The Debt Deal, Tit for Tat Politics, and Daydreams
By now it is apparent to everyone that Speaker John Boehner has little control over both, his tears and his caucus in the House.
Instead of passing his debt ceiling bill Thursday night, Congress instead undertook the task of naming Post Offices. This fact is much sadder than it sounds since naming Post Offices represents a real accomplishment for the John Boehner led House of Representatives.
Friday would prove to be a marginally better day for Speaker Boehner as he did get his Bill passed. This was accomplished only after some tweaking, more arm twisting, a couple packs of cigarettes and a box of Kleenex. Once the Bill had crossed the 216 vote threshold it was promptly tabled by the Senate with the support of six Republicans.
The ultimate demise of the strictly partisan Republican bill was a certainty. With the outcome a foregone conclusion one might ask, why even bother?
The quick answer is, because that is the way Washington works. Speaker Boehner can now go to his caucus, his base, the brothers Koch and Grover Norquist and say, "look guys we have done everything we can. We even bought pizzas. The Democrats are just being unreasonable."
The games continued as Senator Harry Reid's bill is voted down by Boehner and his fellow Republicans in the House.
The delays were made necessary by the uncompromising faction of the Republican Caucus, aka the Tea Party. It can be said that John Boehner once held the respect of the Tea Party because he rejected even the word compromise. Unfortunately for America, rejecting compromise also means you have given up your ability to govern and lead. Compromising is what effective leaders do. Not compromising is what my four year old daughter tries to do.
President Obama likely wanted Boehner to pass his Bill on Thursday so there would be as much time as possible to negotiate once the Bill was declared DOA in the Senate.
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