Pope Norquist Rules That Revenue-Positive Tax Reform Violates His Pledge

[DonViejo]

By Matthew Yglesias | Posted Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, at 2:48 PM ET

One part of the ongoing budget farce in Washington has been a lot of dancing around the idea that maybe Republicans would agree to a plan that raises tax revenue without raising tax rates. Frustratingly, reporters have spent a lot of time querying Republican Party elected officials about this (they give cagey answers) rather than asking the person who really matters: Grover Norquist.

The text of the no-taxes pledge that he gets all Republicans to sign is terse and like all good elements of holy writ could be interpreted in different ways. But the Pope of the supply-side cult himself has weighed in and says this doesn't work for him:

“If you raise taxes, it’s a problem with the pledge,” Norquist says in an interview. “Romney’s plan was always revenue neutral – I’m in favor of getting rid of deductions and credits and reducing rates, as long as it’s revenue neutral. That’s always been the Republican position.”

No tax reform.

This is why in practice things get a lot simpler if you just go "over the cliff." With the new baseline in place, basically everything the White House has proposed counts as a tax cut rather than a tax increase. That doesn't mean Republicans would just say yes to anything Obama put on the table. But it does mean that they at least could say yes. You can do tax reform, you can do a big bargain, you can do whatever. But you need to change the baseline first. It's not logical for so much to hinge on the baseline rather than the policy outcome, but that's how religion works. Its mysteries can only be truly understood by those who have faith. To those of us looking in from the outside it all seems arbitrary. But the details matter.

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http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2012/11/16/norquist_nixes_tax_reform.html

[wryter2000]

1. This ahole is fading into oblivion

Right behind Karl Rove.

[liberal N proud]

2. I am tired of Grover Norquist running Congress

Let's let the people run Congress for a change!

[onehandle]

3. History will not be kind to this petty DICKtator. nt

[yellowcanine]

4. Blue State Republicans, "What is this pledge you speak of?"

[Comrade_McKenzie]

5. Last I checked... Norquist was never on any ballot...

His relevance is an illusion.

[Turbineguy]

6. Of course

Anything that helps the US violates his pledge.

[Dubster]

7. Spam deleted by gkhouston (MIR Team)

[Kingofalldems]

8. Hey Grover, remember election night? Looky here:

[Retrograde]

9. And who elected him again? (n/t)

[Filibuster Harry]

10. Chicken shit Rs. Won't even stand up to this one guy. He has them wrapped around his finger.

[mkell33]

11. good and bad

The Grovster could help fill up the good guy's 2014 coffers for a run at the house -- keep it up Grover. Rubio is about to denounce him I bet. He's sooo sensitive. Other than that -- if you just hate him, show it by just ignoring him - that is the ultimate slam for a dude like that because it says he is irrelevant. Just a thought.

[Warren DeMontague]

12. Grover- Tough shit, buddy. One way or another, they're going up.

Bush cuts will expire. Waaaaaaah!

[Mz Pip]

13. Poopie head

Take your ball and go home.

[Drahthaardogs]

14. Why is anyone taking anything seriously from a man named GROVER?

Bert made me sign a page that said I would be kind to pigeons and Cookie Monster has a pledge sheet that no one shall, under any circumstances, increase taxes on cookies.