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Cali_Democrat

(30,439 posts)
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 08:07 PM Apr 2013

The GOP 2014 election strategy will now be to attack Dems for proposing Social Security cuts

The GOP will attack Obama and the Dems for wanting to "balance the budget on the backs of seniors":

Appearing on CNN, the National Republican Congressional Committee chairman accused Obama of “trying to balance this budget on the backs of seniors” and signaled Republicans may try to use the changes against Democrats in the coming election.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/04/10/house-gop-campaign-chief-obama-budget-shocking-attack-on-seniors/


The Republicans have been handed a gift in the 2014 election courtesy of the centrist Democrats.

The centrists of course will blame progressives, but who really is to blame for this debacle? Well it certainly isn't the progressives or "professional leftists" because they have been opposed to cuts all along.

The blame lies squarely with the centrist corporate Dems who wanted to come out with this proposal in order to please the punditocracy in New York and Washington D.C.

This proposal could now very well be suicidal. If the 2014 mid-term elections turn out to be a disaster, the corporatist Dems will blame progressives, but the truth is that they caused this disaster.
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The GOP 2014 election strategy will now be to attack Dems for proposing Social Security cuts (Original Post) Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 OP
Yep. Count on it. Faygo Kid Apr 2013 #1
Exactly Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #2
You nailed it Liberalynn Apr 2013 #6
How does Obamacare fit into this? WorseBeforeBetter Apr 2013 #13
Congressional Democrats better pan this nonsense. Dawson Leery Apr 2013 #3
The GOP will also try to sell bridges. Wednesdays Apr 2013 #4
Not to be out done Obama is interested in exploring selling off the TVA HereSince1628 Apr 2013 #18
Damn right. Dopey gave it to 'em on a silver platter ProfessionalLeftist Apr 2013 #5
He's using the famous Vietnam war strategy tularetom Apr 2013 #7
don't they mean the Professional Left? Nader? Henry Wallace? Lincoln? MisterP Apr 2013 #8
Obama just handed the Republicans a victory in 2014 doc03 Apr 2013 #9
I don't think so - If congressional Dems remain united rurallib Apr 2013 #14
If Congressional Dems remain united? WorseBeforeBetter Apr 2013 #23
No, it was Mitch McConnell whom proposed chained CPI. xtraxritical Apr 2013 #33
Are you referring to this? WorseBeforeBetter Apr 2013 #34
Gee, thanks for doing my homework worsebefore, I knew I read it somewhere. xtraxritical Apr 2013 #38
LOL... my pleasure. I'm not quite sure what he is at this point. WorseBeforeBetter Apr 2013 #39
which is interesting, as those are the same people who, by their own admission, believe 2 things: Volaris Apr 2013 #21
No chit, Charles. Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #10
Why even bother voting anymore? n/t doc03 Apr 2013 #11
yep, say good bye to the senate..... bowens43 Apr 2013 #12
No one could have predicted... nt City Lights Apr 2013 #15
that never happened maindawg Apr 2013 #16
democrats mcgarry50 Apr 2013 #17
Obama obviously wants more Republicans in Congress since he hates dealing with Democrats. forestpath Apr 2013 #19
They will not treestar Apr 2013 #20
It's only a gift if we don't get out the vote again. Cleita Apr 2013 #22
Seriously! ReRe Apr 2013 #32
Disagree lobodons Apr 2013 #24
Sure, that is going to be the take away. That will distill right out of the corporate media. TheKentuckian Apr 2013 #35
+100000 woo me with science Apr 2013 #40
Assuming they don't pass some form of Chained CPI, I'd say it's a no-brainer. Marr Apr 2013 #25
No. Billy Pilgrim Apr 2013 #26
...while simultaneously running on cutting social spending themselves bhikkhu Apr 2013 #27
Then drag out the RSC budget and point to the chained CPI - and Medicare vouchers spedtr90 Apr 2013 #28
well duh.. like no one could possibly see this coming? Douglas Carpenter Apr 2013 #29
They can't ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2013 #30
Obama's strategy should now be to increase SS benefits Zorro Apr 2013 #31
kick woo me with science Apr 2013 #36
kick woo me with science Apr 2013 #37

Faygo Kid

(21,477 posts)
1. Yep. Count on it.
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 08:09 PM
Apr 2013

Although of course the Repugs would either end Social Security tomorrow or turn our contributions over to Wall Street, they now have both a campaign slogan and an opening for Social Security's eventual destruction.

Well played, Mr. President.

 

Cali_Democrat

(30,439 posts)
2. Exactly
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 08:22 PM
Apr 2013

If the Republicans ever gain full power, they will do all they can do destroy Social Security. But they know they have to lie about supporting Social Security in order to get elected.

WorseBeforeBetter

(11,441 posts)
13. How does Obamacare fit into this?
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 09:54 PM
Apr 2013
The Secret Republican Plan to Repeal 'Obamacare'
And why the fight is far from over.

By Chris Frates

Updated: March 28, 2013 | 6:09 p.m.
March 27, 2013 | 7:30 p.m

....

McConnell, a master of byzantine Senate procedure, immediately realized that, as a tax, the individual mandate would be subject to the budget reconciliation process, which exempted it from the filibuster. In other words, McConnell had just struck upon how to repeal Obamacare with a simple majority vote.

....

Of course, Republicans are doing their best to highlight and stoke the kind of constituent anger that would force Democrats to tweak the law. In fact, if Democrats come under enough pressure, Republicans believe they might be able to inject Obamacare into the broader entitlement-reform discussion they are planning to tie to the debt-limit debate this summer.

But that is a long shot. If Republicans hope to completely repeal the health care law, they have to start by taking back the Senate in 2014 and would likely need to win the White House two years later. Still, some Republicans think the politics are on their side.

....

In the meantime, Republicans will continue to, as GOP Sen. John Barrasso put it, “try to tear (Obamacare) apart.” And the GOP suspects it might get some help from moderate Democrats less concerned about protecting Obama’s legacy than winning reelection.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/the-secret-republican-plan-to-repeal-obamacare-20130327


And how do they win in 2014 and 2016? By claiming that Obama and by association, Democrats, are the ones who offered up Social Security on a silver platter. Death panels in 2010; cat food in 2014. If Sensible Centrists think 2010 was bad, just wait until 2014. We'll see.

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)
18. Not to be out done Obama is interested in exploring selling off the TVA
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:07 PM
Apr 2013

My guess is that's bridges, dams, power plants, and transmission lines.

doc03

(35,148 posts)
9. Obama just handed the Republicans a victory in 2014
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 09:10 PM
Apr 2013

like in 2010. You can bet the teabaggers will be out in full force blameing Obama cutting SS and Medicare.

rurallib

(62,346 posts)
14. I don't think so - If congressional Dems remain united
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 09:58 PM
Apr 2013

and oppose Obama on this, repugs get no gain as I see it.
Dems will have to be loud and forceful, but it is Obama proposing this, not congress.
And the repugs are still for privatizing SS which is nearly as popular as chained CPI.

WorseBeforeBetter

(11,441 posts)
23. If Congressional Dems remain united?
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:32 PM
Apr 2013

They're not united NOW, to wit: Pelosi and Grijalva.

Dems *suffered* in 2010 because of ACA and Granny being offed by death panels; they'll suffer in 2014 because of proposed cuts to SS and Granny being forced to eat cat food.

Thanks, Obama!

 

xtraxritical

(3,576 posts)
33. No, it was Mitch McConnell whom proposed chained CPI.
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 11:19 PM
Apr 2013

McConnell gave the President preconditions to get a budget passed and the debt ceiling raised, no revenue, no defense cuts and reductions in "entitlement" spending. The President is offering up chained cpi as a reduction of "entitlements" in order to get revenue increases.

I think it's a terrible idea, like everyone here does too. It's a bone for the RepubliCONs.


WorseBeforeBetter

(11,441 posts)
34. Are you referring to this?
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 11:44 PM
Apr 2013
Obama's New Budget Is Actually Giving Republicans Exactly What They Asked For In December

....

As Sargent points out, McConnell told the Wall Street Journal in late November that the chained CPI cost-of-living adjustment, means-testing on Medicare premiums, and an increase in the Medicare eligibility age would be the "kinds of things that would get Republicans interested in new revenue."

Medicare means-testing and chained CPI are two proposals that Obama has embraced throughout the constant series of budget talks.

Republicans would push back on Sargent's argument with a common refrain — they already agreed to new revenue as part of the deal to avert the fiscal cliff. But the change in tone underscores the risk for Obama in embracing chained CPI as his own — infuriating his own base while still getting nothing in return from Republicans.

http://www.businessinsider.com/chained-cpi-social-security-cuts-obama-budget-boehner-mcconnell-2013-4#ixzz2Q7dBNrfp


A budget with Chained CPI won't pass, but not because Obama is some sort of genius. Rs want to tie entitlements (and Obamacare, from what I'm reading) to debt-limit negotiations this summer. They'll hold hostage, and Obama will yield. When campaigning in 2014, they'll hang Obama's willingness to cut Social Security around Democrats' necks. They take control of Congress, and God knows what will happen to Social Security, Medicare and Obamacare.

Fun times.
 

xtraxritical

(3,576 posts)
38. Gee, thanks for doing my homework worsebefore, I knew I read it somewhere.
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 12:36 PM
Apr 2013

So, is Obama a Republican "sleeper" infiltrated into our party?

WorseBeforeBetter

(11,441 posts)
39. LOL... my pleasure. I'm not quite sure what he is at this point.
Thu Apr 11, 2013, 05:31 PM
Apr 2013

Logging on for the first time today so I need to catch up on the festivities. First headline I saw was about the White House being shellshocked -- that was EXACTLY my reaction as I watched Gene Sperling interviewed last night by PBS.

Here we goooooo...

Volaris

(10,260 posts)
21. which is interesting, as those are the same people who, by their own admission, believe 2 things:
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:12 PM
Apr 2013

1) Meidcare is NOT a government program

2) They want the Government made SMALLER, and should therefore, be OUT of the social saftey net busines altogether.

I'm convinced it's not going to be the role of the "Professional Left" anymore to try and convince this President that he actually is supposed to give a damn about us politically. It IS going to be our role to smash the metaphorical heads of the idiot 'baggers for being DUMB enough not to see the irony of their own hypocrisy.

If the Democratic President won't help us do that, FINE, because I don't think we need him to.

 

Jack Sprat

(2,500 posts)
10. No chit, Charles.
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 09:11 PM
Apr 2013

Speaking of disaster irony, this is it! We gave them a sword and they castrated us...or some such Nixon quote.

 

mcgarry50

(68 posts)
17. democrats
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:06 PM
Apr 2013

that was the first thing i told my elected officials who are democrats here in washington state. if they thought 2010 was bad obama just blew it for you in 2014. the transformational figure just transformed the democratic party into the stupid party. i know i am going to register as a n independent because i am embarrassed to be a member of the stupid party.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
20. They will not
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:10 PM
Apr 2013

Their base would not want to hear that. They won't believe it. They are sure the Democrats are communists.

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
22. It's only a gift if we don't get out the vote again.
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:31 PM
Apr 2013

I know it's hard and gets harder every election cycle, but we can't give up.

ReRe

(10,597 posts)
32. Seriously!
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 11:03 PM
Apr 2013

We can not become so disheartened! This looks like the "I give up" thread, Cleita. All we need to do is primary out all the right-wing-DLC-third-wayers that have almost swallowed up the Democratic Party. We've got to primary out all of the blue dogs, once and for all, and vote in REAL Democrats in 2014. We reelected PO, in spite of Citizens United, didn't we? If we did that, then we can do this. 2014 must be our mantra now. Return the Democratic Party to the Real Democrats, not republican-lite democrats, with a veto-proof majority. Then, the last two years of POs administration, we can show PO how to be a REAL DEMOCRAT!

 

lobodons

(1,290 posts)
24. Disagree
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:42 PM
Apr 2013

Obama is demonstrating to us all how important it is to get the Gavel back in Pelosi's hands!! No way he talks entitlement cuts if Pelosi has the Gavel.

TheKentuckian

(24,949 posts)
35. Sure, that is going to be the take away. That will distill right out of the corporate media.
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 11:53 PM
Apr 2013

The Dreamweaver brigade seems to have some kind of Alzheimer's that swings them from completely forget that some other folks aside from those tuned in the master chess political ninjitsu and only chasing the votes of the mystical independents and at every move drive the much ballyhooed supposed targets away.

This is of course because "the middle", "independents", and "center" aren't actually cared about either, it is just a well worn lie to act as a fig leaf for pursuing the interests and whims of the wealthy, multi-national corporations, the medical industrial complex, military imperialism, the parasitic financial sector, and big carbon not any regular Americans of any political bent unless it is the advancement of wealth, which sure as shit isn't us.

Obama is scuttling our party in favor of corporate domination, he must be fiercely repudiated. It is crucial to run the hell away from and considered hostile. The Turd Way must be cast out and called what they are, enemies to self determination, broad prosperity, peace, justice, and honest wages for honest work.

 

Marr

(20,317 posts)
25. Assuming they don't pass some form of Chained CPI, I'd say it's a no-brainer.
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:43 PM
Apr 2013

So we're left with two options, really. Either he's a totally fucking idiot, which I don't believe for one second, or he really wants Chained CPI.

 

Billy Pilgrim

(96 posts)
26. No.
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:44 PM
Apr 2013

SS will remain in the trust of the Democratic party, maybe not Obama, but definitely not the Republicans.

bhikkhu

(10,708 posts)
27. ...while simultaneously running on cutting social spending themselves
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:45 PM
Apr 2013

very likely. It should be an interesting election in 2014!

spedtr90

(719 posts)
28. Then drag out the RSC budget and point to the chained CPI - and Medicare vouchers
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:50 PM
Apr 2013

The Republican Study Committee - over 170 Republicans in the House - submitted a budget that included member Paul Ryan's Medicare vouchers and says their budget "Further strengthens Social Security’s long-term finances by transitioning cost of living adjustments (COLAs) to be indexed to chained CPI-U, which more accurately tracks the impact of inflation."

They have 2 budgets that balance the budget on the backs of seniors - and the poor.


 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
30. They can't ...
Wed Apr 10, 2013, 10:59 PM
Apr 2013

Remember ... this is the starting point of a new "negotiation" (the gop's words).

What do you think will happen when President Obama (or maybe a Democratic legislator) offers:


Okay, Mr./Ms. gop Legislator ... Here's what we can do ... I'll drop the Chained CPI, no one seems to like that approach, even apparently the gop that is demanding cuts to "entitlements" (a win for the American people) and I will reduce my revenue ask by half what the CCPI would have realized (a win for the you, the gop).


Where does the gop go? ... and not cement their "unwillingness to compromise" monicker with the solid plurarity of gop and independent voters (a solid majority when taken as a whole) that poll as having the gop being unwilling to compromise and President Obama (and Democrats being willing to compromise).

In order to flip the House (because of gerrymandering as a result of 2010), we need those groups to either stay home, vote 3rd-Party, or vote Democratic. In my estimation ... It 's all about 2014.
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