Overview for debt-ceiling

Boehner Can't Control his Caucus

At some point, Speaker John Boehner was going to have to show the most conservative members of his caucus that he would get work done in the House without them. Yesterday revealed that day has not yet come. The ramifications of the failure to pass the Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY12 in the …

Written by Steve Bell on Thursday September 22, 2011

Bachmann's Bad Civics

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Written by Andrew Pavelyev on Monday August 15, 2011

Not The Onion

This is the Washington Post's emailed bulletin report on the budget debate: Asked for single-word characterizations of the budget negotiations, the top words in the poll — conducted in the days before an apparent deal was struck — were “ridiculous,” “disgusting” and “stupid.” Overall, …

Written by David Frum on Monday August 1, 2011

Bartlett: End the Debt Ceiling

One consequence of the psychodrama over the debt ceiling is that we can now discuss how to remove it. In his column Bruce Bartlett reminds us that we have known since the 1950's that the debt ceiling doesn't reduce spending: While politicians and the general public believe that the debt limit …

Written by FrumForum Editors on Monday August 1, 2011

Seven Ideas for the GOP After Debt Day

In my column for CNN , I discuss seven ideas for the GOP to take up after the debt crisis has passed: 1) Unemployment is a more urgent problem than debt. The U.S. can borrow money for 10 years at less than 3%. It can borrow money for two years at less than one-half a percent. Yes, the …

Written by David Frum on Monday August 1, 2011

Too Soon Old, Too Late Wise

I wish my defense hawk friends at the American Enterprise Institute and the Weekly Standard had discerned before it was too late that a budget framework that calls for: (1) no additional revenues and (2) big cuts in discretionary spending, is not a hospitable climate for a robust defense budget. …

Written by David Frum on Monday August 1, 2011

Obama Fails His Test of Strength

Obama adviser David Axelrod offered up a sad little whistle through the graveyard after the debt ceiling deal: “In the short term, everyone suffers politically .... In the long term, I think the Republicans have done terrible damage to their brand. Because now they’re thoroughly defined by …

Written by David Frum on Monday August 1, 2011

Boehner's New Plan - Even Deader

A few thoughts on the implications of Boehner adding a "Balanced Budget Amendment" to his debt-ceiling bill (which would now require that Congress pass a BBA before a second debt-ceiling increase could take place early in 2012): Adding the BBA makes the bill very likely to pass the House. …

Written by Fred Bauer on Friday July 29, 2011

The Jerk Party

I’m not the first to make this comment , but the current debt limit debate shows what the Tea Party movement (which I once basically supported) really values: being a jerk. Speaker Boehner has a close-to-perfect voting record on conservative issues, is not terribly warm in person (heck, Newt …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday July 29, 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 …

Written by John Vecchione on Friday July 29, 2011

A Recovery Menaced By Dysfunctional Politics

In a time of fundamental uncertainty, what do we know for certain? No, that’s not a Yogi Berra kind of question. Timing of passage of an increase of some size in the national debt ceiling remains uncertain. Which side will blink first remains uncertain. Final form of the legislation …

Written by Steve Bell on Friday July 29, 2011

This is Scary

Early this morning, I had breakfast with a member of Congress—a person I like, respect, have donated to in the past, will donate to in the future, and know isn’t crazy. This man shares at least 90 percent of my views. He’s not a Tea Party Caucus member but is a stalwart in the conservative …

Written by FF Washington Insider on Thursday July 28, 2011

Watch: O'Donnell Loses Temper with Norquist

Lawrence O'Donnell yells at Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, over the debt ceiling on MSNBC 's Morning Joe . Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Thursday July 28, 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. …

Written by David Frum on Thursday July 28, 2011

States Will Be Slammed by Default

A federal default could cascade through state governments, forcing tax increases and budget cuts on local taxpayers. Medicaid budgets could be slashed. Federal money for unemployment benefits could halt. State colleges could lose federal grants. The Pew Center on the States reports that …

Written by Nicole Glass on Wednesday July 27, 2011

Do You Believe in Magic?

My new column in the Week (misattributed a few minutes ago to my estimable Week editor, Ben Frumin, no relation) praises the Boehner plan for its artful use of smoke and mirrors. Tea Party Republicans confront a party establishment unanimously representing the Boehner plan as a huge …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday July 27, 2011

Boehner is in Danger of Losing Caucus Control

Reports from the Hill indicate that House Speaker John Boehner and his staff are "re-writing" the Speaker's plan to pass an extension of the looming debt ceiling. That announcement, coupled with the serious objections of many in the House GOP caucus when the plan was first announced, reveals …

Written by Steve Bell on Wednesday July 27, 2011

Not Got the Votes?

Talking Points Memo summarizes the major internal opponents John Boehner faces as he tries and fails to whip the votes for his plan to raise the debt ceiling. It's the Chamber of Commerce v. Freedom Works. Also Sen. Lindsey Graham v. Rep. Allen West - although in the Graham-West case, each is …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday July 27, 2011

Bachmann Content to "Lead" From the Bench

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Written by Jay Gatsby on Wednesday July 27, 2011

Blame for Debt Talks is Divided

There is little evidence to suggest that either President Obama or House Speaker John Boehner gained much political leverage as a result of Friday night’s dueling press conferences or Monday night’s back-to-back speeches. If anecdotal evidence and public opinion polls are to be believed, the only …

Written by Les Francis on Wednesday July 27, 2011