Next Act In DC’s Kabuki Theater: House GOP Lays Trap For Obama On Jobs Plan

[kpete]

Source: Talking Points Memo

The House GOP has hit upon a way to undercut President Obama’s attacks on them and advance conservative policy goals all at once. This week, they’ll pass legislation that includes perhaps the least stimulative measure in President Obama’s jobs bill and pay for it with perhaps the most regressive measure in a recent package of deficit reducing proposals he submitted to the joint deficit super committee.

It’s a case study in the perils of offering concessions to your opponents before negotiations have begun. And it will force Democrats in both chambers, but particularly in the Senate, to decide whether to pass a proposal comprised of measures Obama’s backed in the past, even though they’ve been cherry picked to essentially constitute a Republican piece of legislation. If Senate Dems block the measure, Republicans will accuse them of wanting to pick political fights instead of passing Obama jobs legislation. If Dems pass the measure, and Obama signs it, the GOP can cite it as evidence that they’re not simply standing in the way of action on the economy.

..............

Here’s how it works: The government uses a measure known as Modified Adjusted Gross Income to determine Medicaid eligibility. Currently, though, it only incorporates the taxable portion of Social Security income in that calculation. Under this proposal, it would factor in all Social Security benefits. That means some seniors who currently qualify for Medicaid would no longer be eligible. Doing this would save about $14.6 billion over 10 years — more than the cost of repealing the 3 percent withholding compliance measure.

In sum: make it easier for big contractors to cheat on their taxes, and covering the cost by limiting Medicaid eligibility for sick old people.

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Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/house-gop-undercuts-obama-jobs-attack-on-congressional-gop.php?ref=fpa

[MjolnirTime]

1. That's a nice bit of GOP spin, but it's too late for them.

[SkyDaddy7]

8. I would not say it is "too late for the GOP"!

The GOP are masters of spin & political theater but the sad part is the American People tend to buy into the BS the GOP sling so this trick might work!

Especially considering they will have Talk Radio, FOX "News" & a MSM that will equate the GOP plan as a reasonable compromise...It is incredibly difficult for the Democrats to get their message out when all they have is a couple of shows on MSNBC & a MSM that is basically AWOL when it comes to reporting the truth rather than the political fight...Most of which are drummed up by the MSM.

[opihimoimoi]

2. Lemme get this right....the GOPers wanna play chess with Obama??

OMG...we will see who wins,,,,

[djean111]

3. So far, the GOP is winning.......

[FarLeftFist]

6. Which is why America is losing.

[opihimoimoi]

7. How so?? The GOPers are in a Spin...their numbers are dismal

their Candidates for the Oval is a Joke

Mitch McConnell n Boner have no creds left...no respect either

[Itchinjim]

11. 242...

[Nuclear Unicorn]

4. neither side is serious

The jobs plan was filled with tax increases that would undercut the GOP with its base and the GOP is doing the same thing. Neither side gives a rat's rear end about working people or retirees.

...a provision from Obama’s deficit reduction recommendations that would limit Medicaid eligibility for people who also receive Social Security benefits.

Why is this even in there in the first place? Why not just tell them you're going all-in on a mixed-suit, 2-card straight?

[Iliyah]

9. Then vote for your thrid party candidate

and hope for the best. Its a slow process, but I believe that the American people will win because hopefully it will get them to the voting polls and not vote against their own interest, per se vote for the crack head gopers who blatantly lied (governors).

Each election gets nastier and truth is rarely found, but I must say, I'll rather vote for a Dem well over a goper anyday.

I also believe that Prez O is doiong his best in trying to create jobs as well as fixing America. I also believe that the gopers don't give a shit and America is a big ole playground for them to bully, steal, cheat, and treat like dirt.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

10. Please explain how writing a piece of legislation that guts Medicaid for millions

is in accord with democrat principles.

Look, I'm totally sympathetic with the notion that if we fracture our vote to a 3rd party or stay home we allow GOP votes to register uncontested. But for the life of me I cannot vote for more wars, more kilings, assassinations, corporate mandates, cutting Medicaid eligibility etc etc etc.

I'm a Democrat! I want to vote for Democrat candidates, not people who propose laws that allow benefits to get cut and then act as if they're surprised the GOP calls their bluff. If the President had not proposed that part of the law this conversation would not be occurring. This thread would not be here.

I know you belive the president is doing his best but if this is his best what do we have to vote for? If I stay home next year what's going to happen? The US elect a president that will start foreign adventures, kill US citizens while cutting benefits?

We already got that.

The Tea Party created an entire congressional caucus in 1 election cycle that can pull the GOP to heel whenever it wants to. Why can't we do that?

[Iliyah]

13. Keep believing that!

Medicare part D is useless. Certain parts of Medicaid could be trimmed. Oh by the way, its the goper governors who want to destroy medicaid by dening it or cutting 1/2 of it for their states. How about no SSI, no medicare, no medicaid and the people who have no health coverage have to rely on chartiable means inorder to have a little health care.

When the gopers spouted out their "death panels" this shit was only the mirror of what they want to do.

Hell the Dems are FAR FROM PERFECT and yes a lot of them SUCK, and one day there will be a strong enough third party that can rival both the Dem and Gop party, and its something I want as well, but until then, I do not ever want to be completely controlled by the one crazy bat shit goper party.

Look what they did 2000 - 2008, huh. 2006 Dems were voted in for control of both houses, but ya still had Pres Cheney who had veto power.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

14. Actually Medicare has already taken a beating

Nearly $220 billion comes from reducing annual increases in payments that health care providers would otherwise receive from Medicare. Other savings include $36 billion from increases in premiums for higher-income beneficiaries and $12 billion from administrative changes. A new national board will be tasked to identify $15.5 billion in savings, but the board -- the Independent Payment Advisory Board -- is prohibited from proposing anything that would ration care or reduce or modify benefits. Then there's another $136 billion in projected savings that would come from changes to the Medicare Advantage program. About 25 percent of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/jun/16/mitt-romney/500-billion-medicare-obamacare-romney-says/

And from trial balloons that have been floated SS and Medicaid are on the table --

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/in-debt-talks-obama-offers-social-security-cuts/2011/07/06/gIQA2sFO1H_story.html

Now, some will say, "Yes, but he hasn't offered anything specific so no cuts are being discussed." That's not the point. In negotiations you don't lead with what would be the worse case scenario for your side. As soon as you do you allow the opposition to quote you so that your worst-case becomes their starting-point.

I work for a commercial real estate developer. Sorry to say but the President would not be capable enough to work here. We'd lose our shirts and be out of business if we let him work a deal for us but we're suppose to hire him to go up against a group as organized and determined as the GOP?

[Iliyah]

15. the Washington Post - on the right

politifact is well known for their tilt of non truths.

enough said.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

16. Oh good grief.

If the articles are bogus it would be easy enough to disprove. Cuts to medicare in the new corporate mandate law are well-documented. And Obama said what he said and DU was lit-up like a Christmas tree when he said it.

[bigworld]

5. The GOP is Lucy, holding that football, promising to work with Obama

And Obama is Charlie Brown, somehow believing that this time they'll hold that ball for him.

[russspeakeasy]

12. When does Hulk Hogan show up ?