White House Finally Getting Tough?

The Republican response to the looming fiscal crisis (see previous post for reasons it is being unduly hyped by the press) has been to hold firm to their anti-tax, anti-government discourse and argue that we need cuts and increased revenue (without any increase in tax rates). This absurd position belies the just passed election and reaffirms the notion that it is the party of the wealthy and corporations. But in a deeper sense, I believe it reaffirms their backdoor strategy to get what they want -- bottlenecking. A writer in France in the 90s argued that bottlenecking can be a very effective strategy to maintain the status quo -- as partisanship reigns and nothing gets done, the people not only strengthen their adherence to their positions (drowning out the moderates and pragmatists), but become cynical about the role government can play in solving their problems. This overarching approach arguably began in the Clinton years, the first major setback to the conservative revolution. Rather than work with a relatively conservative democratic president, they blocked him at every corner, attacked him for his sexual and financial proclivities (to no real avail) and even blocked his judicial nominations. They then argued he was ineffective and Congress, of course, changed hands for the first time in 50 years. Their subsequent inability to do much led to the demise of Newt Gingrich and a battle over both the House and Senate ever since. But the ground was laid for a new two-pronged attack.

It goes something like this. When in power, push through policies that support your constituency and ideology while bullying the other side with calls for bipartisanship (aka, do as we say without question). This was the policy of the Bush administration and it was largely effective at changing tax policy, regulation, environmental protection, the judiciary, educational policy and civil liberties (facilitated by 911). Then, when you lose power, hold steadfast to your ideals, argue that elections don't really reflect the will of the people and stranglehold the political process while pretending to be conciliatory. This worked to take back the house and now appears to put them in a commanding position with Obama and the White House regarding the fiscal cliff.

However, there do appear to be holes developing in the strategy. For the first time in recent memory, many are questioning the power of Grover Norquist and the pledge he tries to make every GOP elected official sign. The conservative call for lower taxes and regulation does not resonate across the political landscape like it did a decade ago. And it is Obama and his officials who are currently putting a lot of pressure on the GOP to actually "compromise" in this fiscal cliff debate. At the moment, one of the biggest impediments appear to be John Boehner (Fire Dog Lake), but how long can he really hold out? It is clear that two thirds of the government believe in raising taxes on the wealthiest citizens and that the American public agrees. It is time for some semblance of sense to reenter the political fray in DC and this might be that moment. If not, I suggest that Obama and the Dems allow the "fiscal cliff" to come to fruition and then deal with the cuts in a second bill, allowing us to depart with the Bush era tax cuts (and their deficit-mongering ways) for good. Not likely though.