Obama says GOP will have to ‘budge’

[ProSense]

Obama says GOP will have to ‘budge’

By Steve Benen

President Obama has made several recent briefing room statements on the debt-reduction talks, but this morning’s Q&A was a little more important than the others. More specifically, the president drew some lines he definitely hadn’t drawn before.

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Early on, Obama was asked if he expects Republicans to make concessions on taxes. He replied:

“I do not see a path to a deal if they don’t budge, period. I mean, if the basic proposition is ‘it’s my way or the highway,’ then we’re probably not going to get something done because we’ve got divided government. We’ve got Democrats controlling the Senate; we probably are going to need Democratic votes in the House for any package that could possibly pass.

“And so if, in fact, Mitch McConnell and John Boehner are sincere — and I believe they are — that they don’t want to see the U.S. government default, then they’re going to have to compromise just like Democrats are going to have to compromise; just like I have shown myself willing to compromise.”

Later in the press conference, the president added, “I do not want, and I will not accept, a deal in which (the wealthiest taxpayers are) asked to do nothing.”

This was, as near as I can tell, the first time Obama has suggested that revenues are a prerequisite to any agreement. For Republicans who are committed to making no concessions whatsoever, the president’s willingness to draw a line in the sand, demanding that they compromise, was probably not welcome news.

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[creeksneakers2]

1. Obama needs to insist

that the Republicans vote on the package they want and pass the house with it. I wonder if the GOP would have the votes. They are all counting on Democrats to cave and provide them with political cover. How would the Republicans explain not having the votes?

Even if the GOP passed the house with their plan, the legislative process would be moved along, and Democrats would have the GOP votes on record to use in the next election.

The talks Obama keeps holding only encourage the GOP to think they'll get more out of the Democrats if the Republicans hold firm.

I'm glad for now that Obama decided to stick to his guns.

[Vincardog]

3. Obama needs to step the fuck back and let the Congress do its' job. His job is not to start with a

bad position and negotiate it to a worse one. He should say he will review any bill that passes the congress and sign it if it is in the best interest of the people of the USA.

[creeksneakers2]

5. Exactly!

[ProSense]

8. So

why didn't Congress do its job and send the President a health care bill with a public option?

Probably shouldn't use that example. Here's a better one: Why doesn't Congress do its job and fund closing Guantanamo?

His job is to head the executive branch not cede his authority as President to Congress. They are separate entities.

[creeksneakers2]

15. Congress voted on those things

They haven't voted on the GOP bargaining position. I'm told now that a substantial portion of the GOP won't vote for an increase in the debt ceiling under any circumstances. If Boehner can't come up with the votes to pass his own side, shouldn't that be known? Wouldn't that force Boehner to admit he needs Dem votes and compromise?

Anyway, Obama wouldn't be ceding his authority. He'd just be moving the ball down field, rather than spending the whole game in the huddle.

[vaberella]

6. The vote won't go through. The Republicans do have some level of power.

We can't just ignore it. And we can't say---pass what we want---that would work if we had majority of the vote.

[creeksneakers2]

16. No

I'm saying the GOP should be forced to pass what they favor through the house.

[CrossChris]

2. Well, as long as the GOP budges, I don't care what we have to give up.

I support this President regardless of what he says or does.

[infidel dog]

7. Ah yes, our invertebrate president...Ye gads, I swear the man was planted by the rethugs.

[kelly1mm]

4. 'Budge' to 3-1 or 4-1 cuts v. revenue. He really is standing tall there. nt

[bowens43]

9. and he is willing to give away everything we have fought for

for a bone that the cons will toss his way.

the man is a disaster.

[ProSense]

10. Hmmm?

What's "everything we have fought for"?

Got a link?

[TheKentuckian]

11. Budge off of zero. He was good to go at 4-1.

As long as he gets anything then they "budged". We already know they don't have to move a lot, just some because it isn't like the deal the TeaPubliKlans walked on is the end of the line.

[ProSense]

12. "As long as he gets anything then they 'budged'"

Yup, he sold out. Why even wait for the details? Everyone jump ship: the President sold out Democrats, seniors, all Americans. It's official, the Democratic Party is dead. Who do you think the Republican President will be?

Let's start a thread now: Obama did what???? Sigh!!!

[CrossChris]

14. If we do find out he's giving our gains away, will you come back and apologize?

Will you tell people you're sorry for degrading them when they were absolutely right?

I promise I will apologize to all of those who have said the worriers were overreacting if Obama stands his ground, and we DON'T have any cuts, or backdoor cuts to SS, Medicare, & Medicaid.

[Robbins]

13. UM

I am beginning to wonder If I underestimated Obama on these debt Limits.He may have offered Republicans a lot In exchange for raising
taxes on wealthy.This could Instead of being Political Suicide as I said In thread but a brilliant Political move.Obama comes off as
adult willing to make cuts In programs he cares about but Republicans come off as children unwilling to budge on Tax rates on the
wealthy and corporations.Let's remember the public has shown willingness to support raising taxes on rich.

Democrats and Independents see Obama as wanting to make the Rich pay their share In this economy while they see Republicans as only
caring about the Wealthy.And I don't the rich who control the Republican party are going to let the economy collapse.The Tea party
doesn't care but Romney's cronies do.

Just consider we got to this place by Independents voting to give Republicans the House last November.

[quaker bill]

17. you are on to something