The Center for American Progress’ Matt Yglesias reports on a meeting Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, R-Calif., had with progressive media this morning:
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When pressed she declined to get into specifics, arguing that to do so would undermine the efficacy of Democrats’ tactical options. But she posited that “a default is a much more serious consequence than a government shutdown,” indicating that part of the strategy is to be willing to go over the cliff and fight it out in the court of public opinion. Later, revisiting the subject she did specifically caution “I don’t want you coming out of here and saying I’m going to shut down the government.” The clear implication, however, is that she does in fact expect Democrats to refuse to agree to further spending cuts even if refusal results in a shutdown.
Is this Pelosi’s “don’t call my bluff” moment?
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has said the debt limit deal “brought us two-thirds of the cuts in discretionary spending we are looking for in our budget.” One would imagine Republicans will be looking for that final third in the September appropriations fight. Is Pelosi really willing to shut down the government to fight that final third?
After talking tough on the FAA shutdown Wednesday, Senate Democrats announced they would cave on that fight too Thursday. Eventually the Democrats have to draw the line somewhere, right?
