"The Republican refusal to countenance any way to raise revenues to tackle the massive debt incurred largely on their watch and from a recession which started under Obama's predecessor makes one thing clear. They are not a political party in government; they are a radical faction that refuses to participate meaningfully in the give and take the Founders firmly believed should be at the center of American government. They are not conservatives in this sense. They are anarchists."
Just as I finished my blog this afternoon, I saw that the President was about to speak. In the above linked story, there is a short excerpt from his 30 minute, very impromptu press briefing. Riveting. Powerful. Very persuasive. And infuriating. Sullivan (above), following David Brooks (earlier) is right: The Republicans are no longer a regular political party; they form a radical faction, and must be marginalized and defeated.
Negotiators simply don't walk out on the President when the country is approaching a possible crisis. And they return phone calls. The President tried to reach Boehner last night and again this afternoon with no response. At 5:30pm EDT today, Boehner called to say he was out, but only after speaking to the media. Astonishing. Outrageous. And we haven't even gotten to questions of substance yet. Boehner's own press conference was a 10-12 minute disaster, where he blamed Obama for "moving the goal posts," messed up a few questions, and abruptly left.
The Speaker better get his act together and very quickly. Congress needs to have a plan, in my opinion, before the markets open Monday morning.
More tomorrow.
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