Boehner done with negotiating with Obama

[Mycroft]

Boehner tells GOP he’s through negotiating one-on-one with Obama

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is signaling that at least one thing will change about his leadership during the 113th Congress: he’s telling Republicans he is done with private, one-on-one negotiations with President Obama.

During both 2011 and 2012, the Speaker spent weeks shuttling between the Capitol and the White House for meetings with the president in hope of striking a grand bargain on the deficit.

Those efforts ended in failure, leaving Boehner feeling burned by Obama and, at times, isolated within his conference.


In closed-door meetings since leaving the “fiscal cliff” talks two weeks ago, lawmakers and aides say the Speaker has indicated he is abandoning that approach for good and will return fully to the normal legislative process in 2013 — seeking to pass bills through the House that can then be adopted, amended or reconciled by the Senate.

"He is recommitting himself and the House to what we've done, which is working through regular order and letting the House work its will,” an aide to the Speaker told The Hill.

Read more: Boehner tells GOP he

FINALLY!!

In my opinion, this was Boehner's biggest mistake.

We have a legislative process in government and the President has no direct role except to provide leadership (ie, direction) and to either sign or veto whatever legislation comes to his desk.

 

[PerfectStorm]

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Bob N]

FINALLY!!

In my opinion, this was Boehner's biggest mistake.

We have a legislative process in government and the President has no direct role except to provide leadership (ie, direction) and to either sign or veto whatever legislation comes to his desk.

In my opinion, the lawmakers have always worked with a sitting President during budget talks. Boehner is just trying to wash his sins away by telling his constituents that he is going back to the way he should have been to begin with. I don't think it's going to work, the damage has already been done and the stain will not wash out. :spank:

 

[American]

FINALLY!!

In my opinion, this was Boehner's biggest mistake.

We have a legislative process in government and the President has no direct role except to provide leadership (ie, direction) and to either sign or veto whatever legislation comes to his desk.

I'm done with Boehner.

 

[ThePlayDrive]

LOL. No he's not.

 

[specklebang]

Boehner completely out-negotiated Obama and won a substantive victory. I notice he's been re-elected as Speaker so I'm not the only one who sees what a masterful job he did. A 3.5% raise on incomes over $400K? You can't get more minor than that. What a bargain.

As for "cutting spending" - neither party wants that (unless its the other guys program). So, good luck with that.

 

[Diogenes]

FINALLY!!

Agreed. Bainish guyuk! (Not sure of the linguistic derivation but I've heard it used in Northern Minnesota. It translates to "Daylight in the swamp!" but I'm also told you have to be careful who you say it to.)

Let's hope the Republicans grow a pair and stand tall when the debt limit crisis comes around again in a couple of months.

 

[a351]

We have a legislative process in government and the President has no direct role except to provide leadership (ie, direction) and to either sign or veto whatever legislation comes to his desk.

In what way did the aforementioned meetings with Boehner betray this role?

 

[sawyerloggingon]

Too little too late boner.

 

[iguanaman]

FINALLY!!

In my opinion, this was Boehner's biggest mistake.

We have a legislative process in government and the President has no direct role except to provide leadership (ie, direction) and to either sign or veto whatever legislation comes to his desk.

What would be the point of any further negotiations with Boehner about anything? It was a complete waste of time for Obama. Boehner can only deliver 1 vote, his.

 

[bobnelsonfr]

Boehner has two options:
- Negotiate in private
- Negotiate in public

If he is determined not to do the first any more... then he must do the second. So Boehner is telling us that (for example), he is going to tell the world what he wants in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. If Obama has half a brain (and whether you like him or not, you probably agree that he actually has a pretty GOOD brain), he will take Boehner's vow to negotiate in public very seriously and very literally:
Obama: "OK, John. I understand you want budget cuts, and that you intend to negotiate in public. Why don't you start this process by telling me -- and the American public -- exactly what those cuts are?"
Boehner: "Um... er... uh..." The problem here, of course, is that Boehner wants cuts to Socail Security and Medicare, but knows that the American public will destroy any politician who says any such thing.
Obama: "All right, then, John... since you seem unable to name any cuts you want, why don't you just ask your caucus to do what you've promised to do yourself? Why don't you ask your caucus to go public with their ideas for budget cuts?"
Boehner: "Um... er... uh..." The problem this time is that there are in fact dozens of Tea Party Representatives who would be quite happy to go on camera and say that they want SS and Medicare slashed... even eliminated altogether. And Mr Boehner knows that if even a few of them shoot their mouths off like that, the Republican Party as a whole will suffer the ire of the voters...

Nope. Boehner was foolish enough to ask for another term as Speaker... so now he's stuck with making the best back-room deals he can with a President who knows the Speaker cannot control his caucus.

Good luck, Mr Speaker! :lamo

 

[iguanaman]

Boehner has two options:
- Negotiate in private
- Negotiate in public

If he is determined not to do the first any more... then he must do the second. So Boehner is telling us that (for example), he is going to tell the world what he wants in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. If Obama has half a brain (and whether you like him or not, you probably agree that he actually has a pretty GOOD brain), he will take Boehner's vow to negotiate in public very seriously and very literally:
Obama: "OK, John. I understand you want budget cuts, and that you intend to negotiate in public. Why don't you start this process by telling me -- and the American public -- exactly what those cuts are?"
Boehner: "Um... er... uh..." The problem here, of course, is that Boehner wants cuts to Socail Security and Medicare, but knows that the American public will destroy any politician who says any such thing.
Obama: "All right, then, John... since you seem unable to name any cuts you want, why don't you just ask your caucus to do what you've promised to do yourself? Why don't you ask your caucus to go public with their ideas for budget cuts?"
Boehner: "Um... er... uh..." The problem this time is that there are in fact dozens of Tea Party Representatives who would be quite happy to go on camera and say that they want SS and Medicare slashed... even eliminated altogether. And Mr Boehner knows that if even a few of them shoot their mouths off like that, the Republican Party as a whole will suffer the ire of the voters...

Nope. Boehner was foolish enough to ask for another term as Speaker... so now he's stuck with making the best back-room deals he can with a President who knows the Speaker cannot control his caucus.

Good luck, Mr Speaker! :lamo

I hope Obama just sticks with what he has said twice now. NO NEGOTIATIONS about the debt ceiling. Time to call their bluff and let them go down in flames.

 

[Wiggen]

FINALLY!!

In my opinion, this was Boehner's biggest mistake.

We have a legislative process in government and the President has no direct role except to provide leadership (ie, direction) and to either sign or veto whatever legislation comes to his desk.

Boner saying he's done implies that he actually ever really negotiated with the President in the first place. He didn't. He couldn't, because he can't even control his own caucus. Remember Plan B?

This is hilarious stuff.

 

[Wiggen]

Agreed. Bainish guyuk! (Not sure of the linguistic derivation but I've heard it used in Northern Minnesota. It translates to "Daylight in the swamp!" but I'm also told you have to be careful who you say it to.)

Let's hope the Republicans grow a pair and stand tall when the debt limit crisis comes around again in a couple of months.

Yeah, nobody stands taller than when they refuse to pay debts that they helped incur. It's a brilliant strategy.

 

[bobnelsonfr]

Yeah, nobody stands taller than when they refuse to pay debts that they helped incur. It's a brilliant strategy.

I'm of two minds about this. The polls all show that the public is -- finally -- aware that the GOP has primary responsibility for the government's inability to govern. Even mediocre stage-management of a debt-ceiling-induced collapse in the nation's credit rating would brand the Republicans as irresponsible imbeciles for many, many years. VERY GOOD THING.

On the other hand, a debt-ceiling-induced collapse in the nation's credit rating would itself be a VERY BAD THING. :-(((

So... should Obama give Boehner enough rope for the wingnuts to hang themselves... and the nation's economy, at the same time? Or should he try -- for the Nth time -- to avoid melt-down even at the cost of conceding to the wingnuts?

No, actually, I harbor no doubts whatsoever; I was just setting the scene. I know, and I hope that Obama has finally learned, that if he gives an inch they will take a mile. Sooner or later they will
force Obama into a box so small that he will have to refuse, but by then he will have diluted the public's comprehension of the situation by lending credit to the GOP by "negotiating" with them.

He must "just say no". The Congress, including the Republicans, voted these expenses. Now the Congress, including the Republicans, must vote to pay the bills!

 

[Fiddytree]

Take it with a grain of salt, and never believe a "never" pledge.

 

[Bob N]

Boehner has two options:
- Negotiate in private
- Negotiate in public

If he is determined not to do the first any more... then he must do the second. So Boehner is telling us that (for example), he is going to tell the world what he wants in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. If Obama has half a brain (and whether you like him or not, you probably agree that he actually has a pretty GOOD brain), he will take Boehner's vow to negotiate in public very seriously and very literally:
Obama: "OK, John. I understand you want budget cuts, and that you intend to negotiate in public. Why don't you start this process by telling me -- and the American public -- exactly what those cuts are?"
Boehner: "Um... er... uh..." The problem here, of course, is that Boehner wants cuts to Socail Security and Medicare, but knows that the American public will destroy any politician who says any such thing.
Obama: "All right, then, John... since you seem unable to name any cuts you want, why don't you just ask your caucus to do what you've promised to do yourself? Why don't you ask your caucus to go public with their ideas for budget cuts?"
Boehner: "Um... er... uh..." The problem this time is that there are in fact dozens of Tea Party Representatives who would be quite happy to go on camera and say that they want SS and Medicare slashed... even eliminated altogether. And Mr Boehner knows that if even a few of them shoot their mouths off like that, the Republican Party as a whole will suffer the ire of the voters...

Nope. Boehner was foolish enough to ask for another term as Speaker... so now he's stuck with making the best back-room deals he can with a President who knows the Speaker cannot control his caucus.

Good luck, Mr Speaker! :lamo

Then it will be funny to see how he backs that car down the driveway without hitting in to other GOP lawmakers' cars, because they did not expect him to move, so they parked behind him.

 

[Mycroft]

Boner saying he's done implies that he actually ever really negotiated with the President in the first place. He didn't. He couldn't, because he can't even control his own caucus. Remember Plan B?

This is hilarious stuff.

It implies nothing of the sort.

We've seen how the negotiations have gone...and the results.

It's been Boehner talking to Obama and not talking to Pelosi or Reid. That ends, it appears.

 

[Diogenes]

What would be the point of any further negotiations with Boehner about anything? It was a complete waste of time for Obama. Boehner can only deliver 1 vote, his.

And that seems to be one more vote than Obama can deliver...

 

[Mycroft]

What would be the point of any further negotiations with Boehner about anything? It was a complete waste of time for Obama. Boehner can only deliver 1 vote, his.

For sure.

That's why Boehner is cutting Obama out of the loop.

 

[bobnelsonfr]

Then it will be funny to see how he backs that car down the driveway without hitting in to other GOP lawmakers' cars, because they did not expect him to move, so they parked behind him.

Yup! The whole scene would be absolutely hilarious... if it weren't utterly terrifying... ;-)

 

[Mycroft]

In my opinion, the lawmakers have always worked with a sitting President during budget talks. Boehner is just trying to wash his sins away by telling his constituents that he is going back to the way he should have been to begin with. I don't think it's going to work, the damage has already been done and the stain will not wash out. :spank:

Working with the sitting President is very different than working with Congress. What we've seen lately is Congress, as a whole, being shut out. Representatives and Senators have had absolutely no say in important legislation...except to accept or reject whatever Boehner and Obama have come up with.

I welcome the return to our legislators actually constructing the law.

 

[Diogenes]

Working with the sitting President is very different than working with Congress. What we've seen lately is Congress, as a whole, being shut out. Representatives and Senators have had absolutely no say in important legislation...except to accept or reject whatever Boehner and Obama have come up with.

I welcome the return to our legislators actually constructing the law.

Agreed. The current tactic of writing the bills behind closed doors, then giving the Senate or House 5 minutes to read 200 pages leads to abominations like the current "cliff" bill, loaded with pork and special dispensations for the folks who can afford high-priced lobbyists.

 

[iguanaman]

For sure.

That's why Boehner is cutting Obama out of the loop.

So Boehner is negotiating with himself? Perfect.

 

[Mycroft]

Boehner has two options:
- Negotiate in private
- Negotiate in public

If he is determined not to do the first any more... then he must do the second. So Boehner is telling us that (for example), he is going to tell the world what he wants in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. If Obama has half a brain (and whether you like him or not, you probably agree that he actually has a pretty GOOD brain), he will take Boehner's vow to negotiate in public very seriously and very literally:
Obama: "OK, John. I understand you want budget cuts, and that you intend to negotiate in public. Why don't you start this process by telling me -- and the American public -- exactly what those cuts are?"
Boehner: "Um... er... uh..." The problem here, of course, is that Boehner wants cuts to Socail Security and Medicare, but knows that the American public will destroy any politician who says any such thing.
Obama: "All right, then, John... since you seem unable to name any cuts you want, why don't you just ask your caucus to do what you've promised to do yourself? Why don't you ask your caucus to go public with their ideas for budget cuts?"
Boehner: "Um... er... uh..." The problem this time is that there are in fact dozens of Tea Party Representatives who would be quite happy to go on camera and say that they want SS and Medicare slashed... even eliminated altogether. And Mr Boehner knows that if even a few of them shoot their mouths off like that, the Republican Party as a whole will suffer the ire of the voters...

Nope. Boehner was foolish enough to ask for another term as Speaker... so now he's stuck with making the best back-room deals he can with a President who knows the Speaker cannot control his caucus.

Good luck, Mr Speaker! :lamo

Nice scenario, but it ignores the change in direction from the House Republicans. You see, this "talk" you outline won't even happen. The House will craft their bills, pass them...and toss the ball right into the Democrat's court. Now, for sure, I expect the Democrats to go running to Obama to ask him what they should do...but that's their business.