Boehner takes sequester victory lap

[ProSense]

Boehner takes sequester victory lap

by Jed Lewison

Rank-and-file Republicans might be lamenting the economic impact of sequester spending cuts in their home districts, but that isn't stopping House Speaker John Boehner from declaring victory for forcing austerity upon the nation:

House Speaker John A. Boehner said Thursday that his decision to allow billions in across-the-board budget cuts to take effect is forcing President Obama to recalibrate his approach to taxes and government spending, but he acknowledged that it was a strategy born out of limited options.

“We forged a new tactical plan that focused on using our limited leverage to maximum effect in support of the reforms needed to support economic growth and job creation for all Americans,” Boehner (Ohio) wrote Thursday in an Easter week message to fellow House Republicans.

“Republicans may be the minority party in Washington — but because we forged a plan together and have stuck to it, our actions as a team over the past couple of months have made a difference for all Americans,” Boehner wrote.

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As Greg Sargent points out, Boehner's real goal with the sequester was to force President Obama to propose replacing the sequester with nothing but cuts to social insurance programs. That hasn't come close to happening—and never will.

The biggest concession Boehner has gotten is President Obama's offer to include the chained CPI Social Security benefit cut in a "Grand Bargain" to replace the sequester, but Obama's offer was contingent on Republicans agreeing to revenue increases as well as defense spending cuts—and as everybody knows, Republicans have repeatedly ruled out such a deal.

It's clear that Boehner is trying to make lemonade out of lemons.

The GOP effort to blame the sequester on President Obama (remember #Obamaquester?) failed miserably, so Boehner is trying to spin the sequester as a positive. But when you see Michele Bachmann telling everybody who will listen that she's against the sequester because it hurts "the most vulnerable among us," it's clear Boehner is playing a losing hand.

To be fair to Boehner, he's not the only incoherent Republican, however. At the same time that members of his conference are whining about the impacts of the sequester back home, they're voting not just to the sequester permanent, but to add another 10 percent spending cut on top of it.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/03/29/1197820/-Boehner-takes-sequester-victory-lap

Boehner and Republicans is responsible for the cancellation of the WH tours, inflicting harm on struggling Americans and this:

Local Airport Closures Cause GOPers Sequestration Anxiety
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022573364

Clearly, Republicans are confused and despicable assholes.

[sunwyn]

1. What an asshat....I am so glad to see someone running against him. I truly hope to help oust

him He has been the Rep in my district since '90. Doesn't say much for the intelligence in this area.

[ProSense]

3. Yup, glad he has a challenger. n/t

[AndyA]

2. The sequester has to be having an impact on Republican voters

Do the Republicans in Congress really expect to get their votes? We've seen how the right wing will change its mind when they are impacted personally. I have to wonder if the GOP will lose votes because of this.

It's hard to stand on your morals and principles, whatever they may be, when you are bearing a hardship. This alone may motivate some Republican voters to see the light, and stop voting against their best interests.

[Wounded Bear]

4. Two weeks ago, the sequester was Pres Obama's idea and fault....

Now it's Boehner's victory?

Wow. Just fucking wow.