“The tax issue is finished, over, completed.”
— Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), quoted by Reuters, ruling out further tax increases in the continuing budget negotiations.
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Conservatives Annoyed by Christie
Maggie Haberman looks at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s (R) slam of House Republicans last week and notes his tone is starting to get on the nerves of conservatives nationally.
“It was vintage Christie — and then some — as he recounted how his calls to Boehner went unanswered, and it articulated clearly a frustration with a dysfunctional Washington system that polls show most Americans share. But it laid stark just how divergent the needs of his reelection bid in New Jersey are from the realities of a potential presidential run in a party that’s tacked hard right not just on social issues but on spending and deficit reduction.”
“Local media and elected officials, along with some national pundits, heaped praise on the governor, who spoke with characteristic bluntness… Still, Christie hit some headwinds nationally from conservatives — including Christie fans — who thought he may have gone overboard hitting an already-diminished national Republican brand. On the party’s right flank, some telegraphed a clear sentiment that Christie’s straight-talking truth teller act had worn on them.”
Quote of the Day
“I’d like to say to all of you, you did the country a favor.”
— Vice President Joe Biden, quoted by Treasure Coast Newspapers, to supporters of Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-FL) who defeated Rep. Allen West (R-FL) in the November elections.
Divided GOP Faces Big Battles Ahead
“The Republican Party seems as divided and angry as ever,” the AP reports.
New York Times: “From Mitt Romney’s loss on Election Day through the recent tax fight that shattered party discipline in the House of Representatives, Republicans have seen the foundations of their political strategy called into question, stirring a newly urgent debate about how to reshape and redefine their party.”
“At issue immediately is whether that can be achieved through a shift in tactics and tone, or will instead require a deeper rethinking of the party’s longtime positions on bedrock issues like guns and immigration… The coming legislative battles are certain to expose even more division in the party. And with establishment Republicans and Tea Party activists at times speaking as if they are from different parties altogether, concern is spreading throughout the ranks that things could get worse before they get better.”
The Los Angeles Times says the recent budget battles have exposed a divide between the GOP’s solid Southern base and the rest of the country.
Obama Mulls Far Broader Gun Control
The White House “is weighing a far broader and more comprehensive approach to curbing the nation’s gun violence than simply reinstating an expired ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition,” the Washington Post reports.
The measures “would require universal background checks for firearm buyers, track the movement and sale of weapons through a national database, strengthen mental health checks, and stiffen penalties for carrying guns near schools or giving them to minors.”
Key point: “To sell such changes, the White House is developing strategies to work around the National Rifle Association that one source said could include rallying support from Wal-Mart and other gun retailers for measures that would benefit their businesses.”
Super PACs to Play Big Role in 2013 Races
“Get ready for what could very well be the most expensive gubernatorial elections ever,” Politico reports.
“As if the national profiles of the expected candidates in the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races weren’t enough to draw bundles of cash, the new campaign finance structure has state-based and national outside groups considering pouring millions of dollars into these key off-presidential year races.”
“Super PACs, once widely thought to be limited to federal campaigns, are now expected to play on the state level after a series of court decisions effectively rendered state laws restricting independent groups moot. Tax-exempt nonprofits that don’t have to disclose donors — including big names like Americans for Prosperity and American Bridge 21st Century — are also considering directing their flood of money down to the state level for these races, while a secretive nonprofit supporting New Jersey GOP Gov. Chris Christie has already run ads praising his work.”
Obama Will Hit the Road in Battles with GOP
President Obama “intends to take a confrontational approach with Republicans in future economic battles by using the same campaign-style events the White House saw as effective in the ‘fiscal-cliff’ fight,” The Hill reports.
“Many in Obama’s party believe that he got the upper hand in the recent deal to avoid the mixture of across-the-board tax hikes and spending cuts, and that the aggressive approach helped build his public case.”
The reasons: “his successful reelection; polling suggesting public support for many of his positions; and division among Republicans on Capitol Hill.”
Quote of the Day
“One thing I will not compromise over is whether or not Congress should pay the tab for a bill they’ve already racked up. If Congress refuses to give the United States the ability to pay its bills on time, the consequences for the entire global economy could be catastrophic.”
— President Obama, in his weekly radio address, warning Republicans about the next round of budget negotiations.
Boehner Absolves Defectors in Attempt to Unify Caucus
The Hill: “Battered by division and defections, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) is setting out to re-unify his conference and prove to Democrats in the White House and the Senate that he can command a governing majority of the House.”
“Boehner, who lost 12 of his members in a surprisingly hairy reelection vote, took the first steps in a closed-door conference meeting Friday morning. Boehner told lawmakers he would not seek to punish the Republicans who deserted him on the House floor Thursday.”
Said Boehner: “I’m not a retribution kind of guy. I don’t hold grudges.”
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Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
“I refuse to play the game of ‘assault weapon.’ That’s any weapon. It’s a hammer. It’s the machetes in Rwanda that killed 800,000 people, an article that came out this week, the massive number that are killed with hammers.”
— Rep. Louis Gohmert (R-TX), on the Dennis Miller Show, arguing that banning assault weapons won’t work.
Boehner’s Hapless Opposition
Josh Green: “Every few days, some Businessweek editor suggests that I write a post about why John Boehner would possibly want the job of House Speaker, to which he was reelected on Thursday. I always decline, because I don’t have the foggiest idea why anyone would want the job. But I do know why he keeps it. He keeps it because the misfit band of Tea Partiers who tried, and failed, to dislodge him are utterly hapless. Not mildly or endearingly hapless like Betty White on Golden Girls, but Three Stooges hapless.”
Obama Expected to Pick Hagel for Defense Next Week
President Obama is expected to name former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) as his choice for defense secretary as early as Monday, The Cable reports, “as critics of the former Nebraska senator prepare to go to war to fight his expected nomination.”
Meanwhile, Hagel’s detractors “are moving forward with their campaign against the nomination.”
NBC News confirms Hagel is likely to be the pick though White House officials deny a final decision has been made.
Biden TV
A new petition on the White House website:
“Vice President Joe Biden has a demonstrated ability to bring people together, whether at the negotiating table or at the neighborhood diner. We, therefore, urge the Obama Administration to authorize the production of a recurring C-SPAN television program featuring the daily activities and interactions of the Vice President with elected officials, foreign dignitaries and everyday American families.”
The Week has a great compilation of Biden’s wackiest one-liners from yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony.
Former Head of U.S. Mint Says Trillion Dollar Coin is Legal
Philip Diehl, head of the U.S. Mint from 1994-2000, tells Capital New York that the minting of a trillion dollar coin to circumvent a fight over the debt ceiling is perfectly legal.
Diehl was head of the Mint when the law giving authorization for such a move was passed and says, “My understanding of how this all works suggests that this is a viable alternative.”
He added: “One of the ironies in this story is that a GOP Congress passed the legislation over the objections of a Democratic Treasury, and now, today, Treasury may well be in a position to use the law as leverage to neutralize the GOP’s threat to hold the debt limit hostage.”
The Daily Beast has more on the possible tactic.
Cornyn Threatens Partial Government Shutdown
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) suggests in a Houston Chronicle op-ed that it “may be necessary to partially shut down the government in order to secure the long-term fiscal well being of our country” in the next round of budget negotiations “rather than plod along the path of Greece, Italy and Spain.”
Media Tip: The Right Way to Apologize
A guest post from Brad Phillips, author of The Media Training Bible.
You’ve made a mistake. Fair enough. It happens.
But far too many politicians and public officials are reluctant to issue a full and unequivocal apology after making a mistake. That’s not because they’re bad or uncaring people. More commonly, it’s a human reaction from a defensive person who feels that his or her well-intentioned motives were misunderstood.
As a result, the spokesperson usually issues a hedged “half apology” that goes something like this:
“If you were offended by what I said, then I am sorry.”
Crapo Sentenced for Drunk Driving
Sen. Michael Crapo (R-ID) pleaded guilty to drunk driving following his arrest last month and issued a sweeping apology after a judge accepted his plea, the Washington Post reports.
Crapo “was sentenced to 180 days in jail, all of which was suspended. His license was suspended for a year, but he’s eligible for a restricted license. Crapo must also pay a $250 fine and complete an alcohol program over the next year.”
Crapo, a Mormon, said that he had been using alcohol for several months to “relieve stress,” a decision that was “at odds with who I am” and against Mormon practices.
