Newt, Really?

It seems a little strange that Newt is taking credit for balancing the budget while blaming Clinton for raising taxes. Newt was also in congress for the tax increases (but was thrown out for the last two years of balanced budgets). Perhaps that logic is in keeping with today’s Republicans who are convinced that only Republicans can cut taxes. Since the Norquist pledge, Republicans have refused to consider any tax increases except allowing the cuts on payroll taxes to expire and the resulting increase in not an increase in their words. Of course, now the Republican members of the House of Representatives are claiming the high ground and blaming the failure to pass the extension of payroll tax cuts on the Senate. However, those same Republicans in the House will not allow an up or down vote on the Senate bill. That leaves us with a Senate that voted for a two month extension and the House that voted to extend the payroll tax cuts for a year. Neither of which vote was a clean up or down vote, but a vote with various riders attached. The real problem from most perspectives is that the White House is in favor of an extension of the payroll tax cuts. Most economists have supported this measure as being economically beneficial and likely to harm the recovery is not extended. Since helping the economy and aiding in the recovery might help Obama in his quest for a second term, Republicans need to somehow throw sand in the gears to prevent Obama’s favorability. Where is Herman when the nation needs him? Surely, Herman would have ways to solve this dilemma. Of course, Newt’s solution will be hire more kids. There are some who would note that from all appearances, Republicans in the House of Representatives are behaving like kids and today's House of Representatives is what school bathrooms would look like under a Newt Presidency.