As Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell urges Congress and the White House to compromise over raising the nation’s debt ceiling to avoid default on federal debt, he’s taking grief from the GOP right. Two candidates in particular who are trying to curry favor with the far right, Claudia Tucker, and Tito Munoz, both take shots at McDonnell for urging compromise.
According to the Richmond Times Dispatch, Ms. Tucker had the following to say:
“I frankly feel that Governor McDonnell’s willingness to bless a retreat that includes tax hikes and an increase in the debt ceiling is just plain wrong. Republicans share in the reckless spending that has gotten (America) to this point and now is the time to roll up our sleeves and get back to our basic principles.”
Tito Munoz voiced his own criticism of the governor:
Tito Muñoz, a Republican primary candidate for the 36th state Senate district in Prince William and Fairfax counties, followed Tucker with a statement saying “I understand the governor’s job, but I disagree with his sentiment that there should be a compromise or retreat from solid, conservative principles.”
Both candidates seem to have a lot to learn about good governance. Throughout the history of this country, policy and laws have emerged out of compromise. That isn’t a difficult concept. They should also learn to tone down their criticism. Tito is quick to turn agressive so that his mouth-flashing doesn’t surprise me. I guess he wants to out-conservative Jeff Frederick.
Governor McDonnell gets it and good for him. He knows that not raising the debt ceiling will hurt Virginia a great deal. According to the Washington Post:
McDonnell said at a news conference Tuesday that he was “furious” that Moody’s may downgrade the state’s AAA bond rating after failed deficit talks in Washington and that both parties are to blame, though he laid more blame on the Democrats. On Wednesday, he said in an interview on MSNBC that Republicans should be willing to compromise, though he never said outright he would support a tax increase.
I often disagree with Gov. McDonnell but in this case, he is totally on target to be concerned about Virginia and to urge compromise. We cannot expose our country with the greatest economy in the world, to default. It hurts the reputation and ruins one’s credit rating. Plus, it isn’t the honorable thing to do. We don’t want Virginia hurt. Many of us are in a blind fury over attempts to destroy the country for political gain. Shame Shame Shame.
[Note: I do not necessarily agree with every component of his letter to President Obama.)
McDonnel HAS to support a compromise because Virginia’s AAA credit status WILL BE downgraded if a deal is not reached. Virginia along with Maryland, New Mexico, Tennesee ans S. Carolina….
And if THAT happens, McDonnel’s “Virgina is the best place to do business” will become a pipe dream.
Know what happens if VA is downgraded from AAA status? It isn’t pretty…. State will lose ability to borrow as much money (if it can borrow at all) and TAXES will have to be RAISED to merge the gap that isn’t being met….
But no, the teabaggers have their principles. I wonder how long they can feed their families on those….
Well, how long can we feed our families if the US gov’t continues its spendthrift ways? What part of UNSUSTAINABLE spending did you miss? If our spending continues to rise, we WILL default ANYWAY.
Why is it okay to spend billions on overseas ventures, give aid to foreign nations, spend billions on military contracts and give subsidies to every damn mega-conglomerate…
YET
We cannot afford to take care of our elderly, cannot afford to provide medical care to all Americans, can barely operate our schools and cannot give the middle class a break.
Why is it?
Maybe our spending is misprioritized…. Just a thought.
Funniest thing, my parents managed to feed us and they were public servants. After WWII the national debt was proportionally higher than it is now as a % of GNP.
Its all about raising the debt limit…you know..like was done 18 times under Saint Ronald.
Cargo, you agree that the debt ceiling HAS to be raised don’t you? Yes or No
No.
If spending is cut, why raise it? If we don’t have to borrow more money, for ADDITIONAL spending, then its not needed.
However, if Congress does its usual incompetent act, and decides that they have to spend more money that we don’t have… Yes. It has to be raised.
But I want the spenders to bleed for it. I want them to give up some of THEIR principles for the first time. I want them to give up something. Its time for THEM to cross the aisle.
The spending is the biggest danger to this country today.
I wonder if Governor McDonnell would have written this letter if he was the governor of any other state?
Cargo is like many others–doesn’t mind taking $$ from the government–just doesn’t want to give any. A kind of wierd NIMBY thing I think.
Really? The only money that I take from the state is that which was contracted. And I don’t mind paying taxes.
The problem is that the beast is never satisfied. The problem is that no matter how much they take, they will spend MORE. They will waste more.
You don’t know anything about me, George. And apparently you’ve ignored everything I’ve written about putting EVERYTHING on the table, including my disability and the defense budget.
What’s YOUR solution, Mr. Critical? Or are you just complaining again?