The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
Mickey, from the last episode of Left Coast/Right Coast, doling out advice on how Congressional Republicans should handle the trio of upcoming fiscal confrontations--the debt ceiling, sequester cuts, and the continuing resolution to keep the federal government running:
Here’s my brilliant solution for [Republicans], which is pass a bill that puts off the debt ceiling for a month – or a month and a half – so that it’s after the other two crises [the sequester and the continuing resolution to fund the federal government]. Then you cut the deal on the sequester crisis. Then you cut the deal where it’s easier, where Obama can’t say, “you’re taking our country’s credit rating hostage,” and the Republicans escape the blame for being these irresponsible crazies who want to take the country’s credit rating hostage. And you always hold out the threat that if Obama doesn’t cut a deal on cuts, then the credit rating crisis is down the road and maybe the public will be on your side. You pass that thing and then they’re happening in the order that you would prefer them to happen.
And this was more than two weeks ago, before this idea had taken hold in the mainstream. Today, it will pass into law (with a longer time horizon). From Reuters:
A measure to extend the U.S. debt limit for nearly four months moved closer on Tuesday to a vote and the White House said the president would sign the bill if it cleared Congress, easing uncertainty that could have threatened the U.S. economy.
The debt limit "suspension," which would allow the government to borrow money until May 19, is due to come to a vote in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives on Wednesday without amendments...
President Barack Obama "would not stand in the way of the bill becoming law," White House spokesman Jay Carney said earlier at a briefing. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has similarly expressed approval.
The administration and some Democrats made clear on Tuesday they would prefer a longer-term reprieve from having again to seek an expansion of the nation's borrowing capacity. But the White House welcomed movement on the contentious issue, which has financial markets worried about a self-engineered U.S. debt default.
Not everyone thinks was such a brilliant tactical gambit, however. Here's how FreedomWorks' reaction, sent via e-mail this morning, begins:
This is simply amazing. Fresh off their epic defeat in the so-called “fiscal cliff” deal, House Republicans are once again preparing to surrender to President Obama’s irresponsible, irrational Progressive agenda. Instead of fighting for taxpayers, the House is set to give Obama a “clean” debt hike - meaning no spending cuts or reforms are included - in the next few hours. That’s a dirty way to run a country.
What do you think? A clever move by Congressional Republicans that allows them to have these upcoming debates on more comfortable ground? Or a sign of legislative spinelessness?
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May '10
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
I think that we keep hearing how the GOP will fight next time.
Next time never becomes this time.
Nov '12
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
Bryan G. Stephens: I think that we keep hearing how the GOP will fight next time.
Next time never becomes this time. · 5 minutes ago
'The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday—but never jam to-day."
Jul '10
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
For the GOP, today is always a good day to compromise one's principles. They'll never have to answer for it because they'll promise to make their stand tomorrow, and tomorrow never comes.
Jul '10
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
I would have more confidence in this "GOP leadership as grand master strategists" idea if they had ever shown the capacity to ever win anything. They can't even get agreement within their own caucus to pass legislation, so forgive me for being skeptical they could pull off any type of larger moves that require that kind of sophistication.
Feb '12
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
There's really no way to tell whether it will be a tactical retreat or a full retreat until the GOP starts holding some ground. I'm forced to agree that the debate is better without the debt limit being on the table. And it seems the more issues on the table, the more obfuscation is possible by the left, but all this is academic, and the left will probably conjure up some more smoke and mirrors to cloud and/or re-frame the issue.
If the GOP doesn't actually fight on the budget reforms then it's just legislative spinelessness, and if history is any teacher on the subject, it seems that it will again be legislative spinelessness sold as clever tricks.
Dec '10
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
They're just picking what they will be blamed for when (if?) they hold a position and try to get the dems to compromise on something. So far, there hasn't been a crap sandwich they're willing to take a bite from. I don't really see their tastes changing in the near term.
May '12
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
If republicans hold the line for spending cuts when the current CR's expire they will have credibility, but given their penchant for larger government that is hard to imagine.
Dec '10
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
According to Fox, the bill passed out of the House with a provision "that would suspend lawmakers’ pay if they don’t pass a budget by April." That seems like something.
Jan '11
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
Well Mickey Kause is a lib, a democrat - so this makes sense.
Can I give some advise to Obama & the Dem's now?
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
Put me down for two cheers for the House GOP here. I'll post more in a minute, but this was part of the way to a solution that positions them for 2014. To those who want cuts RIGHT NOW, I ask, which is more important, spending cuts in January rather than April, or preventing Speaker Pelosi 2015?
Mar '12
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
Stupidity, thy name is GOP!
http://ricochet.com/member-feed/Are-Republicans-this-stupid-Am-I-wrong
May '10
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
These don't strike me as mutually exclusive. I think the GOP just lucked out that the spineless move also happens to be tactically advantageous at the moment.
Nov '12
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
Schrodinger's Cat: Stupidity, thy name is GOP!
http://ricochet.com/member-feed/Are-Republicans-this-stupid-Am-I-wrong · 6 minutes ago
Thinking about Yair Lapid's new centrist party in Israel, Yesh Atid ("there is a future"), your note makes we wonder if the GOP should be renamed "Eyn Atid" ("there is no future").
Edited on January 23, 2013 at 8:34pmMay '12
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
I recall hearing in August 2011 about cuts and responsibility that never came and I hear the refrain over and over.
Which is worse - Speaker Pelosi or Speaker Boehner? I can't tell the difference. At least she is a little easier on the eyes and tells me to my face she is going to spend Bernanke's printed money as fast as possible.
Feb '11
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
"Suspend." That doesn't sound like "they don't get paid." More like "they'll get all their back pay when that provision expires."
May '10
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
They're morons.
In an ideal world, Republicans would eventually figure out that the liberal media will abuse them regardless of what they do (so they might as well do the right thing). In the real world, Republicans stubbornly delude themselves into thinking their PR depends more upon their actions than upon the presentation of those actions.
Under what circumstances do Republicans think they will not be accused of hurting the elderly and the poor while gutting police budgets, fire department budgets, and veteran benefits?
Well said, Bryan.
Feb '11
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
So, all this capitulation is for...a shot at the gavel? Really?
I'm really with the first few comments. Can you actually point to a time when all this beltway-Republican machiavellianism has paid off?
Jun '12
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
They have never fought for anything conservative, and I will not hold my breath that they will now. They are kicking the rather well dented and crushed can farther down the road again. House now should pass a bill with real cuts (real in the sense that programs actuall get less dollars than last year, not just a smaller increase), get rid of duplicate and wasteful programs, send it to the Senate where it will likely die, or be ammended into something Harry likes, then refuse to consent to the reivsed disaster, until a major portion of it is implemented. I will believe it when I see it. Not really likely in my view, inflation is always the politicians way out, since it gets rid of debt by makeing the dollar worth less (Take the space out when you have had enough!)
Dec '10
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
Israel P.
"Suspend." That doesn't sound like "they don't get paid." More like "they'll get all their back pay when that provision expires." · 26 minutes ago
Good catch. According to business insider, the money gets put in escrow until a concurrent resolution is passed or the end of the congressional term, whichever comes first. I still see the latter as more likely, although the concurrent resolution is just an agreement between the houses as to which appropriations bills will get sent up, it still doesn't get a damned thing out of the senate.
Apr '11
Re: The GOP's Top New Strategist: Mickey Kaus
Micky Kaus is full of good advice and the Republican party would do well to listen to him. The Debt Ceiling is a fools fight. As long as Americas credit rating hangs in the balance with it the GOP has no choice but to raise it. I mean seriously!
Sequestration is strange and confusing, no one in the public knows what it is, how it works or why it is happening. Nothing will be gained in that fight.
Really the Continuation fight is where it is at. We need a budget! A budget will wipe away sequestration. You need to force Obama and the Dems to tip their hand and prove how profligate they are to everyone. I think this is the Republican's strongest ground. If we don't make a stand there I think there is no hope for the party.
People know the government is spending too much, a budget process will show everyone just how much and on what. People will be forced to declare their spending priorities. Taxes are done with. All that is left is the spending.