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House Speaker John Boehner offered a rare glimpse Tuesday into his summer 2011 negotiations with President Obama on a "grand bargain" to rein in spending and address mounting debt.
The Ohio Republican reflected on how the spending fight that plagued Washington last year would affect his legacy, and hinted that he would make another attempt at extracting reforms by using the nation's borrowing limit as a bargaining chip.
In a speech at a Washington conference at fiscal issues, Boehner called the time span between Election Day and the end of the year, during which Congress must address expiring tax cuts and a looming hike in the debt limit, an "action-forcing event."
Boehner spoke of himself in historical terms and seemed to recognize a far-reaching debt deal could cement his legacy as an effective speaker.
“I’m ready, and I’ve been ready. I’m not angling for higher office. This is the last position in government I will hold. I haven’t come this far to walk away," he said. "All my life, I’ve operated by a simple code: if you do the right thing for the reasons, good things will happen. Well, NOW is the time to do the right thing."
Achieving the "right thing" might involve a bipartisan deal along the lines Boehner and President Obama had negotiated during the height of the debt ceiling showdown. But gridlock in Congress, driven by hard-charging conservatives and a deep chasm between the Republican House and the Democratic Senate, has shown that such a deal would be easier said than done.
Boehner's pronouncement that he's seeking no further office, combined with Obama's sentiment that this election is his last, could open the door to a new agreement between the two leaders.
But Boehner also decried the way in which Obama had allegedly "moved the goalposts" during their 2011 talks.
“We were on the verge of an agreement that would have reduced the deficit by trillions, by strengthening entitlement programs and reforming the tax code with permanently lower rates for all, laying the foundation for lasting growth," he said. "But when the president saw his former colleagues in the Senate getting ready to press for tax hikes, he lost his nerve. The political temptation was too great. He moved the goalposts, changed his stance, and demanded tax hikes.”
The White House has contended that Boehner never had the GOP votes to achieve a true bipartisan compromise because House Republicans would be reluctant to accept any increase in taxes.
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the nation's borrowing limit as a bargaining chip
Here we go again, jeopardizing the nation's credit rating to play a political game. Why can't Republicans ever just do what is right for the country?
Amen Ames!
Why can't we have a fair balance of revenue increases and responsible cutting?
Instead the scheme is to balance the budget off the backs of the those who can least afford it!
"All my life, I’ve operated by a simple code: if you do the right thing for the reasons, good things will happen. Well, NOW is the time to do the right thing."
Really? NOW is the right time? How long have you been in office? Now is the right time?
At the very least you could and should have been doing the right thing by guiding the republicans to help make life better for all Americans at least during the time you have been Speaker of the House. Instead you have been the poster boy for obstructionalism. Obstruct. There is your legacy!
Amy B. Portland, ME
the nation's borrowing limit as a bargaining chip
Here we go again, jeopardizing the nation's credit rating to play a political game. Why can't Republicans ever just do what is right for the country
Amy; because they are a bunch of jerks!
More spending cuts? Boehner is delusional. John, we're running a $1.3 trillion dollar deficit this year. Where exactly are the spending cuts again?
Of course this will get Obama to conclude his Gay Tour and actually talk about the budget, economy, debt and deficits again. You know, things he's been a total failure at.
Sorry. Legacy will be that of the same as McConnell's. "The most unhonorable people to ever walk capitol hill".
Dear JoAnnaSmith1.... perhaps you should read more and watch Fox less. Obama has had MORE 60 vote "we will not talk about it" than ANY of the total up through the present Congress. You cannot even get 60 guys to vote to go the the bathroom in the Senate. Perhaps if the GOP wasn't so blind we might have had more. Obama does what he can...and 50 year from now when we are all reading book in Chinese they will all talk about the political downfall caused by the GOP... of course Koch Industries will be printing them all.
Please explain why accumulating unsustainable debt is what is right for the country?
Amy B....Butterflies and Bunnies, Rainbows and Lollipops, Unicorns and Ice Cream, Cotton Candy Clouds and Chocolate Rivers, Pinwheels and puppies..........
and the President..................
lalalalallalalalalalalalalala...........
Please explain why unsustainable tax breaks, the very thing causing this issue along with cutting jobs in the public sector, is the "right" thing to do. The GOP is unfit to rule.
Amy B,
I'm sorry that "White Collar Auto" was not paying attention last summer.
forget it rocco. they don't understand that you can't keep spending more than you take in without going bankrupt. just make sure you have a current passport. if this nitwit president is elected a second term you're gonna need it.
GermanGem, who has been in control of the House this last year? Why has the debt gone up since last year if they have control.
Tax cuts for the rich. Why hasn't that plan worked already? Come on it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this avenue is a failure.
Put the tax rates back to Clinton era rates for a good start.
GermanGem: If congress and the republicans had not sold their souls to the 1% and did not follow Bush Jr's playbook this country would be so far ahead right now that the results would probably scare you to death. Oh i am sorry that i forgot that republicans can't stand progress if a black president had anything to do with it.
GermanGem -- Don't toy with us about the 1% getting a first-class ticket out of the country. They might as well join their money in the Cayman Islands, or Swiss Bank accounts or where ever they stash it. Because they sure as hell aren't doing any good here.
Boehner and Teapublicans -- Where are the JOBS you promised?! Let's see a record of what you have actually done since 2008, or even since 2010. Let's see it!
Gee Mr. Boehner, how did that work the last time for you. Seems like all you got was a credit downgrade, an extension on a failed budget, and a super-group that fizzled out faster than Dole without Viagra. But hey, I guess we should give you credit on the Republican standard of "doubling down" on failed policies and partisan politics.
PSSST - you hinted at jobs, where are they?
What the republican are trying is the same solution that has caused France, Spain, the UK and other countries that has tried austerity, they all failed and did nothing but make their economy worse, and that is the main reason that Great Brittain is in a douple dip recession this very day. But with the republicans what ever it takes to get the black guy out of office and kill womens rights why'll totally under the cover of pure B.S.
You are 100% correct Hawk. If people don't see it coming by Nov. it may be to late to stop it.
well if they do it gain with the debt ceiling then they can kiss their majority goodby. i think the voters are tired of all this crap. and everybody is beginning to see it. note the decline of acceptance of the tea party from last summer till now. it's a big drop off.
So this is Boehner's last election. Hopefully people in OH will vote him out in November so the rest of the country no longer has to deal with him.
GOP, it is time to stop playing you remedial games with US citizens and allow the cuts to expire. No tit for tat, this for that. Just do your job by helping the economy recover.
He has no opponent running against him. So guess we are stuck with him.
Republicans will do what they want, in spite of what the European message is, simply because they think Europe is a steaming bed of Socialists. They refuse to look at history nor any of the world's lessons that might give them a clue as to what the "right thing" might really be. They don't like learning in any way shape or form.
Judyaz:People on the right can scream socialist all the want but the truth is that with the intellect that the gop shows people on the right are swimming in socialist ideas and don't even know it, it is no mistake that Rick Santorum had a grandfather(name pietro) and two uncles who were red communist in italy and you never heard about it from no one in the republican party. And red communist are the worse kind of socialist.
Boner can only do what he did last year because like his party they have no new ideas except bully the people of this country.
Mr. President, just say NO to the weeper.
There will be a distinct difference to choose from in November. One is inclusive of all races, gender and color, while the other supports tax savings for the most affluent of America. One has tried to make it easy for everyone to reach their goals, while the other backs limitation of education and dissolution of numerous Social Programs. One worked his way up the ladder to success while the other had excesses and privileges so he could have elevators for his two Cadillac's for his wife in his new California domicile as he traipses across France two or three times per year. There are many who did not want the nominee to be Romney and hold their nose when they vote for him, while Obama enjoys the success and support from people of color, women, gays and unions. It has been well documented the Troubling Economic Antagonist(TEA) party would field contestants around the nation to further their skewed, narrow-minded fringe beliefs and effect local and state controls while moving towards national prominence. Get involved locally. That's where the real power lies. Effect a change! Make your voices heard! Get active locally - Get active at the state level - Get registered to vote - Vote - Get out the vote! There will be a distinct difference to choose from in November. One is inclusive, the other seeks separation of classes, gender, races and living standards. Recession - "Crying Wolf" as by the TEA-Republicans is so sanctimonious and self-serving. The economy is slowly healing without any input from the TEA-Republican leadership and Boehner threatening another "Debt Ceiling" confrontation just before the November election stinks to high heaven. But so typical of confrontational-ist behaviors from Obama's opposition.
John Bonehead, A LEGACY! Now that's a real laugh! Anyone that backs the likes of exlax ETCH-A-SKETCH couldn't possibly think of himself as NOTHING MORE than a corrupt Republican political puppet! Any person that PUBLICLY trys to humiliate President Obama as he does, is so far away from BEING a LEGACY as one person can get! You are NOTHING MORE THAN AN INSULT TO THE 99% American People! A LEGACY! YUK, YUK!
99% American People, this is one more reason for us to vote 100% DEMOCRATIC, and rid ourselves of these exlax ETCH-A-SKETCHES once and for all!
John Bonehead is right. He is a legacy, when it comes to ripping off the american public by abusing his position to benifit the republican party. Now he say's its his last stand, what a joke. He should of been thrown out on his ass long ago. Along with the rest of those clowns who sit on their ass doing everything possible to help him ruin our country. That's what I call "TREASON". They should all be held accountable for their actions, like they expect us to tolerate everything they have, or want to shoved down our throats. This country is circling the drain thanx to them, while they pat themselves on the back for the great job they think they have done. America should line them up and kick them in the ass. They are such a treasure, they should be buried. What they really are is a party of snakes that should be defanged so they can't poison our country anymore! We do have to vote 100% DEMOCRATIC SO WE CAN GET BACK ON TRACK. TOGETHER WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL!! OBAMA/ BIDEN 2012.
"an action-forcing event"??? What the heck is the Speaker talking about? Don't we send them to Congress to take actions? Slip of the tongue there Mr. Speaker; sort of reinforces the idea of the House as the do-nothing branch of government.
Boehner, where's all the jobs you promised...that's the legacy, No jobs. Try passing ONE jobs bill...
Boehner is scared of Norquist, scared of Tea Party, scared of Ryan...no wonder he drinks and weeps so much.....he is a scared little man!