Boehner is Trapped by His Caucus

An old joke heard often in the Southwest ends this way: “It isn’t always your enemies that get you into it; it isn’t always your friends who get you out of it; but, when you are in it up to your neck, keep your damned mouth shut.” Unfortunately, Speaker John Boehner’s predicament confirms …

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Written by Steve Bell on Wednesday December 21, 2011

The New Payroll Tax Strategy

House Republicans have made a bid to boldly reverse their public relations disadvantage as gridlock over the extension of the payroll tax holiday and other legislation vital to the economy continues. For the past month or more, Republicans had been scolded as the bastion of the rich and …

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Written by Steve Bell on Monday December 12, 2011

GOP Should Act Like a Majority Party on Debt Limit

Upon hearing reports that Jim DeMint played a role in the House's failure to hold a vote last night on the Boehner Plan, I recalled an episode that occurred during the Reagan administration while the Republicans controlled the Senate.  I was interning with none other than Senator Christopher Dodd …

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Written by John Vecchione on Friday July 29, 2011

The Cost of the Crisis

The forcing of a debt-ceiling crisis seems likely to have permanent consequences, even if it is settled before Default Day, reports Bloomberg News : Conviction that lawmakers will fail sent rates on bills due next month to the highest level since March 31, data compiled by Bloomberg show. …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday July 28, 2011

Resume the Debt Debate in 2012?

So here's the new Republican debt-ceiling idea: Pass a $1 trillion increase in the debt ceiling joined to $1 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years, no revenues. That sounds dramatic. But $1 trillion in spending cuts over a decade is not as big a deal as it sounds, especially if you …

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Written by David Frum on Monday July 25, 2011

Obama's Weakness Made Debt Crisis Worse

In my latest column for CNN, I discuss how Obama's weakness in his negotiations over the debt ceiling have made the debt crisis worse. In my latest column for CNN, I discuss how president Obama's weakness in his negotiations over the debt ceiling have made the debt crisis worse: Why aren't …

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Written by David Frum on Tuesday July 5, 2011

GOP Gets Budget Cuts Even Without Shutdown

Over the course of the budget negotiations, the Republicans have managed to make real cuts in discretionary spending. Three quick thoughts about the possibility of a government shutdown which could happen on Friday if Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on a budget: 1. It’s probably not …

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Written by Eli Lehrer on Monday April 4, 2011