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NBC’s Luke Russert had a good question for Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) at his weekly press conference this morning: is Grover Norquist a positive influence on Republicans?
Boehner, apparently unwilling to answer, replied, “It’s not often I’m asked about some random person.”
The problem, of course, is that as far as the congressional GOP is concerned, Norquist isn’t some random person at all — he’s the guy who forces nearly every Republican candidate to sign an anti-tax pledge that, in turn, makes bipartisan attempts at governing practically impossible. The GOP can’t even bring itself to consider compromises because of the handcuffs he asked Republicans to put on.
But as interesting as that was, I actually cared more about an exchange between the Speaker and Dave Weigel at the same press conference.
I asked Boehner a sort of related question, keying off the one-year anniversary of the GOP’s midterm victory. One year in, what had been the impact of austerity and a spending-cut focus on jobs? The job market was stagnant.
“Well,” said Boehner, “I think the budget deficit and our debt serves as a wet blanket over our economy, and had investor concerned about whether we’re gonna deal with this problem. And that’s why getting this deficit and debt under control is so important — because it’ll lead to a better environment for job creation in our country.”
At a weekly presser on the Hill, it’s tough for reporters to seek more in-depth explanations of why leaders believe what they say they believe, but I’d love to see Boehner try to explain his worldview in more detail.
Why, exactly, does he think the deficit and debt are holding back the economy? That’s not to say it’s impossible — under some economic circumstances, a larger deficit can lead to higher interest rates, for example — but in 2011, Boehner’s argument is just absurd. The nation has a large deficit, but we also have low interest rates, low inflation, and plenty of investors around the world who are eager, if not desperate, to loan us money. So how in the world is the budget shortfall “serving as a wet blanket over our economy”?
What’s more, whether Boehner can read economic reports or not, the number one reason the private sector has been reluctant to hire and expand is a lack of demand. Indeed, nothing else comes close — when businesses have more customers, then they’ll hire more workers. Boehner wants “a better environment for job creation”? Then the Speaker should be doing everything possible to boost demand.
Except, he’s doing the opposite. Boehner wants to weaken demand — on purpose — while taking money out of the economy and undermining consumer buying power.
It’s why the larger debate over the economy is so stunted — GOP leaders like Boehner believe strange things and can’t explain why. It’s not exactly conducive to a constructive debate.
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Burr Deming on November 03, 2011 1:32 PM:
One virtue that came from Norquist. He has forced Republicans to say and do some amazingly comical things.
Ron Byers on November 03, 2011 1:35 PM:
Politicians, especially Republicans, are always fighting the last "war." They seem incapable of dealing with the current crisis.
The real question is are they simply stupid or are they intentionally trying to drag the economy down.
I think simple stupidity might have something to do with it. The 1%ers funding the Republican party are pretty dumb. They probably don't grasp the connection between a weakening middle class and the sharp downturn in demand.
On the other hand I am pretty sure the Republican are intentionally trying to hold the economy back to beat Obama. That is turning out to be a pretty stupid strategy because they are playing it so poorly most Americans are figuring out what they are doing.
martin on November 03, 2011 1:43 PM:
What they say and what they believe are not necessarily the same.
The Repubs and Boehner have their talking points, which they will repeat endlessly until Obama is out of the White House.
thennan disciple says Mr Captcha
SW on November 03, 2011 1:43 PM:
It is because they are exploiting an economic catastrophe to pursue ideological goals. But they know they can't say that and the press is unwilling to force them to explain themselves. This is because the owners of the press in the main share these ideological goals.
john sherman on November 03, 2011 1:47 PM:
You'd have better luck getting Boehner to explain why he believes that when the priest consecrates the host, the wafer turns into the body of Christ. His economics are not a matter of fact and reason, but faith, old habit and self-interest.
kevo on November 03, 2011 1:48 PM:
Boehner has been on a fool's errand for far too long! Maybe, just maybe it's time for the voters in his district to send him into forced retirement! -Kevo
square1 on November 03, 2011 1:50 PM:
"Government has to start living within its means, just like families do. We have to cut the spending we can’t afford so we can put the economy on sounder footing, and give our businesses the confidence they need to grow and create jobs."
--President Barack Obama, July 2011.
Here's what I want to know. Why does Steve Benen only ask why Republicans believe in the confidence fairy? Why does he ignore the fact that many Democrats, including the President, either believe or at least rhetorically support the same debunked myths that the economy is being held back by excessive taxes, regulation, and "crowding out" of private sector spending by a government that can't "live within its means".
SecularAnimist on November 03, 2011 2:00 PM:
Steve Benen wrote: "I'd love to see Boehner try to explain his worldview in more detail."
Here you go:
That's it.
just bill on November 03, 2011 2:07 PM:
square 1 - i guess because i'm more of a progressive than a democrat, i surely don't believe in the confidence fairy. but i share your frustration with obama saying and acting like this because at the present point in time, it's absolutely backwards.
Brenna on November 03, 2011 2:10 PM:
How much more can the economy take until people are literally out on the streets begging. And the republicans want to wait another year to offer any help? I know they hardly give a thought to the 99% of us, but at some point, ALL businesses will take a hit as more and more people cannot afford to buy anything but the mere basics, if even that.
Probably the 1% will be shielded as they're filthy rich, but eventually they too will start seeing a decline. Is all this really worth not having your taxes raised just 5%? I think this will become the relevent question: Was it all worth it?
Rick B on November 03, 2011 2:10 PM:
Boehner is doing what all powerful politicians do. He is telling everyone who is important to him keeping his job what they want to hear. Then he is telling anyone who listens to him what he wants them to believe so that his power is strengthened. This is the politician's core political calculus.
Economics is so far below this calculus that it is unimportant to Boehner. Demand is a central real economy issue, not so much a financial deal-making issue.
The Republican money guys provide the funds to keep Boehner as Speaker. They believe they are masters of the universe, held back only by inability the raise the funds to execute their next world-breaking deal. Demand is the problem of lesser people. The bankers and CEOs deal only in money. Boehner caters to them.
Boehner has no direct interest in economics. His primarily focus is power - first his own power and then the power of those who can affect his power. If by damaging the economy he can increase his own power and power base, rest assured that the first thing he will do is damage the American economy. That damage weakens the power Obama can wield, so it strengthens that Boehner wields. Count on him to damage America rather than surrender a bit of his own power.
DisgustedWithItAll on November 03, 2011 2:21 PM:
Boehner is just dumb.
Anonymous on November 03, 2011 2:24 PM:
Boehner, apparently unwilling to answer, replied, "It's not often I'm asked about some random person."
Hahahahaha!
That is an instant classic! Absolutely right up there with "I didn't inhale."
Jaw-dropping in its shamelessness.
dj spellchecka on November 03, 2011 2:30 PM:
re investors, for what it's worth
press release 10/21/11:
Investors put $8.4 billion into 765 deals for U.S.-based venture companies during the third quarter of 2011, a 29% increase in investment and 8% increase in deals from the same period last year, according to Dow Jones VentureSource. “Venture investment rose in the third quarter, putting the industry on pace to near pre-recession investment levels by the end of the year,” said Jessica Canning, global research director for DJVS.
SecularAnimist on November 03, 2011 3:03 PM:
Brenna wrote: "How much more can the economy take until people are literally out on the streets begging."
"Until"?
There are people out on the streets of Washington DC begging right now.
sick-n-effn-tired. on November 03, 2011 3:14 PM:
Like the 1%ers (everyone in that press core is at least over 500K a year)would take the time to note who in the Republican has signed it and then ask the question .
In a fictional world the alleged journalist would say "but Mr Bohner the following Republicans ....
236 Representatives and 41 Senators.....
(this took me 1 google click) all signed the pledge from Mr. Norquist.
It appears to me he is not a random person , but someone shaping Republican policy. Would you care to comment who a non elected official comes to have so much influence.
Well I can dream can't I?
John in TX on November 03, 2011 3:31 PM:
236 Representatives and 41 Senators.....
(this took me 1 google click)
--sick-n-effn-tired. on November 03, 2011 3:14 PM
That is one Google click more than our intrepid press can manage at the moment. Even on a relatively slow news day our media, with its limited pool of brain cells, can only process one (non-sex) scandal at a time, and with the Herman Cain Electric Sex Scandal Express in town, all other considerations are secondary, no matter how important to the nation.
Anonymous on November 03, 2011 3:32 PM:
Random person? Norquist? That's a joke.
Maybe it's my large screen television set, but Boehner really looks and acts like he's routinely--as Joe Scarborough once said-- at the Washington and Georgetown bars by 5:00 p.m.
He looks looped every appearance.
Gregory on November 03, 2011 3:34 PM:
Sure, Boehner's argument was bold-faced nonsense. But all the so-called "liberal media" does is quote him -- and *maybe* get a response from a Democrat who cites facts -- and voila! Their job is done.
Of all the pernicious lies of the Republican Party in my memory -- and I remember Nixon -- the myth of the so-called "liberal media" has doubtless been the most effective, because it lets them get away with all their other lies.
Th on November 03, 2011 3:44 PM:
Ask a mush question like: "what had been the impact of austerity and a spending-cut focus on jobs?" and you leave yourself open to mush answers. Instead, try: You have spent the last year cutting government spending in the economy and laying off government workers. How is that going to bring prosperity and jobs?
MuddyLee on November 03, 2011 4:04 PM:
It is RIGHT to attack Boehner and all other Republicans in Congress. They, along with a few Democrats, are guilty of using economic sabotage as a weapon against Obama. We need to make them realize this sabotage is a war against the vast majority of Americans. If we really had "one person, one vote" this strategy would backfire. But we have unlimited spending by ultra-conservatives, and unlimited lying by conservative media (Fox "News", Limbaugh et al on the radio, Newsmax, Redstate, lying rightwing chain emails, etc etc ad nauseum). Even in South Carolina, relatively normal conservatives are starting to realize we need more taxes so we can fix hazardous roads and bridges - and that the super-rich should pay more than the middle class.
max on November 03, 2011 4:30 PM:
"Except, he’s doing the opposite. Boehner wants to weaken demand — on purpose — while taking money out of the economy and undermining consumer buying power."
Exactly, and to complete the circle he also wants to blame the solutions for the problem.
Doug on November 03, 2011 8:56 PM:
"...they are playing it so poorly most Americans are figuring out what they are doing." Ron Byers @ 1:35 PM.
I don't watch "national news" on television as I'm afraid I'll smash it sometime during a breathless broadcast about Michael Jackson's doctor or some missing white girl by the "news" bobbleheads, aka "anchors". An apt description, by the way, as they're certainly sinking any remaining shreds of journalistic integrity remaining at the networks and/or cable stations.
I HAVE noticed an increase on local radio and television of people "noticing" the gap between Republicans' words and and deeds. Very interesting and probably NOT being noticed by the MSM. Which is why I'm hoping Republicans remain in their little "Inside the Beltway" Bubble until oh, say, next October 30th?
square1, couldn't resist, could you?
Sometimes, even AFTER cutting expenditures, families decide that, rather than further reduce spending, they'll add to their income via a part-time or second job. The equivalent to that for the Federal government is called "raising taxes".
The phrase "...give our businesses the confidence they need to grow and create jobs." which you refer to as "the Confidence Fairy" has been around since at least the first decade of the last century and is known as a political platitude or "boilerplate". Just as is the other non-specific phrase "cutting the spending we can't afford". I trust even YOU aren't going to argue that President Obama should NEVER say anything other than EXACTLY what he feels or intends to do?
Such phrases sound nice, mean whatever the listener cares for them to mean and are objected to only by pedants and posturers. The usage of a phrase or analogy by Republicans certainly doesn't prohibit Democrats from also using them as well. Republicans are doing their damnedest to block Democratic-leaning voters from the polls and you want to force Democratic politicians to campaign using only sign language?