The American Spectator

Clint| 7.15.11 @ 2:01PM

" (Ron)Paul was the only GOP House member TPM found Tuesday afternoon willing to take a firm stand against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) plan to hand the White House full authority to raise the debt ceiling with Congress only able to disapprove with a two-thirds vote. Conservative groups, Tea Party members outside Congress and activists are reportedly incensed over McConell's fall back plan.

"I wouldn't like that," Paul told TPM. "Congress should assume responsibility for itself" and figure out a way to cut spending.

Paul also dismissed talk that McConnell's lead trial balloon has undercut Republicans position in the debt talks.

"I don't think it has much effect," Paul said. "If it were [Speaker John] Boehner, it would have been a different story because we have the majority" in the House.

Michele Bachmann, a competitor for the GOP primary, declined to comment on the plan. "

Clint| 7.15.11 @ 2:05PM

"Ron Paul to launch ad opposing debt ceiling increase

(CNN) – Coming Friday to the airwaves in Iowa and New Hampshire: Rep. Ron Paul's first television ads of the 2012 campaign.

The 60-second commercial, which looks at the onset like a movie preview ad, highlights opposition by the longtime Republican congressman from Texas who is making his third bid for the White House to raising the nation's debt ceiling.

The spot starts with a notice that "the following preview has been approved for all audiences."

"In the '80s, they did it to Reagan. A debt ceiling compromise: Democrats promising spending cuts and delivering only tax hikes. The '90s brought more compromises, more broken promises and more new taxes," says the narrator of the ad.

The ad goes on to say that this summer "the next chapter will be written," referring to the debt ceiling negotiations.

"We know where they stand," says the narrator to images of President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

"But will our party leaders repeat the mistakes of the past? Will they choose compromise or conviction?"

The ad ends by touting Paul's longtime record of pushing for a much more limited federal government.

"One candidate has always been true. Ron Paul: Cut spending, balance the budget, no deals. Standing up to the Washington machine, guided by principle. Restore America now."

The Paul campaign says it's spending six figures to put the commercial on television in Iowa and New Hampshire, the two states that kick off the presidential caucus and primary calendar, which would make it the largest ad buy at this early point in the cycle–and the first major ad buy in the Granite State.

"Dr. Paul is committed to leading the charge against raising the debt ceiling and is running this campaign to win the presidency," Paul political director Jesse Benton tells CNN.

News of the ad was first reported by Politico. The airing of the commercial comes as the Paul campaign also begins a grassroots campaign to build opposition to raising the debt ceiling."

A Balrog of Morgoth| 7.15.11 @ 2:40PM

See, this is the sort of stuff even I can appreciated from Paul.

blackwatch| 7.16.11 @ 7:02PM

Elfsbane! You shall not pass!!!

CalMark| 7.15.11 @ 2:37PM

Enough of this Beltway (leftist) demagogic conventional wisdom already.

If Obama defaults, it is an IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE. Government income is $180-200 billion a month. Debt service is $30 billion. The Constitution requires creditors to be the first serviced.

If Obama defaults with enough money coming in, which there is, he is committing a CRIMINAL offense. In lesser mortals, especially Republicans, it would be called "misappropration of funds" and "fraud."

But I guess that doesn't fit your RINO "let's make a deal with the Democrats" because "we can't ever win" since "the sky is falling." Pre-emptive surrender a la McConnell (and Lawler) is why we're in the mess we're in.

Pecos Pete| 7.15.11 @ 2:54PM

Sort of reminds me of GM and Chrysler stiffing their bond holders while paying off the unions. King O would stiff the USA's bond holders (and Social Security recipients and the military), causing a default, while continuing to pay jobless and welfare benefits and sending money on to the government unions.

CrackerHound| 7.17.11 @ 11:28AM

I absolutely and whole heartedly agree with you Cal!!

I have not heard this point of view expressed before. It would be excellent if someone with a voice picked up on the notion of impeachment if Obama allows America to default. It would be at least equivalent to derilection of duty.

A Balrog of Morgoth| 7.15.11 @ 2:38PM

Kudlow is easily bewildered, hence his support for McConnell's scheme.

How are those "green shoots" doing, Larry?

darcy| 7.15.11 @ 3:08PM

Raising the debt ceiling without meaningful restraints on government spending and credible institutional reform is just as bad for our country's fiscal health as defaulting on the debt would be: both would signal to investors that the US unserious about dealing with our unsustainable and growing unfunded liabilities and that our legislators are unwilling to address its chronic addiction to spending. Both parties are to blame -- Republicans are just as bad as Democrats; and it's becoming increasingly clear to me that our elected officials have -- over these 70 years -- decided that they intend to use their position to amass as much power and wealth for themselves as they can at the expense of our nation's well-being.

What is so remarkable is that finally in the person of Obama we have this looting of America writ large. And the fact that there are not hundreds among the 535 congressional members who are daily standing before the cameras and talking to print reporters about the blatant theft going on in Washington, about the path to ruin we're on, about the needed reforms -- and detailing what needs to go, -- all this tells me that any resistance to business as usual is nothing but a ploy, pure theatre, to make it look like we actually have two parties in DC battling it out on our behalf to pull us back from the brink.

But no. There is one party of actors in Washington, dressed in red and blue, against the taxpayer, against the Constitution, and in it only for personal gain. How else could it be that by their actions they have put us so far into debt that each and every one of us owes $50,000 as his part of the debt. My grandson born last year is already a debtor, and he had no voice, no representation -- as legislators decided by a thousand cuts that they would perpetuate their careers at the expense of our children and grandchildren's well-being, robbing them of their birthright as Americans, turning them into slaves of the state.

And patting themselves on the back all the while at how easy a mark the American people proved to be.

Oldefarte| 7.15.11 @ 4:25PM

Agree Joseph! If default hits, the Democrats will effectively balme Republicans and Obama will get re-elected!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike Rogers| 7.16.11 @ 12:37AM

As others have said here, it's only a default if Obama makes it so. He should just do like any household, which would be to make our outgoings fit our income, and particularly take care of the loans which set our credit rating, and the welfare of our immediate dependents, before any discretionary spending.
Bloomberg has an excellent calculator which allows you to choose which programs and departments to fund, up to the amount of tax revenue coming in - a wonderful exercise.
Bottom line, if the president decides that defaulting on our debt and our seniors is the way to "share the pain", I for one will pledge my life, fortune and sacred honor to telling the truth from the rooftops and getting the man-child of questionable origin removed from office.
Obama has committed enough impeachable offenses already, but willfully destroying our nation's finances is high treason, punishable by death - after a proper trial, of course.

Mike Rogers| 7.16.11 @ 12:37AM

The preferred course of conservatives is to stop spending cold-turkey, and cut our outgoings by the 43 cents of each dollar which is borrowed, after all, it took Obama little more than a year to increase the deficit from about 1/10 of the budget to more than 1/3 of the budget - what's wrong with restoring 2007 spending levels?
Failing that, cutting actual FY 2012 spending by more than 20% and raising the debt ceiling by about $1trn, with a firm cap on spending at 18% of GDP to be fully in effect by the third year, would get us to sanity at a rapid and measurable pace.
On the other hand, passing the responsibility for the debt ceiling to the least responsible president in our history, is just plain dumb!

Oldefarte| 7.16.11 @ 10:13AM

Unfortionately spending cuts by the public will not solve this problem, but its happening is occurring due to this pathetic economic not created by this president but certainly enhanced by him and his Democrats in the last two years. Even though governmental spending reductions is his repsonsibility, he/they will politically balme Republicans and will prioritize governmental spending in a way that only benefits their indigent/welfare receiving constituents as same is the socialist-wealth redistributionist way of Chicago!!!!!!!

martin j smith| 7.16.11 @ 10:08AM

OK Lawler, since we are guessing--you certainly --how about this: Suppose Obama wants the default. Suppose he rejects anything that lacks tax increases OK. Then what. ? My hypothesis is this: The best strategy would be this: Offer a short term plan for raising the debt ceiling with equal amounts in spending cuts over two six month periods. I bet Obama would veto that. Then WE take our case to the AMERICAN PEOPLE. The main idea is to offer something anything that does not sabotage our economy and political advantage. As long as we offer and Obama says "NO" he is the one saying "NO". McConnell plan was not discused with peers and thus criticized as to its benefits and disadvantages. Also I think our dears leaders are short on strategic thinking--not clever enough to know how to out fox Obama.

Oldefarte| 7.16.11 @ 10:17AM

The one/only course of action is to avoid a default [as same would destroy this country, and especially since this president controls the priority means of governmental spending after same], and to elect more Republicans [especially conservative ones] in November of next year along with defeating this president [if he becomes re-elected, you can kiss this country goodbye]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michael L. Hauschild| 7.16.11 @ 10:32AM

Fifty years of malfeasance, many of our legislators have actively been involved with the demise of freedom, economic viability, and democracy for nearly half that time. They battle among themselves for influence never even once considering that the only power available and remaining lies with the citizenry. They have finally reached the point where they have stolen all, they are kings - we are serfs, our only function is to silently sate the statist with the twenty pices of silver they have stolen from Lady Liberty. Their rules, regulations, and tax and spend policies have soiled, corrupted and made unusable what they have not stolen. As we speak they wink, nod, and plot, not thinking of preserving our Nation, but instead, of saving their jobs and placing the blame on each other.
I implore all of you who blindly re-elect the destroyers of our nation, they are not “your” representative they represent themselves; they have become the elite, your only remaining function is as the enabler. Every single legislator that votes to raise the debt ceiling should be primaried. Those that are not up for election should be stripped of every post, chairmanship, or committee.
All this legislative doublespeak of plans, deferment of “cuts,” negotiations of “future” promises is simply their continued cowardice. Everything they say they want; everything we have demanded and demonstrated with the last election can be fulfilled by not raising the debt ceiling. Any preservation of our Union is doomed if you do not.
Everyone that says otherwise is a liar or a fool.

martin j smith| 7.16.11 @ 11:20AM

My view based on observing Obama's behavior and Republican response is this: Obama wants a crisis and WE better be prepared. That means even if he got whatever he wanted supposedly, he would reject it and want more or something else. It also means that even if he agreed to something-anything he would reneg on any agreement--or at very least you should be prepared for such renegging. Anyone who believes that Obama can be trusted at this point is either certifiable or lying.

Michael L. Hauschild| 7.16.11 @ 11:35AM

"Anyone who believes that Obama can be trusted at this point is either certifiable or lying."

or as I suspect,

"Anyone who believes that ANY OF THEM can be trusted at this point is either certifiable or lying."
ALL of them except the freshman class of 2010 is culpable.

Oldefarte| 7.16.11 @ 1:40PM

I'll agree with the former but not the latter, which resembles the burndownthebarntogetrid of rats syndrome [or possibly the Stockholm one]. There are plenty of dedicated political leaders in congress [99% of them Republican, and that is why they are such]. The political fight that most of these R's are now putting forth in this budget battle is noteworthy, even though anyone can usually find fault/disagreement with them on various issues. To once again make my point to some armchair political bombthrowers ranting/raving about everything in general is that WE CITIZENS/VOTERS ARE RESPONSIBLE ULTIMATELY FOR WHAT HAS/IS TRANSPIRING IN DC! [we elected these Democrats that go to DC and use taxpayer money to provide welfare to indigent-recipients in return for their vote; and this practice has been occurring for most of my substantial adult lifetime; we gave these congressmen their jobs; we did not previously protest enough or at all; we are the guilty ones; we elected the current president; we re-elected the current majority leader-Senator from Nevada and the minority House leader/representative from San Francisco etc so we're guilty]. If anyone wants to throw around labels like 'fool', 'liar' etc, then they had better look straight into the mirror BECAUSE WE'RE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO STOP THIS FROM GETTING TO THIS DISASTEROUS POINT BY EDUCATING OUR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS ETC CONCERNING SAME!!!!!!!!!!!

Margie| 7.17.11 @ 12:57PM

You are my voice, Oldefarte. Those who want to throw the baby out with the bath water are the same that will sit home and sulk, or write their relative's name in on the ballot rather than vote for a Republican.

It's trash talk to say the R's are the same as the D's.
Mat God have mercy on our nation, and may the people wake up before it's too late.

And in that what I mean is, "..that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Abraham Lincoln, 1863.

It's up to us.

Oldefarte| 7.17.11 @ 1:16PM

Amen, Margie! IMO, we're all understandably partially guilty due to our respectively being involved in working for our incomes, raising children, being involved in church activities/community activities etc [aka living!]; and thereby TRUSTING erroneously these politicians that we elected and sent to DC. Not being under our watchful eyes, they PARTIED instead of doing the jobs they were entrusted to do by us voters. It's now gotten so bad with these humongous defecits/debt etc that the public is now awakening in the form of tea partiers etc and actively demanding that these politicians be accountable to us voters or else they'll lose their cushy jobs in DC. Democrats have long ago been taken over by radical extremists elements, and Republicans are the only viable, sane alternative for us voters. That's not to say that all Republicans are exemplary, but after defeating as many Democrats as possible and replacing same with Republicans, the next step will be for us to begin weeding out those Republicans that are similar to Democrats and repalcing same with trustworthy conservative Republicans. As has been said, ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY!

Margie| 7.17.11 @ 1:40PM

Your mouth to God's Ears.
some want the R's to lose because they are actually Libertarians, and have no interest in a strong and right Republican party~ this is NOT a good thing.

It's one thing to rightly critisize the R's~ and I've been doing it my entire voting life~ but to want it destroyed along with the Democrats~ NO!

Sarah Palin speaks for me, too. She knows the party is the best we've got because it has the correct principles and platform. She doesn't want a third party if at all possible, and would rather see our party strengthened.

Let the TEA party and those of us who are with them in spirit continue to strengthen the Republican party, as it has been doing, electing real conservatives to office, getting and staying involved in the process~ they join us old farts who've been doing it all along~

But to the faction that is out to destroy the Republican party~ and cast them as the same as the Left~ they need to be ferreted out~ and spoken against. The Libertarian party with it's platform shares the same goals as the Left~ it is an anything goes party, a party that wants the legalization of drugs, is anti-war, anti-Israel, and anarchistic in its extreme.

Clint| 7.17.11 @ 5:09PM

Israel Firster Propagandist RINO-CINO Apocalyptic Crank Lady Victor-Margie- Sybil Wouldn't Know Our Tea Party , If She Fell Over It.

"Tea partiers in two camps: Sarah Palin vs. Ron Paul
The survey, an exit poll conducted by Edison Research at the massive Tax Day protest on the National Mall, found that the attendees were largely hostile to President Barack Obama and the national Democratic Party — three-quarters believe the president “is pursuing a socialist agenda.”

Yet they aren’t enamored of the Republican Party as an alternative. Overall, three out of four tea party attendees said they were “scared about the direction” of the country and “want to send a message to both political parties.”
Palin, who topped the list with 15 percent, speaks for the 43 percent of those polled expressing the distinctly conservative view that government does too much, while also saying that it needs to promote traditional values.

Paul’s thinking is reflected by an almost identical 42 percent who said government does too much but should not try to promote any particular set of values — the hallmarks of libertarians. He came in second to Palin with 12 percent.

When asked to choose from a list of candidates for president in 2012, Palin and Paul also finished one-two — with Palin at 15 percent and Paul at 14 percent. "

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Carpe Diem.

Margie| 7.17.11 @ 2:21PM

p.s. I know it's oh so politically incorrect, but I happen to like Pawlenty. I've heard him speak only 3 times in my entire life so far~ first on the radio, then at the debates, and here in this video posted.

I think he has energy and desire, seems pretty conservative to me, and has good ideas on what needs to be done to strengthen and restore our failing economy. I'd like to seem him get ahead~ I'll be watching.
I could easily see him as our next President, a refreshing change from the Chief Socialist and Destroyer of all things good in America, no doubt!

Of course if Sarah runs~ watch out World!!

Clint| 7.17.11 @ 5:12PM

Apocalyptic Crank Lady Victor-Margie-Sybil Is An Israel Firster RINO-CINO .

Margie| 7.17.11 @ 2:26PM

Oh, and Michele is GREAT, too. In fact all of them are great. I happen to love Herman Cain as well. Romney~ no, but I can tell you I'd gladly pull the lever~ or press the button for him rather than see Obama re elected, but then that's how I've done things all of my voting life.

I refuse to allow my vote to go to the Left by copping out and sitting home~ or by writing in someone else that I admire~ tempting as it may be.

God bless America.

Oldefarte| 7.17.11 @ 3:19PM

As Sarah says, YOU BETCHA! I like all of the R's field, and am increasingly pumped concerning Cain. Today, he's come out against a group of Muslims in Tennessee trying to build one of their mosques, and for not raising the debt limit [proposing a managerial priortisizing of governmental expense payments]. As a southerner, I really like his Southern Baptist [combined with his business CEO experience] approach to things. The Republicans have a good candidate field, and there's plenty of time to disect each's ideas concerning various problems. The main goal should be to defeat Obama, because if he's allowed another four years, this country is doomed for sure!!!!!

Margie| 7.17.11 @ 5:16PM

I really like Herman Cain. A lot. Heard him for the first time a few months ago when he was sitting in for a radio host, I forget which one now. Coulda been Sean or Prager or Boortz. Anyhow, once in awhile my ears will perk up when I hear certain voices speaking, and I was glued to the radio the entire time he was speaking. I wanted to run downstairs to tell my husband but didn't want to miss a second of this precious man's words. I do believe he is Reaganesque.
He is a man with a plan, and as you mentioned he has CEO experience and it showed big time.
What a fabulous President he would make. He seems genuinely humble, too. He's got what it takes with that business saavy and has the PATRIOTISM to match.
Love him.
I couldn't agree more with what our main goal should be:
Anybody But Obama 21012!

Clint| 7.17.11 @ 5:13PM

Apocalyptic Crank Lady Victor-Margie-Sybil Is Another Israel Firster RINO-CINO.

martin j smith| 7.17.11 @ 7:50AM

A few comments: I listened to Kudlow--He is a phony in a way-he says he supports free market capitalism yet claims he does not want to be "p[artisan" well sir Kudlow, if you really do support free market capitalism--you are partisan !!!!!!!!!!!!
Like it or nopt. But, here is what I really think he means--I am scared shitless about my job and scared of offending our dear leader so I will pretend to be neutral--so to speak. In that context, I can see why Kudlow supports McConnell's plan.

Here is another thing: In one article in AT the author cautions us that tax hikes are to be in the mix and in that piece says that " perception" is everything-" which I agree with. People are scared and I think voters could be persuaded by emotional arguments. I think the best thing that Repubs and Conservatives can do are two things: One continue to put forth bills that related to reducing spending like cut cap and balance./ But _ I know there are those of you will say b00000000000--but who cares--be prepared for a deal to be made which you will not be thrilled about. I do not like in principle but I think it is about Political strategy that idea that perception is everything-facts are nothing
except those on the ground like" where are the jobs".

In the end the winner will be the individual and party who are perceived to be the most responsible.

Margie| 7.17.11 @ 2:34PM

Martin,

My husband just reminded me of that great saying by Rush Limbaugh. It goes something like this: "Just try going to the library and taking out the book entitled, "Great Moderates in American Politics". You won't find it. Or if you do, the pages will be blank."

But seriously, Kudlow's a good guy, he just too "nice". I've listened to him on the radio, and find him to be an interesting man.
I also didn't get from watching the vid that he was in favor of McConnell's plan~ I thought he seemed angry about it.

Oldefarte| 7.17.11 @ 3:23PM

Even better than Rush is his brother David, whose recent book I've read and highly recommend [which you can obtain from your local library]!!!!!!

Margie| 7.17.11 @ 5:20PM

Why thank you very much for that, and I will do just that.

martin j smith| 7.17.11 @ 8:12AM

A few more comments. I suspect a majority of voters see no big difference between the two party brands because mainline Repubs are big spenders too. However the Tea Party is another story--they must exert influence with hard questioning.

Oldefarte| 7.17.11 @ 3:26PM

Think R's post Rockefeller are guilty of leading the spending charge on military matters, and facilitating D's on social services matters; but the really big spenders historically are D's. The 11/2010 R's etc based in tea partism are the hope fo the future IMO!!!!

CrackerHound| 7.17.11 @ 11:54AM

great comments posted here so far.....the problem is that none of the "drastic solutions" (as characterized by the media, RINOs, and libs when they are actually common sense solutions) will EVER be implemented.

With debt and spending what they are, and where they will remain, all is lost. We have no manufacturing sector to speak of and our means of production at current levels mean that China will dictate our future economically, militarily, and probably culturally.

The solutions to our problems will come once the actually collapse happens and productive Americans have nothing productive left to do except fight against the Marxism imposed upon us. Only then we will be at a severe disadvantage.

somnolence| 7.17.11 @ 11:33PM

Bachmann HAS ALREADY, a couple of weeks back, courtesty of videotape, said 'Don't raise the debt ceiling." She is my preference over Paul, thank you.

somnolence| 7.17.11 @ 11:40PM

I've said it before here. There is potential for this country to erupt internally in a bloodshed which we have never seen before, not even in the Civil War, if Obama' reelectio was to result in martial law/dictatorship. I'm convinced that his sympathizers WOULD NOT win that battle.