The GOP's hardliner: How Eric Cantor thwarted the Obama-Boehner debt deal

Cantor's stated resistance to a grand bargain freighted with revenue increases - and the perception that his position reflected the pulse of the GOP conference - likely influenced Boehner's decision to scuttle his pursuit of a "big deal" with Obama. Weeks earlier, Cantor's abandonment of the Biden-led negotiations were the death knell for those talks. Speculation about palace intrigue is a Washington tradition, but the rumored frost between the top two Republicans in the House could have significant impact on whether the two parties can craft an agreement to raise the debt-limit by August 2. That's particularly true if personal ambition leads either lawmaker to elevate political calculations over policy imperatives.

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On the surface, it would appear that there is a rift in the Republican party, but I have my own theory on this. I believe that the GOP is playing Boehner and Cantor as good cop - bad cop, in an attempt to extract as many concessions from Obama as possible. Failing that, they will do the deal. To Obama, this probably looks like bad cop - worse cop, though. LOL.

But, no matter what political games are afoot, a deal needs to be done, and if not, this is how it is going to play out - Independents will see Democrats attempting to compromise while Republicans remain intransigent, and will blame the GOP for the consequences of defaulting on the debt, which will be a political disaster for the Republican party. This is why I see the "Cantor-Boehner" rift as political gamesmanship, which will be put aside as the deadline draws near. Republicans may be ruthless, but they are not idiots.... Or are they? We will find out very soon.

Article is here.

Good. This scare tactic that we're going to "default on our debt" if we don't raise the debt ceiling is comical. We're not defaulting on anything.

I mean, it's not as if we're making payment with real money as it is. We don't have any money.

danarhea said:

On the surface, it would appear that there is a rift in the Republican party, but I have my own theory on this. I believe that the GOP is playing Boehner and Cantor as good cop - bad cop, in an attempt to extract as many concessions from Obama as possible. Failing that, they will do the deal. To Obama, this probably looks like bad cop - worse cop, though. LOL.

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Oh for God's sake....:doh Another of the partisan lines seep through as the denotation on your lean remains utter BS.

But, no matter what political games are afoot, a deal needs to be done, and if not, this is how it is going to play out - Independents will see Democrats attempting to compromise while Republicans remain intransigent, and will blame the GOP for the consequences of defaulting on the debt, which will be a political disaster for the Republican party. This is why I see the "Cantor-Boehner" rift as political gamesmanship, which will be put aside as the deadline draws near. Republicans may be ruthless, but they are not idiots.... Or are they? We will find out very soon.

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As usual lately Dana, you are buying into liberal talking points that are just not based in reality. Sorry.

This "Lucy and Charlie Brown with the football" gag that Obama and liberals are attempting here is exposed and no longer a viable tactic. This is Obama's choice not to act in good faith.

j-mac

I sincerely doubt that - Boehner knows 1 Trillion in tax increases won't get through the House, especially given the nature of so much of the "cuts" that we are finding out the President proposed.

To all but the hard-line right-wingers, the Republicans come out of this looking intransigent and uncompromising. This has GOT to make them a bit skittish since we are entering a MAJOR election season.

Regardless of what the anti-American people who think that defaulting on our debt doesn't mean anything, it does. It will cost us more to service the debt if our credit rating is downgraded. That means even MORE debt, not less.