At Boehner’s Request, He and Obama Negotiate Alone

[democrattotheend]

Source: The New York Times

WASHINGTON — At House Speaker John A. Boehner’s request, Senate leaders and Representative Nancy Pelosi have been excluded from talks to avert a fiscal crisis, leaving it to Mr. Boehner and President Obama alone to find a deal, Congressional aides say.

All sides, even the parties excluded, say clearing the negotiating room improves the chance of success. It adds complexity as the two negotiators consult separately with the leaders not in the room. But it also minimizes the number of people who need to say yes to an initial agreement.

...

This time, while Mr. Boehner has made himself the sole focal point, aides say he has made sure a broad leadership team is behind him. He meets every morning while the House is in session with the full slate of Republican leaders, as well as the committee chairmen who would most likely implement a deal: Representative Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, who heads the Budget Committee; Representative Dave Camp of Michigan, who leads the Ways and Means Committee; and Representative Fred Upton of Michigan, who heads the Energy and Commerce Committee.

White House officials have begun daily conference calls with the communications staffs of Mr. Reid and Ms. Pelosi. The White House communications director, Dan Pfeiffer, met with the Senate Democratic Caucus last week, and the director of the National Economic Council, Gene Sperling, spoke with the House Democrats late last month.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/07/us/politics/at-boehners-request-he-and-obama-negotiate-alone.html

---

Not sure what to think of this. I hope we don't learn of a deal to cut entitlements too late to act. On the other hand, maybe when it's just the two of them they will be able to negotiate more easily. For reasons I will lay out tomorrow (or sometime after exams), I have come to believe that a deal might still be the best option, even if it involves some entitlement reform, if it involves raising taxes on the rich and putting in place a mechanism like the McConnell rule to prevent further showdowns over the debt ceiling, for which the GOP will continue to extra huge cuts.

[msanthrope]

1. Boehner doesn't want anyone else to see him drunk.....

Seriously...the President is being courteous while he opens the Glenfiddich.

[bulloney]

22. Boehner and Obama are not alone. Boehner brings his pal Johnny Walker

The title to this thread reads like a George Thorogood song.

[Thor_MN]

25. Glenfiddich is out, according to Trump...

Trump is banning Glenfiddich because they named Michael Forbes to be "Top Scot". Forbes is the farmer who refused to sell his land to Trump. Trump's tantrum is now removing Glenfiddich from all of his properties. I've been sampling single malts over the last few years - I think it may be time to try a bottle of Glenfiddich.

[Myrina]

39. ... drunk, weeping and slurring ...

Hiccup!

[grasswire]

2. the question for me is this:

....is Obama stronger than Pelosi/Reid? I'm not sure about this.

[PoliticAverse]

5. Reid - the guy who accepted McConnell's word on the filibuster ?

Pelosi does seem to be on the left of Obama when it comes to entitlement 'reform'.

[msongs]

3. looks like boner won the election nt

[AnotherMcIntosh]

4. Please don't cave.

[wtmusic]

6. If Obama caves on the highest rate issue

...nah, not going to go there.

[jerseyjack]

17. Obama already indicates he is gonna cave on SS & Medicare.

It was on D.U. all day yesterday.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

30. I know. Outrageous, isn't it?

If Dick Cheney was the president and was saying that he was going to do this, virtually all of us would be upset by this.

If vote rigging had worked and Romney had been elected, almost all of us would be upset by this as well.

But if a President (whose former Chief of Staff called liberals "fucking retarded&quot has a big "D" after his name, there will be some who will engage in name calling and make excuses.

If you oppose this, get ready to be called a "purist."

[Myrina]

40. ^ This, +1000000

[Vincardog]

46. Call me a "purist" then.

[wordpix]

24. +100000

[dballance]

7. If Obama's Response to Just About Anything Boner Says

Isn't "Are you freaking serious? Remember you LOST the election by what was called a 'mandate' for W. Bush." Then I'll be very disappointed.

[The Second Stone]

8. Boehner is positioning himself as de facto head of the Republicans

and this implies that McConnell is in the way. I agree on both points. Boehner is the elected Speaker of the House and the highest ranking Republican in Congress. McConnell has only delivered hundreds of filibusters and can't control his loon squad. Boehner has rearranged his committees to his own liking. Not necessarily mine, but I'm not in his party.

Interesting.

[JDPriestly]

9. This is not good for seniors, but I can tell you that Boehner has lots of seniors

in his district. They will be furious if Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid are cut.

This is just not a good situation. Obama is going to have to be tough and I don't know how good he is at that.

[jerseyjack]

18. You are assuming Obama wants to be tough.

[dotymed]

31. If nothing else,

we'll find out how second term Obama is going to roll..
If it is not in the interest of the majority, we have to start making plans to field an FDR type of candidate for 2016. This will give us 4 years to prepare. We can't wait til the last moment (again) and choose the lesser of two evils from what our corporate masters allow us to choose from.

[DallasNE]

10. Hmmmm, No Mention Of Senate Involvement

That is sure to ruffle some feathers for sure. My guess is that it will not be a single bill but two, linked bills. One to deal with the revenue side and one to deal with the spending side. The Senate has already passed a bill dealing with the revenue side so I'm guessing the revenue bill will be similar with differences ironed out in a joint conference but following what emerges from this meeting. It could be as minor as spliting the difference on the rate increases but that trade-off will likely mean that Republicans don't get as much on entitlements as they want. Since Boehner sacked 4 people earlier it probably means that he can squeak by in getting the agreed to package passed. Obviously Cantor and Ryan signed off on these sacks. This move also reflects the fact that Boehner and Republicans are losing the PR battle and that is why he wants it off the nightly news cycle. But Obama and his advisors also know what the score is. What matters is not how things happen, but what takes place. Expect few leaks over the next few days.

[Jackpine Radical]

42. IIRC, fiscal bills must originate in the House.

[DallasNE]

55. That's Why I Said Two Bills

The appropriation (spending) bill must originate in the House.

[JI7]

11. does anyone think Boehner Cries to Obama about how the teabaggers and other

extremists in his party are and how they make it tougher for him ?

[LeftInTX]

44. Yep, that's what I think.

[SamKnause]

12. Meeting

You do not negotiate with someone who is advocating PROVEN FAILED policies.

Facts matter in negotiating.

Personal whims and opinions do not.

The wish list of the lobbyist you represent have no place in these negotiations.

Supply side economics has failed this country miserably.

Stick with the facts and do what has been proven to work time and time again.

Two people can not negotiate when one lives in an alternate universe that has no use for facts, data, charts, grafts, math, or undeniable proof.

[quaker bill]

13. Boehner has taken a few heads

To assure "loyal soldiers" on the committees. He wants a deal and he wants to show he can pull one off. A one on one meeting can be much more frank about what can happen. Boehner needs to prove that he can pull together a majority that can work with the President and a Dem Senate, or he is useless.

T-party fun and games are over. Their efforts to make the President a one termer failed, and it cost them seats in both houses. The move is on to put the crazy uncle in the attic. All Boehner wants is to be able to say he got something. What he is likely to get is a cut in Medicare based on savings from granting medicare the right to negotiate prescription drug prices that will reduce the costs of delivering the same services.

Obama will get stimulus spending, maintenance of the middle class tax cut, expiration of the Bush* cuts for the wealthy, and the debt limit authority. Boehner in fact does not want to re-do this discussion every 6 months over the debt limit, as each time presents an opportunity for the T-party caucus to flex its control over the agenda and makes Boehner seem less effective. The deal is that the T-party can have a show vote, but loses on the veto override, where they are just a minor rabble.

My personal connections to the R party leadership indicate that the power brokers have taken away a message from the election. Fun and games are over, they need to show up as capable of governing, or the voters will bench them in a bigger way in 2014.

[Bluenorthwest]

20. Ah. Personal ties with Republican mucky mucks. That's good to know...

They are all liars. Procede accordingly.

[quaker bill]

47. Not really

Some are just sort of regular people. You would probably be surprised, but some are just as normal as anyone you might meet. I actually work directly with elected officials of both parties as part of my job on a regular basis. Some in either party are just regular folks, some I would not trust as far as I could throw them.

[Kolesar]

21. negotiate prescription drug prices

That seems like a small victory for the gop. Big Pharma is not going to like that, either.

[nenagh]

23. +1000000

[Justice]

14. This is no different than the grand bargain negotiating - Boehner agreed to a deal then reneged.

[Sunlei]

15. Last year Boehner did the same thing, him alone and then quit that deal!

Any meetings should be recorded daily public record. Public benefits like Medicare/SS should be improved, cut the old un-needed military contracts, fraud/unneeded medical contracts, contract for less expensive medications anddd let the Bush tax breaks for the wealthy expire.

The wealthy have made trillions off those tax breaks, enough already!! stop the bleed of America!

[cstanleytech]

28. If he wants he and his party want to commit seppuku who are we to argue with them?

[FailureToCommunicate]

16. Drama Queen... or back room deal...

Either way this has a whiff of something rotten in that fiefdom.

[Bluenorthwest]

19. Last time the Orange One made a deal and then backed out of that deal...

and yet he's setting all the terms alone in a room with a President who used to speak of 'transparency' in government? With only one Party represented from the Hill? Where is the 'bipartisanship' in shutting the Democrats out of this?

[JoePhilly]

26. Boehner doesn't want his side to hear what he's offering until its too late.

[onehandle]

29. Exactly. Boehner can't have the tearacists anywhere nearby if he wants a successful deal. nt

[janx]

41. Exactly.

And there's going to be quite a brouhaha when that happens (as if there isn't one already).

[fascisthunter]

54. lol

[cstanleytech]

27. I wouldnt object to some changes in the social programs to be honest.

Not saying cuts in service but rather make it even more so that they get coverage based upon their assets and or income and yes assets should in some cases count the family home, after all someone with a place worth $1,000.000.00 probably doesn't need as much assistance as someone who owns a place worth $70,000.00.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

32. What are these "some" changes?

"Some" changes lead to more changes. Making changes is what politicians do. Making changes leads to campaign contributions. And opportunities for additional financial rewards.

Prior to Reagan, Social Security payments were received tax-free. Reagan lowered Social Security payments under a trick by which he made 50% of Social Security payments subject to taxation when a threshold was met.

That trick wasn't the last time that it was used.

Bill Clinton used it again to reduce Social Security pay-outs. When he used it, he made 85% of Social Security payments subject to taxation when a threshold was met.

"Some" changes? At a minimum, Obama is going to follow the lead of Reagan and Clinton and reduce Social Security payments further by making 100% of Social Security payments subject to taxation under the same conditions.

[cstanleytech]

50. Just because some poor changes have been done does not and should not = none should be made though.

If we followed the logic that all changes are bad we would still be living in caves and eating uncooked meat.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

53. If we followed the logic that a Grand Bargain will result in good changes, we will see changes made

in the direction of reducting benefits and privatizing Social Security.

[cstanleytech]

56. Yes but I am not saying we should privatize the programs

nor would I support such an effort.
Rather I am saying that some changes may need to be made and that we should remain open to finding ways to make it so the programs can provide at least the current level of service they are providing if not better for those using the programs while making those with the means pay a more fair share.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

58. I realize that you are not saying that SS should be privatized. But if we look at what Reagan did

by putting the nose of the camel under the tent and using a means test to make 50% of Social Security benefits taxable, inflation has cause a great many people to satisfy the means test and and have their Social Security benefits reduced by being subject to federal taxation.

Once the nose of the camel was under the tent, Clinton then reduced SS benefits by adopting the same approach and reducing SS benefits by making 85% of SS benefits subject to taxation. Once again, inflation has made it easier for many people to have their SS benefits reduced by meeting the means test.

Once again, I fully expect Obama to reduce SS benefits further by raising the 85% number to 100%.

The problem is that those who want to change SS start out with one means test, compromise, then change the formula, then change it again.

The SS cap should be removed. Not modified. Removed. IMO, all estates in excess of $5 million should be subject to a 100% tax as long as we have endless wars plus hungry and homeless people in this country.

[Nihil]

33. Blackmail? Threats? Plausible deniability?

Strikes me as an odd request to make unless there was something that
*really* had to be kept out of the light for some reason ...?

[bemildred]

34. What I think:

Last edited Fri Dec 7, 2012, 12:16 PM - Edit history (1)

1.) Obama is calling the shots (hence, no senate, no Pelosi) and rightly so. He is the leader of the unified Democratic Party.

2.) The issue is getting Obama's bill out of the House, perhaps with something to shore up Boners position as Speaker. Obama needs a functional House, which can only come from a cooperative Republican faction working with the Democratic minority.

3.) If Boner succeeds, gets a deal, there is going to be a war next week in the Republican Party. Blood on the floor, yelling and screaming, thumps and bruises.

4.) We wont be told unless there is an agreement.

[ancianita]

35. This is the "in development" phase for the script of the bribe-to-vote ratio theater that's ahead.

If De Mint's gone to a private sector house where he can further fight against disloyal red dogs with the Kochs, then this is the kind of position he and his ilk put any minority party in when that party needs to reform in order to actually govern for more than just donors.

Let's hope the "quiet rooms" approach gets Obama's daughters' and Pelosi's approval. I myself distrust this blatant mafiosa negotiating style.

[2Design]

36. not good 4 obama - boner lies and will not tell the truth

[olddad56]

37. Is this how the process works? two people work out a deal in a back room?

[bucolic_frolic]

38. The outcome to financial markets is baked in the cake

America will spend less.

Fiscal cliff, mini-fiscal cliff, Grand Bargain, horsetrading ...
America will spend less.

I expect a market surge on any deal, then reality will set in.

America will spend less.

And down the market will go.

I do expect a horsetrading deal, as in temporary 2-3 year
elimination of the Bush tax cuts on wealthy income earners.

Both sides trying to be patriotic and trying to save face with
their own base.

Not sure the House will pass it. But ... there's always the Speaker's
prerogative of passing by voice acclamation. Boehner might do it
to put the Tea Party in its place.

[former9thward]

52. Acclamation is only allowed when there is unanimous consent.

A voice vote can be overturned if a member requests a roll call. The House and Senate do have acclamation votes but they are on non-controversial matters.

[kaspar411]

43. Don't Get Him Alone He'll Start Crying Again

[Katashi_itto]

45. NEWS FLASH: Boehner Hurls himself thru oval office window.

" I don't know what happened." Stated President Obama, brushing glass from his hands. "I was sitting there, and he suddenly got up and started screaming, "....the horrible spoons!" and hurled himself through the window."
The president shook his head.

"However, negotiations must go on. I am ready to see Mconnell now....alone...in the west garden shed. You know, the one that has the chainsaws..."

[DCBob]

48. This sounds like good news to me.

Clearly these two are most critical players and they know what will and what wont fly with their people. I think this will result in deal.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

51. I don't believe that there is any deal that we can trust the GOP on, and

any deal will have to be accepted by a wide range of the Republican infested HOR. If Boner could make the deal he would make it in public so anything that come out of this meeting will have to be approved by a majority of the Republicans or it will fall apart.

I' not sure what Boner is up to, but he doesn't have the American people's interest in mind.

[underpants]

49. Just wait him out until about 5:15 and he will be sweating for a drink

and will agree to anything

[southerncrone]

57. Cuz he's afraid Nancy will make him cry.