Angry with Obama, GOP threatens political war next year

[TomCADem]

Source: CNN

Conservative Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, promised the newly re-elected Obama "one hell of a fight" next year if the president forces through his plan for high-income earners to pay more taxes without agreeing to substantive steps to reduce the nation's chronic federal deficits and debt.

"But there will come a time in February and March where we have to raise the debt ceiling," Graham said Tuesday on "Piers Morgan Tonight" on CNN.

"I will not raise the debt ceiling ever again until we get significant entitlement reforms, because if we don't reform entitlements, we're going to become Greece," adding that the situation presented a chance for Obama to lead. "But if he doesn't lead, there's going to be one hell of a fight over raising the debt ceiling."

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell concurred on Tuesday, telling reporters that "we are going to insist that we have another discussion about the future of our country in connection with his request of us to raise the debt ceiling."


Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/11/politics/fiscal-cliff/?hpt=hp_t1

---

The corporate media is now reciting Republican talking points that the President needs to publicly guess at and offer spending cuts to make Republicans happy while ignoring Nancy Pelosi as she noted on the floor of the House that Democrats and President Obama have already agreed to a trillion in cuts.

YET, the same media gives Republicans a free pass on threatening to take the Nation into default if we dare raise tax rates on the rich! This is amazing. If you raise tax rates a tiny bit on the rich, Republicans will threaten a default that can send our Nation into a deep depression. The fact that Republicans can publicly make such threats without any type of blowback is amazing.

[Zoeisright]

1. Keep digging, repukes!

You've been exposed as the disgusting pieces of shit that you are.

[kelliekat44]

105. As opposed to the war they have been waging since 2008? nt

[Warren Religion]

118. Yep

Bring it!

[Mr.Bill]

2. Proceed, Senator

please proceed.

[Xipe Totec]

6. +1 nt

[Aldo Leopold]

41. +1 more.

[gateley]

43. And me.

[station agent]

73. signed in just to +1 (nt)

[LiberalFighter]

76. Hey Senator,

Do you want me to hold the door for you?

Lindsey would go crying to his mama if she was around.

[dchill]

83. +1 - Hey Lindsey... Benghazi!

Did I scare you?

[Odin2005]

87. Dammit, I have coffee all over my monitor!

[think]

3. When aren't those clowns engaged in political war? It's all they do.....

[wordpix]

65. especially since they can't start another one overseas, they're itching for a war at home

[lexw]

71. Great point!

[duhneece]

97. No kidd'g:"especially since they can't start another one overseas, they're itching for a war at home

Had to repeat it. ...especially since they can't start another war overseas, they're itching for a war at home...

[lexw]

120. :D

[tanyev]

4. Lindsey, you and your party have been at war with President Obama for four years now.

On November 6, you officially lost. Deal with it.

[malibea]

106. Lost -AGAIN!

And this is the SECOND TIME! Don't forget.

[malibea]

107. Mr. Waterloo gave up totally!

Also, I guess DeMint who started the "Waterloo" movement against the President, met his own Waterloo, and resigned! It was so embarassing that I guess this was the best face-saving maneuver DeMint could manage. He is lucky that anyone would want to hire him but he won't succeed in this position either.

[DJ13]

5. Next year?

They've been at war with the Democrats (and the American people) the last 4 years.

[KeepItReal]

7. Word.

These MF'ers have been at war since arms for Iranian hostages happened for Reagan.

[Panasonic]

34. 32 years. We've been at war with Republicans since 1980.

Reagan was the first, and * is the last one, and hopefully no more Thugs will ever be elected as a President again.

[csziggy]

42. No, since 1972 when Nixon's henchmen broke the law

To get Tricky Dick re-elected. And Dick himself covered it up.

The Republicans have never forgiven the 'liberal' press and the Democrats for finding out the truth and 'hounding' poor Dick into resigning. Of course, it was not the Plumbers' or Dick's fault for lying and cheating!

[marybourg]

53. And they've been trying to destroy a Democratic presidency

to "even things up" ever since.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Mitch, Lindsey

You guys lost this debate. Your only leverage is OBSTRUCTION.

How did that work out fer ya?

[Squinch]

9. Bring it, Lindsay.

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. As long as it's internal, that's great news.

I fully support it.

[PatrynXX]

11. have no idea why they talk greece.

Greece happened because of such low taxes. so if we want Greece. listen to the Republicans. If you want something better ignore them. Seems they are similar to the frapping squirrel's that took out my main mini light string. Was wondering if they hit it again since they were all out. Took the thing out in 3-4 spots. in one string. Republicans knaw thru a live wire and keep doing it. zzzz

[adirondacker]

98. Exactly! If you want Greece, allow the elite tax dodgers to flourish. Austerity is Nonsense. n/t

[starroute]

12. Greece has been furiously cutting pensions and medical care

Last edited Wed Dec 12, 2012, 12:55 PM - Edit history (1)

Which is pretty much what Lindsay Graham wants to do.

So who is it again that wants to turn us into Greece?

[abelenkpe]

79. +1000 nt

[hobbit709]

13. He's channeling Vyacheslav von Plehve?

[global1]

14. Lose The Current Filibuster And Don't Give The Senate Repugs A Chance To Make Such Threats And......

stonewall. Let the Dems and PBO turn this economy around without them. Then the Repugs will have no chance in gaining back control.

They are just blowing smoke now. They know they don't have any leverage. Call their bluff on this and then shut off the current filibuster and make them really work to stonewall.

[John2]

15. I would ignore him,

and I hope the President does too. The place this fool would get elected to any office is South Carolina. So this little wimp, think he is all that? He couldn't even impeach Clinton.

[Lint Head]

16. Bring it own Lindsey. Cowards makes the most noise.

[grahamhgreen]

17. Bring it on!

[leftyohiolib]

18. even more reason for filibuster reform

[FreeBC]

19. Easy, cut military spending and send Obama a balanced budget!

You're the one sending him the deficit budget Lindsey...

[calimary]

40. Welcome to DU, FreeBC!

Good to have you with us. Let's just allow that ol' cliff to come. That will help cut the Pentagon budget a bit.

They should try to make SOME deal NOW, because when they come back for the new session next month, they come back to a Senate that's more progressively Democratic, and a House "majority" that's been whittled down noticeably (for example, their two biggest loudmouths - allen west and joe walsh - and one of their biggest Neanderthals - todd akin - will NOT be returning). And I do believe the Progressive Caucus in the House will be somewhat larger in the new Congressional session.

[Hotler]

121. Well said. Welcome to DU. n/t

[dhill926]

20. take it to the people....

show these assholes for what they are. Show folks how they're suffering as a result. Fuck 'em....bring it on.....

[BlueStreak]

21. And, exactly, how will we be able to tell the difference?

They are going to behave exactly the same way -- like petulant children -- no matter what happens.

[chuckstevens]

22. How can anyone for for these idiots?

It's incredible! A guy in a "right to work for less" state who makes, maybe $40,00 a year will vote for Lindsey Graham who promises a hell of a fight with Obama for daring to insist that the uber-wealthy start paying their fare share. The Upper 1 % have basically had a ten year free tax ride in which they managed to create many jobs in places like Malaysia and Bangladesh. GET A FUCKING CLUE PEOPLE! THE GOP IS A CRIMINAL CABAL CONTROLLED THEIR CORPORATE OVERLORDS!

[jeff47]

23. Because they haven't been fighting a war yet?

"1-term president" thinks he's been going easy?

Wow he's a dumb turtle.

[Faux pas]

24. Yeah, huh?

[sheshe2]

25. Lindsey, Mitch and the entire GOP party...

Are continuing tact like the truculent assholes that they are!

They are screaming it out for all the world to hear. They plan to bring our economy to it's knees if they don't get there way.
They are announcing this loud and clear...and the media whores are silent.

At best the GOP have become traitors...at worst...well I do not have enough words to describe them.

[Poll_Blind]

26. Fuck those fucks.nt

PB

[putitinD]

27. Miss Lindsey needs a nap

[calimary]

37. Welcome to DU, putitinD!

Glad you're here! This idiot should be primaried. Or otherwise shown the door.

Oh yeah - and btw, lindsey dear - YOU LOST. YOUR SIDE ATE IT last month. Elections have CONsequences!

[Jackpine Radical]

62. Miss Lindsey?

What does that mean?

[msongs]

28. harry reid could shut these people down with filibuster reform. nt

[tomg]

29. I hope The President takes a page from

FDR:

Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me--and I welcome their hatred.

I should like to have it said of my first Administration that in it the forces of selfishness and of lust for power met their match. I should like to have it said of my second Administration that in it these forces met their master.

[mbperrin]

30. Uh, Lindsey? Lean in a little, son,

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK YOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUU!

[sheshe2]

46. LOL!

[julian09]

99. He'd love that nt

[Politicub]

111. +1

[primavera]

31. I agree with Lindsey

I say enough of these entitlements! We have got to get rid of all of the corporate welfare, tax credits for oil companies, and excessive defense spending! It's time we embraced greater austerity measures, starting with Lindsey Graham's salary.

[underthematrix]

32. I feel sorry for the gopkkker graham.

He is one stupid dude.

[calimary]

33. Earth to lindsey: YOU LOST.

Elections have CONSEQUENCES. Especially for republi-CONS like you. We've sent you Elizabeth Warren. So THERE! Deal with it. I hope she has you grabbing the Maalox bottle every morning before you even get out of bed.

[Ford_Prefect]

35. I think Senator Graham and the Grand Wizards he rides with have had their 15 minutes and are

in need of a slow drag through the nearest cactus patch.

[Gore1FL]

36. If nothing else, they are consistent. n/t

[frylock]

38. knock yourself out, asshole

[Agnosticsherbet]

39. This is news?

We've seen this for four years.

I believe the new DSM calls it Republican Derangement Syndrome.

[larwdem]

44. ooh

lindsey don't get your panties in a bind

[regnaD kciN]

45. You mean, unlike in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012...?

[Hyper_Eye]

47. Yawn

How much worse can they get?

[Katashi_itto]

48. In other news GOP declares Picketts Charge at Gettysburg was really successful.

[mckara]

49. We are Witnessing the Death Throes of the Republican Party

[blueclown]

50. Where was this fiscal responsibility during the Bush years?

Lindsey was one of many of President Bush's rubber stampers in the Senate during his two terms.

[frazzled]

51. Translation: "We are going to make the entire country default ...

on its debt for the first time in its history, and thereby certainly destroy its economy, immediately, as a result ... because ... um ... we think unless we get the kind of entitlement "reform" we want, it will be bad for the future economy."

Makes sense to me.

[hedgehog]

52. Wouldn't requiring high earners to pay more in taxes

be a substantive step to reduce the nation's chronic federal deficits and debt?

Start with taking the cap off Social Security withholding! That's your entitlement reform tight there!

[Dawson Leery]

54. Lindsay Crakkker is going to force the country into default?

[julian09]

101. He only has one vote.

[flying-skeleton]

55. Graham is a TURDIEST OF TURDS !!

Is Graham threatening to go EASY on the President ONLY if the President gives in to GOP demands? Who is this turd fooling? ABSOLUTELY NOBODY !!

[Timbuk3]

56. Let's have that fight

Seriously.

Let's let the GOP take responsibility for crashing the world economy, and ending the dollar's status as the last safe haven.

If they're that stupid, the red states deserve what's going to happen to them. And it should.

[maddiemom]

57. This doesn't sound good. There's been no question of a "loyal opposition,"

since possibly Clinton, with a FEW he charmed out of trying to sink him, before the majority Republicans went for blood. The Republicans have mostly been sinking Democratic presidents since Lyndon Johnson, who was experienced enough to have his opposition for lunch. This lack of Republican leaders who remember that they need to not only compromise, but work with the will of the electorate is contrary to the American government and electoral system. The concept of the Republican party to oppose the President to the point of even filibustering themselves (McConnell) is how insane it has become. Thankfully the last election showed the public as catching on as to their best options. Are there enough sane and unintimidated Republicans to save the system?

[AldoLeopold]

58. Okay, I know this is a bit meme of me but I couldn't resist

[link:|

[Jim Lane]

59. Unfortunately, this threat, while morally deplorable, may be tactically sound.

Early next year, the federal government will hit the debt ceiling and will need new legislation to continue borrowing money (and thus to continue operating). That means that the House of Representatives has to go along.

Many factors mentioned in this thread are true but don't affect this underlying power dynamic. Reforming or eliminating Senate filibusters won't change the House's role. The Republicans in the House have in the past voted in lockstep, and they're unlikely to change just because they lost a few seats, just because Obama was re-elected, just because numerous DUers and other thinking people now consider them to be malevolent obstructionists. (We are not the audience they play to.)

The only real constraint on them is the prospect of a backlash against another attempt to shut down the government. As against that, they also have to be looking over their right shoulders. We can denounce Lindsay Graham as a troglodyte, but the odds are that he'll face a primary in 2014, from a Tea Partier who complains that he's too liberal (!). In South Carolina, that accusation may have some legs.

It would be nice if some Republicans from swing districts would peel off from the party leadership, in fear of encountering the backlash in 2014. Alas, the party discipline seems to have been very, very strong. Although we wouldn't need many Republican crossovers, my guess is we won't get them. Nothing will get passed unless Boehner OK's it. Now, there's[/i/ a dismal prospect.

[lib2DaBone]

60. Lindsey Graham, John McCain and Joe Lieberman.......

The Three Stooges and a constant source of ignorance in government.

[drlindaphd]

61. What ever happened to their duty to serving the people?

Even Republicans were elected to govern. Not just to have continuous political battles. They should all be fired, immedately!

[Cha]

63. Lindsey's boring.

[olddad56]

64. Hell, the GOP should still have to pay for Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover.

That doesn't even take into account the others bums such as Nixon, Reagan, and the Bush Crime family.


Sad when the best the GOP has ever had to offer has been Gerald Ford and Ike.

[riverbendviewgal]

66. cut entitlements for the oil, gas, coal and wall street

Also eliminate farm subsidies for corporations and gentlemen farmers. Cap CEO salaries to match the ratio CEO to employees in other countries. Cut salaries of Congress. Tax fully investment taxes. Prohibit companies and individuals to use places like Cayman islands to avoid paying taxes. Cut defense spending but up support for veterans.

[AtheistCrusader]

67. Um, haven't they done that with EVERYTHING since McCain lost?

[wordpix]

68. oooooohhh, we Dems are so scared of Lindsay Graham Cracker

not! Just more of the same and repukes did not learn a thing in 2012 elections, guess we'll have to show them again in 2014 who's in charge here.

[BE10sCoach]

69. Tell Twinkle Toes

Lindsay Graham and his asshole buddies to F#&K OFF!

[ReRe]

70. "GOP threatens political war next year????

K&R

Bring it on!

[CheapShotArtist]

72. Dafuq are they gonna do? Block him from becoming a 3-term president?

Hey Rethugs! Most Americans don't want the shit that you keep trying to sell us. Deal with it and STFU!

[lonestarnot]

74. Bring it you fucking richie rich fuckers.

You will find who butters YOUR fucking bread! We may starve, but you fuckers will be shitting in a shrinking nest over the gawd damn grand canyon.

[jillan]

75. Oh Lindsay, the joke is on you. President Obama will get the last laugh cuz he has what you don't

and that is the support of the American People.

Run along now Lindsay, John is waiting for you.

[AndyTiedye]

77. Not Late-Breaking News

They have been doing this since 2009.

[obama2terms]

78. lol

Am I the only one who read this in Lindsay Graham's voice?

[BeyondGeography]

80. The Republicans are useless

George W. Bush proved it.

[ricardA]

81. Peace across earth

Politics included, otherwise no solutions to the many problems. No more wars.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

82. Remove the debt ceiling. Fix the filibuster. . .

. . .Tell the GOP to go to HELL. CUT the hell out of government subsidies to corprats, eliminate corporate tax loopholes, raise the effective corp/wealthy tax rate to 70% including capital gains, and cut defense by 40%

DONE.

[Politicub]

112. And confirm all Obama nominated judges to the federal courts!

[blackspade]

84. Lindsey Graham can fuck off.

"I will not raise the debt ceiling ever again until we get significant entitlement reforms, because if we don't reform entitlements, we're going to become Greece,"

No, if we follow the rethug plan we will become Greece. What a fucking idiot.

[bigbadR]

85. GOP on life support.

Graham's days in the Senate are numbered. The next time he runs he will loose.

[T Roosevelt]

86. In other news, water is wet

and Francisco Franco is still dead...

[hatrack]

88. Oh fucking SURPRISE ME, already . . .

[Odin2005]

89. BRING IT ON, asshole!

[llmart]

90. Bring it on!

We're ready. Guess they've already forgotten about November's results?????

[Arkana]

91. Bring it on, you stinking, pasty-faced crybaby fucks.

[rbrnmw]

92. In the famous words of a great man

Please Proceed GOP

2014 is going to be huge sweep for the Democratic Party due to this type of obstruction Americans are sick of the rhetoric and a do nothing but hate GOP

[SummerSnow]

93. These punks are ....

angry with Obama so all they will do is try and hurt the country like they've been doing. And they claim they love America. GTFOH

[bemildred]

94. Baghdad Lindsey threatens the "Mother of all Filibusters". nt

[NHDEMFORLIFE]

95. GOP = Insanity

I just pray that we do not rely on the corporate media to offer even-handed coverage of the pouting and feet-stomping now taking place by the GOP leadership. We need to do this ourselves.
Hitting up donors for more after the long election season just ended will not be easy, but if the President uses his bully pulpit and the Democratic leadership keep the heat on, maybe paid ad buys won't be necessary. But if ads are needed I'd enthusiastically give whatever I could.

[Demeter]

96. GOP and WHAT Army?

Holding a busted flush, lads.

[santamargarita]

100. Noise and right wing bullshit.

[CanonRay]

102. What can they do, that they haven't alread done?

Stopping everything in Congress, lies after lies about Obama, voter suppression. They've been at war for four years. Fuck 'em.

[ieoeja]

103. Were I President, I would just ignore the "debt ceiling".

If you, Congress, pass a budget with a $100 billion deficit, the authority to borrow that $100 billion is implicit within the budget that you, Congress, passed.

Take me the US Supreme Court. This partisan, Rightist court does not want me to win. But they'd love to call Congress to task for passing a budget with a deficit. I say I win that fight.

Even if I don't all I can do is shrug and say "give me the remedy". Until then I keep borrowing.

It is your budget.

[Enrique]

104. no more Mr. Nice GOP

[tabasco]

108. Fuck those sorry assclowns

Bring it on, fuckers.

[OrwellwasRight]

109. This is different than the Status Quo how exactly?

[TomCADem]

113. Well, Boehner's Latest Proposal Is To Make Tax Cuts To Rich Permanent!

After Tom Price openly mused about challenging Boehner for the Speaker position, Boehner is once again is reading from the Fox News talking points.

[OrwellwasRight]

117. Mostly I was being rhetorical as we have been in a "political war" since about March 2009.

But I don't think tax cuts for the rich being permanent is anything new. I think the Rs always wanted them to be permanent, and I have never heard any of them ever say otherwise (despite the fact that they voted them in with an expiration date).

[Politicub]

110. They're becoming modern enemies of the Union and a threat to our national security.

These are treasonous acts and should be dealt with judiciously and openly. The GOP elite need to answer for their crimes in a way for all of us to hear.

Or they will go down in history with the first bunch of treasonous folks - the rebel army.

[BadgerKid]

114. Tax cuts or not, the Republicans intend to hold the country hostage.

Let's thank them for paving the way for 30 years of Democratic majorities.

[struggle4progress]

115. Translation: "We still don't have any new ideas"

[hue]

116. ...next year & counting--->whenever just bring it on....*twittles thumbs*

[Liberalynn]

119. Isn't blackmail against the law?

[Blandocyte]

122. Oh, we'd better call the waaaambulence for the little cry babies

Look, the pukes lost the election. The people have spoken. Please STFU with your angry old white guy shtick.

[Amonester]

123. BWAHAHAH... Count on these fudgesticks to prevent US from becoming like Greece, by... simply...

Doing ALL Damages Necessary To Become EXACTLY like Greece (or Worse) ASAP

(So Their Minority Billionaires Can't Keep Robbing More, More, More)

[Nancy Waterman]

124. Reid had better fix that filibuster

and the independent hold