GOP Looks Ready to Sabotage Itself Again

'Wall Street Journal' editors say budget standoff could negate ObamaCare gains
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 3, 2013 12:55 PM CST
GOP Looks Ready to Sabotage Itself Again
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., is worried about defense cuts.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

The conservative editorial page of the Wall Street Journal sounds pretty hopeful that the troubles of ObamaCare will translate into solid GOP gains in next year's midterms. But the editors also see signs that Republicans are going to once again blow it with a "stupid, futile budget standoff." This time, it's defense hawks such as Rep. Buck McKeon who might break party ranks, thanks to Pentagon cuts mandated by current law. His intent is honorable, say the editors, but he and fellow hawks need to stand down for the sake of the party.

"If 20 or so GOP Members vote with Nancy Pelosi to ditch the budget caps, Republicans can't pass a government funding bill before the current continuing resolution expires early next year," they write. "This could trigger another shutdown and pell-mell political retreat that makes the GOP again look like the gang that couldn't shoot straight." Republicans have to remain united—the lesson they should have learned from the last budget mess—and "Boehner must finally show enough leadership and toughness to keep his Members in line." Click for the full editorial. (Meanwhile, a Politico story suggests that a genuine deal is in the works to avoid a shutdown this time around.)

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