Will Obama and the Dems cave into Republican blackmail on the debt ceiling?

[Cali_Democrat]

Of course caving in will likely mean cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid etc. This is looking eerily familiar to the tax cut extension debate in late 2010.

So what do you think will happen as Republican attempt to hold the country hostage yet again?

[DCBob]

1. They will negotiate a compromise..

and it wont be even close to what the Rethugs want.

[Cali_Democrat]

6. What kind of compromise do you think we'll see?

Do you think we'll see serious cuts to Medicare and Medicaid?

[DCBob]

7. I suspect there is going to be a comprehensive laundry list of cuts and changes to many programs..

so as to spread the pain and not be "serious" to any one program. I am sure there will also be tax increase to the wealthy.

[Cali_Democrat]

9. Then Obama and the Dems should force the Republicans to put tax increases on the table

It's hard to even negotiate with these people when they won't even discuss tax increases.

[DCBob]

16. yeah, I know. they are so rediculously unreasonable on tax issues.

I think they will back down though since the vast majority of voters want that.

[emulatorloo]

14. NO

[Countdown_3_2_1]

2. Politicians are a craven and cowardly lot.

They will cave. Its in their blood.

Learn This: Professional politicians can never be counted on to uphold anything other than their personal interests.
Maybe its better to elect non-lawyers to office.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kolesar]

4. I vote "unrec"

[Champion Jack]

10. +1,000,000,000

[orpupilofnature57]

5. Other, Compromising with an incorrigible addict is ludicrous,but when

they have the thwart power ,and won't cooperate without larceny or misanthrope misery.All Dem's can do is remember the future and minimize the pain.

[Arkana]

8. I don't think it's physically possible to cave on the debt ceiling.

The country literally goes into economic DEFCON1 if the debt ceiling bill doesn't pass.

Also, the tax cut extension is far less injurious than potential cuts to SS or Medicare.

[pscot]

11. If the Repukes want to commit suicide

he should hand 'em the knife and step back.

[Cali_Democrat]

13. I think Repiblicans will cave if the the Dems stand firm

The Chamber of Commerce and Corporate America have come out saying that the debt ceiling should not be messed with. These are their main constituents after all.

Republicans are only trying to see what kind of cuts they can get even though they will likely vote to increase the debt ceiling anyways.

That's why it's important to stand firm IMO.

[pscot]

18. Absolutely

He should tell them there will be no concessions on spending cuts to get the debt ceiling lifted. If they vote against it they will own what happens next.

[msongs]

12. obama and dems will be strip mined as usual lol....all repub chits are expendable in their view to

get dems to give up stuff repubs then "win"

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. Not "will" but "when" would be the more apt question.

Of course, it will be decorated as a "necessary compromise" and "bipartisan effort" instead of the usual surrender.

[kath]

17. Of course they will cave - Dems always, always, always cave.

at least for the last decade or so. Barely a spine to be found among them. Sad but true. :-(

[Johonny]

19. I don't know

honestly Republicans have started at a line totally unacceptable. I can't see a compromise when Dems have started at a reasonable position but Republicans have started at a totally unreasonable one. The frank matter is, passing what the Republicans want to do is no worse for the economy that letting the debt ceiling pass. In other words doing nothing will cause no less harm. But it will be hard to sell the public on that. So... I don't know.