GOP has again moved goalposts for budget compromise, Dems say

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/gop-has-again-moved-goalposts-for-budget-compromise-dems-say/2011/03/03/AF5wrIkC_blog.html

GOP has again moved goalposts for budget compromise, Dems say
By Greg Sargent


With a government shutdown looming and budget talks apparently at a standstill, Democratic aides are accusing the GOP of moving the goalposts for compromise yet again.

A senior Senate Democratic aide tells me that in today’s private meeting at the White House, Speaker John Boehner signaled to the President and to Harry Reid that Republicans were not willing to support any budget compromise that can’t garner the votes of 218 Republicans in the House. That would be a break from the GOP’s previous posture: Republican leaders had appeared willing to reach a deal that could pass the House with Republican and Democratic support, even if it meant losing some Republicans.

Harry Reid is expected to make an accusation along these lines today when he speaks to the press, the aide tells me, though this could change, depending on fast-shifting circumstances.

snip//

UPDATE II: Harry Reid, speaking to reporters just now, went public with this charge, claiming:

“We thought for several days that we were very close to an agreement, but the meeting at the White House and the negotiations over the weekend really indicated to me and I think most people who are watching this that the leadership in the House is being guided by the tea party. They’re saying they won’t agree to anything unless they get 218 Republican votes. We all know that’s a nonstarter. We couldn’t have passed the last short-term C.R. if that were the case. We have been willing to compromise at $73 billion. Our problem is, we cannot agree to take all that from domestic discretionary spending. This $73 billion was the Republicans’ original proposal. So I guess they were for it before they were against it. But now they’re moving the goal post again.”

[tanyev]

1. America held hosTEAge.

[Cali_Democrat]

2. Of course they've moved the goalposts

That's what they do. You meet them halfway, and they'll just move further to the right. Compromise with these people is impossible. They aren't interested in compromise. They're only interested in their plutocratic agenda.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

3. Democrats need to take some responsibility for this. Had they attempted to pass a budget

before the midterms last year, we may have avoided this.

The Republicans/Teabaggers really do want a shutdown. They just do. And their argument will be that they provided a plan while the Democrats shifted that responsibility.

Once again, the Rethugs play offense.

[Stoic]

4. Wash, rinse, repeat

Why do we get mad at the Republicans for gaming the Dems EACH AND EVERY TIME. Every time this happens the Dems need to go out and Kick A Hippie. Oh wait, that's what they do.

[PragmaticLiberal]

5. I can't believe I'm saying this but

I actually feel somewhat sorry for Mr. Boehner.

I know the Tea Party has to be driving him crazy.

[Life Long Liberal]

7. He brought it on himself.

[Life Long Liberal]

6. I think Obama will say "no more" soon.