Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBoehner, unable to lead, waits for Senate rescue
Boehner, unable to lead, waits for Senate rescue
By Steve Benen
House Speaker John Boehner had a strategy: strike a deal with President Obama on looming fiscal deadlines, get it passed, and look like a competent policymaker capable of governing. That plan fell apart last week when Boehner's own allies forced him to scrap the negotiations.
So, the Speaker came up with a new strategy: pass a plainly ridiculous "Plan B," send it to the Senate, dare Democrats to defeat it, and avoid blame when everything fell apart. That, too, crashed and burned when Boehner couldn't convince Republicans to have his back.
Left with no "Plan C," it's come to this: hope the Senate can figure something out.
If you're thinking, "Wait, this doesn't make any sense," you're not alone. For one thing, the Senate already acted, passing a bill to freeze lower rates on income up to $250,000, and the House GOP leadership is choosing not to take up the Senate version. For another, there's a Democratic majority in the Senate -- are Harry Reid and his caucus expected to just guess what kind of plan can generate some modicum of Republican support?
Speaker Boehner looked rather pathetic last week when his own caucus -- which he ostensibly leads -- betrayed him and ignored his own fiscal plan, but his new tack adds insult to injury. The nation's most powerful Republican is, in effect, telling the political world, "I tried, I failed, and now I'm out of ideas. Maybe the other party in the other chamber can save the day."
- more -
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/12/27/16189329-boehner-unable-to-lead-waits-for-senate-rescue
By Steve Benen
House Speaker John Boehner had a strategy: strike a deal with President Obama on looming fiscal deadlines, get it passed, and look like a competent policymaker capable of governing. That plan fell apart last week when Boehner's own allies forced him to scrap the negotiations.
So, the Speaker came up with a new strategy: pass a plainly ridiculous "Plan B," send it to the Senate, dare Democrats to defeat it, and avoid blame when everything fell apart. That, too, crashed and burned when Boehner couldn't convince Republicans to have his back.
Left with no "Plan C," it's come to this: hope the Senate can figure something out.
After a high-level telephone conference call, House Republican leaders called on the Senate to act but opened the door to bringing to the House floor any last-minute legislation the Senate could produce.
"The House will take this action on whatever the Senate can pass, but the Senate first must act," said the statement issued on behalf of Speaker John A. Boehner and his three top lieutenants.
If you're thinking, "Wait, this doesn't make any sense," you're not alone. For one thing, the Senate already acted, passing a bill to freeze lower rates on income up to $250,000, and the House GOP leadership is choosing not to take up the Senate version. For another, there's a Democratic majority in the Senate -- are Harry Reid and his caucus expected to just guess what kind of plan can generate some modicum of Republican support?
Speaker Boehner looked rather pathetic last week when his own caucus -- which he ostensibly leads -- betrayed him and ignored his own fiscal plan, but his new tack adds insult to injury. The nation's most powerful Republican is, in effect, telling the political world, "I tried, I failed, and now I'm out of ideas. Maybe the other party in the other chamber can save the day."
- more -
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/12/27/16189329-boehner-unable-to-lead-waits-for-senate-rescue
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
2 replies, 807 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (3)
ReplyReply to this post
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Boehner, unable to lead, waits for Senate rescue (Original Post)
ProSense
Dec 2012
OP
ProSense
(116,464 posts)1. Kick for
the "most powerful Republican"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101787799
WI_DEM
(33,497 posts)2. Boner has proved to be a highly incompetent Speaker who cannot control
his own caucus. I wish he would be thrown out.