Desperate Right Wing Partisan Resorts to Extortion

Nice little country you have here. Hate to see anything happen to it.

PoliticsNovember 2012 • Views: 48,465

Another word for the argument David Frum is making: “extortion.”

Frum: The GOP Will Destroy America if We Reelect Obama, So We Must Let the GOP Win.

“The question over [Romney’s] head is not a question about him at all. It’s a question about his party � and that question is the same whether Romney wins or loses. The congressional Republicans have shown themselves a destructive and irrational force in American politics. But we won’t reform the congressional GOP by re-electing President Obama. If anything, an Obama re-election will not only aggravate the extremism of the congressional GOP, but also empower them: an Obama re-election raises the odds in favor of big sixth-year sweep for the congressional GOP � and very possibly a seventh-year impeachment. A Romney election will at least discourage the congressional GOP from deliberately pushing the US into recession in 2013. Added bonus: a Romney presidency likely means that the congressional GOP will lose seats in 2014, as they deserve.”

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57 comments

JRCMYP Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:07:22pm

You know, all I can say is FUCK YOU.

Four More Tears Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:07:51pm

The American Way

b_snark Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:08:19pm

Another term for it is being a fear monger.

goddamnedfrank Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:08:39pm

Jesus what a pussy. Stockholm syndrome.

Four More Tears Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:10:41pm

The current state of Republican intellectualism in one paragraph. I love it.

Skip Intro Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:10:56pm

I'll give him credit for one thing. He certainly knows the mind of his party.

kirkspencer Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:12:10pm

If Reid and company modify the filibuster rules, the Republican cover goes away. At that point it becomes nakedly obvious who is causing the gridlock.

If that happens I don't see a Republican house majority in 2014 unless they break the gridlock.

The Ghost of a Benghazi Flea Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:12:11pm

Well, it's not like Frum speaks for the party...

Wait, what's that?

erik_t Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:12:16pm

Hey, Frum, you got drummed out. You're persona non grata already. You can take the scrotal component of the Republican Party out of your mouth.

OhNoZombies! Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:13:19pm

Screw that noise.
I punch bullies in the face.
I'm not gonna roll over and let them win.

dragonath Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:14:14pm

Damned if I'm gonna give the GOP what they want, ya passive aggressive poindexter.

Four More Tears Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:15:18pm

re: #10 R.M, Ramallo

Screw that noise.
I punch bullies in the face.
I'm not gonna roll over and let them win.

Well, this is the party that thinks victims should sit back and enjoy the ride...

Let's all make some lemonade!

Varek Raith Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:16:11pm

We should also give Al Qaeda what they want.
Or they may do something to us.
/Idiot.

jamesfirecat Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:17:41pm

I want to see the current GOP removed from a position of Power, which is why it is necessary for us to vote them into a position of greater power than they currently enjoy!

I think I've found a flaw with Frum's logic.

Joanne Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:17:57pm

re: #2 Mocking Jay

The American Way

The Anti-American Way.

OhNoZombies! Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:18:41pm

OK Frummy.
Iran is going nuclear.
Let's just sit back and let them or else they'll get all crazy.

moderatelyradicalliberal Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:18:48pm

Fuck you, Frum. We'll find a way to put you pathologically hateful and insane party back into the minority in 2014 and with demographic changes maybe for the next 20 years.

We will NOT negotiate with terrorists.

dragonath Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:18:51pm

Frum should really stop mainlining maple syrup.

Four More Tears Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:19:01pm

The comments on Frum's actual page give me hope.

[Link: www.thedailybeast.com...]

OhNoZombies! Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:19:56pm

re: #19 Mocking Jay

The comments on Frum's actual page give me hope.

[Link: www.thedailybeast.com...]

They're the only reason I continue to read his blog.

Four More Tears Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:21:06pm

re: #19 Mocking Jay

Win.

Let's see if I have this right: my party is selfish, irresponsible, and stupid. So in order to keep them from trashing the place, I'm going to vote for a guy who has been shamelessly pandering to their worst instincts for the last year.

Gee, it's kind of like the whole conservative project has come to a dead end, isn't it?

Pawn of the Oppressor Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:21:54pm

re: #5 Mocking Jay

The current state of Republican intellectualism in one paragraph. I love it.

Republican intellectualism?

Is that like Jumbo Shrimp?

dragonath Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:22:13pm

Electing the Republicans on a policy of eventual moderation is like expecting the fat kid not to eat all the halloween candy.

jamesfirecat Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:23:20pm

re: #22 Pawn of the Oppressor

Republican intellectualism?

Is that like Jumbo Shrimp?

Military Intelligence.

Microsoft Works.

freetoken Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:24:35pm

This whole Frum thing demonstrates that the GOP, and those who used to suck from that teat (such as Frum), are entering Hail Mary mode.

After spending 4 years trying to delegitimize Barack Obama, and everything the administration has done or tried, the coalition of wingnuts and country club Republicans are finding that their efforts to destroy Obama and the administration will likely fail.

Sad thing is all the wasted bodies (e.g., Van Jones) and ideas that have been run over by the high money steam rollers in their attempt to grind the President down.

Daniel Ballard Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:24:36pm

To:GOP
Re: Extortion threat

I worked your side of the aisle for years. You fucked up.

I voted Obama.

Bring it.

b_snark Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:25:34pm

re: #18 dragonath

Frum should really stop mainlining maple syrup.

Hey!

moderatelyradicalliberal Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:27:15pm

re: #21 Mocking Jay

Win.

This is the rationalization of every so-called moderate Republican. I'm sick of these people. They are doing more harm then good by adding and abetting the far right's extremism.

Jesus Christ you don't have to become a Democrat. You don't have to vote for Democrats. Just sit the election out this time. Let the nuts get crushed and you can go back once the fever has passed after a few solid asskickings. But if you keep voting for them nothing will change. They won't change if they win. They have to lose and lose badly. And if they keep acting crazy then they were never worth it to begin with. This ain't a Grand Old Party. Its a quasi white nationalist party + the 1% who don't want to pay taxes. They are fucking worthless and destructive at this point.

goddamnedfrank Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:28:01pm

Been watching FNC all day. I now hate Pres. Obama, and own fourteen catheters and 8 gold bars.
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) September 20, 2012

The Ghost of a Benghazi Flea Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:28:52pm

If we build one more moai, it will begin the process of restoring the trees we cut down erecting the other moais.

moderatelyradicalliberal Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:29:09pm

re: #28 moderatelyradicalliberal

This is the rationalization of every so-called moderate Republican. I'm sick of these people. They are doing more harm then good by adding and abetting the far right's extremism.

Jesus Christ you don't have to become a Democrat. You don't have to vote for Democrats. Just sit the election out this time. Let the nuts get crushed and you can go back once the fever has passed after a few solid asskickings. But if you keep voting for them nothing will change. They won't change if they win. They have to lose and lose badly. And if they keep acting crazy then they were never worth it to begin with. This ain't a Grand Old Party. Its a quasi white nationalist party + the 1% who don't want to pay taxes. They are fucking worthless and destructive at this point.

Damnit! I meant aiding and abetting.

Joanne Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:30:34pm

re: #19 Mocking Jay

The comments on Frum's actual page give me hope.

[Link: www.thedailybeast.com...]

Wow, no kidding. I am enjoying those comments!

Four More Tears Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:31:54pm

re: #32 Joanne

re: #19 Mocking Jay

Wow, no kidding. I am enjoying those comments!

His comment section is usually like that.

moderatelyradicalliberal Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:32:11pm

On the other hand, if this is what Republicans are reduced to to get people to vote for them, they must know they are losing.

So these nonsensical arguments are a good sign of their desperation.

Joanne Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:33:13pm

re: #28 moderatelyradicalliberal

I disagree. No, they do not have to become Democrats, but they have a platform to identify and call out the crazies in their party. That is the only way to bring sanity back to that party so that maybe we can have a functioning government again. I am all in favor of a loyal opposition. But that loyalty has to be to America and the American people, not the party first, foremost and solely.

jaunte Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:33:17pm

The congressional Republicans have shown themselves a destructive and irrational force in American politics.

"I won't pay my back child support until all of you contribute to my reelection and give me a raise."

Four More Tears Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:34:21pm

Unbelievable: "A Romney election will at least discourage the congressional GOP from deliberately pushing the US into recession in 2013."
Let that sink in. The elected officials of the United States congress must be PERSUADED not to DELIBERATELY push the country into recession.

Jesus Christ already.

He has a lot of wise commenters...

moderatelyradicalliberal Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:34:56pm

re: #35 Joanne

I disagree. No, they do not have to become Democrats, but they have a platform to identify and call out the crazies in their party. That is the only way to bring sanity back to that party so that maybe we can have a functioning government again. I am all in favor of a loyal opposition. But that loyalty has to be to America and the American people, not the party first, foremost and solely.

Oh I want them to speak out, but part of the speaking out should be to stop voting for sociopaths that are willing to hurt Americans if they don't get their way.

Joanne Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:35:34pm

re: #36 jaunte

"I won't pay my back child support until all of you contribute to my reelection and give me a raise."

Oh, you in Illinois? That's pretty much Joe Walsh.

moderatelyradicalliberal Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:36:12pm

re: #37 Mocking Jay

He has a lot of wise commenters...

Here's another option: vote them into minority status in Congress while you are voting Obama into 4 more years.

That's the best solution.

dragonath Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:39:50pm

re: #33 Mocking Jay

His comment section is usually like that.

They appear to be a bunch of well meaning liberals willing to debate with him- something that won't happen on the right because his name is already verboten in Republican circles.

It's like Dark Falcon: The Blog.

Joanne Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:41:29pm

Great comment from the Frum piece.

** “Our goal is a complete gridlock for the next two years. There is no place for bi-partisanship, compromise, only acceptable outcome is total victory and any politician that disagrees will be treated as a traitor. This is war.”— Jim De Mint (R)

** “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.” - Mitch McConnell (R)

** "The New York Times reported on Thursday that Senate Republicans applied pressure to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) in September, successfully persuading it to withdraw a report finding that lowering marginal tax rates for the wealthiest Americans had no effect on economic growth or job creation."

** "Since 2007, the Senate Historical Office has shown, Democrats have had to end Republican filibusters more than 360 times, a historic record."

** "Stressing the importance of bipartisan collaboration, Mitt Romney boasted Wednesday about his work with a Democrat-dominated legislature while he was governor of Massachusetts...but the GOP nominee consistently struggled to have his veto upheld during his tenure. Romney used his line-item veto 844 times, more than 700 of which were overturned by the Legislature, including every veto offered during his last year in office, according to an analysis by the Boston Globe."

I think the above paints an accurate picture of today's Republican party.

jamesfirecat Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:41:40pm

re: #41 dragonath

They appear to be a bunch of well meaning liberals willing to debate with him- something that won't happen on the right because his name is already verboten in Republican circles.

It's like Dark Falcon: The Blog.

Wait a moment... Dark Falcon... David Frumm.... DF and DF, have any of you guys seen the two of them in the same place at the same time?

Four More Tears Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:42:30pm

re: #42 Joanne

Great comment from the Frum piece.

I had forgotten about that first one.

Fuck it, let's get back to Benghazi.

ProGunLiberal Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:44:19pm

re: #42 Joanne

I need to keep that.

makeitstopghazi Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:45:38pm

Let us not forget that this same concept showed up in Romney's speech today - the one billed by the campaign as Romney's closing argument:

“You know that if the President is re-elected, he will still be unable to work with the people in Congress,” Romney said. “He has ignored them, attacked them, blamed them. The debt ceiling will come up again, and shutdown and default will be threatened, chilling the economy.”

That's the fucking candidate. This is what they're going with.

As fucked up as they've been this entire campaign, and this is how they try to close the deal.

Thugs. Fuck them.

Batman Fri, Nov 2, 2012 7:55:09pm

Am I the only one who took this not as an attempt at extortion, but rather an attack on Republicans? It may be a dumb argument for voting for Romney, but he's honestly saying his party is shit and they're only going to get worse if Obama is reelected.

BongGhazi Fri, Nov 2, 2012 8:00:39pm

Because giving a spoiled child exactly what he wants is a wonderful way to raise a healthy, sane adult.

Daniel Ballard Fri, Nov 2, 2012 8:04:31pm

Friday Night
AWOL
Absinthe While On Leave

Lidane Fri, Nov 2, 2012 8:24:46pm

The only good thing about Frum's column is that it forced Sully to back away from the ledge and write a rebuttal:

[Link: andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com...]

Sophist is the VillageGreen Preservation Society Fri, Nov 2, 2012 8:41:25pm

Is "Party Before Country" officially the new slogan of the GOP or something?

Lidane Fri, Nov 2, 2012 8:43:00pm

re: #51 Sophist, Gingham Style

Is "Party Before Country" officially the new slogan of the GOP or something?

It's been the GOP slogan for ages. Obama's election just made that more obvious.

Sophist is the VillageGreen Preservation Society Fri, Nov 2, 2012 8:50:52pm

re: #46 makeitstop

The debt ceiling will come up again, and shutdown and default will be threatened, chilling the economy.

Nice use of passive voice there, you fucking snake. What you mean is YOU will threaten shutdown and default.

Smirking sociopath.

Sophist is the VillageGreen Preservation Society Fri, Nov 2, 2012 8:52:55pm

re: #52 Lidane

It's been the GOP slogan for ages. Obama's election just made that more obvious.

But now they're owning it. They're basically saying "yeah, we're a protection racket. What are you gonna do about it?" It's just surreal.

Romantic Heretic Fri, Nov 2, 2012 9:57:24pm

re: #30 The Ghost of a Flea

If we build one more moai, it will begin the process of restoring the trees we cut down erecting the other moais.

And then we can also ignore the tingata rima toto, the men with bloodied hands.

Bulworth Sat, Nov 3, 2012 6:48:45am

Vote Romney, so then Repubteabags lose Congress in 2014, then vote Romney 2016 to ensure "balanced government" then vote Ryan 2016 and.....

Ming Sat, Nov 3, 2012 11:56:01am

David Frum's "endorsement" of Romney is the very definition of "unenthusiastic". One quote, near the end of Frum's article: "Which is why, if I lived outside the District of Columbia, I'd split my ticket. I'd vote Romney for president, and balance that with a vote for a moderate-to-conservative Democrat for House and Senate, if such Democrats are locally available. If I lived in Virginia, for example, I'd vote with gusto against George Allen - a perfect example of what we don't need any more of in Congress. I'd vote against an Akin or a Mourdock, and against any member of the House who urged Congress toward a voluntary default in the debt-ceiling fight of 2011."

If you read the entire endorsement, I don't think there's a single instance of "Obama did X, Romney will do Y, I prefer Y, so I support Romney." It's more like "Obama did some real good here, but it kinda seems like he wants bigger government, so I support Romney."

And the "extortion" theme is breathtaking... it runs throughout the article, as a sinister subtext: those Republicans in Congress are b-a-a-d, you never know what will enrage them... better play it safe and vote for Romney.

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