'Horribly Unreasonable’

As The Fiscal Cliff Approaches, Some On The Left Are Campaigning Against Compromise

Dem Admits: Liberal Base ‘Horribly Unreasonable’

AP: “…Obama allies worry that liberal demands will make it harder for the president to seal a bargain with the GOP.” (“Democrats Toughen Stance On Trimming Benefits,” AP, 11/18/12)

• “Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., said Obama has the same problem with his party's liberal base… ‘and the president has equally the same sort of problems with people who are horribly unreasonable.’” (“Democrats Toughen Stance On Trimming Benefits,” AP, 11/18/12)

Left Preps Multi-Million Dollar Campaign

AFL-CIO PRESIDENT RICHARD TRUMKA: “There is no fiscal cliff! What we’re facing is an obstacle course within a manufactured crisis…” (Remarks, National Mediation Board Conference, 11/15/12)

“The election is over, but the campaign isn’t. … 11 leaders of progressive and labor groups [the President] met with Tuesday laid the groundwork for continuing a campaign approach through the fiscal cliff battle.” (“Obama, Left Leaders Discuss Fiscal Cliff Campaign,” Politico, 11/13/12)

• “In another move that will intensify the brinksmanship, I’m told labor unions are preparing a multi-million campaign, including TV ads…” (“As Obama Lays Down Marker On Taxes, Labor Has His Back,” Washington Post’s “The Plum Line,” 11/9/12)

HOWARD DEAN: “Maybe 700,000 people would lose their jobs. That is a tough price to pay. But what you'd get out of it is the deficit problem is significantly altered. … I think let's just go over the fiscal cliff. Let's -- everybody's going to bite the bullet.” (CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” 7/23/12)

Q: “You believe that's a viable option, going over the cliff?” … SEN. PATTY MURRAY (D-WA): “Yes.” (MSNBC, 11/14/12)

Retiring Chairman Calls For Entitlement Reform

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): “…fundamental reform, we absolutely need it in our entitlement programs, Medicare, Social Security. …we do need to address Social Security because it's headed for insolvency as well.” (Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday,” 11/11/12)

• CBO: “With the population aging and health care costs per person likely to keep growing faster than the economy, the United States cannot sustain the federal spending programs that are now in place…” (“Choices For Deficit Reduction,” Congressional Budget Office, P.6, 11/12)
• SIMPSON-BOWLES: “Federal health care spending represents our single largest fiscal challenge over the long-run. As the baby boomers retire and overall health care costs continue to grow faster than the economy, federal health spending threatens to balloon.” (“The Moment Of Truth,” The National Commission On Fiscal Responsibility And Reform, P.36, 12/10)
• WASHINGTON POST: “Entitlement Reform Must Be On The Table … no serious [debt-reduction plan] can exclude entitlements. With Republicans in control of the House and holding 45 votes in the Senate, this is basic political realism. It’s also fiscal realism…” (Editorial, “Entitlement Reform Must Be On The Table,” The Washington Post, 11/14/12)

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