Thank you, John Boehner!

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It was just Thursday night and yesterday morning that I was resigned to another sellout by President Obama.

Once again, although negotiating from a position of strength, Obama was just about to sign onto a deal to give the Republicans what they wanted while holding out for what, exactly? Pretty much nothing. The terms of the deal were vague, but they clearly included slashing Social Security and other expenditures in exchange for some vague promise to raise revenues in the future. Like in the middle of campaign season next year, right when the R's were going to need to prove to their base that they held firm on no tax increases, ever.

Senior House GOP aides they had reached a tentative agreement on cuts of $300 billion to Medicare over 10 years and reductions of between .25 percent and .50 percent in program spending over the next 10 years. These savings were to be achieved by raising the eligibility age, increasing premiums and co-payments and other measures.

There was also an understanding the White House would accept up to $125 billion in 10-years savings on Medicaid and the children’s health insurance program. Those agreements, GOP aides said, did not shift and represented what they hoped would be the foundation of significant entitlement reform.

And remember, there was no reason for Obama to agree to this. The polls show us that Obama was winning this issue with the American people: they realized that the Republicans were to blame for the crisis, so Obama should have had the upper hand.

And still he wanted to cave.

But then John Boehner rides to the rescue. With his “fuck you” letter to Obama, Boehner rescued Obama from himself.

Because nothing is enough for the Republicans.

So instead of cursing yet another capitulation by the Democrat we worked to elect, we are cursing the Republicans, and thanking them for their loyalty to their wealthy patrons above all else.

6 thoughts on “Thank you, John Boehner!”

  1. with the last graph. They aren’t being loyal to their wealthy patrons. Quite the opposite:

       Adding an unusual twist to the political maneuvering, GOP aides say that wealthy donors have approached Cantor to push tax increases. […]

       A few wealthy donors have called Cantor to tell him they wouldn’t mind if their taxes are raised. During two closed meetings this week – one with vote-counting lawmakers, and another with the entire conference – Cantor told colleagues that some well-heeled givers have told them they’re willing to pay more taxes. Cantor, according to an aide, has responded that House Republicans aren’t standing up for the wealthy, but rather for the middle class, who want to see their taxes stay low.

    Republican leadership’s loyalty in this case is pretty clearly to the tea party and the grover norquist pledge. The wealthy aren’t stupid. If the republicans force a default, the economy will crash and the wealthy will lose money. A lot of money.

  2. the tagline for his presidency to date:

    Obama should have had the upper hand.

    Slow motion economic train wreck,very frustrating.

  3. when the only way our “hope and change” President looks good is when compared to the appalling alternatives.

  4. Jack – don’t get your hopes up.   Most of the deficit reduction package will be social spending cuts, and he’s talking about means-testing Medicare.   There will be little, if any, revenue increases, despite the fact that tax cuts are the bulk of the deficit.  Then, when the debacle is over, Obama will give us another condescending lecture about being grown-ups, not “playing games,” etc.

    I read a very good description of Obama’s negotiating strategy – begin on the 50-yard line and then move in the opponent’s direction.

    We’ve already lost; the only question now is how badly.

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