said the Senate will support your bill. We are writing to tell you that we will not support it, and give you the reasons why.

    A short-term extension like the one in your bill would put America at risk, along with every family and business in it. Your approach would force us once again to face the threat of default in five or six short months. Every day, another expert warns us that your short-term approach could be nearly as disastrous as a default and would lead to a downgrade in our credit rating. If our credit is downgraded, it would cost us billions of dollars more in interest payments on our existing debt and drive up our deficit. Even more worrisome, a downgrade would spike interest rates, making everything from mortgages, car loans and credit cards more expensive for families and businesses nationwide.

    In addition to risking a downgrade and catastrophic default, we are concerned that in five or six months, the House will once again hold the economy captive and refuse to avoid another default unless we accept unbalanced, deep cuts to programs like Medicare and Social Security, without asking anything of the wealthiest Americans.

    We now have only five days left to act. The entire world is watching Congress. We need to do the right thing to solve this problem. We must work together to avoid a default the responsible way – not in a way that will do America more harm than good.

    And, here I thought Dingy Harry “The Iraq War is Lost” Reid was a deal maker?

    Default, here we come….

  • American Debt Linit,  American Economy,  John Boehner,  Paul Ryan

    John Boehner’s Debt-Limit Plan is a Good Start?

    July 27, 2011 /

    It is a good start towards replacing Obama as President next year.

    It is, as many conservatives have said in floor speeches and statements of support for the Boehner bill, an important first step. The immediate cuts are small relative to our $14 trillion debt, but the trajectory of spending will now go down.

    Before we get ahead of ourselves, it is important to remember this has to come to a vote in the House. (I suspect it won’t be all that close, unfortunately relieving some die-hards of the necessity of discarding their political purity.) It also has to get through the Senate, where other hardline Republicans, not to mention a whole lot of Democrats, will have to decide: Boehner or default?

    And should this get through both houses, the president will have zero choice in the matter. He will sign it, and we will avoid default. And then the spinning begins. As for those GOP pols and pundits who favored the burn-down-the-building approach, there is perhaps time to reconsider whether they want to be on board with a vote that may change the course of our fiscal future and the shape of the Republican party.

    Read Rep. Paul Ryan’s treatise on the revised legislation here.

    And, looking at the polls today in the key battleground states, in another year, the GOP House Leadership  will not have to worry about negotiating with Harry Reid or the White House.