House Democratic leadership: Obama's 'more than halfway' offer is the new starting point [View all]

[Luminous Animal]

David Nir's most pessimistic fears in the wake of last night's debacle in the House could be realized. The House Democratic Leadership held a press conference Friday, not to rub House Speaker John Boehner's nose in his failure, but to stress the need for going back to the negotiating table and working together in a bipartisan way.

Which is fine, what the markets might need to be hearing to calm down a bit today. However, Rep. Chris Van Hollen took that just too far.

Repeatedly stressing that President Obama has come "more than halfway" in meeting Boehner's demands, Van Hollen stressed that the last offer from Obama had to become the new starting point for renewed negotiations. Why should "more than halfway" be the new starting point? So Obama can go more than three-quarters of the way? Or like during the during debt ceiling fight, when he went 98 percent of the way?

This is just insane. The last offer from Obama gave far too much away, and was obviously a negotiating disaster. And that's where Van Hollen wants to start from now? Social Security cuts, less revenue, more pain should be the new starting point?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/12/21/1172848/-House-Democratic-leadership-Obama-s-more-than-halfway-offer-is-the-new-starting-point#