Anatomy of a Flop: GOP "Cliff" Counter-Offer Fizzles

Yesterday evening we reported the details of House Republicans' "fiscal cliff" compromise offer to the White House, which offered real ideological concessions, to the tune of $800 Billion in new revenues.  The plan -- originally conceived last year by the Democratic co-chairman of the debt commission, Erskine Bowles -- also calls for the reduction of both discretionary and mandatory spending, making needed (albeit small-ball) reforms to the largest drivers of our debt.  Unlike the president's risible, widely-panned proposal last week, Republicans' new negotiating posture offers genuine compromise: (a) It has bipartisan origins, (b) it achieves "balance," (c) it raises revenues commensurate with the Senate bill, and (d) it seeks sacrifice from both sides of the aisle.  And yet it was rejected out-of-hand by the White House and Congressional Democrats in a matter of minutes.  For years, Beltway Democrats have made a habit of rejecting Republican offers, then shamelessly turning around and branding their adversaries as the "party of no" -- so last night's outcome was no surprise.  What is a bit surprising and discouraging is the pattern of Republicans demonstrating little capacity to internalize and act upon important lessons from previous skirmishes. For all of their lip service to "solutions," Democrats' behavior makes it clear that their primary goal is to exact political pain on Republicans.  David Gergen, a non-ideological fixture of the establishment commentariat, sees this partisan ploy for what it is:

Read more: http://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2012/12/04/anatomy_of_a_flop_gop_cliff_counteroffer_fizzles