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Obama Gets a Big Win as House Republicans Get Buried by Fiscal Cliff Cave In
After much bluster and drama, the Republican divas in the House of Representatives caved, and gave President Obama what he wanted on the fiscal cliff.
It took a day of drama, and no less than two conference meetings, for John Boehner to get enough Republican votes to pass the fiscal cliff deal. By passing this deal, House Republicans demonstrated that the only tool they have left in their toolbox is the empty threat. Speaker Boehner talked tough on the fiscal cliff for weeks, but when push came to shove, he dragged his caucus kicking and screaming towards sanity. 85 Republicans voted for the bill. (Boehner didn’t let the vote happen because it was the right to do for the country. The vote happened because Boehner saw that fiscal cliff was 8 ton mega warhead that was set to destroy his party.)
By a vote of 257-167, the fiscal cliff deal passed the House.
The real House hero was Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who once again showed her colleagues what a real leader looks like by holding her caucus together and delivering the votes needed for passage. (Only 16 Democrats voted against the bill.)
President Obama and the Democrats have been in control of this issue for over a year, and the president got almost everything that he wanted out of this fiscal cliff deal. Republicans are kidding themselves if they think that the fiscal cliff is the end of the revenue discussion. They may think that the debt ceiling and the sequester will be all about spending cuts, but the president and Democrats will be emboldened to continue to push their balanced fiscal agenda all through 2013.
Obama got Republicans to do something that has not happened in 20 years. He got them to raise taxes. Speaking of increased taxes, those who are concerned about the Social Security Trust Fund should be happy that the temporary payroll tax cut is expiring. (This is something that Bernie Sanders has been concerned about for the last few years.)
The House Republican manufactured fiscal cliff crisis blew up in their faces, and more importantly, they stabbed their own anti-tax ideology in the heart.
Democrats, liberals, and progressives can’t rest because House Republicans made it clear during the fiscal cliff debate that they intend to come after “entitlements” in the next few months. While Obama and the Democrats got a nice victory by turning the tables on the Republican fiscal cliff, they must be prepared to win the war to keep beloved programs like Social Security and Medicare intact.
Hopefully, all of the actors in this political drama have learned that House Republicans are all bark and no bite. Some on the left continue to complain that President Obama is a bad negotiator, but if the president is such a terrible negotiator, how does he keep getting nearly everything that he wants? People can disagree with Obama’s priorities, but this president’s ability to get things done in the face of unparalleled obstruction remains impressive.
Just like in 2011, Republicans blustered but eventually caved and gave the president exactly what he wanted.
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31 Responses to Obama Gets a Big Win as House Republicans Get Buried by Fiscal Cliff Cave In
willie johnson
Jan. 1st, 2013 at 11:13 pm
Where can we go to find out what my Rep. voted
PAULA DENMON
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 1:19 am
I believe that you can find out the answer to that question at POPVOX. I don’t know how quickly they get the info up.. Better than that, call his/her office. congratulate the Rep for doing the right thing. Or respectfully call him/her an idiot, and hang up. this will all be done through a staff member, so that you don’t have to be mortified.. I call all the time. My Representative, the Useless Joe Barton (remember him? he apologized to BP) voted NO. I called his office earlier. VM full, so I sent him a text and posted on his FB page for everyone to see. Even from Texas, he had as many people calling him the idiot as other wise.. Good Luck.
charlie
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 8:57 am
Here you go…
www.washingtonpost.com/na...
David
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 11:49 am
I clicked on the link but got a “Page not found” message :(
charlie
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 9:00 am
Willie…I tried to put up a link but for some reason it didn’t work….Washington Post has the roll call
Jherrera
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 1:25 pm
Go to Slate.com, you will find it there.
djchefron
Jan. 1st, 2013 at 11:14 pm
Good news,now the fun starts.Come the new congress we’ll see if the orange one survives his own night of the long knifes.The quisling Cantor will he make his play.157 petulant teabaggers are upset.If anyone can stomach it,it might be fun watching faux for the next few days.You know what would be a cherry on top of this debacle?In the upcoming vote for speaker being the mentally challenged critters that they are,the rethugs split the vote and Nancy Pelosi becomes speaker.If that happens I will die laughing my ass off.
mjh
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 5:19 pm
“In the upcoming vote for speaker being the mentally challenged critters that they are,the rethugs split the vote and Nancy Pelosi becomes speaker.If that happens I will die laughing my ass off.
Now that would be some FUN-NY SHIT.
I wonder, has there ever before been a House Speaker from the minority party?
.
djchefron
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 7:04 pm
Directly I would say no.Indirectly,yes it has happen.If you are interested get the rundown here
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spe...
Ann Shideler
Jan. 1st, 2013 at 11:16 pm
Edit and then delete my comment…”hasn’t” not “has happened in 20 years.”
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 12:49 am
Ann what sense is there to editing your comment then deleting it?
Michael Humphrey
Jan. 1st, 2013 at 11:25 pm
People this is what you call a royal ass kicking.Never ever doubt this man’s ability to negotiate and never ever doubt his ability to fight and win.
ywcachieve
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 9:39 am
I don’t know why people have ever underestimated President Obama.
I never have underestimated his abilities. That’s why I voted for him, twice.
Alan Koeppen
Jan. 1st, 2013 at 11:25 pm
Good guys win, bad guys lose. And as always, sanity prevails!
labman57
Jan. 1st, 2013 at 11:32 pm
After hours of chest thumping, finger pointing, and indignant huffing and puffing by tea party brown-nosing Republicans … cooler heads finally prevailed.
cybercabby
Jan. 1st, 2013 at 11:56 pm
Big props for V.P. Joe Biden for his influence in the House!
galactusx
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 12:32 am
President Barack Obama is a genius and a political samurai. I trust him completely to do what is best for America. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain!
ywcachieve
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 9:41 am
I have never wavered in my support and trust in President Obama. Unlike many progressives.
ywcachieve
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 9:47 am
I wish Politicus had an edit feature.
Correction of my Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 9:41 am post:
I have never wavered in my support for, or my trust in President Obama. Unlike many of those who call themselves progressives.
Joyce
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 12:56 am
I enjoyed the visual of the 8 ton mega warhead that was set to destroy GOP if they didn’t vote for the bill. Too bad. I did hold out hope this fiscal “cliff” would have resulted in an epic implosion of the party. I’m sure they will have opportunities to hang themselves again.
PAULA DENMON
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 1:10 am
Thank you for a “grown-up” decision, even though some of you acted like 2 yr olds in a tantrum fit in the grocery. I expected to see your Moms come drag you out.
Please, do not put the American citizens through this again. You are on my last nerve, and I am not alone. Those of you that are leaving, please pass this on to the one taking your place. Sincerely, Citizen.
Mike Doughty
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 1:13 am
President Obama kept another promise. He stood his ground. He will go down as a great president. John Boehner fought for 4 years to obstruct him and he couldnt beat him! He will be seen as an obstructionist for years to come. I will sign my name proudly. Mike Doughty Athens Ohio
Mike Doughty
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 1:17 am
Its time we relieve John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Mitch McConnell from their duties.
Linda Dittenber
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 4:04 am
I’m still waiting to see how much damage this ” President ” of our’s does to me this time .. !!
He almost buried me last time he was voted in by leaving me with a mere $ 12,000.00 a year to live off of, and I’m on Disability… !! By the Grace of God and a nosey relative, which turned out to be more of a Blessing than anything, I found out I was entitled to some Widow’s Benefit’s I didn’t know I was entitled to after my ex-husband passed away. That’s what saved me, not our ” President ” … !!
Let’s see what he leave’s me with this time, maybe my next post will written from my 82 year old Mother’s basement, where I will be living if he doesn’t leave me and the other Disabled people in the U.S.A. alone this time ..!!
He hurt the people who needed the money more than anyone last time, let’s see if he leave’s us alone this time, so I can continue to live in my own home, not end up in foreclosure, and not have to change my address to my Mom’s basement … !!
Don’t hurt us again Mr. President … ” Please ” , I’m begging you, I won’t survive another hit like you gave me and many other Disabled people the last time you were voted into office …!!
Please Lord, don’t let him do that to me again … !!
Shiva (Moderator)
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 8:16 am
I hesitate to ask, what in the hell are you talking about?
Larry Gilbert
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 9:58 am
I think your disability just might be of the mental type. Pres. Obama has done nothing that would have affected your disability income. I know this for a fact, because I am disabled also. If you are talking about not getting an increase in your disability check during the 2 year period in which no increases were given. Pres. Obama had nothing to do with that, that was a result of the way the cost of living or COLA ia calculated. But if republicans had their way, not only would disability payments be drastically reduced. They would most likely be terminated. So you need to be thanking the president, not criticizing him.
wiley
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 10:57 am
That’s odd. I’m an in-home caregiver and haven’t noticed any changes in SSDI other than not having to worry about my client being cut-off out of Republican spite. If you’re on disability, then the amount of money you get may be based on the amount you contributed to it in the last 5 years or so (don’t remember the exact amount of time). If you haven’t applied for federal housing assistance and aren’t getting food stamps, then you should.
Sandra
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 2:29 pm
What’s your disability, mental or intellectual? PO didn’t harm you, you twit, he has been fighting for people like you with a do nothing Republican Congress during his first four years and now into his second term.
Turn off FCUK Noise, they are lying to you.
Jean K.
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 6:34 am
Nice to wake up and know President Obama is fighting for Americans. Way to go, sir! Republi’cant’s can run with their tails between their legs on this one! If they were to exchange paychecks with the Poor or Middle classes, they would cry like babies. President Obama is doing what he does best. He is leading our country and standing up to injustice with diplomacy, dignity, and a cool demeanor. Congratulations! I applaud your efforts and thank you very much.
Paws
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 7:55 am
“…the Republican divas…”
I think this about sums up the Republicans in the House to a “T.”
The best part of this, other than the fact that millions of Americans won’t see taxes go up and unemployment benefits being extended, is that Nancy Pelosi showed what a real leader looks like. Even though not all Democrats were happy with this deal, she got her caucus in line and did what she does best. THAT is a leader. John Boenher? Not so much. He can’t even control his Majority Leader.
Andrew Rei
Jan. 2nd, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Ok….now that wealthy people, for the most part, are going to have to pay more taxes rather than hoard tax cuts to drive their wealth higher, the next step in dealing with the deficit is ending the tax breaks for the other group of “Welfare Queens”: the big corporations. While it’s true that the tax increase that’s now law will “only” net anywhere from $60-$80 billion per year, the taxes not paid and corporate welfare given out exceeds that amount greatly. By how much, you ask? Try $720 billion….PER YEAR! What people have failed to understand and the GOP definitely don’t want to talk about is that big corporations have driven their wealth significantly higher due to the Bush 43 tax cuts. And, it’s not just the percentage of taxes paid, either. There are all kinds of loopholes that allow big corporations to shelter their income to avoid paying taxes on it. Essentially, the hugest loophole is “offshoring”. Since 2001, wealthy Americans and big American corporations have offshored $32 trillion (no, that’s not a mistype) to avoid paying taxes on it. If you tax that at 39.6%, that’s $12.67 trillion dollars. The amount added to the national debt since 2001? Try more than $11 trillion. And, Obama’s “share” is actually on Bush 43′s credit card because the GOP manipulated things to keep the Bush 43 tax cuts going, in addition to the two wars that Obama inherited. All of that goes onto Bush 43. In fact, of the $16+ trillion national debt currently, the last 3 GOP Presidents are responsible for 90% of it due to the Reverse Robin Hood fiscal policies of the party. Fiscal conservatives my pasty white a$$! Also remember “Starve the Beast” and the treasonous Norquist Pledge’s parts in this, too.
Regarding the sequester and debt ceiling fight, just a mere two months away: If President Obama does one thing, the GOP loses and loses badly: he invokes the 14th Amendment, which, in part, renders the debt limit unconstitutional. If he does that, the GOP might as…