Charles Krauthammer: Republicans should call Obama's sequester bluff

[CG6468]

Charles Krauthammer: Republicans should call Obama's sequester bluff
By Charles Krauthammer

mercurynews.com
Posted:   02/07/2013 05:00:00 PM PST
February 8, 2013 3:36 AM GMTUpdated:   02/07/2013 07:36:42 PM PST


For the first time since Election Day, President Barack Obama is on the defensive. That's because on March 1, automatic spending cuts ("sequestration") go into effect -- $1.2 trillion over 10 years, half from domestic (discretionary) programs, half from defense.

The idea had been proposed and promoted by the White House during the July 2011 debt-ceiling negotiations. The political calculation was that such draconian defense cuts would drive the GOP to offer concessions.

It backfired. The Republicans have offered no concessions. Obama's bluff is being called and he's the desperate party. He abhors the domestic cuts. And as commander in chief he must worry about indiscriminate Pentagon cuts that his own defense secretary calls catastrophic.

So Tuesday, Obama urgently called on Congress to head off the sequester with a short-term fix. But instead of offering an alternative $1.2 trillion in cuts, Obama demanded a "balanced approach," coupling any cuts with new tax increases.

What should the Republicans do? Nothing.

Republicans should explain -- message No. 1 -- that in the fiscal-cliff deal the president already got major tax hikes with no corresponding spending cuts. Now it is time for a nation $16 trillion in debt to cut spending. That's balance.

Tell it like it is, Sir 

[Freeper]

I'm sure Boner has his surrender speech already written.

[rich_t]

I'm sure Boner has his surrender speech already written.

Yup.  I fully expect Bohner to cave.

[17 Oaks]

I have got to say I watched Boner for a long time and applaud him becoming speaker, but he has let me down, he is not as strong as I thought he was.

[DefiantSix]

I'm sure "Bend Over" Boner has his surrender speech already written by Dear Leader.

Fixt 'er for ya.

[rich_t]

I have got to say I watched Boner for a long time and applaud him becoming speaker, but he has let me down, he is not as strong as I thought he was.

The only think I liked about Boehner becoming Speaker is that it meant the Pelosi was out.

[DefiantSix]

The only think I liked about Boehner becoming Speaker is that it meant the Pelosi was out.

But if the only thing you have going for you is that "he's better than Pelousy", that ain't saying much.  A scorching case of syphilis would be better than Nazi Pelousy.

[txradioguy]

In reality...the only place that will actually see money go away will be defense.

There's no way in hell Santa Claus is gonna deny his voting base their free shit.

[rich_t]

In reality...the only place that will actually see money go away will be defense.

There's no way in hell Santa Claus is gonna deny his voting base their free shit.

Agreed.