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Republicans have no leverage

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Anonymous

Guest
Former GOP Rep. Rehberg says Republicans have no debt-ceiling card

By Mike Lillis - 01/05/13 11:55 AM ET





Republicans have no leverage in the upcoming debt-ceiling debate, former Rep. Denny Rehberg warned this week.

The Montana Republican, retired from Congress after losing a Senate bid last November, said the GOP leaders who are threatening to allow a government default to win more spending cuts would suffer a public backlash for years to come.

"If you don’t raise the debt ceiling, the financial markets melt down, then who’s mad at you? Well, every Republican out there who’s in small business, who needs credit, who needs a sound banking system starts calling Republicans saying, 'Cave, cave, you’ve gotta give in, you’ve gotta cut a deal,'” Rehberg said in a Thursday interview with the Voices of Montana radio show.

"If they become obstructionists, what power do they have? Well, shutting government down? No, because if we do that we lose our support with the public.”


With the Treasury Department warning that the country will default on its obligations unless Congress raises the debt limit in the next two months, Washington is bracing for the next partisan battle over government spending.

President Obama and the Democrats want a clean debt-ceiling increase, with a broader talk about taxes, entitlements and spending to follow.

"One thing I will not compromise over is whether or not Congress should pay the tab for a bill they’ve already racked up," Obama said Saturday in his weekly radio address.

Republicans, however, want to marry spending cuts to the debt-ceiling hike, viewing that legislation as their best chance to hold the Democrats' feet to the fire and force significant reductions.

Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), the second-ranking Senate Republican, summed up that strategy on Friday, vowing to shutter the government if the Democrats don't include major cuts as part of the debt-ceiling deal.

“It may be necessary to partially shut down the government in order to secure the long-term fiscal well being of our country, rather than plod along the path of Greece, Italy and Spain," Cornyn wrote in a Houston Chronicle op-ed. "President Obama needs to take note of this reality and put forward a plan to avoid it immediately."

Rehberg is warning, however, that such a strategy backfired on former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the mid-90s, and would do so again on Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) if they go that route this year.

"The only thing the Republican Congress, the House, can do, is things like shut down [the] government. Well, [Newt] Gingrich tried that, and the public reacted – Republicans as well as Democrats – came out and said, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute.' We started hearing from realtors, builders, bankers, contractors and ranchers who call themselves conservatives but [revolt] when they don't get their BLM lease … All of a sudden your coalition of support evaporates," Rehberg said Thursday.

"I understand the frustration Republicans and the Tea Party and such, but I’m just telling you, this is from my heart, I want to be as honest as I possibly can, that you’ve got a Democrat president, a Democrat-controlled Senate and they outnumber Boehner and the Republicans two to one and nothing’s going to change that for the next two years."



Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/275771-former-gop-rep-rehberg-says-republicans-have-no-debt-ceiling-card#ixzz2H8fzPPsF

The smartest thing I heard old Rehberg say in years.......
 

Whitewing

Well-known member
Let's see, sell your soul or do what you believe is right?

Wow, tough decision unless you have the principles and convictions of someone like OT.

:roll:
 

hypocritexposer

Well-known member
the GOP leaders who are threatening to allow a government default to win more spending cuts would suffer a public backlash for years to come.

Who's threatening a default?

With $200billion per month in revenue, the governmnet can meet all interest payments, military pay and SS payments.

No default.


The ones threatening eventual default, are the ones that want to continue the unsustainable spending

People like OT, that thinks putting obama's wars, foreign aid and nationbuilding on the credit card will correct the liberal spending of Bush.
 

Traveler

Well-known member
I remember Bush's deficits being "unsustainable", so how exactly are Obama's Trillion plus dollar deficit's somehow almost patriotic, with no mention of sustainability?
 

hypocritexposer

Well-known member
If Republicans have "no leverage", then why is obama warning against using the debt ceiling as leverage
icon_rubbingchin.gif



It is leverage, and obama knows it.
 

Whitewing

Well-known member
hypocritexposer said:
If Republicans have "no leverage", then why is obama warning against using the debt ceiling as leverage
icon_rubbingchin.gif



It is leverage, and obama knows it.

Obama senses that (unlike OT) some of the pub politicians might just have spines.
 

Whitewing

Well-known member
Traveler said:
I remember Bush's deficits being "unsustainable", so how exactly are Obama's Trillion plus dollar deficit's somehow almost patriotic, with no mention of sustainability?

Please try to keep up Traveler. Here's how: (D)

:roll:
 

TexasBred

Well-known member
Why do we always have to have winners and losers..leverage or no leverage. Why can't elected representatives and senators simply vote for what the people want. 99% of the public could care less if the damned gov't shut down for a short while. They want the irresponsible spending to stop.
 

Whitewing

Well-known member
TexasBred said:
Why do we always have to have winners and losers..leverage or no leverage. Why can't elected representatives and senators simply vote for what the people want. 99% of the public could care less if the damned gov't shut down for a short while. They want the irresponsible spending to stop.

I wish the above were true, but unfortunately I'm afraid it's no longer the case. It's how Obama got re-elected and how his popularity climbs today.....as demonstrated to us gleefully by OldWideEnd in another thread.

BTW, speaking of wide ends, those Aggies kicked some ass last night. :lol:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
TexasBred said:
Why do we always have to have winners and losers..leverage or no leverage. Why can't elected representatives and senators simply vote for what the people want. 99% of the public could care less if the damned gov't shut down for a short while. They want the irresponsible spending to stop.

"The only thing the Republican Congress, the House, can do, is things like shut down [the] government. Well, [Newt] Gingrich tried that, and the public reacted – Republicans as well as Democrats – came out and said, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute.' We started hearing from realtors, builders, bankers, contractors and ranchers who call themselves conservatives but [revolt] when they don't get their BLM lease … All of a sudden your coalition of support evaporates," Rehberg said Thursday.


Yep-- not only their BLM leases- but their EQIP money- their disaster payments, signups for programs, federal backed loans, etc. , etc...
BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS... In fact often the money/services the Repubs are getting is much more than the average Joe Democrat....

Yep- if the Repubs want to go the way of the dinos they will call Obama's bluff and default-- shutting down the country, lowering our credit rating again, and p*ss off the majority of the country again...

Too bad all you tea party folks never thought about our debt ceiling- and saying whoa when the Repub Congress and GW were running up much of it... Or even before that when Congress was giving away all their control to the bureaucrats- so they didn't have to act every year... That is when it needed to be done-- and again needs to be done when allocating new spending projects... These issues of spending and tax reform are too big to be done as a last minute - do or die- "cliff" projects...

Congress needs to start doing the job they were elected to do...
 

hypocritexposer

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
TexasBred said:
Why do we always have to have winners and losers..leverage or no leverage. Why can't elected representatives and senators simply vote for what the people want. 99% of the public could care less if the damned gov't shut down for a short while. They want the irresponsible spending to stop.

"The only thing the Republican Congress, the House, can do, is things like shut down [the] government. Well, [Newt] Gingrich tried that, and the public reacted – Republicans as well as Democrats – came out and said, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute.' We started hearing from realtors, builders, bankers, contractors and ranchers who call themselves conservatives but [revolt] when they don't get their BLM lease … All of a sudden your coalition of support evaporates," Rehberg said Thursday.


Yep-- not only their BLM leases- but their EQIP money- their disaster payments, signups for programs, federal backed loans, etc. , etc...
BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS... In fact often the money/services the Repubs are getting is much more than the average Joe Democrat....

Yep- if the Repubs want to go the way of the dinos they will call Obama's bluff and default-- shutting down the country, lowering our credit rating again, and p*ss off the majority of the country again...

Too bad all you tea party folks never thought about our debt ceiling- and saying whoa when the Repub Congress and GW were running up much of it... Or even before that when Congress was giving away all their control to the bureaucrats- so they didn't have to act every year... That is when it needed to be done-- and again needs to be done when allocating new spending projects... These issues of spending and tax reform are too big to be done as a last minute - do or die- "cliff" projects...

Congress needs to start doing the job they were elected to do...



Clinton's approval rating fell significantly during the shutdown.According to media commentators, this indicated that the general public blamed the President for the government shutdown.[8] However, once it had ended his approval ratings rose to their highest since his election.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_government_shutdown_of_1995


The shutdown also resulted in, cutting spending and a surplus, that the Libs give Clinton for and the electing of a Republican, in 2000.

It was a Republican house that had the last "surplus"
 

hopalong

Well-known member
If they act like you would want them to oldtimer, they would become liberal spendthrifts, with no responsibilty like your liberal friends :wink:
 

Whitewing

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
TexasBred said:
Why do we always have to have winners and losers..leverage or no leverage. Why can't elected representatives and senators simply vote for what the people want. 99% of the public could care less if the damned gov't shut down for a short while. They want the irresponsible spending to stop.

"The only thing the Republican Congress, the House, can do, is things like shut down [the] government. Well, [Newt] Gingrich tried that, and the public reacted – Republicans as well as Democrats – came out and said, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute.' We started hearing from realtors, builders, bankers, contractors and ranchers who call themselves conservatives but [revolt] when they don't get their BLM lease … All of a sudden your coalition of support evaporates," Rehberg said Thursday.


Yep-- not only their BLM leases- but their EQIP money- their disaster payments, signups for programs, federal backed loans, etc. , etc...
BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS... In fact often the money/services the Repubs are getting is much more than the average Joe Democrat....

Yep- if the Repubs want to go the way of the dinos they will call Obama's bluff and default-- shutting down the country, lowering our credit rating again, and p*ss off the majority of the country again...

Too bad all you tea party folks never thought about our debt ceiling- and saying whoa when the Repub Congress and GW were running up much of it... Or even before that when Congress was giving away all their control to the bureaucrats- so they didn't have to act every year... That is when it needed to be done-- and again needs to be done when allocating new spending projects... These issues of spending and tax reform are too big to be done as a last minute - do or die- "cliff" projects...

Congress needs to start doing the job they were elected to do...

Yeah, like the Senate passing a budget (when was the last time?), something I've not seen you whine about. Wonder why.....(D)?

As for your comments about the Tea Party folks, there were PLENTY of conservatives who thought Bush was spending money like a drunken liberal and said so.

I, for one, long long ago said we should get the hell out of Afghanistan (a war I initially favored) because, as the saying goes, it's where empires go to die.
 

Mike

Well-known member
It worked for Gingrich, danged sure did. That's what brought us a balanced budget.

Course Gingrich took a hit personally, but it was best for the country short term, only cause it didn't last...........................
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Whitewing said:
Oldtimer said:
TexasBred said:
Why do we always have to have winners and losers..leverage or no leverage. Why can't elected representatives and senators simply vote for what the people want. 99% of the public could care less if the damned gov't shut down for a short while. They want the irresponsible spending to stop.

"The only thing the Republican Congress, the House, can do, is things like shut down [the] government. Well, [Newt] Gingrich tried that, and the public reacted – Republicans as well as Democrats – came out and said, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute.' We started hearing from realtors, builders, bankers, contractors and ranchers who call themselves conservatives but [revolt] when they don't get their BLM lease … All of a sudden your coalition of support evaporates," Rehberg said Thursday.


Yep-- not only their BLM leases- but their EQIP money- their disaster payments, signups for programs, federal backed loans, etc. , etc...
BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS... In fact often the money/services the Repubs are getting is much more than the average Joe Democrat....

Yep- if the Repubs want to go the way of the dinos they will call Obama's bluff and default-- shutting down the country, lowering our credit rating again, and p*ss off the majority of the country again...

Too bad all you tea party folks never thought about our debt ceiling- and saying whoa when the Repub Congress and GW were running up much of it... Or even before that when Congress was giving away all their control to the bureaucrats- so they didn't have to act every year... That is when it needed to be done-- and again needs to be done when allocating new spending projects... These issues of spending and tax reform are too big to be done as a last minute - do or die- "cliff" projects...

Congress needs to start doing the job they were elected to do...

Yeah, like the Senate passing a budget (when was the last time?), something I've not seen you whine about. Wonder why.....(D)?


The last time that we had a full-on, real-life federal budget that was signed into law, it was 1997. Bill Clinton was president, and Newt Gingrich was speaker of the House (and only on his second wife).
----------
 

hypocritexposer

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
The last time that we had a full-on, real-life federal budget that was signed into law, it was 1997. Bill Clinton was president, and Newt Gingrich was speaker of the House (and only on his second wife).
----------


You are referring to the budget that the government shutdown produced?


But now you consider a government shutdown, an apocalyptic event , correct?


Maybe with another shutdown, obama could take credit for a balanced budget. He would be the talk of the town for decades, even if it is a Republican House, with no mandate.
 

Whitewing

Well-known member
OT sure seems fixated on how many wives Gingrich has had.

Man-crush? Bro-mance? :???: :???: :???:

And an interesting sidenote. How many times has OT whined about the party of NO and the do-nothing pub congress?

Yet here you had Gingrich and his congressional pub majority who single-handedly brought Bill Clinton to the negotiating table to slash government welfare spending and reward the country with a balanced budget, but you will not ever see a single word of praise from OT for Gingrich.

Why? Because OT is morally bankrupt. He'll tell us all day every day that what goes on in a person's bedroom is no one's business; that what really matters in a politician is that he does the people's work.

OT would rather drink the koolaid than ever admit that Gingrich did EXACTLY what OT whines about polticians NOT DOING today.

Hypocrite.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Oldtimer said:
Whitewing said:
OT sure seems fixated on how many wives Gingrich has had.

Man-crush? Bro-mance? :???: :???: :???:

Fantasyze all the perverted things you want-- it was in the author who I borrowed the quote from's statement.. :wink: :p :lol:

Old WW trying to divert from a message he didn't want to hear.. Especially from a longtime Repub/********* that's been around for awhile.... :lol:
 
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