Politico reported yesterday that House Speaker John Boehner is laying the groundwork for that most elusive of all chimeras, the “grand bargain” with President Obama before he steps down. Barring that, he’ll push through a clean debt ceiling hike. Either way, this ends four years of constant hostage taking of the nation’s—and the world’s—economy for short term political gain.
It didn’t have to be like this. At his heart, I don’t believe Mr. Boehner is a bomb-throwing nihilist as are the members of the “Freedom Caucus”. He’s been in Congress since the 1990s, and has a concern for the institution. He could have easily followed in the time-honored tradition of seeking to build coalitions with those across the aisle and sideline the radicals in his own party. He wouldn’t have gotten everything he wanted, but he would have gotten some of it, and the country would have worked much more efficiently.
But the fever unleashed with Pres. Obama’s election was too far gone to combat. No drug could cure it. A rump of GOP radicals, abetted by fellow-travelers, demanded nothing less than all-out war against the White House. Compromise wasn’t the way things were supposed to be done; it was defeatism and near-treason. And Mr. Boehner, either from weakness or calculation (or a bit of both), couldn’t stand against the tide. Thus we had shutdowns, and credit downgrades, and slower than expected growth because Republicans in Congress were more concerned with neutering the president than upholding their constitutional duties.
Mr. Boehner made the calculation that his political life depended upon placating the radicals. But nothing he could do would be enough for them. Anything other than bringing down the temple as did Samson would be betrayal. And thus, they took his political life.
Now free from that pressure, he’s going to ram through what he should have always rammed through, built on a coalition with Democrats. Good for him, at this late date. But that gesture is a drop in the bucket. Behind him he’ll leave a roiling storm, with no one on the Republican side able, at this time, to tame it. His legacy will be one of failure and missed opportunities. He could have joined with Pres. Obama to advance part of his own agenda, knowing as he did that compromise is the glue of politics. But he stood at the end of a long road, one of obstruction and nihilism, and he couldn’t do anything to change course.
What we’re facing now is complete dysfunction in the House, with every viable candidate for Speaker being vetoed by the Jacobins. The solution, of course, is for the remnant of Republicans who actually put country before party to join with Democrats and keep the country afloat until the 2016 elections. But the monster which they created will lash out in violence, and imperil their own political futures. This is a “Profiles in Courage” moment for that “Peter King” type of Republican. I hope they rise up to it.
White House.gov
1st!
(I’m almost there)
Congrats and happy Friday 😎
Hi GoBrooklyn, nice to see you. 😊
Hello, Ms. CarolMae. How are ya?
Wish I could say good but I have the blues.
Oh, so sorry. I wish I could help.
🏆 🏈 To you Don!
It’s all I got to give.
“What we’re facing now is complete dysfunction in the House, with every viable candidate for Speaker being vetoed by the Jacobins.”
Sir, that right there is some fancy writing. LL, you never disappoint.
I see what they did there…
BINGO!
Probably commenting too late for you to see this, but this toon is just….mmmwah (kissing fingertips and throwing into air sound) perfection!
Saved this to share with others. Perfectly illustrated.
Just like the “Che” shirt craze. LOVED when Colbert lampooned that a few years ago. So bummed I never bought one when they were for sale:
Good morning, TODers.
Our President is the best of the best.
Awesome post LL. You are a genius Leftist righteous wordsmith!
I’m probably late to this but just wanted to share this for anyone who hadn’t seen it yet. I
http://theyoungrens.com/blog/casa_de_youngren/the-day-we-met-the-president-the-lodge-at-torrey-pines-wedding/
LL - again, your brilliant KaBoom! Thank you.
http://earthsky.org/tonight/all-five-visible-planets-in-october-2015-night-sky (and the Heaven’s line up for VPB)
I’m dreaming about that line-up, MP! <3
Hey everyone, allow me to flog an AMAZING piece on TPV: http://www.thepeoplesview.net/main/2015/10/15/the-choice
One of the major branches of the world’s most powerful govt is paralyzed and corrupt msm is chasing benghazi, emails, gun nuts in oregon stories.
Hey, y’all!
How’s it going?
Hope you all have a great weekend.
Great job, as always, LL. 😉😉😊
Hey gobrooklyn! Peace and Blessings to you.
Peace and Blessings, Dakota. Thank you.
Trey Gowdy is a NO SHOW at the Benghazi hearing today.
Morning Everyone!
Great post LL!
In Canadian elections today’s update has Liberals and Justin Trudeau projected to win with 74% chance. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/globe-election-forecast-2015/article25377958/
Unfortunately, both the Libs and NDP have come out against TPP.
what happened to ndp? just a flash in the pan one time wonder?
LL your writing is superb! But you have big eyes that can see something I don’t. Boehner not a flamethrower? I beg to differ.
Well, relatively speaking.
What we need is a non-insane conservative party. That yin and yang is the stuff of democracy. The GOP is so screwed up that I honestly don’t know how we get there. As McCarthy said, the GOP may have to hit rock bottom before it rights itself.
And, further: There’s no guarantee that the GOP survives. Remember, the ONLY political party to survive from practically the birth of the Republic is the Democratic Party.
Sighs. From TPM:
A vice chairman at the Democratic National Committee on Thursday accused the committee’s chair, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), of lying about another official at the DNC, escalating a public tiff between Wasserman Schultz and two DNC vice chairs over the number of Democratic presidential debates sanctioned by the party.
I read that, R.T. Rybak was the other V-Chair. He is a straight shooter, but we really didn’t need the DNC to turn into a clown car like the other side. Excellent article LL. I am going to FB if it is OK with you.
A trazillion thanks LL!!!
Heads up!
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/10/16/press-conference-with-president-park-geun-hye/
Hello, Hello, Hello TODville Community.
Congrats Don on your Gold :star:
Congrats to all the other Gold :star: winners 3 posts back.
Great Thread, LL. As always, your essays are thought-provoking, superbly intellectual and profoundly easily digestible. Thank you.
I must confess, LL when I read one singular word embedded deep down the Thread; Neutered…….I lost my lunch. Thank you so much…..I think :lol: :roll: :lol: :roll: ;)
Last, congrats LL on your road to free ‘Spirits’
10-15-15
Josh’s presser from yesterday.
He was too set on only one thing-getting the president.
you are absolutely on point, LL.
good to see you.
Great piece, LL. Thank you.