The Devil's in the details, but this is encouraging

[101A]

http://www.cnbc.com/id/49731550


Boehner Extends Olive Branch on 'Fiscal Cliff'

House Speaker John Boehner offered Wednesday to pursue a deal with a victorious President Barack Obama that will include higher taxes "under the right conditions" to help reduce the nation's staggering debt and put its finances in order.









Mr. President, this is your moment," Boehner told reporters, speaking about the "fiscal cliff (http://www.cnbc.com/id/49464221/?What_Is_the_Fiscal_Cliff)" that will hit in January. "We want you to lead."

Boehner said House Republicans are asking Obama "to make good on a balanced approach" that would including spending cuts and address government social benefit programs.

"Let's find the common ground that has eluded us," Boehner said while congratulating the president on winning a second term.

The Ohio Republican spoke a day after the president's clear re-election victory. He said conditions on higher taxes would include a revamped tax code to make it cleaner and fairer, fewer loopholes and lower rates for all.


The speaker noted that during one-on-one budget talks with the president in the summer of 2011, Obama had "endorsed the idea of tax reform and lower rates, including a top rate of lower than 35 percent," the present top rate.

"We're closer than we think to the critical mass needed legislatively to get tax reform done," he said.

Boehner did not specify what loopholes House Republicans might consider trimming. Nor did he take questions.







His comments were generally along the lines of proposals by vanquished Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney that also were vague on specifics. Still, the speaker's comments signaled a willingness to enter into talks. He suggested Congress could use its upcoming lame-duck session to get the ball moving on such a compromise.

"We can't solve the problem of our fiscal imbalance overnight...This is going to take time," he said.

[MannyIsGod]

The cynic in me says its Lucy. The optimist says that these guys are like the rest of us and tired of fighting.

[coyotes_geek]

Boehner at least sounds like he gets it.

[clambake]

they better try. their image is screwed.

[101A]

The cynic in me says its Lucy. The optimist says that these guys are like the rest of us and tired of fighting.

Lucy?

Oh, never mind. Got it.

What would possibly be the point? Election's over; cliff is real.

[boutons_deux]

"We want you to lead."

ie, "get your black ass to the cliff's edge, and I, Boner, will shove hard"

[ElNono]

IMO Boehner isn't necessarily the problem... Cantor is. But let's hope something is worked out.

[Drachen]

didn't cantor almost lose? Also, I saw this speech live and this was the biggest thing I zeroed in on. He said something to the effect of "If the president wants to talk about increased revenues he has to know that we need significant cuts to expenditures to shore up our entitlements".

I was like "did he just fucking open the door for increased revenues?!?!?!"

[coyotes_geek]

Cantor won big.

[Drachen]

ok, I thought I saw that it was tight last night.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

Boehner has never been the problem imo. He seemed very proactive since becoming speaker again in 2011 and was always willing to compromise with the president. What was holding the process up is tea baggers in congress.

[JoeChalupa]

Boehner at least sounds like he gets it.

I think he has before but caved to the pressure. He needs to stand strong against Norquist and get things done.

[JoeChalupa]

Boehner has never been the problem imo. He seemed very proactive since becoming speaker again in 2011 and was always willing to compromise with the president. What was holding the process up is tea baggers in congress.

I concur.

[coyotes_geek]

ok, I thought I saw that it was tight last night.

May have been at some point. Ended up 58-41 thought.

[scott]

The excise tax on tanning salons must be taking a toll on Boehner's wallet

[TimmehC]

Boehner should really just tell the teabaggers to fuck off if he can find a decent compromise and there's enough moderates with him to support it.

[Clipper Nation]

Boehner has never been the problem imo.

That bum helped Willard cheat at the convention, so he's definitely part of the problem...

[CosmicCowboy]

I swear, Boehner looks like he drinks more than I do and I'm sipping on a vodka/diet 7up in a buc-ees mug right now.

He has that bloodshot eye look like he really never sobers up.

[AntiChrist]

Damn, I thought this thread was about me.


Anyone seen AngelLuv?

[Winehole23]

DarrinS spoofing as the AntiChrist will do.

[Winehole23]

love how you adopted that avatar before you allegedly voted for Obama, btw.

[Winehole23]

lol buyer's remorse

[Winehole23]

you fucking liar

[Winehole23]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202370&p=6078640&viewfull=1#post6078640

[Jacob1983]

Where are the tears?

[Winehole23]

for what?

[boutons_deux]

Boner doesn't run the show because he can't deliver Cantor and 1%'s tea baggers to any compromise.

Any "compromise" bill out of the House will have extreme Repug (abortion, marriage) amendments, conditions that will fail in the Senate.

The blatant corruption and severe constipation of Congress, Senate's "anonymous" holds, etc, will continue, unchanged. And Repugs still run all the House (finance) committees, so defunding of ACA, FDA, SEC, etc, will continue.

[101A]

Boner doesn't run the show because he can't deliver Cantor and 1%'s tea baggers to any compromise.

Any "compromise" bill out of the House will have extreme Repug (abortion, marriage) amendments, conditions that will fail in the Senate.

The blatant corruption and severe constipation of Congress, Senate's "anonymous" holds, etc, will continue, unchanged. And Repugs still run all the House (finance) committees, so defunding of ACA, FDA, SEC, etc, will continue.


Nobody needs to cave to EITHER side's ideological purists. Those willing to compromise from the Republicans and Democrats can get something done - let the (relatively hanful of) purists dangle in the wind. The remainder just can't go Hatfield/McCoy. This is where leadership comes in. If they cannot get it done, it's not the "tea party's" fault - or those from the extreme left; they are just doing what they were sent there to do (presumably) by their constituents - they should have a voice, after all. BUT so should the moderates, the centrists, from BOTH parties (who represent the majority of Americans).

If it doesn't pass, it's on Boehner and Obama. They should be able to come up with something that 300 + members can sign on to - gives everyone cover. No more of this 219 bullshit.

[boutons_deux]

Nobody needs to cave to EITHER side's ideological purists. Those willing to compromise from the Republicans and Democrats can get something done - let the (relatively hanful of) purists dangle in the wind. The remainder just can't go Hatfield/McCoy. This is where leadership comes in. If they cannot get it done, it's not the "tea party's" fault - or those from the extreme left; they are just doing what they were sent there to do (presumably) by their constituents - they should have a voice, after all. BUT so should the moderates, the centrists, from BOTH parties (who represent the majority of Americans).

If it doesn't pass, it's on Boehner and Obama. They should be able to come up with something that 300 + members can sign on to - gives everyone cover. No more of this 219 bullshit.

very pretty theory.

In practice, the tea baggers (of which I know of no equivalent on the Dem side) won't compromise. They will adhere to/hide behind their pledge to Norquist, to their OT "God" (abortion, gay marriage).

My prediction of Congressional paralysis is based on recent past, and it's the best indicator of the future. Your theory is wishful thinking.

[101A]

very pretty theory.

In practice, the tea baggers (of which I know of no equivalent on the Dem side) won't compromise. They will adhere to/hide behind their pledge to Norquist, to their OT "God" (abortion, gay marriage).

My prediction of Congressional paralysis is based on recent past, and it's the best indicator of the future. Your theory is wishful thinking.

Tea party members are not even a quarter of the Republican caucus - leaving roughly 400 other members; should not be a problem to get something passed without their support. Again, leadership is required.

[Th'Pusher]

very pretty theory.

In practice, the tea baggers (of which I know of no equivalent on the Dem side) won't compromise. They will adhere to/hide behind their pledge to Norquist, to their OT "God" (abortion, gay marriage).

My prediction of Congressional paralysis is based on recent past, and it's the best indicator of the future. Your theory is wishful thinking.

Paralysis means the bush tax cuts expire and the sequestration proceeds. There is not a single person in congress who wants that to happen.

[DarkReign]

Tea party members are not even a quarter of the Republican caucus - leaving roughly 400 other members; should not be a problem to get something passed without their support. Again, leadership is required.

Fucking right. There will always be a fringe and its never bad to listen and understand them/it, especially considering they were elected by Americans to represent their interests. If after listening you come to the understanding that they are bat-shit crazy, its time to move on.

[z0sa]

Very encouraging. Let's get some shit done and stop being such hyperpartisan dumbasses.

[LnGrrrR]

I really don't see it happening. I've been reading the National Review for the past few days, just to see what the reaction would be. Do I see sober analysis? Questions about policies? Very rarely. Most comments are about how the country is overcome by takers, we're all doomed, we're going to become socialist Europe, etc etc. Even RedState diaries (though not their commenters) are more sensible. If the GOP, and the people that make up the GOP, are going to continue to whine about how they can't understand why anyone wouldn't vote for GOP, I just don't see their elected representatives getting it either.