GOP Telegraphs Econ Strategy: We Told You So

Senate Republicans telegraphed their political strategy surrounding the stimulus Thursday, saying that if the economy continues to tank over the next several months, they'll be in position to say, in effect, 'We told you so.'

Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and nine other Republicans spoke with reporters Thursday afternoon following their House colleagues' unanimous rejection of President Obama's stimulus package Wednesday evening.

"They can cram down a stimulus package without Republican support," said Kyl, "but if that happens, then when, as we believe, in six months or so, when the American people say, 'Wait a minute, we're not better off. In fact, we're worse off than we were six months ago. Who is responsible for this and what can be done to fix it?' Republicans then are going to be in a position to say, 'We didn't have the input in this and that's why it didn't work.'"

The political telegraph sent by Kyl is the most explicit statement yet of the GOP strategy at play. Even with swift passage of the stimulus package, the rosiest economic forecasts show the economy continuing to deteriorate six months from now.

Democrats, however, intend to continue to blame Republicans for the economic crisis. Even ten years after the stock market crash of 1929, President Roosevelt was still able to pin the Depression on President Hoover and the GOP. Democrats will return to that strategy.

"Here's what I can say to my friend Jon Kyl," said Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) when told of Kyl's remark by the Huffington Post. "The mess we are in we inherited from his president. We are going to do our very best to turn this economy around. We're going to work with Republicans in a constructive way and I hope we can reach a bipartisan accord. But we have been given an unholy mess to deal with and it came from a Republican administration, which he supported."

Majority Leader Harry Reid's spokesman, Jim Manley, predicted that the GOP strategy would backfire. "The House Republicans have made a mistake of epic proportions that they will regret for years to come," he said. "The only question now is whether Senate Republicans are prepared to follow them off a political cliff. There are millions jobs maybe at stake, and all can think of is the failed status quo policies of the past?"

Comments

[Whinger]

Republicans, the biggest fools to ever hit the big time, and all they gotta do is act naturally!

[Phxflyer]

Given how wrong the Republicans have been since Reagan, why should anyone listen to them?

[Grada3784]

Whether things work or not, the GOP* will always be able to say one thing: OINK!!!

*GOP = Greedy Old PIGS

[Shieldmaiden]

The Republicans have learned nothing from the 1930s. Republicans played this exact game then and the country didn't buy it because Americans knew they were the ones who got us into a financial mess. We knew it then and we know it now. Sorry Republicans but you are going to r.ot in the wilderness for at least another half decade.

[Phxflyer]

Amen. In six months no one in this country is going to forget that it was GOP who wrecked this country and its economy.

[nuclearmonkeys]

Yeah its a gamble hoping the stimulus doesnt work. In 6 months, no it probably won't be better. But that's a retarded timeline imposed by republicans.

But guess what, midterm elections arent for 2 years and I bet you will start seeing results by then. Bye bye repubs. Enjoy the wilderness.

[nuclearmonkeys]

Yeah its a gamble hoping the stimulus doesnt work. In 6 months, no it probably won't be better. But that's a ridiculous timeline imposed by republicans.

But guess what, midterm elections arent for 2 years and I bet you will start seeing results by then. Bye bye repubs. Enjoy the wilderness.

[kasinca]

Nothing the President and his administration can do will be as bad as these sorry f$!@ks did for the part eigth years. They are too dumb to figure that out.

[blood1]

I love the GOP...wait for it.

First they say that moving on a stimulus plan should not be done in a hurry.
Now they are saying that if the economy gets worse, because the stimulus plan (done in a hurry?) failed.

First they said that all the money in a stimulus plan would not sustain jobs ( as infrastructure jobs would be short term) and now they are complaining that all the money in the plan would not be spent in the first year, ie the jobs would last longer than this year.

I can hardly wait for the spin they put on the outcome of the Davos convention...as the great majority of the global economists there (80%) believe that government needs to play a big role in solving the financial banking disaster - but there also needs to be an EXIT strategy for the gov't to get out of the banking business. The consensus was that no one other than the gov't has the ability to resolve the crisis: CNBC- No Way Back.

Stay tuned...as they take a stand...and wait 2 weeks and they reverse themselves....I just love it!

[conservicide]

What a bunch of A@#$@#s, haven't they gott

[barackobama4prez]

more "i hope he fails" crap. i can't wait until we have the last laugh biitches!

[dwedge]

The Republicans have managed to drag this country down to a near-depression. Unemployment is headed for record numbers. Their strategy is to make sure nothing happens to rectify the situation until the bottom drops out -- then they hope to ride to the rescus. The problem is they think we are as stupid as we have been in the past. Do they think the last 8 years have taught us nothing? These people are truly pathetic -- they do not even take refuge in patriotism anymore. They are far worse than scoundrels. They are so proud of being the Grand Obstructionist Party. Watch them celebrate as the unemplyment numbers grow.

[liberal]

Nothing like working together to get the economy back on track, their mortgages are paid and so is their health care. The hell with us.
LET THEM EAT CAKE !!!!!!!!

[lthuedk 1]

Republicans are the sole culprit for the condition of our decayed country. What do you expect from a party embracing fascism? http://www.light-to-dark.com/the_joy_of_a_dictatorship.html The truth?

[abigail1]

I like how they think that Obama and the Democrats will be responsible if the economy isn't better in 6 months as though it should only take 6 months to undo the damage.

[GlenRast]

Basically the GOP hopes the country falls into a depression so they can use it in 2012 just as they hope there's a terrorist attack in the next 4 years. Why should anyone be surprised?

[chocolatecity]

Why should they vote for a plan that they don't believe in? Obama doesn't need them.

[Emerald1943]

Kyl or Kornyn or one of them came out yesterday and said they had some wonderful ideas to fix this economy!!! Wow, alert the press!

If they had any idea other than tax cuts, then why haven't they come out with it before now???

These politicians are playing games while America goes down the tubes! I am sick of hearing their whining!

Just waiting for Monday to see if "piggie" will show up!!