One of the best arguments republicans had was the looming tax increases if the Bush tax rates were not renewed. Obama has steadfastly insisted that the rates would not be extended for those making over $250k, the evil rich who serve as the main target of his divisive demagoguery.
Many conservatives howled when the debt ceiling compromise extended the Bush rates until the end of the year, correctly predicting they would become a hand grenade for the president to use in the election. The compromise also contained cuts in both defense and domestic programs. Democrats astutely insisted on relatively large defense cuts, knowing republicans would never swallow them. Not when the few lobbyists who will write large checks to republicans all come from the defesne industry.
Now the obvious strategy for the republicans was to maintain a unified front that either all the Bush tax rates were extended or none of them were on the obvious ground that they were initially enacted as a package and they must stand or fall as a package. This could have been a powerful strategy, as it used obama's promise of vetoing any extension of the high income tax rates as leverage against him. If those rates go, everyone can welcome a big tax increase.
But no, that was too simple for the republicans. They always seem to be looking for a way to undermine themselves and backstab their supporters. Now the Washington Post has run an article with multiple republicans in powerful positions basically saying they will just give up on taxes if Obama is reelected, and certainly will if it means they will have to accept cuts in the sacred defense budget.
This could be the final straw that splits the party if they actually stage such a cravenly retreat. The newer Tea Party-backed congressmen will certainly resist. Perhaps it will be a good thing. Many of us are getting sick and tired of supporting republican idiocy through clenched teeth because the democrat alternative is so unthinkable. The old republican party of RINOs will quickly shrivel up and die, as it has no real support outside the defense and energy industries.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...948828-0330-11e2-9b24-ff730c7f6312_story.html
Many conservatives howled when the debt ceiling compromise extended the Bush rates until the end of the year, correctly predicting they would become a hand grenade for the president to use in the election. The compromise also contained cuts in both defense and domestic programs. Democrats astutely insisted on relatively large defense cuts, knowing republicans would never swallow them. Not when the few lobbyists who will write large checks to republicans all come from the defesne industry.
Now the obvious strategy for the republicans was to maintain a unified front that either all the Bush tax rates were extended or none of them were on the obvious ground that they were initially enacted as a package and they must stand or fall as a package. This could have been a powerful strategy, as it used obama's promise of vetoing any extension of the high income tax rates as leverage against him. If those rates go, everyone can welcome a big tax increase.
But no, that was too simple for the republicans. They always seem to be looking for a way to undermine themselves and backstab their supporters. Now the Washington Post has run an article with multiple republicans in powerful positions basically saying they will just give up on taxes if Obama is reelected, and certainly will if it means they will have to accept cuts in the sacred defense budget.
This could be the final straw that splits the party if they actually stage such a cravenly retreat. The newer Tea Party-backed congressmen will certainly resist. Perhaps it will be a good thing. Many of us are getting sick and tired of supporting republican idiocy through clenched teeth because the democrat alternative is so unthinkable. The old republican party of RINOs will quickly shrivel up and die, as it has no real support outside the defense and energy industries.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...948828-0330-11e2-9b24-ff730c7f6312_story.html
