Are Republicans More Interested in McConnell's Back-Up Plan or a "Grand Bargain"?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

I would've thought that Republicans would have jumped for a "grand bargain" that includes some modifications to entitlement programs like Social Security & Medicare and for a while it seemed as though negotiations were headed in that direction but it seems like since McConnell came up with his emergency back-up plan last week, momentum on the Republican side seems to have faded for such a big bipartisan "Grand Bargain". Boehner has further indicated that a deal is definitely not going to happen this week, at least not before the House takes some "symbolic" votes on things like their "cut, cap, and balance" *plan*, as well as a Balanced Budget Amendment, which leaves us with only one more week to get a deal done and passed in Congress before the August 2 deadline (which would increase pressure for the more temporary fix advocated by McConnell).
Methinks that they really don't want to have to agree to anything that even remotely appears to be a tax increase in a "Grand Bargain" (where they would be pressured to give in at least somewhat) and would really rather just kick the decision over to President Obama in a way that allows them to shield their corporate benefactors from any changes to the tax code and to continue to beat President Obama over the head over the issue through the rest of this year and the next (and maybe result in the election of a Republican to the WH who will completely support more tax cuts and slashing spending), as well as to ensure that they can vote against raising the debt ceiling as much as they want without ever having to worry about us defaulting. Opinions? Thoughts?

[jaxx]

The pubs don't want a grand bargain any more than they want a tooth ache. Raise taxes or cut loopholes? Not in their DNA.

[Still a Democrat]

A Grand Bargain would look like a victory for PBO, not happening. I really believe they are taking it to the deadline and will settle for little or no changes, so long as PBO looks responsible for no deal and raising the debt ceiling. But I think he's won the PR battle.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

(07-18-2011 09:55 AM)Still a Democrat Wrote:  A Grand Bargain would look like a victory for PBO, not happening. I really believe they are taking it to the deadline and will settle for little or no changes, so long as PBO looks responsible for no deal and raising the debt ceiling. But I think he's won the PR battle.

I tend to agree with your assessment. This has been a totally unnecessary debate!