While unelected Senator Dean Heller recklessly voted for the United States to default on our obligations today, not all Republicans followed Heller and the TEA Party’s extremist line. From Speaker Boehner saying a default would be “job-crushing”, to conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly urging Republicans to vote to prevent default, to former Bush Press Secretary Ari Fleischer claiming those who voted against the compromise were “extreme”, Dean Heller’s reckless vote for default is clearly outside of the mainstream of even the Republican Party. Not surprising for a guy who was proud to repeatedly vote to kill Medicare and put the health of our seniors into the hands of profit-first private insurance companies.
Speaker Boehner Called Potential Default “Job-Crushing”
Republican House Speaker John Boehner Said a Default Would Be “Job-Crushing.” In several comments and in a recent tweet, House Speaker John Boehner said we should “avoid a job-crushing default.” [http://twitter.com/#!/JOHNBOEHNER]
Majority Leader Canter Said Lack of Tax Hikes In Debt Deal Is Big Win
Canter: Passing Debt Deal Boosted Economic Certainty. Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said that the debt deal “boosted economic certainty by ensuring America pays its bills while we start to get our fiscal house in order…..And this measure that cuts spending and puts in place long-term fiscal reforms marks the first big change we have accomplished. The big win in this measure is that despite the insistence of the President and his party, there are no tax hikes.” [“http://cantor.house.gov/press-release/congressman-cantor-statement-house-passage-budget-control-act]
Bush Press Secretary and Conservative Leader Ari Fleischer Claimed Those Who Voted Against Compromise to Avoid Default Were Extreme
Bush Press Secretary Ari Fleischer Said Those Who Opposed Default Compromise Were Extreme. Even former Bush Press Secretary Ari Fleischer calls Republicans who vote against the compromise extreme. [http://twitter.com/#!/AriFleischer/status/98198535283015682]
GOP State Party Chair: Voting for Default is Height of Irresponsibility
Massachusetts GOP Chair: Voting to Send Country Into Default Is The Height of Irresponsibility. Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Nassour stated: “Voting to send our country into default represents the height of irresponsibility, and these lawmakers owe their constituents an explanation for their incredibly reckless decision. Massachusetts voters deserve more than blind ideology and a total refusal to compromise. With these five congressmen having spent more than a combined century in Congress, it’s finally time to shake up the status quo and give the Commonwealth some fresh, independent representation in Washington.”
Conservative Commentator Bill O’Reilly Said We Need to Pass Legislation to Avoid Default
Conservative Commentator Bill O’Reilly Criticized Some Far-Right Republicans and Said We Need to Avoid Default. Bill O’Reilly took some Republicans to task on his Thursday show, saying that they needed to stop their “craziness,” tone down their “hateful rhetoric” and pass a debt ceiling increase. Speaking to guest host Laura Ingraham from Los Angeles, O’Reilly said he had taken a “moderate” stance on the debt crisis, and he warned Republicans who have so far been unwilling to pass a debt ceiling increase would only be helping President Obama, who he said had taken an “enormous hit” from the debate. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/29/bill-oreilly-lashes-out-a_n_913380.html?ncid=txtlnkushuff00000004]
Rural Nevada Democratic Caucus 