Levin Expresses Dem Frustration With Obama And The Looming Debt Limit Deal

[chill_wind]

Levin Expresses Dem Frustration With Obama And The Looming Debt Limit Deal
Brian Beutler | July 31, 2011, 2:49PM


Speaking with reporters after Sunday's failed debt limit vote, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) criticized President Obama for not seizing the initiative and forcing a balanced plan for deficit reduction. He also explained the problems with and merits of a still-forming bipartisan plan that will raise the debt limit.

The key for now, as explained here, is that it avoids default in a way that assures deep spending cuts over the coming decades -- including to entitlement programs -- but provides no guarantees of higher tax revenues.

Specifically the plan calls for a new congressional committee to make and expedite tax and entitlement reform recommendations before the end of the year. If the reforms fail, early leaks suggest that would trigger across the board spending cuts -- including to defense and entitlements -- but no new tax revenue.

TPM asked Levin whether such an enforcement mechanism is threatening enough to force Republicans to deal fairly in future fiscal negotiations. "That's the issue, is to whether or not that sequestration mechanism will be so strong in the area of defense, for instance, or in the area of providers, because it would apply to the providers of health care in Medicare," Levin said.

It will not, we are told, apply to beneficiaries. And if it does apply to beneficiaries, if those cuts that would be the result of sequestration, if that applies to beneficiaries, I think the President will lose almost every Democrat....

from:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/levin-expresses-dem-frustration-with-obama-and-the-looming-debt-limit-deal.php

[jillan]

1. It would be pretty interesting if this deal doesn't pass because of the Democrats.

Don't get me wrong - the debt limit needs to be increased, but dammit - where is that shared sacrifice???

[chill_wind]

3. We're trying to compromise with snakes.

They're now trying to decide if they will sign on to the defense cuts trigger, after all.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1625008

[sasha031]

2. Senator Levin as always is a Statesman

when you have the old guard of your own party disappointed in you.

why could he not just used the 14th amendment

[bbgrunt]

4. If they are unhappy, it is time to take a different action--and stop bitching

[chill_wind]

5. Maybe they'll get a chance to read the *fine print*

of the actual bill five minutes before they vote on it. Let's hope so.