Will Democrats revolt over Obama's debt deal?
Liberals are furious over the president's proposed concessions on Social Security in his debt negotiations with Republicans

President Obama is gunning for a "grand bargain" to end the political impasse over raising the federal debt ceiling. But with only 25 days left until the U.S. defaults, he has to step over some perilous land mines to secure a deal. Republicans are refusing to accept any tax increases, but Obama is also facing stiff resistance from liberals over his reported inclusion of Social Security cuts, and maybe even Medicare tinkering, in the big deal. And the Left is right, says Paul Krugman in The New York Times. If Obama keeps insisting on parroting "the Right's favorite economic fallacies," Democrats should protest. Will they?
Liberals may well oppose Obama: Democrats, especially House progressives, are getting fed up with having to swallow Obama's bad deals, says Joan McCarter at Daily Kos. And in this case, it's not only a bad idea to cut Social Security benefits, but nonsensical to include it in a deficit-reduction deal: "Social Security isn't adding to the deficit." So yes, if Obama gives away too much again, Democrats are "willing to vote against their president" this time.
"House Progressive Caucus opposed to Social Security's inclusion..."
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.
Democrats can save their outrage: "The Left naturally is squealing about Obama stabbing them in the back," says Allahpundit at Hot Air. But Obama's almost certainly bluffing about slashing entitlements. And if liberals were savvier, they'd play along with the Grand Bargain charade: It would be "smart politics" to grab a piece of "the 'deficit hawk' label," knowing Republicans will scuttle any deal before they ever "cave on taxes."
"Are they seriously going to cut entitlements...?"
Don't forget, the Left has leverage: "Nancy Pelosi hasn't had very many opportunities to influence policy" this year, says Nate Silver at The New York Times. But when you read the various proposals being floated, remember that "the views of liberal Democrats are far more than a token issue" this time around. Faced with Tea Party opposition to raising the debt ceiling, period, House Republicans will need the votes of not just Democrats, but liberal Democrats, to pass any deal.
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
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published