Senator Graham on Obama Cliff Stand: 'He Won'

Nothing like throwing in the towel when your fighter is still standing.

Washington Times:

A top Republican senator is conceding defeat in the debate with President Obama over how best to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” accepting that tax increases now appear inevitable.

“Hats off to the president. He stood his ground. He’s going to get tax-rate increases,” Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina said on “Fox News Sunday.”

“He won,” Mr. Graham said, a blunt assessment of the political environment on Capitol Hill now less than 48 hours before massive spending cuts and tax increases on most Americans go into effect on Jan. 1.

Mr. Graham also said that he’ll likely vote for a deal to avoid the cliff “even if I won’t like it,” stressing that GOP support for a compromise measure in the Senate will make it far easier for House Speaker John A. Boehner to rally his troops, something he was unable to do when promoting his “Plan B” solution to the fiscal cliff crisis.

As for specifics, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat, said she and other Democrats would be willing to compromise on the income limit for tax increases. Most Democrats, along with Mr. Obama, have in the past drawn the line at $250,000, but Mrs. Feinstein and others — including the president — have bent on that figure in an effort to attract Republican support.

Advertisement

What purpose is served by congratulating the president before a single vote has been taken? Graham’s logic escapes me and most other Republicans. Won’t there be time enough after the votes to give Obama his due?

For whatever reason, Graham is groveling. What are he and other GOP senators who think like him going to do next year when the real negotiations to cut the deficit begin?

Might as well start waving the white flag now in order to get a head start and beat the rush next year.

Recommended

Trending on PJ Media Videos

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Advertisement
Advertisement