Obama To GOP: Abide By Debt Limit Deal Or Else Face A Govt Shutdown Right Before The Election

[Tx4obama]

In a major escalation of a slowly building fight over funding the government, the White House has warned House Republicans, in no uncertain terms, that the government will shut down in September if the GOP does not adhere to an agreement they cut with Democrats in August during the standoff over raising the nation’s debt limit.

“Until the House of Representatives indicates that it will abide by last summer’s agreement, the President will not be able to sign any appropriations bills,” writes Jeffrey Zients, acting director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, in a letter addressed to congressional appropriators Wednesday.

The message is simple: The government will shut down just ahead of the 2012 presidential election if Republicans break faith with the debt limit deal.

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Full article here: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/04/obama-to-gop-abide-by-the-debt-limit-deal-or-else.php?ref=fpa

[Drunken Irishman]

1. Republicans want that shutdown because it might be their only shot at winning...

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. How so?

They came to a deal in August 2011 in order to raise the debt ceiling after a protracted and totally unnecessary fight and now the Republicans are welshing out on the deal for no good reason. How does this make them look good? I know how Fox News and the right-wing will spin it but in the end what are most people going to think? Who likes deal-breakers?

[Drunken Irishman]

4. I never said it would make them look good...

But you saw what the speculation of a government shut down did to Obama's approval ratings and the economy in 2011. You better believe it will happen again. This isn't about looking good. It's about pulling Obama down with them. Granted, it's risky and it might not work, but it's not like they have many options to begin with. Hence, this may be their only option to win this election.

[bluerum]

3. I do not agree. They lied. That will be the focus.

[Drunken Irishman]

5. Oh no doubt! I'm sure the Republicans are expecting to get dinged big time here...

But they're also hoping to bring down Obama with them. Last year, when the government almost shut down in April & then August, Obama's approval ratings tanked, Romney overtook him in the polls and the economy slowed. That's what the Republicans want to replicate. They don't care about their ratings. They only care about dinging Obama enough to give Romney the win.

Remember, Romney isn't a member of the House or Senate. He's not going to be nearly as negatively impacted by this as congress. He'll say it just shows how toxic the environment is in Washington and how Obama fails as a leader.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. I see your point

*ugh*

Hopefully, though, President Obama will be able to remind people that the Republicans are the ones whom will clearly be at fault here since they are breaking the debt they negotiated, supposedly in good faith to keep the govt going.

Man, I f*****g hate Republican Congresscritters right now!

[bluerum]

7. Excellent details. Hope the O campaign can counter.