Republicans in disarray: Is the GOP losing the debt ceiling fight?
The party has been hobbled by internal defections and increasingly hostile public opinion
It wasn't so long ago that the Republican Party enjoyed a reputation as a disciplined political machine that enacted its agenda with the efficiency of a scalpel, dividing hapless Democrats on issues ranging from tax cuts to gun control. Operating under the 11th Commandment ("Thou shalt not speak ill of any Republican"), the GOP could sit back and enjoy the spectacle of an opponent scattered by discord and narrow self-interest, giving birth to the oft-used headline "Democrats in Disarray."
But as the two parties approach a showdown over the debt ceiling, it appears the tables have turned. At first, Republicans emerged from the fight over the Bush tax cuts united under a single banner: They would not agree to lift the debt ceiling unless it was accompanied by spending cuts, and spending cuts alone. But this week, two moderate GOP senators — Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine — came out publicly against the party line, arguing that the debt ceiling is far too important for the economy's health to be used as leverage in a budget battle. Their remarks echoed what President Obama said in a press conference earlier this week: "The full faith and credit of the United States economy is not a bargaining chip."
Murkowski and Collins are not alone. Influential conservative publications — including National Review and The Wall Street Journal — have urged the GOP to remove the threat of a debt default from budget talks.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In addition, a new ABC News/Washington Post poll shows that a solid majority of Americans — 58 percent — oppose connecting the debt ceiling to spending cuts. Only 22 percent of respondents said they would accept a debt default or even a partial government shutdown if Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a compromise on budget cuts. In other words, the GOP's message is not resonating with voters. And Obama now leads the GOP leadership by 14 points when it comes to whom the public trusts more to handle the debt ceiling issue, according to ABC News and The Washington Post.
Still, there are Republicans in the House who would rather see the country go into default. The deep divisions on fiscal policy, combined with a weak speaker, has left the party adrift and demoralized, reports Jake Sherman at Politico:
As Sherman notes, the discord is a symptom of a party undergoing an identity crisis that may take years to play out. In the meantime, what's the GOP to do? It may have been a miscalculation to take a hard stand on the debt ceiling, which amounts to playing with the biggest stick of dynamite in the bag. There will be other budget battles in the next few weeks — over deep spending cuts known as sequestration, and legislation financing the government — that could provide more palatable positions to rally around.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Ryu Spaeth is deputy editor at TheWeek.com. Follow him on Twitter.
-
5 tremendously trending cartoons on the TikTok showdown
Cartoons Artists take on Chinese influence, privacy concerns, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Recipe: nasi goreng spicy fried rice
The Week Recommends Perfect for weeknights, this gluten-free twist on Indonesian fried rice is 'oh-so-good'
By The Week UK Published
-
Farewell to Theresa May: a PM consumed by Brexit
Talking Point Maidenhead MP standing down at next general election
By The Week UK Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Xi-Biden meeting: what's in it for both leaders?
Today's Big Question Two superpowers seek to stabilise relations amid global turmoil but core issues of security, trade and Taiwan remain
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will North Korea take advantage of Israel-Hamas conflict?
Today's Big Question Pyongyang's ties with Russia are 'growing and dangerous' amid reports it sent weapons to Gaza
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published