The 'Grand Bargain'
Diane Ellis, Ed. ·
Jul 21, 2011 at 12:22pm
The news coming from Capitol Hill this afternoon is making me terribly nervous:
President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner are making a last-ditch effort to strike a grand bargain on slashing the deficit and raising the debt ceiling, days after that idea appeared to be dead, according to people familiar with the talks.
After weeks of winding negotiations, the White House and GOP leaders are discussing a deal worth more than $3 trillion with changes to entitlements and a promise to do tax reform, the sources said.
A few thoughts:
- It is a rare occasion indeed on which opposing partisans walk out of shady back room negotiations with something worthwhile.
- What does "worth more than $3 trillion" mean? Does that mean $5 billion in cuts, $2.995 trillion in taxes? Whatever it means, that figure seems awfully low compared to every other plan we've heard about in the past few weeks.
- Any guess as to what "a promise to do tax reform" could mean? Back when I was in middle school, the smart aleck phrase du jour was "let's not, but say we did." My guess is that a "promise to do tax reform" is politico-speak for that exact concept.
- I still have an ounce of hope that Boehner won't let us down. His twitter feed response to the NYT's allegations that Obama and Boehner are close to a major budget deal: "False"
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Comments :
Aug '10
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
Boehner gets re-elected every two years right ?
He looks like a stand-up guy. One legged stools aren't. The house is only one leg of a tripartite bargain, of any description.
"Grand" doesn't readily come to mind in that swamp.
Jul '10
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
Diane Ellis, Ed.: ...
I still have an ounce of hope that Boehner won't let us down. His twitter feed response to the NYT's allegations that Obama and Boehner are close to a major budget deal: "False"
The "narrative" that has been getting pushed hard is that the Republicans are throwing away offers of everything they wanted over a few measly, infinitesimal tax increases. The NYT is providing their usual cover fire for the inexcusable and unsustainable.
Apr '11
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
Ah, the McConnell plan - looking better & better every stinking minute!
Jun '10
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
The Republicans never really had a chance. Boehner can only be as strong as the weakest links in the Republican congressional chain--a chain that should be on the defective products recall list. But Obama can be every bit as strong as his teleprompter feels like being this week--no limits there. If the Republicans cave, it's about what I expected.
Mar '11
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
I heard an interview with Grover Norquist. He seemed to state that the McConnell plan was the least bad option. It does not raise taxes on its face and requires the President to put actual plans in writing that could be scored by the CBO, thus owning his ideas.
Oct '10
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
Any "Grand Bargain" that does not emerge from a constitutional republican Grand Strategy will be a Grand Compromise!
Oct '10
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
It may be grand politics but not fiscally or constitutionally sound statesmanship.
Edited on Jul 21, 2011 at 1:12pmMar '11
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
We left both fiscally and constitutionally sound policies behind with the 2008 election and likely quite a bit before that
Dec '10
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
Boehner tells Rush that the story is FALSE.
Bob Costa passes along audio of Speaker Boehner talking to Rush Limbaugh just moments ago. Boehner assures Limbaugh that there is no deal with the White House, “publicly” nor “privately.” Boehner says his focus remains on urging the Senate to pass “Cut, Cap, and Balance.”
That would contradict just about everything else I’ve heard on and off the record today, for what it’s worth. And indeed, if you listen to what Boehner tells Rush about “keeping the lines of communication open” and having “failsafe” plans in place, it sounds a lot like he’s just being careful not to say what everybody knows — that “Cut, Cap, and Balance” is a dead letter — before it actually goes down in the Senate.
Jul '11
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
I enjoyed Peter's comments on the podcast regarding this. I am also of the opinion that the largest battle of our adult lives will be fought in early 2013.
Mar '11
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
This relates to Rob's thread on trust - I am building up some trust in Mr Boehner, expecting it to be shattered at any moment. But, so far, he has exceeded my expectations.
Cut, cap and balance remains our best hope. Sure, it won't go anywhere, which is why I disagree with Claire's thread on the debate. The Presidency is everything.
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
I actually find Aaron Miller's post on McConell's plan over on the Member Feed to be pretty compelling.
I don't buy that the McConnell plan effectively allows Republicans to wash their hands of the putrid package we eventually get stuck with.
Jul '10
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
Diane Ellis, Ed.
I actually find Aaron Miller's post on McConell's plan over on the Member Feed to be pretty compelling.
I don't buy that the McConnell plan effectively allows Republicans to wash their hands of the putrid package we eventually get stuck with.
McConnell's plan makes Republicans explicit accomplices in whatever madness Obama perpetrates. It is a profound abdication of duty and leadership.
Mar '11
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
Whatever comes out of all these talks and negotiations will likely be no good. The President is being framed as the moderate, adult in the room. However he refuses to put anything in writing or before the people.
Any plan that puts the President on the spot has to be better then letting him demonize all options but present nothing himself. You cannot run an effective campaign against nothing or contrast your ideas against a blank slate. Contrasting moderate republican ideas against a blank slate is partly how we got the current President.
Mar '11
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
I am not really a big fan of the McConnell plan but I at least understand how it became the plan of last resort.
Dec '10
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
A couple of things:
When the House Passed CCandB, Obama ran to the microphone and claimed the Senate's Gang of Six (GOS) had a deal coming out. Chambliss of Georgia (interview on Hannity/radio), said that deal includes zero language about the debt ceiling and only addresses the debt, itself. He went out of his way not to call Obama a liar, but he let the factual difference rest in the open. Chambliss also said that CCandB passed out of committee to the floor, today, in the Senate, which implies there would now be a floor vote, if Reid doesn't somehow stop it.
This is useful background, when you hear about "deals" that are imminent. I would guess that Reid will do anything to keep CCandB away from a floor vote in the Senate, with 23 Dem Senators up for re-election next year. That may be what is driving the flurry of (probably fake) activity on the Hill, today. Obama and Reid need something, anything, to emerge as an alternative to a floor vote on CCandB. Were the Senate to somehow pass it, Obama would have to veto it and then have his fingerprints on something.
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
Boehner has not failed us yet. He has been, in fact, remarkably firm -- given the conduct of the Republicans in previous Congresses. I am inclined to trust the man until he gives me reason not to. That much he has earned.
Dec '10
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
Reid is taking the tack of forcing a rush vote on CC&B tomorrow (Friday). He doesn't want to give Democrat Senators time to waver.
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) said Thursday he intended to cut off debate on a Republican budget plan, forcing a vote Friday rather than Saturday as had originally been expected.
Calling the legislation as "weak and senseless as anything that has ever come on the Senate floor," Reid said that he would move to a vote that he was "confident" would dispose of the legislation Friday.
Jul '11
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
I think this issue involves some pretty skillful moves by Boehner inside closed doors but not in the PR world. Obama will never agree to a deal that helps this country, choosing instead to demand that his massive fed expansion must be pandered to. There are enough votes to keep Obama from getting what he wants but nowhere near enough to do what the country needs. Too bad the cameras cannot see the sausage making in DC
Dec '10
Re: The 'Grand Bargain'
So that's true; it did pass out of committee, which means it had to have had enough Democratic votes to get out, as they are the majority on the committee.
Ignoring Reid's strategy and statement (as one should), this is probably what is driving all of the rumors, today. My Senators are Rubio (no problem) and Nelson (problem), but I will waste some of my time, tomorrow, to call Nelson's office. Please do the same for yours.
Meanwhile, if Chambliss was being completely forthright during the interview (and it appears that he was, about CC&B), then perhaps he was correct that there is not a word in the GOS deal that has anything to do with the proposed raise to the debt ceiling. That would mean that Obama flat-out lied when he took over the microphone at the WH press briefing and announced the imminent deal coming out of that process.
That would still mean that the only two plans that are in writing are CC&B and the McConnell punt; Republicans negotiating against themselves.
Please call your Senator's offices.