First Read really doesn’t get it. Obviously, the Republican leadership in Congress does not want to have another fight over the debt ceiling. Yet, to a man, they all argue that they will not raise the debt ceiling unless they can get some kind of concession to give to their base. They aren’t making that argument as some kind of rhetorical device; they are making it because they can’t get the votes to raise the debt ceiling otherwise, unless they go to Nancy Pelosi with their hat in their hand and beg for her votes.

They don’t want to do that, so they keep insisting on some kind of face-saving gesture from the administration. But the administration not only has zero interest in reinforcing the idea that raising the debt ceiling is a transactional event, but they actually want the Republicans to hold the debt hostage because it infuriates the Republicans’ donors and pisses off the public.

So, no, there is no chance that the administration will help the Republican leadership save face, and the Republican leadership will have to decide whether they are willing to stand up to their rank-and-file or not.

It’s not the Democrats’ problem.

0 0 votes
Article Rating