Over the Cliff We Go
In the Senate today--as I write this, it's still Wednesday here in California--Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican minority leader, did something remarkable: He invited Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic majority leader, to permit the chamber to vote on the administration's current budget proposal.
No filibuster. No objections of any kind. To the contrary. Sen. McConnell--I repeat--invited Sen. Reid to schedule a vote on the administration's budget--a vote that the Democrats, who control the chamber by 53 to 47, would have won.
Sen. Reid refused.
Sen. McConnell then delivered a remarkable speech. All eight minutes are worth watching, but just look at the way he begins:
When the two parties first sat down to discuss the so-called “fiscal cliff,” it was widely assumed among Republicans that President Obama and Democrats actually wanted to avoid it. That was the premise that any possible agreement hinged on. That was the common goal—or so we thought.
But over the past couple of weeks it’s become increasingly clear to many of us that we were simply wrong about that.
If the administration finally chose to negotiate in good faith, no doubt Sen. McConnell would still prove more than willing to do so. But if instead the administration insists on taking us over the cliff, Sen. McConnell wants us to know, the catastrophe will have taken place for that very reason: the President--not the Republicans but the President--will have insisted upon it.
Sen. McConnell can be saying this for only one reason: He has concluded that it may very well happen.
(With a nod to Conservative Wanderer, who put up a fine post on this event hours before I got to it myself.)
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Comments:
Nov '11
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
"Mitch McConnell of Tennessee"
I've always preferred Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, but I always get California and New York confused myself...
(Hey, you just edited the mistake out.)
Edited on December 6, 2012 at 7:33amRe: Over the Cliff We Go
The Cloaked Gaijin: "Mitch McConnell of Tennessee"
I've always preferred Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, but I always get California and New York confused myself...
(Hey, you just edited the mistake out.) · 18 minutes ago
Edited 17 minutes ago
It's late, and I've had a rough couple of weeks. But thanks for the catch (he said sheepishly).
Dec '10
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
Of course it's going to happen.
The Dems see no down side in it (that people may be hurt by it troubles them not).
They know that if they cram a deal down the Rep's throats they can crow about how the GOP is dead for a generation and the state run media will say exactly that every ten minutes.
They also know that if the Rep's balk, they can go over the cliff and then blame the GOP and the state run media will run with THAT meme.
Further, they know that even if it is THEY THEMSELVES who decline to do anything (even if the GOP was begging to cave in) and we go over the cliff, they can (and will) blame the GOP and the state run media will dutifully report THAT every ten minutes.
Continued . . .
Feb '11
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
McConnell can speak for eight minutes or eighty or eight hundred. No one is listening.
Feb '11
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
Sorry. System acting up (again) and double-posted.
Edited on December 6, 2012 at 8:03amDec '10
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
And the worst part is, of course, that the stupids amongst us (also known as Independents and Undecided Voters) will swallow it hook, line, and sinker, just like all the other lies they are fed day in and day out.
The average Obama voter is dumber than a sack of hammers, and he's made to look like a Mensa candidate when compared to the weapons grade stupidity that Independents have been known to engage in.
Of course we're going over the cliff, and that's just the overture. The BIG SHOW is yet to come (and God only knows what THAT whole mess will really entail).
We. Are. So. Screwed.
Shotguns and canned food people, shotguns and canned food.
As that guy in Hunt for Red October would say, "This business will get out of control. It'll get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it!"
Keep your eyes up and your heads down, it's fixin' to get sporty out there.
Edited on December 6, 2012 at 10:04amRe: Over the Cliff We Go
That guy in Red October:
Jun '10
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
Cool Hand, it's not that these people are stupid. They are simply trusting the media to be reasonably reliable.
Regarding our future, it all comes down to developing a strategy to take down the media. This is the low hanging fruit but it will take real courage to reach out and take it. I think that when this is all said and done we will see that the media was all the time a paper tiger -- but especially now that they have been unable to cover up their bias. Look how touchy Dan Rather was. All the others can be reached in the same way: simply attack their professionalism and their bias everyday.
Republicans and conservatives are so cowardly when it comes to the media. Our columnists are fearful because their jobs are affected by any collateral damage. They have to walk on eggshells when dealing with attacks of the kind that are necessary. They are deeply compromised, unfortunately.
Dec '10
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
Oh, I see. So not stupid, just more gullible than a 12 yr old girl from rural Utah.
IMO, anyone who trusts the media (pretty much any media anymore) IS stupid.
I'm tired of uninformed people steering the course of our nation and then being given a pass for idiotic judgement because they were too lazy or mentally inadequate to inform themselves before making their choice.
I may have to go down on the same ship as the fools who hit the giant island that could have easily been steered around, but I'll be damned if I'll coddle their feelings by not laying the blame at their feet (where it rightly belongs) while we do so.
Edited on December 6, 2012 at 9:59amDec '10
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
You've had that picture on stand-by for a while now, haven't you James?
Good 'ol Fred.
"Your average Ruskie doesn't take a dump without a plan."
Truer words were never spoken.
Myself? I never make a plan without taking a dump.
Mar '11
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
Peter Robinson
If the administration finally chose to negotiate in good faith, no doubt Sen. McConnell would still prove more than willing to do so. But if we go over the cliff, Sen. McConnell wants us to know, the President--not the Republicans but the President--will have taken us over.
Sen. McConnell can be saying this for only one reason: He has concluded that it may very well happen. · · 2 hours ago
Somehow Republican "intransigence and brinksmanship" will still be blamed, just as it has been over the last four years.
But good for Mitch McConnell: if the President's plan is such a good one, let's bring it to the floor and vote. Your move, Harry Reid. Silence.
.....And so over the cliff we go. And its going to get a lot worse before it starts getting better...
Mar '12
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
If it is the purpose of the Dems is to destroy this country, why would anyone be surprised that the president's recommendation would not get a vote in a Democrat-controlled Senate? There is what O says and what O does. Those things do not match up. Get ready for the next ride into fiscal madness.
Feb '11
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
Peter, I respectfully request that you find a different picture of Mitch McConnell at the end of this piece. The watery blue eyes and weak chin on display there do not show the Senator at his best... But the video clip is pretty good...
Jun '12
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
Monsieur Robinson,
It would be great if you'd check the Member Feed from time to time.
May '10
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
When you see our elected officials treating the taxpayers this way (versus their voters), it explains why gun sales are through the roof. Expect that trend to accelerate as we watch this slow-motion disaster in real time.
Edited on December 6, 2012 at 2:31pmNov '11
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
Krauthammer suggested last night that the President does not want to go over the cliff, at least in part because the Sec Def has threatened to resign if the severe defense cuts begin, and becauase the President will then own the problem. I don't know, but I do like seeing the GOP stand up, even if they do take the blame.
Edited on December 6, 2012 at 3:02pmSep '12
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
My problem with this entire situation is how did we end up with this rotten deal that created the cliff in the first place? Apparently when Boehner negotiated it last year he didn't make the cliff steep enough. Whatever the Dems gave up, it is apparently more than worth it in order to get the taxes hikes and defense cuts they want in any case.
Jun '12
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
Sandy: Krauthammer suggested last night that the President does not want to go over the cliff, at least in part because the Sec Def has threatened to resign if the severe defense cuts begin, and becauase the President will then own the problem. I don't know, but I do like seeing the GOP stand up, even if they do take the blame. · 0 minutes ago
Edited 0 minutes ago
All due respect to the esteemed Doctor Krauthammer, but he's dead wrong.
All signs point to Obama wanting to go over the cliff. Even his planned Hawaiian vacation during the negotiations.
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
Mitch McConnell seems a man of principle and very intelligent. Unfortunately, as I discuss in my post just below, Obama Labels Others With His Own Traits, the Obama team and their media manage to define "Republicans in Congress" as not only uncompromising and unreasonable, but radical. They have used the labeling and defaming tactic successfully for years to distort the Budget process.
May '11
Re: Over the Cliff We Go
Peter; I'm afraid I have to add my voice to the Greek chorus. Of course McConnell's position was laudable and his tactics astute but in the final analysis it will mean exactly nothing. If there is a deal, Obama will get the credit for saving the country and if there isn't, Republicans will be blamed for the failure.