“They think this is the only way to get Obama’s attention”
Republican leadership officials, in a series of private meetings and conversations this past week, warned that the White House, much less the broader public, doesn’t understand how hard it will be to talk restive conservatives off the fiscal ledge. To the vast majority of House Republicans, it is far riskier long term to pile up new debt than it is to test the market and economic reaction of default or closing down the government.
GOP officials said more than half of their members are prepared to allow default unless Obama agrees to dramatic cuts he has repeatedly said he opposes. Many more members, including some party leaders, are prepared to shut down the government to make their point. House Speaker John Boehner “may need a shutdown just to get it out of their system,” said a top GOP leadership adviser. “We might need to do that for member-management purposes — so they have an endgame and can show their constituents they’re fighting.”…
That will be a tough sell, says Chris Chocola, president of the conservative Club for Growth. “What’s more irresponsible: continuing on this path to fiscal ruin, or changing the path?” he said. “There is a high level of frustration, and a willingness to do something dramatic. They think this is the only way to get Obama’s attention.”
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Let. It. Burn.
BigGator5 on January 14, 2013 at 12:45 PM
Do it. Then pass a resolution for Obama to go F himself.
The Count on January 14, 2013 at 12:45 PM
Have they thought about using a muslim call to prayer to get his attention. I bet that would work.
Flange on January 14, 2013 at 12:48 PM
Give the people what they voted for. Stop trying to save stupid people from themselves.
HawaiiLwyr on January 14, 2013 at 12:50 PM
If only, if only these would follow with this threat? The r’s will get and is now getting the blame, so just go for it, please!
L
letget on January 14, 2013 at 12:52 PM
C’mon, why does everyone rush to “default!”? There’s no need, and it’s not legal per the Constitution. Just shut down the government. Prioritize interest payments, then Military, then SS/Medicare. And then watch as everyone fails to notice any negative impact from the absence of the other agencies.
Mohonri on January 14, 2013 at 12:54 PM
This. May all who brought Obama, then kept him, suffer into oblivion, especially may their progeny pitchfork them some day for their irresponsibilities. This applies to those on the right as well.
Schadenfreude on January 14, 2013 at 1:00 PM
Nice job, Politico, of parroting the left’s
talking pointslies.Not agreeing to raise the debt ceiling does not necessarily result in default or gov’t shutdown.
UltimateBob on January 14, 2013 at 1:00 PM
We need to stop these silly games. It’s destructive to the country and to the party.
What we need is to return to the system of passing budgets in normal order. The American people support it and it’s the right thing to do. Boehner should get Paul Ryan and the boys working on the budget process now. If the Democrats refuse to engage, then shut the government down until they do. I think that’s a fight that Boehner can win.
The debt ceiling is not such a fight, and I think Boehner should take it off the table. It’s too risky, and I have no confidence Boehner has the skill to win such a fight, especially after we got our credit downgraded after the first debt ceiling fight.
Outlander on January 14, 2013 at 1:01 PM
Libs keep saying that Social Security is self-funding and doesn’t add to the debt.
If that’s the case, why the fear-mongering about Social Security payments?
Why do conservatives never call them out on this?
Niere on January 14, 2013 at 1:02 PM
Shut ‘er down!!!
ButterflyDragon on January 14, 2013 at 1:07 PM
Shut down time
cmsinaz on January 14, 2013 at 1:13 PM
It is very simple. There should be no increase in the debt limit, no new borrowing, until the Senate produces and passes a budget.
Period.
novaculus on January 14, 2013 at 1:18 PM
“What’s more irresponsible: continuing on this path to fiscal ruin, or changing the path?”
The entire country should meditate on this question for a day. Or even a full week. I know my answer — continuing on this path is more irresponsible, no question about it. So, shut it down.
And unlike what Obama keeps threatening that the Republicans intend to it — default — we should keep paying interest on the debt. No default. Keep that promise. Other promises to ourselves, we’ll have to break, and/or print more money.
Which is more honorable, as a country, to break promises you made to others, or break promises you made to yourself? You keep the promises you made to others, and tighten your own belt. Because otherwise your word to others is trashed.
Paul-Cincy on January 14, 2013 at 1:20 PM
… whereas Obama has always said he’d default on interest payments on the debt in order to continue to pay out entitlements. He’s said that for years. That’s just dishonorable. Those are “Obama” values. That is the kind of nation he wants us to be. Default to others first, before considering tightening our own belt.
Paul-Cincy on January 14, 2013 at 1:23 PM
It’s not about the debt ceiling. It’s our financial structural problems. We’re broke. Raising the debt ceiling just prolongs the fantasy that we aren’t, and it increases the amount of pain when we do go bust. It’s like an infected leg. It can kill you the longer you put off medical treatment.
Paul-Cincy on January 14, 2013 at 1:26 PM
Piss on a Koran. That’ll get his attention.
The Rogue Tomato on January 14, 2013 at 1:30 PM
Rush was just saying and has for some time that bho will probably ask for a tax cut for the ‘middle taxpayers’ at his inaugration or sotu? Why doesn’t the r’s, both house senate, get ahead of bho as make the point first to take the ‘idea’ away from bho? Just to keep bho from getting the idea out first?
The paychecks for everyone is down and people are a bit ticked!
L
letget on January 14, 2013 at 1:46 PM