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Dana Milbank

Republicans wave the white flag

Right now, he is hoping to lead his fractious GOP to an orderly surrender. The question is no longer whether Republicans will give on taxes; they already have. All that remains to be negotiated is how they will increase taxes, and whether they will do it before or after the government reaches the “fiscal cliff.”

“I believe that it’s appropriate to put revenues on the table,” Boehner told reporters. “Now, the revenues we’re putting on the table are going to come from — guess who? — the rich.” …

But the bromides couldn’t conceal the fact that House GOP leaders, with little dissent from the rank and file, had already acquiesced on some form of a tax increase. “House Republicans are prepared to get to yes,” Roskam said. “House Republicans are not prepared to get to foolish, and it is foolish to reject President Obama’s own self-described architecture of $3 in spending cuts for every dollar in new revenue.”

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Pass a one year extension of current tax rates and a budget resolution holding all departments to 2011 spending limits.

THEN walk away.

ProfShadow on December 6, 2012 at 10:58 AM

Yeah, let’s just have the Dems Barry the economy.

Galt2009 on December 6, 2012 at 10:59 AM

“Just walk away, and there will be an end to the horror.”

Living4Him5534 on December 6, 2012 at 11:00 AM

Why is it Boehner is so easily influenced by the progressives but not by conservatives…

I’m done.

Fallon on December 6, 2012 at 11:02 AM

And Jim DeMint’s resignation on the main page. It’s like Christmas came on November 6 this year and decided to just keep on going.

Alpha_Male on December 6, 2012 at 11:03 AM

Yes, I forgot the question mark, but it was more of a statement anyway, meh.

Fallon on December 6, 2012 at 11:03 AM

OK, raise your hand if you were stupid enough to think surrendering wasn’t John “Bonehead” Boehner’s plan all along…

SWalker on December 6, 2012 at 11:03 AM

Now’s the time for all conservative representatives and senators to officially level the GOP and join the Conservative or Constitutional Parties while continuing to caucus with the GOP.

If they know what’s good for the country and their political future.

AH_C on December 6, 2012 at 11:03 AM

President Obama’s own self-described architecture of $3 in spending cuts for every dollar in new revenue.

Ok, so how much “revenue” are they going for?

Dongemaharu on December 6, 2012 at 11:08 AM

It’s like Christmas came on November 6 this year and decided to just keep on going.

Alpha_Male on December 6, 2012 at 11:03 AM

Until the next major Islamist terrorist attack in the U.S. or Iran gets their nuke. Holder and Hillary can’t help him with that. Barry’s got too many plates in the air to keep them all spinning. He needs better help.

a capella on December 6, 2012 at 11:10 AM

“Just walk away, and there will be an end to the horror.”

Living4Him5534 on December 6, 2012 at 11:00 AM

I am gravely disappointed. Again you have made me unleash my dogs of…..

Oh, never mind. Our side doesn’t have any of those.

CurtZHP on December 6, 2012 at 11:10 AM

And Jim DeMint’s resignation on the main page. It’s like Christmas came on November 6 this year and decided to just keep on going.

Alpha_Male on December 6, 2012 at 11:03 AM

Nah it looks more like Rev. Wright’s prayer for God to damn America is being answered.

Kataklysmic on December 6, 2012 at 11:10 AM

ProfShadow on December 6, 2012 at 10:58 AM

Why 2011? Why not 2007?

JohnTant on December 6, 2012 at 11:14 AM

A Lawyer’s Tips on Negotiating for Dummies and Congressional Republicans
http://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2012/12/06/a_lawyers_tips_on_negotiating_for_dummies_and_congressional_republicans/page/full/

Their first step is to stop showing fear and to start counter-attacking. So America falls off the fiscal cliff? Who cares? Hell, a substantial number of the rich and sorta-rich are Democratic voters in blue states anyway. Let them put their money where their progressivism is. And if there’s another recession, awesome. We call that a teachable moment for America about what happens when its president is a spendaholic who would rather campaign than lead.

Sound a bit, well, crazy? Unreasonable? Even scary? Good, because a skilled lawyer understands the awesome power of being the craziest, most unreasonable and scariest guy at the table. Obama is hanging tough only because he thinks – he knows – the congressional Republicans are dying to fold well before he pays any kind of price.

The GOP knows the worst case scenario – rates on everyone go up and sequestration. All they have to do is be willing to take the hit for longer than Obama. The GOP has an advantage – the liberal media will screw them no matter what they do. This gives them incredible freedom.

Go off the edge and then, after the mainstream media panics and David Brooks wets himself, pass a bill dropping all the rates back and send it over to Harry Reid. Now it’s the Democrat’s problem. Thirty-three senators have to run in 2014, around 20 of them Democrats. How many are going to want to vote “No” on dropping the rates back? As the election cycle begins, I estimate the number will shrink to roughly zero.

In other words, turn the tables on the Democrats. Split them. They have the most to lose, not the GOP.

This is the final lesson. A sharp lawyer takes a tough situation and turns it to his advantage, while a hack takes an advantage and turns it into a tough situation. With a little skill, the GOP could not only get what it wants tax-wise but also turn the tables, setting the Democrats at each others’ wattled throats and neutering Obama.

After all, isn’t crushing progressive dreams really what the GOP should be all about?

Galt2009 on December 6, 2012 at 11:14 AM

Milbank’s a tool, but the only way to show the American people that Republicans are negotiating in good faith is to offer a deal that includes a tax rate increase on over-$250k incomes, but also includes serious entitlement reform.

We offer that, and the Democrats take it, then the issue is over and we can move on to the next battle.

We offer it, and the Democrats refuse, then the public is unlikely to be fooled into believing the Republicans are the ones responsible for going over the fiscal cliff, no matter how hard the media tries to convince them.

There’s no winning hand for the GOP on taxes here. The voters want it and we can’t stop it from happening — if there’s no deal by the end of the year, taxes go up automatically anyway and Dems get to look like heroes by pushing a tax cut on under-$250k incomes. So let’s minimize their victory and our culpability by showing we’re willing to make a deal that includes a tax hike.

I don’t like it, and I think it’s bad for the economy, but if it’s going to happen anyway, we might as well use it to our advantage.

Caiwyn on December 6, 2012 at 11:14 AM

Addendum to my previous comment: I’m willing to accept a tax hike for over-$250k incomes if it means serious and immediate entitlement reform. I think cutting spending is more important that keeping taxes low right now. We can get a tax cut through congress in the future; we’ve done it plenty of times. The real triumph would be spending cuts. If we were to get that, it’d be worth a tax hike. Tax rates are always temporary.

Caiwyn on December 6, 2012 at 11:17 AM

And in which decade of the 22nd century will the spending cuts be scheduled?

Kungfoochimp on December 6, 2012 at 11:19 AM

Obama doesn’t want the revenue; he wants the issue.

If Boehner gave him a check for $1 trillion Obama wouldn’t take it. Because that would remove the issue of increased tax rates.

He wants to splinter the Republicans as much as possible and hope to pick up seats in two years. Then he’ll deal from a greater position of strength.

Boehner’s not the problem: the public’s view on this is the problem. The Speaker doesn’t have the votes to defeat Obama+Senate+the media+public opinion.

SteveMG on December 6, 2012 at 11:24 AM

“I believe that it’s appropriate to put revenues on the table,” Boehner told reporters. “Now, the revenues we’re putting on the table are going to come from — guess who? — the rich.”

Boehner (and all Republicans) need to stop using the language of the left. The word “rich” has officially been demonized. Stop using ” revenue enhancements” when talking about plain old tax increases. Stop saying “investment” when you are talking about spending. That game is used by the left to intentionally mislead. Is this so hard to figure out?

lynncgb on December 6, 2012 at 11:27 AM

Not one thin dime of those spending cuts will ever see the light of day by the end of the 10 year period. Nor will the increases in revenue appear in total. People will simply change their actions to avoid paying more.

astonerii on December 6, 2012 at 11:30 AM

The Speaker doesn’t have the votes BALLS to defeat Obama+Senate+the media+public opinion.

SteveMG on December 6, 2012 at 11:24 AM

Better.

CurtZHP on December 6, 2012 at 11:31 AM

That game is used by the left to intentionally mislead. Is this so hard to figure out?

lynncgb on December 6, 2012 at 11:27 AM

Republicans are not your ally if you are conservative. They are the decoys for the progressives. They will do everything they can to ensure that progressive policy reigns in America.

There are a few good soldiers in the Republican party. They should, to a man, join with a leader for 2016 and form a new party.

astonerii on December 6, 2012 at 11:32 AM

“House Republicans are not prepared to get to foolish, and it is foolish to reject President Obama’s own self-described architecture of $3 in spending cuts for every dollar in new revenue.”

Isn’t something like $1 trillion of those cuts coming from the end of the spending in Iraq and Afghanistan? IOW, fairy dust?

In any case, we know the game: tax increases immediate, non-defense spending cuts later and those cuts will be rescinded when they start to kick in. Especially if the Democrats regain the House.

SteveMG on December 6, 2012 at 11:32 AM

And Jim DeMint’s resignation on the main page. It’s like Christmas came on November 6 this year and decided to just keep on going.

Alpha_Male on December 6, 2012 at 11:03 AM

Interesting, I didn’t know “Christmas” was now a euphemism for “national bankruptcy.” You learn something new every day!

Doomberg on December 6, 2012 at 11:32 AM

The Speaker doesn’t have the votes BALLS to defeat Obama+Senate+the media+public opinion.

Oh please.

He ignores all that and in two years Nancy Pelosi is the Speaker again.

Then what will happen?

SteveMG on December 6, 2012 at 11:33 AM

John Boehner is a stuttering cluster-eff of a miserable coward.

DRayRaven on December 6, 2012 at 11:36 AM

I think a new party is forming or at least feelers are going out. GOP replaced the Whigs. The American party will be replace GOP. Don’t call it the Conservative Party.

Oil Can on December 6, 2012 at 11:42 AM

Nor will the increases in revenue appear in total.

astonerii on December 6, 2012 at 11:30 AM

You meant “taxes”, right? :-)

lynncgb on December 6, 2012 at 11:43 AM

Not seeing the surrender. This is the same deal they offered last time.

Zaggs on December 6, 2012 at 11:45 AM

Whatever. Let me know when the red states decide to free themselves from this dysfunctional, abusive marriage. I already feel more loyalty to the Gadsen Flag than the American Flag.

The Count on December 6, 2012 at 11:50 AM

The stupid party shows it’s stupidity again when its supposed base believes it’s a surrender because the Washington Post says so.

rhombus on December 6, 2012 at 12:09 PM

They should have waved the white flag when they were on top… anyone with half a brain knew this was coming when the date for the expiration of the tax cuts was set.

Paul Ryan derailed the GOP… Simpson-Boyles was a victory for us and the failure to recognize that will endanger the GOP for a decade.

ninjapirate on December 6, 2012 at 12:09 PM

I blame Bush.

John the Libertarian on December 6, 2012 at 12:11 PM

I think a new party is forming or at least feelers are going out. GOP replaced the Whigs. The American party will be replace GOP. Don’t call it the Conservative Party.

Oil Can on December 6, 2012 at 11:42 AM

Let’s call it the Great Pumpkin Party and lets nominate Linus.

rhombus on December 6, 2012 at 12:12 PM

Total GOP capitulation is coming …

I told you this when Boehner promised to cut $100 Billion from last year’s budget and only delivered $500 MILLION.

I told you this one the debt ceiling deal.

And it’s going to come now.

If you’re a guy who grimmaces every time these Ayatollahs tuck tail and run – you’re in for a very hard four years people.

Your best bet is to cash out of the GOP and throw your money to honest people.

HondaV65 on December 6, 2012 at 12:13 PM

I blame Bush.

John the Libertarian on December 6, 2012 at 12:11 PM

I blame Reagan for picking Bush. No wait, I blame Ford for beating Reagan in 76. No wait, I blame Nixon for recording himself in the White House. No wait, it’s clearly all Ike’s fault – the squish. /s

rhombus on December 6, 2012 at 12:14 PM

I think a new party is forming or at least feelers are going out. GOP replaced the Whigs. The American party will be replace GOP. Don’t call it the Conservative Party.

Oil Can on December 6, 2012 at 11:42 AM

Anyone who sticks with the GOP over the next four years is gonna feel like (and be) … a chump!

HondaV65 on December 6, 2012 at 12:16 PM

I blame Reagan for picking Bush. No wait, I blame Ford for beating Reagan in 76. No wait, I blame Nixon for recording himself in the White House. No wait, it’s clearly all Ike’s fault – the squish. /s

rhombus on December 6, 2012 at 12:14 PM

Yep … blame ‘em all – more than a half century of failure.

HondaV65 on December 6, 2012 at 12:17 PM

Calling King Gold!

libfreeordie on December 6, 2012 at 12:19 PM

We offer that, and the Democrats take it, then the issue is over and we can move on to the next battle.

Caiwyn on December 6, 2012 at 11:14 AM

And at the next battle, the GOP will again surrender, and move on to the next battle, at which it will again surrender, and then move on to the next….

Wethal on December 6, 2012 at 12:19 PM

Anyone who sticks with the GOP over the next four years is gonna feel like (and be) … a chump!

HondaV65 on December 6, 2012 at 12:16 PM

Because Presidential 2nd terms are always Glorious! Let’s see Bush’s was a mess, Clinton’s was a mess, Reagan’s was messy too. Oh yeah, and Nixon resigned. Yeah, it ain’t going to be pretty being a Democrat either. In 10 years no one will remember the Speaker of the House or the Senate minority leader. They’ll just remember what a crappy economy we had during Obama’s years. Legacy!

rhombus on December 6, 2012 at 12:20 PM

Wow! Who saw this coming?!?

/sarc

gwelf on December 6, 2012 at 12:21 PM

Yep … blame ‘em all – more than a half century of failure.

HondaV65 on December 6, 2012 at 12:17 PM

Entitlements, my friend. Entitlements. The real fault lies with FDR and his dependent kids.

rhombus on December 6, 2012 at 12:22 PM

Fluke the Rs, all of them, Dana Milbank, and Obama, until they can’t stop bleeding.

Schadenfreude on December 6, 2012 at 12:35 PM

Ann Coulter sez: “Give in on taxes… We lost the election.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/06/ann-coulter-gop-taxes-obama-hannity_n_2249545.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009
White flags.

Alpha_Male on December 6, 2012 at 12:45 PM

And it’s like idiocy was on Steroids on November 6th…..

..and just keeps showing up on this website every day….

ToddPA on December 6, 2012 at 12:51 PM

The flag the Republican leadership flys much to often is no longer a “white flag”, it has “red splots” of OUR DAM BLOOD on it now.

ugly it is

APACHEWHOKNOWS on December 6, 2012 at 12:57 PM

ps

Republican leadership can not even do math just like O-hole said.

O-Hole got elected by his chiney-chin-chin.

If he had a goat-tee, no deal, ….

APACHEWHOKNOWS on December 6, 2012 at 12:59 PM

Republican leadership can not even do math just like O-hole said.
O-Hole got elected by his chiney-chin-chin.

If he had a goat-tee, no deal, ….

APACHEWHOKNOWS on December 6, 2012 at 12:59 PM

You would think we got nuked instead of a narrow loss. Boehner sure uses strong arm tactics on his own conference but not the dems.

arnold ziffel on December 6, 2012 at 1:06 PM

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