PoS McConnell: I Won’t Agree To Raise The Debt Limit Without Medicare Cuts

[jefferson_dem]

McConnell: I Won’t Agree To Raise The Debt Limit Without Medicare Cuts
Brian Beutler | May 27, 2011, 12:17PM



Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) says substantial Medicare cuts must be part of a spending and deficit cut package to get his support to raise the debt limit.

In a Capitol briefing with reporters Friday, McConnell declared affirmatively that unspecified Medicare cuts are on the table in bipartisan debt limit negotiations, led by Vice President Joe Biden, and, he expects, will be part of the solution. But in response to a question from TPM, he went further than he has in the past in laying down a marker on that issue. Medicare cuts must be part of that deal to get his support -- even if negotiators manage to find trillions of dollars in savings elsewhere, even if his other priorities are met.

"To get my vote, for me, it's going to take short term ... Both medium and long-term, entitlements.," McConnell said. "Medicare will be part of the solution."

To clarify, I asked "To clarify, if comes up with big cuts, trillions of dollars worth of cuts, but without substantially addressing Medicare, it won't get your vote?"

"Correct," McConnell said.

<SNIP>

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/mcconnell-medicare-must-be-cut-to-raise-debt-limit.php

[Renew Deal]

1. Obama should play chicken with these guys.

I bet he'll win, and if he doesn't, they still lose.

[tishaLA]

5. Yup. Time to dig in the heels

He wants to cut medicare after he already voted to end it? Let's have at it, Turtle Wax

[AtomicKitten]

2. Medicare cuts? Brilliant I tells ya!

[abelenkpe]

3. Great throw the whole worlds economy into a tailspin

because it's important to CUT needed health care. Basically he's saying is he can't screw over seniors he will screw everybody. What a jerk. Dems should never have given into republican bullying, it only encouraged them to go further.

[kiranon]

4. Need substantial cuts or elimination of Congressional health care plans.

Start with those who want the cuts. Until they buy health insurance on the open market they will not "get it". These are the same idiots who passed a law that the government could not negotiate for lower costs for medicine. It is all part of a Republican plan to downsize government that services the people and up size government handouts/tax cuts to corporations and other wealthy interests (especially those who donate to Republican causes).

[rurallib]

6. my read "republican leader vows to kill Medicare"

[flamingdem]

7. More yummies for some great campaign ads in 2012 nt

[indepat]

8. One of the worst mistakes the fine people of KY ever made was returning McConnell to the Senate

where he has been figuratively pissing on them and 90+% of all Americans as he also extends all of us his middle finger in earnest. :patriot:

[Duppers]

9. Got that right!

I read this aloud to my dh who's working at home today and he said the much the same thing you posted.

I replied, 'yeah, the greedy assholes have applied so much KY lube that the dumb assholes don't even know they're being fucked.'

Just give 'em some cheap gas and they're happy.

:(

[theaocp]

10. Okey-dokey, then.

I'm not impressed with McC's honesty. I'll be more impressed if the opposition party does something with it. How effing hard is it to say, "We will not cut Medicare." If you can't say that, you're being disingenuous. That applies to any and all. Get our fucking house in order and put these sadistic fuckers to bed. Unless we want to work within their framing and help them achieve their goals. What rot.

[Thrill]

11. Let me quess? Weak Ass Democrats respond by saying?

Okay everything is on the table. lol.
Only Democrats can fuck this up.

[toddwv]

12. How about we start offsetting costs by cutting Congressional retirement benefits?

Why am I guessing that THAT will never happen?

[uponit7771]

13. Come one dems!!! they are DARING you to hit them in the mouth!!! I'll donate for the cmmercials!!

[vroomvroom]

14. We ALL Know what is going to happen -- DEMS will Cave again when they shouldnt

Nothing new here...move along

[LiberalFighter]

15. He must not be up for re-election in 2012.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

16. Who died and made him Senate Majority Leader?

:wtf:

[DCBob]

17. I think this is mostly a bluff and attempting to gain some political cover..

The GOP nor the Dems will not allow this country to default on its debts. That would be very bad for everyone. They all know that.

[Vinca]

18. Paying off the debt on the backs of grannies. It'll make a great commercial.

[JoePhilly]

19. Some one give Mitch McTurtle some lettuce!!!