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He hasn't spoken yet, but Democrats are already criticizing House Republican leader John Boehner (R-OH) as offering "more of the same" in a speech on the economy to be delivered tomorrow.
In anticipation of Rep. Boehner's scheduled address at the City Club of Cleveland, DNC Vice Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz said she expected Boehner to reiterate his desire, and, by association, that of all Congressional Republicans, to return to President George W. Bush's fiscal policies, including his failed effort to privatize Social Security and an extension of his tax cuts for the top 1% of earners that are set to expire at the end of 2010.
"John Boehner has been consistent in that he has not abandoned the previous agenda that got us into the ditch in the frstplace," Wasserman-Schultz told reporters on a conference call.
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern, who joined Wasserman-Schultz on the call, also stuck to the Democratic campaign script, accusing Republicans of wanting to regain legislative control after being voted out in 2006 and then mounting near-unanimous opposition to all of President Obama's major initiatives.
Redfern said Republicans are "stopping President Obama and Democrats from cleaning up the mess they created, and going back to the same policies that got us into this mess to begin with."
When asked specifically about whether Democrats will allow all Bush tax cuts to expire, Wasserman-Schultz said no decisions have been made on the substance or timing of a tax cut announcement.
"Certainly the majority of Democrats are supportive of making sure that if we're reenacting any of those tax cuts it would be for the middle class and working families," she said, adding that there were a variety of opinions on whether to address the tax cuts right away, but that "in terms of timing it's not decided upon."
Responding to the Democrats' pre-buttal of Boehner's speech, Kevin Smith, a spokesman for the Minority Leader, accused Democrats of ignoring proposals put forth in a Republican economic plan available online.
On tomorrow's speech, he wrote that Boehner "will outline common-sense solutions to end the ongoing economic uncertainty, boost small business job creation, and end the spending spree in Washington. Instead of spreading distortions, Democrats should be working with Republicans to support policies that will support true job creation and end the spending spree in Washington.”
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I wonder if he will do his Foster Brooks immitation?
Or, maybe instead of "Rhapsody in Blue", he can deliver "Bovine Turdiosis in Orange".
Republicans have not offered anything new since 1980.
Doubt they'll start now. Let's see, Boehner will talk about creating jobs by giving small businesses tax breaks (which he voted against), extending the Bush tax cuts including for the wealthy (no spending cuts needed) because that created so many jobs during the Bush years (3 million gained and 6 million lost), the debt is out of control because of democrats and we cannot keep using the credit cards and giving the bills to our children and grandchildren, the stimulus did not work. Boehner will not offer any new ideas just tax cuts and small government.
Mr. Smith, the Republican ideas listed on line are not being ignored, they are being rejected. They are the same policies that got us where we are and it would be foolish to go back to them.
JoannaSmith1 -- where are you? Please tell us all of the great proposals that Bonehead has to offer. Please enlighten us JoannaSmith1. Shall I hold my breath in anticipation of such good ideas or will I pass out waiting?
And while you are at it JoannaSmith1 please tell us what jobs the Bush tax cuts created during the last 10yrs and how they are going to be paid for if they don't expire.
I think it's a lot to expect for a person who doesn't know when to come in out of the sun to offer "common sense solutions" to anything.
Perfect example of how ridiculous things have gotten: The man hasn't even spoken, yet the Dems and their rabid followers are out to discredit everything that he hasn't yet said.
I'm disgusted with all of it.
And Jody, what exacly is wrong with tax cuts and small government? The Bush tax cuts were not bad per se, it was the fact that spending was (and is) out of control.
Jill F., Tulsa, OK
Perfect example of how ridiculous things have gotten: The man hasn't even spoken, yet the Dems and their rabid followers are out to discredit everything that he hasn't yet said.
I am not Jody, although I do agree with her, but allow me the honor. We know what he will say because it is the same message that they have been generating for the past decade. When they speak of "common sense approaches" they mean tax cuts for the wealthy, jobs because of the tax cuts; well you probably know the rest.
Jill: I'm disgusted with all of it.
Well that is something that I agree with you. The republicans really do disgust me with the mis-information and distortion of the truth and pushing the same failed policies.
Jill: And Jody, what exacly is wrong with tax cuts and small government? The Bush tax cuts were not bad per se, it was the fact that spending was (and is) out of control.
You're right. The Bush tax cuts were not bad for the wealthiest of our citizens and spending is out of control, mostly because of the tax cuts. It does not matter how you try to frame it, the agenda that the republicans are pushing is the same as it has been for quite sometime and I guess we will never agree on that.
Again, I am totally disgusted with the way the republicans have portrayed themselves during the past 20 months. They are shameful and do not deserve to be paid by the taxpayers for the job, or lack thereof, they have failed to do for the citizens, period.
KMac,
Bush drove the car into the ditch. (O.K.)
Obama campaigned for the job and promised he could get the car out of the ditch. (O.K.)
Obama got the job and said he needed a trillion to get the car going. (O.K.)
Obama SPENT a TRILLION and the CAR IS STILL IN THE DITCH.
After giving Obama a trillion to do the job, Obama blames Bush.
And you say the Republicans are shameful?
Quit insulting your intelligence.
Bob: Quit insulting your intelligence.
You can have your opinion about me insulting my intelligence, that is your right. Now, tell me why we should let the minority party be paid using taxpayer dollars for a job they have not, in my opinion, done. If you can honestly say that they (republicans) have done anything at all except go against everything the majority has put forth then I will concede. I have heard all about the dems going against the "will of the people"but don't you think that if the republicans go against their very own proposals that something else is going on? Surely, surely there have been some issues that they could have come to agreement on. Some of the things that the dems have proposed are, and I repeat, are good ideas but the republicans refuse to try and work with this administration.
Now, stop insulting your own intelligence. I will not waste time responding to you again on this issue because I disagree with you and you will not be able to change my mind. I follow the political issues constantly and I am not impressed with the minority party, enough said.
Nevertheless the GOP spent like drunken sailors and I don't expect that to change if they get their way and maintain the "Bush Tax Shift".
Yes, I said "Bush Tax Shift" because that's what it was...the top 2% pay less and make their kids pick up the tab.
Da Noid,
It's not just a 'shift' (more like a shaft, but I digress). The marketing geniuses of the Bush Administration came up with this GREAT temporary program - Tax Discounts. Guess what folks? The program was a BUST. You cannot hand out Discounts on taxes, not pay for them, wage two wars and tell the American public to go shopping (sic, nothing to see here folks, just move along) and then act indignant when you get called on your BS. So if the Republicans really want the keys back to the car, I think at minimum they tell us how they plan to pay for the damages and the insurance and whether or not they plan to go through rehab. It is perfectly reasonable to expect that an 8 year shift in policies can give them the time and distance they need to 'properly refhabilitate themselves' into the party of fiscal conservatism. Until then, they are acting like spoiled teenagers who can't fathom why THEY are being GROUNDED for their behavior. I am personally fed up with the tantrum.
Jill, those tax cuts were unfunded and added to the national debt--the debt everyone on the right screams about. But go ahead defend re-distributing wealth to the wealthy. Why do you think the GOP did not make them permanent anytime between 2001 and 2007? Because they knew those tax cuts were unsustainable. It is not bout small government, it is about smart government. Care to explain exactly what we should sacrifice, perhaps Homeland Security, the Pentagon, Education, roads, bridges, fire and police, the food and drug administration (more bad food), the EPA (more BP disasters). The point, Jill, is you have no point except to be contrary.
As for Boehner, why should liberals not predict what he has to say and have some fun in the process. He is after all very predictable as is McConnell and the others. After he speaks, we can review our predictions to see how accurate we are. Rep Boehner gives a pre-speech against the WH ideas before Pres Obama speaks and he doesn't know what the president will say.
thanks, KMac, you did a great job answering. I didn't come back to the thread until after 9.
I think I saw njnbnj on here saying to cut education; but quite frankly the Republicans can barely walk upright as it is, if they cut their education anymore, they'll have to start an entitlement 'program' for help reading the ballots and pulling the damn lever IN THE BOOTH. I'm sure Rush would provide the service at a NOMINAL charge!
He CARES that a way.
Jody, there are lots of ways to cut spending. For example, you talk about making cuts in education like it's a completely bad thing. Here's the deal: there are millions and millions wasted in districts across the country. For example, the former superintendent from our school gets paid to be a "consultant" (whatever that means") to our school district. You can't throw a blanket over "education" and say it can't be touched. I'm sure that there are ways to cut defense spending, i.e., get out of Afghanistan!! I'd say our interests are better served keeping our troops here protecting our borders, which would be way cheaper than continuing to fight an unwinnable war.
As far as being contrary, Jody, perhaps YOU should take a peek into your mirror. The tax cuts would not have been bad IF there hadn't been two wars waged in the meantime. Small government is not bad.
K Mac,
Frankly, the last sentence of my post wasn't called for. Sorry about that.
Obama campaigned as centrist. He has governed as one of the most extreme liberals in American history. Beyond the actual issues, Obama is first and foremost a statist who believes in big government and the dramatic expansion of the role, control and power of the federal government. This is not what Obama campaigned for and not what America voted for. From HCR to Finance Reform, from Arizona to the mosque, almost everything Obama has done has been against he majority will of the people. This is not what America voted for.
America wants responsible government, not an absolute government. America wanted HCR, but not the type of government control over their lives they got. Same thing with FinRef, America wanted responsible regulations and oversight, not the 2,300 pages of additional government control and power. Obama takes an idea America wants and always uses it to advance what is more important to him, the expansion in the role and control of the federal government. The last bill for small business, was fine, except for all the hidden strings and the expansion of the role and control of the federal government. Everything is fundamentally about the expansion of the role and control of the federal government. America does not want this and that is the fundamental reason why the minority doesn't go along.
K Mac, do really believe that I think I can convince you to change your mind? Are you kidding? Liberals represent 20% of the population. Conservatives represent 42%. The purpose of my response is not to convince you to not vote for Obama, it is to convince a few of the the other 38% to not vote for Obama.
Thanks for your comments K Mac.
K Mac, you see, because I do not wear party blinders, I can see that both political parties are DISGUSTING. They both engage in the same sort of petty name-calling and distort the information that they share with the public. They are BOTH shameful! You see, because I am not wearing party blinders, I am also not interested in what letter is behind a Senator or Representative's name. I am more interested in finding solutions as opposed to winning, or who is right and who is wrong, or who is to blame for the all the crap going on in this country right now.
I always love it when people bring up the Bush Tax Cuts.. and how they got the largest part of it. .well thats such a wonderful way to say it if you are a Democrat.. but really. lets get one of you democrats to tell us...
If a person Made 1.5 Million Dollars . How much Federal Income Tax did they Pay..
If a person Made 40,000 dollars how much federal Income tax did they pay?
if a person made 24,000 how much Federal Income tax did they pay?.
Share with us in all yoru Infinate Wisdom who actually paid any Federal Income tax.. Dont cry to us about Tax Cuts. and people being allowed to keep the money they earned.. one of you Wise Democrats please tell us. How much Each of these incomes actually paid income tax and how much
Steve, I made over a mil last year. I paid $7400.00. I love the republicans because they always give you a loophole when they pass tax legislation. Unfortunatley, someone making $60,000 has nowhere to hide. LOL Dems
City Club of Cleveland....??? Will Bonehead be playing the entire course?
So, this is what democrats are reduced to-insisting that no one listen to what republicans have to say, because, as dems say, they have nothing to say.
They'd do better telling people not to listen to what OBAMA has to say. Every time he opens his mouth, his polls drop. Bad news for those seeking re-election. Well, only if you're a dem. For republicans, it's a gift.
We listened to what the Republicans offered from 2001 - 2008 . . . shoot, you guys actually got to try them out and we rejected those ideas after seeing where they took us. And don't even start with that "Dems were in control for 4 years and Obama for 2 years" disingenuous clap-trap. If you can't overcome a veto or a filibuster, you do not have control.
The Republican ideas will not work under the current economic conditions.
No Jo,
They'd do better telling people not to listen to what OBAMA has to say. Every time he opens his mouth, his polls drop. Bad news for those seeking re-election. Well, only if you're a dem. For republicans, it's a gift.
Please No Jo its not just Obama who cornners the market on what he is saying. did you see face the nation yesterday, and McConnel gave us his half-A*S answers about the tax cuts and how to pay for them, in addition to the quote of the day (Obama says he is a christen i'm take him at his word) 'so i have asked Joanna and Now i'll ask you
what should we do about the tax cuts and paying for them, you are soo on your high horse about paying for what we are doing, please tell me how would you pay or not pay for the tax cuts. if you don't answer then i will assume you are all for the republican adjenda and not paying for sh*t. so please talk to us not at us, use that BA and MBA and give us a lession on how the great NO JO would do about the tax cuts.
Jeff-I have statedit before,but willdo so again-
cut spending.
Cut the department of education-it is and was a bad idea, and has hurt, rather than helped, education. Cut all those salaries and bennies, and give the money to states as block grants. cut EVERY OTHR DEPARTMENT by 20%-real cuts, not phoney cuts in the rate of increase.
that's how you pay for it.
Oh, please, take the bogus self-righteous indignation and stuff it up your arse!
We all know both sides do this so shut your noise and stop pretending like only one side does this and that you're a victim.
Cut spending where? Republicans tell us this but exactly where will the cuts be. Of course, social security, medicare and medicaid, the Dept of Education, EPA, FDA--those evil bureaucratic institutions that provide education, protect workers and citizens. Why be concerned about the elderly or middle class when the "me" group so clearly is in danger, we would never ask those making over a million to perhaps pay the same tax rate as the middle class.
Actually, in her defense, NoJo has been remarkably consistent about this. She believes that cutting the size of the entire Federal government by 20% would create solutions. I've never gotten a straight answer on how dumping several million people onto the street and increasing the unemployment rate to about 17-20% at a time when the private sector can't even sustain the number of unemployed that already exist wouldn't create an economic disaster of unprecedented proportions, but she is, at the very least, consistent.
The best she has offered is that people who work for the government are all shiftless layabouts who don't deserve to have the jobs anyway and they deserve to 'suffer' like the rest of us.
I personally don't believe in the petty, vindictive approach to macroeconomics, but if that's what she believes, it's what she believes.
no joe, no bo, nj
thank you No Jo, your not like JoAnnasmith1, you ask her for a answer and all she does is give talking points.
Ed Schultz
Why Do You Insist Gibbs Was Talking Directly To You? Move On, Everyone makes mistakes
Are You working for the Republican Party because you keep bringing this subject up and you know the damage it is doing to the party
Time to draw a line in the sand!
What’s more important your “Bruised Ego” or making sure that the Republicans Don’t Regain Power?
Time To Decide because you do have an impact on folk who watch your show and many of those folk are hurting by a force much more devastating than anything Robert Gibbs can ever say or do
Remember it’s called a near Depression cause by none other than the Republican party
Choose, please,
Whatever the choice we will respect your choice
However, we hope it’s to move on and be a positive force to help those in need rather than causing distractions that will clearly give those who cause so much hurt any political advantage
I agree, June. Ed Shultz's nose is out of joint. In fact, I was so disgusted I sent him an e-mail. He is one of the professional liberals Robert Gibbs was referring to and I agree with Gibbs; Gibbs was talking about the negativity coming from the professional left.
Ed Shultz is out of control... If only he read this blog, and listened to the real people!
spot on, listen up professional left.
Despite His Anti-Government Rhetoric, Gov. McDonnell’s Budget Surplus Results From “Government Assistance” $2.5 Billion Dollars From The Federal Stimulus!
McDonnell has a “History of Selective Amnesia” when it comes to Recovery funds!
While most states are experiencing debilitating budget deficits, Virginia is “feeling flush” after turning a $1.8 billion deficit into a $403.2 million budget surplus at the close of the fiscal year. In a celebratory speech before the Virginia legislature Thursday, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) credited higher tax revenue, state agencies’ fiscal responsibility, and serious budget cuts for the state’s ability “to balance the books.”
McDonnell’s victory tour continued with a stop on the Fox Business network to tout “fiscal prudence and conservative budgeting” as “the key” to his surplus. When enamored host Gerri Willis asked him whether Washington “could learn something from Virginia,” McDonnell replied he hoped his fiscal responsibility in Richmond “would be a model for Washington”:
WILLIS: Well you know congratulations, it’s an amazing story. You started the year with $1.8 billion deficit – you turned it around completely, even have a surplus. How’d you do it?
MCDONNELL: Well it took a lot of work and a lot of bipartisan support in both houses of the legislature but I think we took a very conservative, fiscal, practical approach to budget. You can’t spend what you don’t have. [...]
WILLIS: And you mentioned some of the spending priorities in Washington, could they learn something from Virginia?
MCDONNELL: Well, as I said in my speech to the legislature today, they sure could. Everybody knows, families and businesses that are cutting in these tough economic times, this is an unsustainable level of spending. What we need to do is incentivize the free enterprise system which has been the strength of American democracy for hundreds of years to grow. And we can’t keep adding a trillion and a half dollars to the national debt every year with this deficit, you’ve got to be fiscally prudent and incentivize the free enterprise system so you don’t have more government bailouts and more dependence of people on government. It’s a very different model and I hope Richmond would be a model for Washington
McDonnell’s “prudence” would be a shining example for the federal government if he hadn’t relied on one important contributor:
the federal government.
According to a Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis report released this week, last year’s Recovery Act provided $2.5 billion in stimulus relief to “maintain crucial services for [Virginia] citizens” and “help close the state’s budget shortfall in 2010-2012.”
Virginia legislators relied on $1.3 billion in enhanced Medicaid funding,
$1 billion in funding for K-12 and higher education,
$39 million for public safety, and
$200 million in general support to reduce “what would otherwise have been a $5.4 billion budget hole.”
But McDonnell has a history of selective amnesia when it comes to Recovery funds.
During his gubernatorial campaign, McDonnell continually criticized the Recovery Act as a “massive” spending bill that would “do little to help the economy.”
But, while in office, McDonnell heralded $24 million in federal funding to advance health information technology while sweeping the fact that it was stimulus funding under the rug.
He even requested stimulus funds to cover rising health care costs and to help build a Rolls Royce manufacturing plant in Prince George County.
As one Virginia legislator put it,
“we wouldn’t even be talking about the surplus if it weren’t for the stimulus
This is what the Repubs do, lies of ommission. That's why we call them......................................................................The RE-peat-the-lie-to-the-PUBLIC-ans!
Tireless twitter from tiresome twits on both sides. And really, June from Fl., Ed Schultz? Ed Schultz has maybe 137 viewers on a good night. He influences nothing.
Steven
Ed Shultz ratings are published. They ain't anything to crow about, and I will concede that he isn't very influencial, but why make up numbers? It doesn't bolster your twitter to lie about numbers, tweet.
I think everyone in the country should watch this speech and then decide if they want him third in line for the Presidency if the Republicans take back the house...
I don't have to watch any speech by that nutcase to give you the answer to this burning question:
Can Boehner be an effective Speaker of the House?
Hell NO HE CAN'T! If I could youtube from work there'd be a cute video of him Repeating this exclamation, over and over and over.
The way things are going, the GNOP is going to self destruct before the election. Look at the people they have running! No credibility, no real intelligent answers to today's problems, just rhetoric...
Mitch showed his true stripes on Sunday... I hope the voting public took notice.
As far as the professional left? Good is never enough - they want perfect... Get Real! I am totally fed up with ED, Huffington Post, and Firedoglake... And they all swear THEY are the people who elected Obama... They also need to get over themselves, just like Ed does...
Democrats have had four years in the saddle and what have they done that's positive? Nada. Negative? How about massive debt, a health care program that 70% of Americans did not want and can potentially sink this Country, finance reform that does nothing.......yada, yada,yada. This President has split this Country to a point where the political anger between neighbor's, family and friend's, is at an all time high. Is this the change he promised? Is this the non-partisan approach he promised? This President is way over his head and the democrats in the House and Congress are proving, once again, they just don't get it. All they can say in defense of their results is that "it's all Bushes fault", which has become tiring blather.
Fox News and misinformation are what have divided this country. Your first line of argument is a falsehood. The minority Rules in the Senate, thanks to the Rule 22 revision "proceedural" filibuster. Hence, the RE-peate-the-lie-to-the-PUBLIC-ans have been in the "saddle" in the Senate. Get properly informed before you come back to a political blog, Dave.
Your own Party Leaders can't seem to agree on much anymore Paul, they are heading for the hills trying to protect their retirement plans. Blaming Fox News for this Presidents shortcomings is a pretty lame retort. What do you suggest, that all Republicans and Independants watch the non-partisan MSNBC and bury their heads in the sand? No thanks. Just look whats it's done to the Far Left. They're on the train to la la land and don't know how to get off. Judging by your post, you're on the same train. Have a nice trip.
What shortcomings? He's done everything that the Republican minority in the Senate would allow him to do.
What would McCain have been able to get done that would have reduced the deficits which were locked in before Obama was elected?
How would McCain have stimulated more domestic hiring by our multi-national corporations?
Bet you won't have an answer. A response, but certainly not an answer.
Dave,
70% of the people didn't want HCR because it didn't have the public option. If we got that, the people would be behind it. But no, the repugnants wouldn't let their corporate healthcare buddies lose money. But after november, we can fix that .
Rouge,
The majority of Americans were satisfied with their health care. Instead of just covering the uninsured 15 million, many of whom could could afford it, but opted not to, Obama forced a program that will provide limited care, at a higher cost, on the entire Country. The result will be higher taxes, a reduction in doctors and medical professionals and higher premium's. Polls showed that 65 % of the Country did not want the public option. Anyone with common sense knows our government is not capable of managing National heath care, he!!, they can't even manage the Post Office.