Democrats didn’t offer compromise when Bush was reelected — and it paid off
Bush’s tax reform agenda – planning to make his 2001 tax credits permanent and repeal the estate tax – fell through the floor.
Even Bush’s nominee for the ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, failed to get a vote on the Senate floor, forcing Bush to make it a recess appointment.
Bush’s immigration effort fell short in the spring of 2006. Republicans resisted on one side, and on the other, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Democrats refused to grant him any capital on issue as the solidified their inroads with Hispanic voters.
Bush’s only major legislative success was successfully continuing the war in Iraq and reauthorizing the Patriot Act until Democrats took power in the 2006 elections. From there on, Bush was nearly impotent.











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Obama is determined to free tax increases higher than those that are coming in Jan when the Bush cuts expire. He will allow the economy to go over the cliff to get his way.
Will Boehner be as determined or will he force the GOP to cave?
Charlemagne on November 7, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Obama is determined to force tax increases higher than those that are coming in Jan when the Bush cuts expire. He will allow the economy to go over the cliff to get his way.
Will Boehner be as determined or will he force the GOP to cave?
Charlemagne on November 7, 2012 at 9:01 PM
Won’t work.Boehner not as strong as Nancy.
Tasha on November 7, 2012 at 9:04 PM
I favor mostly gridlock.
El_Terrible on November 7, 2012 at 9:04 PM
Bush also didn’t have a media pushing an obstructionist Democrat story line either. Makes all the difference. The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column.
The Count on November 7, 2012 at 9:06 PM
And unlike Bush, Obama will use EOs like a kid in a candy store. Nothing and nobody will stop him. RIP USA.
conservative pilgrim on November 7, 2012 at 9:07 PM
The House is the last line of defense.
Give no quarter.
thirtyandseven on November 7, 2012 at 9:07 PM
Why are we supposed to “work with” murderous corrupt scumbags?
tom daschle concerned on November 7, 2012 at 9:07 PM
Then Republicans had better defund everything. Everything in sight.
thirtyandseven on November 7, 2012 at 9:09 PM
Looks like Boehner is already caving:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/49731550
“House Speaker John Boehner offered Wednesday to pursue a deal with a victorious President Barack Obama that will include higher taxes “under the right conditions” to help reduce the nation’s staggering debt and put its finances in order
“Mr. President, this is your moment,” Boehner told reporters, speaking about the “fiscal cliff” that will hit in January. “We want you to lead.”
melle1228 on November 7, 2012 at 9:10 PM
I for one am looking forward to having a president who signs orders to kill American citizens. How about it, lefties, pretty exciting yeah?
Bishop on November 7, 2012 at 9:10 PM
Don’t raise the debt ceiling. Shut er down.
El_Terrible on November 7, 2012 at 9:10 PM
You see, Republicans aren;t Democrats. Republicans have neither principles nor spines.
Warner Todd Huston on November 7, 2012 at 9:11 PM
The pugs lost to arguably the worst prez since Carter and in the worst economy since the Great Depression.
This is not the country we inherited. Not anymore. The Parasite class and their enablers won. It’s time to let it burn to the ground and start over. So, pass whatever the donks want, or at least get the hell out of the way.
Thomas More on November 7, 2012 at 9:12 PM
Nope, Boehner is a fkn regular rock of Gibralter.
arnold ziffel on November 7, 2012 at 9:13 PM
The GOP doesn’t have the balls Pelosi does. In fact I think she’s keep them in her personal collection if Boehner and crew are anything to judge by.
They won’t fight, they will just talk tough and cave in when told to…there may even be more tears.
sharrukin on November 7, 2012 at 9:14 PM
No retreat. No surrender.
thebrokenrattle on November 7, 2012 at 9:14 PM
Don’t pass anything, just vote present.
mrscullen on November 7, 2012 at 9:16 PM
Remember Ezra Levant at the star chamber? THis is what we will be looking at here in the US.
tom daschle concerned on November 7, 2012 at 9:19 PM
Boehner caving is not a bug it is a feature.
The country must be disabused of the notion that Obama policies are either benign or helpful. Obamacare taxes are a sure recession waiting to happen. Let the country have them. When Obama comes to the bargaining table for the “fiscal cliff” give him what he wants… That’s right give him the increased spending and taxes, and the even larger debt. In return I would ask for public sector unions to adhere to the same accounting rules as private sector unions. Pensions have to be reported the same. Paychecks have to have all expenses associated with employment i.e. what your employer pays for insurance. That way people will see their premium payments go up. Also repeal the Hollywood tax cuts and make them claim income instead of writing off block busters as losses.
That is honestly all I would seek. The ensuing recession would mark the 2016 campaign. This is the recession as predicted this is the slow down in the economy. This is businesses cutting back on worker hours to save money on Obamacare. Want to raise taxes again? What? You do, okay How much more Mr. President?
You may think I’m crazy but you will see the wisdom of this approach in California. Democrats control all levers of government. And watch them go over the next two years! The gubernatorial race in 2014? Depending on the situation The California GOP might be better served letting Jerry Brown run unopposed. The debate between low and high taxes and what works better should not be an open discussion. But it is. End the debate and let the babies have their bottle. It won’t take long to spit it out.
Theworldisnotenough on November 7, 2012 at 7:27 PM
http://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2012/11/07/time-to-reassess/comment-page-1/#comment-2179510
When I reread this it sounds a little petulant, because it is a little petulant, but it would be effective. Obama wants a carbon tax? The talking head guest on MSNCB mocks Obama “Oh my I can feel the seas receding as we speak!” Carbon tax you got it bub. Then another talking head on CNN predicts stagflation while mocking the Unicorn Prince.
Theworldisnotenough on November 7, 2012 at 9:24 PM
It’s not over… far from it… You can whine and snivel all you want but I’m staying and fighting…
And by GOD it will start with Boehner not trying to play nice nice as if that will earn him some points with the public.
Newsflash Boehner… when a leftist cries the Pope says its a wonderful humanitarian thing showing the humanism of men… When a rightist, LIKE YOU cries, THEY (the warm and caring progressives) call you a pussy.
Man up… shut them down. While you’re playing the crying game, Reid is nuking the Senate…
It’s time for you to threaten to shut down the government… and on the bright side, if you do it, the deficit will instantly be reduced.
Skywise on November 7, 2012 at 9:28 PM
Oh and I like how I’m still on posting probation but all the leftist trolls get free reign…
Skywise on November 7, 2012 at 9:30 PM
Can’t argue. The people yelling like Leonidas are expressing an admirable sentiment, but the country voted for this.
They elected a man committed to higher taxes. Give them higher taxes.
If you’re going to make demands, stick that definition of “rich” nice and low so almost everyone pays. Don’t let him squirrel out of this by hiding the tax hike with the rich.
The conservative revolution happened when people felt the real life effects of liberalism in the 1970s. It diminished quality of life in ways that would dwarf ghey marriage and binders full of women. People died because of it (at least in the same sense that Romney gives people cancer).
The only way forward is to make people believe conservatives when we talk about liberalism. Right now we clearly sound like outdated Cold Warriors exaggerating about wonkish concepts. Give the people what they want.
HitNRun on November 7, 2012 at 9:33 PM
When will the Republicans ever learn, they are going to be accused and convicted by the MSM of everything the Dems actually do. If you’re going to do the time, might as well do the crime.
antipc on November 7, 2012 at 9:35 PM
Boehner will continue to let 0bama lead from behind, because that’s how he likes it.
CurtZHP on November 7, 2012 at 9:37 PM
Get used to the term “obstructionist congress,” regardless of how the Republicans act. It’s how they pave the way for Hilary ’16.
Some people don’t seem to understand the magnitude of what happened last night. This was a seismic shift in US politics. Probably a permanent one. Democrats have gained complete control of the media, the message and the outcome. Congress, for all intents and purposes, has been abolished. Senate is next. Imperial presidency coming up.
The Resolute Desk on November 7, 2012 at 9:41 PM
It’s not petulant. It feels right. But it is irresponsible. These are representatives, elected to do their constituents work. Unless they openly stated to their district, “we’re gridlocked, I’m caving”, it would be an abdication of their duty. But maybe that conversation with the constituents isn’t as tough anymore.
CycloneCDB on November 7, 2012 at 9:44 PM
Let the tax cuts expire on everybody. The Bush tax cuts were all for the rich, right? Everybody who had a tax cut under Bush is rich
even the ones who didn’t realize they were rich.Cut enforcement of online piracy laws.
The gaping maws of need with voteslittle darlings just love them some pirated content from industries thatgive their profits to the Democratsmake such fun stuff. If pills are free, shouldn’t expensively-produced blockbuster movies be free?Allow student loan debt to be discharged by bankruptcy. It will
pop the student loan bubbleprovide so much relief to those poor Le5b1an Underwater Basketweaving Studies majors who are having such a hard time waitressing at the local hipster hangout.Sekhmet on November 7, 2012 at 9:53 PM
Now there’s one I want to see pass the House. Despite projections of high-mindedness, Obama is a machine pol who can figure out what the end result of that (sensible) policy would be and would never let it happen. But I want to see him explain it to my generation. That would be lots of fun.
HitNRun on November 7, 2012 at 9:59 PM
This, times 1000. It’s the only way these snotty, ahole, useful idiots are going to learn. Give them exactly what they want.
Thomas More on November 7, 2012 at 10:01 PM
“Cheap lawn chair” Boenher is not gonna compromise huh?
That’ll be the day.
Left Coast Right Mind on November 7, 2012 at 10:10 PM
Good point. But an cave in this early shouldn’t be a problem. Cave in for 6 months and reap the benefits. A 2013 recession is baked into the cake with the upcoming Obamacare taxes. The state level GOP should go on the campaign trail in districts Romney lost and ask how are Obama’s policies working for you next fall. Obama agenda passed in the Winter should be tanking the economy by then. We gave him the tax increases where are the results? We told you this would happen so what say you. Don’t beg for votes but put the question to the people.
It usually works like this: Liberals pass job/economy killing legislation and subsidize the poor so they feel the effects less. I propose to allow the legislation but not the subsidy. California and Illinois will need a bailout that should be blocked in any and every way. The taxes however let them pass. Then campaign relentlessly.
Theworldisnotenough on November 7, 2012 at 10:12 PM
“I say nuke the entire site orbit, it’s the only way to be sure!”
Until the clueless feel the pain we can expect many more nights like last night. Hammer down. Give the emperor what he wants. Raise taxes. I love the Hollywood angle but I would hit the DB actors pocketbook. 90% haircut on commission/bonus and 75% on base pay for anyone in the entertainment field. Sorry Rush, I love you dude but if we can drill a lot more of those leftist clowns. How many of the Hollyweird would be okay with those figures? I would probably guess not a lot but hey you have to pay your fair share? How $1.000 bottles of Grey Goose do you really need anyway?
Until people feel the pain and wake up we will be on the slow boat. Time to get in the F15 because “I feel the need for speed!”
The problem is I rarely hear these guys/gals other than 1 or 2 saying anything. The time for niceties is long past. Until we grasp the concept that politics is a cage match we will keep getting beat down by showing up in a tux with a Wilson name tag. It’s time to fix bayonets and repel boarders. We need a hatchet team just like the Rats have. Use their tactics against them but be more harsh. And that includes the media since they are a branch of the Rat party anyway.
Ahhh Screw it, I’m hitting the bar again tonight. Our awesome leadership will continue business as usual. OUT!
VikingGoneWild on November 7, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Wow, it sure didn’t take long for Republicans to cave did it? Like someone said last night, the vandals have entered the gate. Republicans will start the transformation into today’s liberals while liberals take another step toward full blown socialism/communism. We really have reached a tipping point, the takers outnumber the makers. It’s really not simply the re-election of the worst President ever. It’s just about everything that was voted on. Colorado as moved toward drug addiction. California has raised it’s sales taxes, already the highest in the nation, another 1/4% (bringing it close to 10% now), to give more money to the education system that is already overpaid and under worked, who’s graduates can barely read at a 5rd grade level and who can’t understand simple math, that ranks 48th out of 50 states. It is time for individuals like me to end my business, fire my employees,sell my stocks, consolidate, and hide my money.
Dollayo on November 7, 2012 at 11:49 PM