Even before the speaker's gavel is passed at noon from Nancy Pelosi to John Boehner, it would appear that the Republicans are determined to form just as arrogant and overreaching a majority as the one they defeated.
Slate's John Dickerson questioned Cantor about this conundrum at a session the incoming majority leader had with reporters in his new offices Tuesday afternoon. Recalling that Obama settled a 2009 argument with Cantor by reminding the lawmaker that "we won" the election, Dickerson asked Cantor: "Why shouldn't Democrats take that same message from the way you've structured things with the repeal of health care?"
Cantor's answer? We won. ...Dana Milbank, WaPo
Milbank reminds that repeal of the health care bill would add $143 billion to the deficit. It's a number we need to remind ourselves about over and over again. Republicans -- historically -- cost the nation a great deal more than they give it.
So what about all those things Republicans talked about in the election? Like spending cuts?
"Stay tuned," Cantor said when asked Tuesday.
And a conservative alternative to health-care reform?
"Stay tuned," Cantor said.
We're tuned in, Mr. Leader. But you're broadcasting on a different frequency.
