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In reply to the discussion: Lawrence O'Donnel: Obama DOES play 3 deminsional Chess !!! [View all]DirkGently
(12,151 posts)71. Translation: "Give in to Republican hostage taking." Not a win. Not even close.
Obama characteristically chose the risk-averse path, so well never know for sure. But theres good reason to think this was his chance to break the fever without risking a meltdown, because Republicans were in a similar position once before and lost badly. Just over a year ago, House Republicans tried to block the extension of the payroll tax holiday, awkwardly opposing a middle-class tax cut. The condemnation, including from fellow Republicans, was so severe that they quickly folded. Given the scope of the tax increase in the fiscal cliff, that reaction would have been amplified severalfold.
Instead, Obama relented, thereby setting up a triple-threat showdown that dwarfs the cliff. Two months from now, the debt limit, the expiration of the continuing resolution, and the automatic spending cuts known as sequestration all kick in at once.
Obama has chosen to keep navigating the same minefield as before in pursuit of a comprehensive deal. Its a different strategy than was employed by the last Democratic president to strike a big budget deal. In 1995, Bill Clinton stared down Newt Gingrich and let the government shut down. Two years later, the fever having broken, the two signed an accord that ultimately balanced the budget.
Instead, Obama relented, thereby setting up a triple-threat showdown that dwarfs the cliff. Two months from now, the debt limit, the expiration of the continuing resolution, and the automatic spending cuts known as sequestration all kick in at once.
Obama has chosen to keep navigating the same minefield as before in pursuit of a comprehensive deal. Its a different strategy than was employed by the last Democratic president to strike a big budget deal. In 1995, Bill Clinton stared down Newt Gingrich and let the government shut down. Two years later, the fever having broken, the two signed an accord that ultimately balanced the budget.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/editorial/2013/01/03/obama-inexplicable-budget-flinch/G3IlpIS5sWmDcNVlXkZlDI/story.html
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And how do you suppose he would have been able to get the House to extend long term unemployment?
SunSeeker
Jan 2013
#50
Meh, who cares. He got what he could get and it was still a lot better than I ever hoped to see...
phleshdef
Jan 2013
#40
Hate to be picky but so many people don't seem to know the difference between deficit and debt
Bandit
Jan 2013
#65
The 'pukes' governance and mantra are holistically despicable and putrid in their entirety
indepat
Jan 2013
#66
lol..."what Obama promised" is so 2yrs ago...progressives know crazy congress exist
uponit7771
Jan 2013
#7
Lawrence is very optimistic... that Pres Obama will carve out revenue from tax loopholes...
nenagh
Jan 2013
#8
yes please tune in, it's like ODonnell opened the curtain on Obama's political cunning GOP look like
uponit7771
Jan 2013
#5
The Obama-Hater strikes again! Don't you get a little tired of being so petty all the time? nt.
OldDem2012
Jan 2013
#46
Exactly what makes him a partisan shill. He's D.C. establishment all the way.
DirkGently
Jan 2013
#70
Gone over the cliff and leave 2 million Americans without Unemployment Insurance.
nenagh
Jan 2013
#41
Riiiiggghhhhttt! Screw over a couple of million folks who could no longer get their unemployment....
OldDem2012
Jan 2013
#49
Translation: "Give in to Republican hostage taking." Not a win. Not even close.
DirkGently
Jan 2013
#71
Democrats won on NO spending cuts and raising taxes on those who should be paying more...
OldDem2012
Jan 2013
#63
The World is the winner having Barack Obama as President in their hour of need.
graham4anything
Jan 2013
#54
It's still "rich" by any sane since, the disgusting thing is 250k is top 3%!!!
uponit7771
Jan 2013
#67