The Republican's Tactical Mistake?

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2008_12/016037.php


THE REPUBLICANS' TACTICAL MISTAKE?.... Noting last night's developments in the Senate, when Republicans successfully killed a rescue package for U.S. auto manufacturers, MSNBC's First Read heralded the GOP leadership's tactical chops.

"It's amazing how McConnell was able to run circles around Reid," First Read noted, adding, "McConnell is proving to be a pretty smart minority leader, while Reid continues to get frustrated again."

At first blush, this sounds about right. Senate Republicans, soon to go from 49 to 41 members, seemed quite adept yesterday at getting exactly what they wanted. In one of the final moves before the year ends, the caucus shrinks, and they have to deal with a Democratic president for a change, the Republican caucus killed the bill, attacked unions, punished the industry, and put the economy at risk. Mission accomplished.

But what was it, exactly, that was accomplished? If McConnell "ran circles" around Reid, what did the Minority Leader end up with?

Jonathan Chait noted that the White House is poised to bailout the automakers anyway, suggesting that the "GOP maneuver will have been a total disaster" for the party.

Remember, the Republicans have leverage because they still have 49 Senate seats and the auto companies need their loans right away. And, indeed, Republicans have used their leverage to force wage concessions and not force the auto companies to start producing low-emissions vehicles. But if they've overplayed their hand to the point where the White House floats a loan until January, then the GOP's leverage will nearly collapse.

When the new Senate and White House convene, the Democrats will cut a much better deal for themselves, with fewer or no wage cuts for workers and tougher environmental standards.

Quite right. Republicans had a chance to make this bill as appealing as possible, but they wouldn't take yes for an answer when Democrats said autoworkers would see their wages cut in 2011 instead of 2009. The GOP walked away from the deal and claimed victory.

Except, they haven't really won anything. Detroit is going to get its money, Bush's deal for the industry will be more favorable than Congress', and in the new year, a stronger Democratic majority is going to craft a bill -- that won't undermine UAW at all -- that Republicans are going to like even less.

Kevin asked, "{D}id the Senate Republicans really decide they didn't care that they were giving up what little leverage they had? That they just wanted to make their point, and reality be damned? Are they really that nuts?"

I suspect they really are.

-Steve Benen

[MazeRat7]

1. There is a back story here we don't (and most likely) will not know...

I'm going to make a guess as to possible reason the GOP would "cut off their nose to spite their face". I am assuming there is some kind of "back-room" deal has been reached in principal with the congress-critters involved.

Here is the setup:
Deny the money which would force the company into bankruptcy.
Close plant's that are heavily unionized in the NE region.
Move said closed plants to the South where union presence is not as strong.

The benefits the corporation by reducing labor cost (letting them out of their contracts) and benefits the states by bringing in additional revenue/jobs/workers.

I don't subscribe to the belief they "made a tactical error". I think there is something deeper going on here.

Peace,
MZr7

[babylonsister]

4. Whatever that might be, it sure doesn't change my perception of how

they acted for political reasons, or payback, without even considering the millions of people who would be affected. And those people vote.

[MadMaddie]

5. Well the fact that the top 3 Repugs all have Foreign Auto Companies

manufacturing autos in their states and paying non-union wages....is all we need to know. They sold out Americans in the North and all of the downstream businesses that are connected to the Auto workers.

For the sake of politics they were willing to destroy what remains of the economy.

[Swamp Rat]

2. US Senators requiring US manufacturers to lower US wages to match those paid by foreign companies.

REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.

REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.

REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.

REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.

REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.

REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.



REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.

REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.

REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.

REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.

REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.

REPUBLICAN Senators requiring AMERICAN manufacturers to lower U.S. wages to match those paid by FOREIGN-owned companies.

ad infinitum

[mrreowwr_kittty]

3. We will have to wait and see. nt

[wroberts189]

6. Yep ..after Jan 20th a whole new world. n/t k&r