While John Carney is far too conciliatory toward Republicans for my taste, according to his Communications Director, James Allen, the Congressman does realize that Republican intransigence is what has gotten us to to the brink of economic calamity, not Republican AND Democratic intransigence.
Allen told me that Carney’s statement to John Taylor in this content Delaware clip was related more to the overall atmosphere of partisanship in Washington in general rather than the debt ceiling.
Listening to the clip again, I’m not blown away by that explanation, but at least there is this NJ editorial which supports the argument that Carney is aware which party is trying to fuck the country sideways for partisan gain.
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110719/OPINION07/107190331/Failure-raise-debt-ceiling-would-put-economy-peril”>Unfortunately, tea party Republicans — a powerful voting bloc in the House — have refused to support a plan that includes any new revenue. Majority Leader Eric Cantor has led that group’s opposition to a balanced plan, effectively ending the momentum Speaker Boehner and President Obama had built for a compromise that would have produced real progress on deficit reduction.
I would argue that it is Republicans, not “Tea Party Republicans” that are the problem, but that is quibbling. At least Carney is willing to point the finger of blame where is belongs. Additionally, there is Carney’s longstanding commitment to the long term solution instead of John Boehner’s short term bullshit. That is comforting.
The bottom line is that Carney wishes everyone could just get along. Knowing what we know about Republicans, that is a pretty silly position – but it isn’t a dangerous position unless he wants harmony so badly that he votes with the Republicans.