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WASHINGTON More than two years ago, President Obama was still in the thick of his previous showdown with Republican House leaders over the nations debt limit when he called five senior advisers into his office. He did not ask their advice, one said. Rather, he told them, in a way that brooked no discussion: From now on, no more negotiating over legislation so basic and essential to the economy, and the country.
Im not going through this again. Its bad for democracy. Its bad for the presidency, Mr. Obama said, according to the adviser, who declined to be identified describing internal discussions. The president then told the group his Treasury secretary, chief Congressional lobbyist, chief economic adviser and both his and the vice presidents chiefs of staff to spread that word, even in your body language.
Since then, so has Mr. Obama. To make his message on the debt ceiling stick, he had to deliver it, repeatedly, not only to Republicans convinced that he would cave, as many often have said, but also to business groups, the broader public and even to Democrats in Congress. Failure could shake not only the economy, but also Mr. Obamas presidency, given his reputation, fair or not, for drawing red lines and then watching foes cross them.
The current fight is hardly over, yet the steady retreat of House Republicans since late last week, when they first proposed a short-term increase in the debt limit without policy strings, suggests that Mr. Obamas big gamble could be paying off. It is a stand that was, and still is, fraught with risks if neither side backs down.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/16/us/signs-indicate-that-obamas-debt-ceiling-gamble-may-be-paying-off.html?ref=politics&_r=1&
Politicalboi
(15,189 posts)It's the job of the congress to pass a budget. Saying Obama gambled is like saying what these assholes are doing is how things usually work.
hopemountain
(3,919 posts)this is about principle and purpose and the democracy of our country. the president is defending the integrity of the presidency and ever single american. we are not pawns as the tea party and the koch brothers are pretending in their futile game.
the president is speaking from conviction as well as seeing the whole picture of the damage a few greedy and stupid fucks are wreaking on our country and economy and before the rest of the world.
Southside
(338 posts)They already got sequester locked down, Boehner said "I got 98% of what I wanted" , but that wasn't enough, it wanted the remaining 2%. The President stared him down and he folded.
There are no winners in this crap they pulled. We are all stained if this becomes business as usual. I feel badly for the 2 million government employees and the countless companies that depend on the government. A small group should not have the power to do this. Why are they in Washington if they can conduct business without shutting everything down. Shame on them.
Most of us knew it would play out like this. They should have passed the clean CR on Sept 30th. Default is only a real threat if the Tea Party gets a majority of the house. Those guys are willing to burn the whole thing down to go back 50 years.
DefenseLawyer
(11,101 posts)As to why he didn't realize that before he negotiated on it the first time.