Fred Thompson Declares Victory on the Debt Ceiling Debate

In an open letter to the House GOP published at NRO, Fred Thompson sends congratulations:

As someone who understands the pressures and difficulties you have been going through, I want to say, “Congratulations.” You won, and so did the country.

Absent some major miscalculations, within the next few days there will be official acknowledgement of what has already happened.

He believes a deal will be reached that cuts spending, does not raise taxes, and that allow the debt ceiling to be raised.

This may yet happen, and indeed, if a deal is struck that is what is it likely to look like that which Thompson describes.  However, there remains the specter of “major miscalculations.”

The cheery, triumphalist tone of his piece, however, strikes me as a bit much.

There is that minor problem of no plan yet passing that has a chance of winning the full ascent of the Congress.

FILED UNDER: Deficit and Debt, US Politics, ,
Steven L. Taylor
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor of Political Science and a College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog). Follow Steven on Twitter

Comments

  1. Franklin says:

    Is that guy still around? Does he need some attention again?

  2. Hey Norm says:

    He’s giving anyone, Tea Stain or moderate, who is considering the Reid bill as the only way out permission to go that way.
    Now…who’s more powerful? Fred Thompson or that clown at Red State?

  3. A voice from another precinct says:

    A few years ago, I suggested to a friend that for some on the right at this moment, the desire to rule is so strong that they seem to be willing to rule over wreckage–as long as THEY are in charge, they will be happy with whatever happens. Seeing Fred Thompson sending his congratulations only reinforces my belief.

    The sad thing is that the next election is15 months away and community memory in the US is only 4 months long. By that time, the people running will be able to say “it wasn’t MY fault” and the voters will agree.

  4. Tsar Nicholas II says:

    Fred Thompson??

  5. Moosebreath says:

    If he’s declared victory, can we go home?