The Norquist Strategy: Part 2 Starts In February

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 11:09:13 AM EST
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David Dayen:

This was the trade made in the Senate last night; the Dems will get legislative repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, a couple judges, and probably the new START Treaty, and the Republicans will get the chance to massively cut spending early in the 112th Congress. If I’m a Republican, I take that trade.

This all came about last night, when [. . .] Senate Republicans [. . .] informed Harry Reid that they would renege on their support of the $1.1 trillion dollar omnibus spending bill[. . . .] Reid suddenly didn’t have the votes for anything but a short-term continuing resolution, probably for two months until February 18.

Say what you will about the GOP, they do understand The Madman Theory of Political Bargaining and also know when they have chumps at the other side of the table.

< When "Tax Enthusiasts" Endorse The Bush/Obama Tax Cuts | The Race To Cut The Deficit Starts Right After The Bush/Obama Tax Cuts >

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The Norquist Strategy: Part 2 Starts In February | 19 comments (19 topical)

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Your point has never been (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by oculus on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 11:20:26 AM EST

clearer to me than today after reading what Boehner nad others are spouting after last night's vote. Why can't Dems take the upper hand?

No desire (5.00 / 2) (#6)
by waldenpond on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 11:57:14 AM EST

The majority of Dems are members of the oligarchy and are elected by the same exact people that elect Repubs.

Dems are an important part of the ratchet system. Conservatives pass middle class destroying legislation and the conservatives in the Dem party refuse to repair the damage.

I enjoyed the one Dem speaking out and saying they had not seen Obama fight for anything like he was fighting for the Bush tax cuts.


: i wish people would stop (5.00 / 2) (#15)
by The Addams Family on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 04:43:48 PM EST

calling them conservatives - they are crazed reactionaries

Spineless wonders (5.00 / 4) (#3)
by mmc9431 on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 11:24:36 AM EST

Chumps is too kind of a word to describe the new and improved Democratic Party.

It's been over a decade since I've seen them show any semblance of a spine. I can't think of a party principle or group that they haven't been more than willing to throw under the bus.

And for what? I've been a life long Democrat and right now I can't tell you what (if anything) the party stands for.

They aren't chumps (5.00 / 3) (#4)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 11:28:07 AM EST

when they really care about something.

They are chumps here, because...this...is....what....they....want. Don't mistake it for mere gullability. They don't win the kind of elections they win by being gullible.


: Crazy (like a FOX) or Stupid (as a Peacock)? (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by Ellie on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 01:02:05 PM EST

No need to limit the choice to one when the extreme top of both can gorge beyond the longest, wildest fantasy debauch since the Fall of the Roman Empire.
Letting "each" party take turns guarding the buffet helps their respective hordes get past that rancid red meat smell more easily.

Finally, someone raises the (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by inclusiveheart on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 11:28:16 AM EST

delay of the Omnibus spending bill in proper context!

Thx, BTD, that's why I read your stuff.

Yep (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by robotalk on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 11:59:33 AM EST

we're in for some rough times. And if you thought the last two were rough, well . . . .

But, but Obama can veto any cuts (5.00 / 4) (#9)
by BobTinKY on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 12:38:11 PM EST

he duisagrees with.

Oh yeah, that's the problem.

I think the food safety bill may be dead too (5.00 / 2) (#11)
by desmoinesdem on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 01:44:51 PM EST

because it was attached to the omnibus bill. They had to pass it in the House and then go back to the Senate because the first bill the Senate approved hadn't originated in the House.

: Looks like DADT too (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by waldenpond on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 03:25:22 PM EST

Corker said Repubs will walk away from Start if Dems don't dump DADT.
Also, Repubs are demanding 2008 funding which will exclude healthcare. No funding, which was the plan.
They do good work.

At least FDR gave us parks, trails and campgrounds (5.00 / 5) (#14)
by Mr Natural on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 04:14:47 PM EST

Not a stimulus for the rich.

And roads and other infrastructure, like the TVA (5.00 / 4) (#16)
by jeffinalabama on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 05:31:24 PM EST

not just campgrounds.


: And of course, social security (5.00 / 5) (#19)
by shoephone on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 07:05:58 PM EST

which Obama is on a mission to dismantle, in the name of bi-partisnaship.

Madman Vs. M(O)ron---no (none / 0) (#1)
by observed on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 11:16:30 AM EST

contest

Pretty optimistic (none / 0) (#8)
by jbindc on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 12:12:20 PM EST

This was the trade made in the Senate last night; the Dems will get legislative repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell....

Assuming they can actually get the vote in this weekend. If they don't make it - it's done.

BTD, I think the republicans are using this (none / 0) (#12)
by jeffinalabama on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 02:37:49 PM EST

method. However, the democrats have been using the Vichy model. If both sides used the same, the results would be different. It would transmogrify into a prisoner's dilemma.

Madman V. Vichy yields mad results.

i'd love (none / 0) (#17)
by cpinva on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 05:38:05 PM EST

to play poker with those guys.

: the MAD or the Vichy? (5.00 / 2) (#18)
by jeffinalabama on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 05:44:30 PM EST

One's quick, one's slow, lol.