Murkowski rejects GOP's debt-ceiling hostage strategy

[Redfairen]

Source: Maddow Blog/MSNBC

In 2011, during the original Republican debt-ceiling crisis, how many GOP lawmakers publicly balked at their party's hostage strategy? None. There were literally zero congressional Republicans willing to stand up and say, "Wait, this is wrong. We're making a mistake." Every single GOP lawmaker -- including the "moderates" -- simply went along.

With this in mind, arguably the biggest difference between 2011 and 2013 debt-ceiling crises is important: this time, there's a noticeable lack of Republican unanimity.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) became the first Republican senator to come out against using the debt ceiling as leverage for spending cuts, contradicting Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other Republicans who favor such a tactic.

In an interview with the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner published Tuesday, Murkowski said, "If you incur an obligation, you have a responsibility to pay for that." According to the paper, "Murkowski said spending cuts are crucial but shouldn't be tied to the debt ceiling debate."

Read more: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/15/16526453-murkowski-rejects-gops-debt-ceiling-hostage-strategy?lite

[immoderate]

1. Wasn't Murkowski elected as an Independent?

She may be a bit smarter than most Republicans.

--imm

[Redfairen]

3. She was elected as a write-in candidate.

She's been a Republican all along.

[immoderate]

10. Thanks. It's uncommon to take a senate seat by write-in.

I recall an incident when I worked for a newspaper that covered a number of small towns. In an off year, the entire council was up for re-election and running unopposed. The polls were dead, until just before closing when a few dozen conspirators showed up, and wrote in the names of their friends, and took over the City Council. "The price of liberty..."

But Senate is quite an accomplishment. Sorry for hijacking.

--imm

[mile18blister]

7. She was primaried by Joe Miller

Murkowski is a lot saner.

[Melinda]

2. Well smack my ass and call me happy...

'cause I couldn't be any more surprised.

[randome]

9. How about we just call you 'Happy'?

[judesedit]

4. Exactly.1 sane Republican't.They made the bills.Now they don't want to pay them.Congress controls $

They are at fault. Now Obama has to bail them out. I wish it were jail and he couldn't. They should all have to pay for their crimes against humanity, animals and this planet.

[bluestateguy]

5. It is not the Senate that concerns me

We can cobble 60 together for a clean bill, I think with all 55 Democrats, and 5 Republicans who are not insane. Or Harry Reid can use the nuclear option.

[Arctic Dave]

6. Murkowski is not a moderate or sane.

She knows Alaska is one of the biggest benefactors of federal pork.

This is pure politics.

She is a repuke hypocrite to the core.

[Blue_In_AK]

14. I agree with you,

but she is right this time, whatever her motivation.

[Berlum]

8. She's calling out her own RepubliWanker Party on their Dine-and-Dash degeneracy

RepubliWanker Family Values:

[think]

11. Thank you Senator Murkowski for siding with country over party

The GOP seems to think party over country is an appropriate strategy to achieve goals.

Most Americans I would assume do not. The GOP must have lost it's collective mind though if they think they can once again hurt America to further their own agenda without significant blow back.

[DallasNE]

12. In 2011 Republicans Thought They Had Momentum Following The 2010 Elections

Following the 2012 elections, where Republicans got their butt kicked, some Republicans understand that they overplayed their hand in 2011 and are now backtracking rather than doubling down. Murkowski was primaried in 2010 and survived only with Democratic votes as a write-in so loyalty for her is not so strong this time around. Gingrich shut down the government, not once but twice, during the 1990's and learned the hard way. Now we have a new group of know-nothings with short memories heading down that same failed path.

[rickford66]

13. how about this

If the US credit rating is lowered again, then the added interest costs should be paid for by raising taxes on the 1%. I don't think the 99% should bail out the hostage takers.

[Cha]

15. I'm glad she came out and said this.. means more

coming from republicon. She's obviously not a braindead teabagger.

[AAO]

16. A "debate" shouldn't be tied to the debt ceiling debate!

[Tx4obama]

17. Update: Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) has also come out in support of raising debt ceiling

http://www.alan.com/2013/01/15/susan-collins-joins-growing-gop-chorus-calling-for-raising-debt-ceiling/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/01/15/another-gop-senator-recognizes-the-inevitable/

[amandabeech]

18. Notice that the two responsible Republican senators are both women.

A woman's place really is in the house and the senate! Bella Abzug must be thrilled up there!

Hang tough, Sens. Murkowski and Collins.

Former Sen. Snow, maybe you retired too soon.