I always knew the Debt Ceiling was going to be a problem for Republicans because… hey, the word debt is in the title. But wouldn’t it be nice (and responsible) if they could move past their reliance on bumper sticker policy.
Yesterday Cantor and Kyl walked out of the debt-reduction talks. Personally, I think they walked in order to keep their Tea Party cred. They’re treating the debt ceiling like a game of Hot Potato, and they just tossed the “potato” to Boehner.
Steve Benen sums it up:
Is anyone, anywhere, willing to make the argument that House Republicans are dealing with this issue “as adults”?
Yesterday, with leading Republican negotiators in the bipartisan debt-reduction talks quitting the process, we didn’t see political maturity; we saw a dangerous temper tantrum.
The two Republicans in the talks, Representative Eric Cantor, the House majority leader, and Senator Jon Kyl, the minority whip, had no intention of actually negotiating. Negotiations require listening to those on the other side and giving them something they want in exchange for some of your goals.
That’s what this seems to boil down to: Republicans were incensed that Democrats want something out of this deal. It was as if Cantor was saying, “You don’t understand, this is our hostage strategy. You’re not allowed to ask for anything.”
Dangerous temper tantrum is correct. The clock is ticking, and I’m not seeing a way for Republicans to vote to raise the Debt Ceiling without losing their base.