Inside the Boiler Room: Let's make a deal

While the new NBC News poll shows that most Americans want Republicans and Democrats to make a deal in the budget negotiations, NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro explain that some Republicans are hesitant to give in because of potential primary challenges.

Thanks Amy B. Portland, ME for the question!

Edited by NBC's Matt Loffman.

 

TRANSCRIPT:

MONTANARO:  I'm Domenico Montanaro, and this is Inside the Boiler Room.  I'm here with my colleague Mark Murray.  And Mark, Amy B. from Portland, Maine, asks, "The general perception is, if we go over the fiscal cliff, the blame will rest with House Republicans.  My question is, why don't Republican leaders sound even the tiniest bit conciliatory towards the President?" 

MURRAY: Well there's I think one simple answer to Amy why there is a lot of Republican resistance to cutting a deal, and that has to do with Republican primaries.  That these folks are looking over their shoulders and saying, 'We see a lot of the same poll numbers that are on the NBC News Wall Street Journal poll that show people want compromise.  They actually want the fact that you end up raising the rates on the wealthiest of income.'  But they also see if they actually cut a deal, they could end up losing their jobs.  And this is even a calculation for House Speaker John Boehner.  If actually completely ends up caving in on almost everything the White House wants, does he even remain Speaker?  So that's a very delicate situation for the Republican Party.

MONTANARO:  Yeah, there are a lot of delicate balances that they have to make.  I do think, though, that Republicans would say that they have been more conciliatory because in 2011, they said that rates, or revenue, was off the table.  Well now they're saying, and John Boehner would say to his great peril because of the speakership, that he's put revenue on the table.  Now that's not raising tax rates. 

MURRAY: Right. 

MONTANARO: Which I think is Amy's point that there's broad support  for raising the tax rates on the top two percent.  But I think Republicans anyway would say that they've been more conciliatory on revenue. 

MURRAY: Right.  And our NBC Wall Street Journal poll actually asks and finds that a majority of the public, 56%, would actually blame both sides equally.  Though, there is a percentage, 24% would blame Boehner and the Republicans more.  Just 19% would blame President Obama.  But when you look at the rest of our poll, it does show that President Obama does seem to have a broad mandate for the things that Democrats are calling for in this budget standoff. 

MONTANARO: Well, but anytime Republicans will see that there's even the tiniest sliver of hope for, within a poll, they're going to use that to go with the ideology that they believe to be able to say, 'See, we don't really have to completely give in.'

Discuss this post

Yay! Can't wait to read the transcript!

  • 9 votes
#1 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:38 PM EST

Amy: I just want to tell you that your Barry Claus avatar is GREAT!!!

Probably not for the same reason you chose it.

But, it's truly a picture that is worth a thousand words.

LMAO!!!!

  • 6 votes
#1.1 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:45 PM EST

I'm bipartisan that way.

  • 6 votes
#1.2 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:48 PM EST

Congrats Amy!!!!! :-)

  • 9 votes
#1.3 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:52 PM EST

Amy---they start out by calling it a brilliant question from the lovely & talented Amy! Well, they actually didn't, but they should have! Congrats on having your question selected.

Hey Domenico--you never told us you were such a Mr. Rogers fan that you dress like him!

I was interested to hear Mark & Domenico say that Boehner is afraid of losing the Speakership. I wish he would call his party's bluff instead of trying to save them from themselves.

  • 9 votes
#1.4 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:58 PM EST

Congrats, Amy!

Looks like the answer is because they want to cover their butts due to the fact they ran on no new taxes (thanks Grover) and are afraid of losing their seats regardless of what the country wants now. Sad.

  • 8 votes
#1.5 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:01 PM EST

Amy at #1.2. No, sorry. You have NEVER been bipartisan. Who are you trying to fool?? You have your hot coals waiting....go to it, gurrrrrllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    #1.6 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:17 PM EST

    I'm bipartisan that way.

    Hey Albany Joe, I suspect Amy doesnt know Merriam's accepted definition of bipartisan LOL

    I can picture Rudolph and company pulling AF1 every 1st of the month.

    • 3 votes
    #1.7 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:22 PM EST

    Amy - congratulations!

    Oscar - clearly you've confused what is waiting for YOU with what is waiting for Amy.

    • 8 votes
    #1.8 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:27 PM EST

    YAY for Ames!

    Congrats!!!!

    • 8 votes
    #1.9 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:39 PM EST

    Congrats to you Amy.

    • 7 votes
    #1.11 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:45 PM EST

    Congratulations, Amy!

    • 7 votes
    #1.12 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 3:16 PM EST

    Good question, Amy, and thanks for your explanation Dom and Mark. I had actually wondered about that, because the polling simply doesn't jibe with the posturing on this issue.

    • 4 votes
    #1.13 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 5:22 PM EST

    Bob Woodward says the Democrats are in a “Civil War,” Obama is the Key Player & needs to show “Coherent Leadership” on the Fiscal Cliff. The polls all show that the American Public expect BOTH tax increases and spending cuts. The Republican proposal does both, but President Obama does not want to address specific spending until after the top tax bracket is increased from 35% to 39.6%. He wants what he wants before discussing anything else.

      #1.14 - Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:01 AM EST

      Boehner's position is directly from the platform of the guy who lost the last presidential election. I what sane world does that become the starting point for negotiations?

      • 1 vote
      #1.15 - Fri Dec 14, 2012 12:47 PM EST

      ...some Republicans are hesitant to give in because of potential primary challenges.

      This is what the GOP gets for all the gerrymandering to create safe seats in solid red districts. Way to go you Republican bozos. Maybe one day you will actually embrace democracy.

      • 1 vote
      #1.16 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:52 PM EST
      Reply

      YAY!!! I had a feeling that your question would be answered!

      • 7 votes
      Reply#2 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:43 PM EST

      "...Republicans are hesitant to give in because of potential primary challenges."

      ============

      The very premise is sad and all too telling:

      A) How dare another Citizen put their hat in the ring to represent the District, I'm here

      B) If you actually force me to legislate, I won't be able to feed horse crap to the Voters and say a whole bunch of dumb things that aren't true, I can't really do and actually don't even care about

      • 5 votes
      Reply#3 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:46 PM EST

      Bravo!, Allen-Omaha!!!!!! You've just described Hussein to a tee!!!! I wish i could vote you up two or three times.....

      • 1 vote
      #3.1 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:11 PM EST

      Oscar - you prove daily that you have NO CLUE about much of anything!

      • 4 votes
      #3.2 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:28 PM EST

      Oscar - you prove daily that you have NO CLUE about much of anything!

      then you should feel like youre in good company Seeking

      • 3 votes
      #3.3 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:34 PM EST

      Oscar, I don't think Obama has to worry about someone going up against him in the next primary. Did you not read Allens post, or did you just hit the wrong reply button?

        #3.4 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:35 PM EST
        Reply

        Sorry to say that "most Americans want Republicans and Democrats to make a deal in the budget negotiations' does not translate into what the Rebublicans want or what the Democrats want. Natalie Cucchiara is parsing words in order to elicit a predetermined response.

        • 2 votes
        Reply#4 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:58 PM EST

        And the WH has already signaled their willingness to compromise.

        When will the GOPTP stop proposing the same thing over and over while referring to it as "a new offer"?

        • 2 votes
        #4.1 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 5:24 PM EST
        Reply

        Polls, schmolls.......wasn't there a poll that said 85% of Americans were happy with their health coverage prior to Hussein's health care law???? And......when the PPACA was up for vote, 65% of Americans didn't want it?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

        • 2 votes
        Reply#5 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:06 PM EST

        Just sayin' ................

          #5.1 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:21 PM EST

          Oscar - wasn't there a poll that said 85% of Americans were happy with their health coverage No - there wasn't. And your childish reference to our President as Hussein shows your lack of intellect and integrity. But, it makes you the perfect, moronic Republican!

          • 5 votes
          #5.2 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:30 PM EST

          Ah, Seeking has her vigina in a twit again! Keep it up Oscar.

            #5.3 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:42 PM EST

            Seeking, The Insane One, yes. Yes, there was a poll at the time that said 85% of Americans were happy with their health insurance coverage.

            and, PLEASE CLUE ME IN.......what is so 'childish" about referring to a person in our White House BY HIS NAME?????!?!?!?!?

              #5.4 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:44 PM EST

              Oscar....isn't that what Repubs said about the pre-election polls....did not believe them.....and look what happened...LOL!

              Don't know where you got the 85% number....best back that up with facts...if you can.

              Your using President Obama's middle name was meant to be demeaning...and we all know it.

              • 2 votes
              #5.5 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:48 PM EST

              Dragon,....duh...derrrrr......duh.........thus my refernce to 'polls, schmolls".....get it???????? I really don't believe in them. But, YES, it was well publicized about the 85%. I don't have the motivation to make up for your lack of effort in refusing to look it up. I'm going off memory here. AND, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The person in our White House's name is just that. Until you reprimand people who use "Willard" I will not back down from using "Hussein." DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, pretend to knwo what "was meant" when referring to me!!!! THANK YOU. Peace! ;-)

                #5.6 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:54 PM EST

                notsofunnygirl - as usual you show that the gutter is where you live - no class just crudeness. Perfect Republican!

                • 5 votes
                #5.7 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 3:04 PM EST

                If it's so "well publicized" then you should have no trouble providing independent back up for your statement.

                • 1 vote
                #5.8 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 5:25 PM EST

                Seeking, please read your own trash.

                  #5.9 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 5:43 PM EST

                  When I refer to Mitt as Willard, I mean it as a slur :). But he's not potus and hasn't earned my respect.

                  • 1 vote
                  #5.10 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:33 PM EST
                  Reply

                  Congratulations Amy

                  • 4 votes
                  Reply#6 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:35 PM EST

                  So Mr. Boehner, you are going to deal from Ohio, are you?

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#7 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 3:24 PM EST

                  Aren't they fukked either way? If they refuse to compromise and take us over the cliff, their base may allow them to win their primary, but they'll be extremely vulnerable to losing their elections since the majority of voters want them to compromise and will hold them accountable for not doing so.

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#8 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:29 PM EST

                  Apparently, I'm not most Americans. I believe the best thing to do is go over the fiscal speed bump. And then go after those loopholes and subsidies. Only after that is done, would I even start looking at entitlements. I can pay the Clinton taxes and sequestration looks like the very best way to cut spending.

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#9 - Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:46 PM EST

                  Why don't all of the sorry politicians on both sides of the aisle including the POTUS sit down like adults and solve this mess. It's a terribly sad day in America when we have a cowardly gunman shoot and kill innocent children in school and these lame idiots in Washington think their stupid party politics actually matter. Take a hike. It's become utterly sickening and it's not a very proud day to be an American. If we ever needed God, it's now, especially given it's supposed to be the happiest time of the year. Overwhelmingly tragic sad day. No politics for me today.

                    Reply#10 - Fri Dec 14, 2012 1:44 PM EST
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