GOP establishment strikes back

[luzribeiro]

While we're about dysfunctional institutions...

Boehner lashes out at conservative groups on budget deal

""They're using our members and they're using the American people for their own goals," an animated Boehner told reporters at the Capitol. "This is ridiculous."

OooOo, so the ante is upped now!

Hey, it seems likely even McConnell will vote

Comments

[dexeron]

"There might be some truth to the notion that this is the best possible deal for the GOP at this point (you know, "Take a step or two back before you leap a few steps forward", etc etc)."

See, that conclusion requires an attitude that sees beyond questions of ideological purity as the sole arbiter of worth, and a more mature view of politics that tempers idealism with realism. It requires that the voters of the base comprehend the nuances of a reality where strict purity tests and refusal to back down regardless of the situation are more damaging than the so-called "selling out" they've come to so dislike.

Yea, if the comments from certain peanuts in the gallery today are representative of a widespread opinion among the base, it's gonna get ugly in 2014.

[telemann]

[404]

I'm glad the Comedy Central rep has spoken for today.

[telemann]

You're welcome!

[htpcl]

That's the smartest stuff you had in store? Pity.

[cheezyfish]

This bill rests on more than the far right of the Republican party. Plenty of Dems have said that a lack of an extension for the long-term unemployed could cause the loss of their support. Some Republicans don't get what they want and don't vote for the budget, it is a civil war. Democrats don't vote for it, and what, its them being principled?

[soliloquy76]

I'm not sure if you're being deliberately obtuse, or if you're just not paying attention. Movement conservatives are primary-ing establishment GOP senators and congressmen who voted for a budget agreement in October that raised the debt ceiling and ended the partial government shutdown. Boehner tried to maintain the appearance of unity throughout the shutdown, and finally had enough yesterday when these outside groups and some Tea Party congressmen railed against the new bipartisan budget agreement without even reading it. It's not the beginning of the "civil war," but it's a noteworthy escalation.

This sort of public revolt against party leadership is the basis of the "civil war" analogy. When factions within the Democratic Party start holding primaries en masse against one another against the will of party leadership, then you might have a point.

[cheezyfish]

I'm well aware of the political in fighting between the Tea Party and the more moderate wing of the Republican party, but I'm not seeing it as much of a factor in terms of Republicans not voting for this bill. The likes of Freedomworks and The Heritage Foundation severely damaged their credibility during the shutdown, and this is evident in Boehner's comments. The house vote supports this assertion.

The assumption that the passage of this budget is resting solely on how much the Republican's listen to their Tea Party buddies is a faulty assumption. Republican's don't like the bill, Democrats don't either. Some aren't going to vote for it. Many will because not passing it will be bad for their party.

When factions within the Democratic Party start holding primaries en masse against one another against the will of party leadership, then you might have a point.

Probably going to be sooner than you think.

[the_rukh]

Why people do a thing matters? Shenanigans and tomfoolery!

[sandwichwarrior]

You do realize that the "Party of No" is what the opposition party is supposed to be don't you?

It's kind of in the job description.

[luzribeiro]

Yep, I'm aware that this is the case in American politics.

[cheezyfish]

It is important in any liberal democracy. It is what differentiates democracy from mob rule.

[luzribeiro]

False dichotomy alert! "The opposition either assumes the role of stopping any policy initiatives of the ruling party in their tracks -OR- Mobs with pitchforks and torches chopping heads at will OMGZ!" Metaphorically of course OMGZ!

Black-and-white worldview: it's the American way!