We’ve grown so accustomed to bone-headed behavior by Republican leadership that when they do something normal it’s newsworthy. Speaker Boehner broke a pledge to fellow Republicans by allowing a vote on legislation not backed by a majority of Republicans. The details of the deal to avert the fiscal cliff are less significant than the courage shown by the Speaker, who will face a re-election vote within days of choosing country over party.
The prior position of the Speaker nullified democracy and made bi-partisan majorities a near impossibility – only legislation supported by a majority of one party would be considered. It was brilliant procedure and brilliant intra-party politics – but it was a disaster for building national consensus and practical political compromise. Let’s hope Beohner’s change of tactics is a harbinger of things to come.
A Policy Wonk 