It seems Donald Trump has had a rare moment of clarity.
Everything the GOP has done in the House and Senate to block jobs, continue tax increases on the rich, health care for all, and much more, is focused on one goal, to assure that President Obama is blamed for any quagmire and chaos that follows. The GOP saying no to anything Obama approves, even if they themselves were for a specific agenda, appears to be a part of that plan.
The debate over the debt ceiling is just the latest version of their overall plan.
Think Progress
Negotiations to raise the nation’s debt limit before the looming Aug. 2 deadline broke down over the weekend when Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) became the latest Republican to walk out of the talks. With only eight days to go before the country risks defaults, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) proposed to essentially give Republicans exactly what they wanted: a plan that would reduce the deficit by $2.7 trillion but include no increase in revenue. The plan is a major concession from Democrats, but Republicans still look poised to reject the plan and let the nation risk default for one reason — politics.
This morning, business magnate and sometime Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump elaborated on those less-than-noble motives on Fox News. Trump said Republicans should reject even a good deal like the one Reid is offering because the uncertainty will ensure President Obama is not re-elected:
TRUMP: Frankly the Republicans would be crazy unless they get 100% of the deal that they want right now to make any deal…If this happens, for instance if this stuff is going on prior to an election, he can’t get reelected. He possibly can’t get elected anyway…The fact is, unless the Republicans get 100% of what they want, and that may include getting rid of Obamacare, which is a total disaster, then they should not make a deal other than a minor extension which would take you before you the election which would ensure Obama doesn’t get elected, which would be a great thing.
BRIAN KILMEAD: If you look at the average American when they’re polled, it seems the President of the United States gets less of the blame than Republicans do, but you see Republicans with maximum leverage.
TRUMP: Absolutely the Republicans have the leverage. I don’t care about polls.When it comes time to default, they’re not going to remember any of the Republicans’ names. They are going to remember in history books one name, and that’s Obama. They’re not going to be talking about Boehner or anybody else. [...]
Watch:
Related articles
- The GOP’s Debt Ceiling Gamble (outsidethebeltway.com)
- John Boehner, Harry Reid preparing to move on debt limit (abclocal.go.com)
- Reid throwing in the towel? (hotair.com)
- Donald Trump Discusses Jeter, Obamacare and Debt (joebeans2002.wordpress.com)
- LIVE: U.S. debt crisis enters last full week (cbc.ca)
- Inside Boehner’s brain (cbsnews.com)
- Donald Trump On Debt Talks: GOP Is ‘Making Obama Look So Great It’s Incredible’ (mediaite.com)
Trump thinks the people won’t remember their names? He’s dead wrong. Screw around the retirees and the elderly, and they’ll remember the names that fucked us over.
You got that right Don!