The House Republican plan also sets up a 12 member bipartisan “joint committee for deficit reduction” which would be given broad authority and instructed to come up with $1.6 to $1.8 trillion in additional savings. It would be given a deadline of Nov. 23rd to report back its findings and if the committee’s recommendations were approved by a simple majority vote, their report would go to both the House and Senate to vote on by Dec. 23.

The committee could include entitlement reforms, tax reforms, and further discretionary spending cuts to reach its deficit reduction target. If the committee’s report passes both chambers the debt ceiling would be raised again, by approximately $1.6 trillion. Congress could vote to disapprove of the request, similar to a key element of the plan that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell proposed, but the President could veto any resolution of disapproval, and still raise the debt limit. If the committee’s plan fails to pass both houses, debt limit would not be raised.

The more I read about this plan, the more I don’t like it. Doesn’t sound a lot different than Dingy Reid’s plan really. But let Obama veto this, or the radical Democrats in the Senate vote this down. It’s all on them. BTW, there is still no plan from Obama to this date.

Voters now trust Republicans more than Democrats on nine of those 10 issues. In May, Republicans led on just six issues. Two years ago Democrats were trusted more than Republicans on most issues. Still, there are several issues that the parties are close on in terms of trust.

Cain isn’t exactly getting Gingriched but this isn’t good news. I wonder if Goff and Hall are getting ready to jump on the Rick Perry bandwagon?

BREAKING: In an urgent email, Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-IN) has announced he will NOT run for President.

Machowiak is a GOP consultant and managed winning 2010 Bill Flores campaign in TX-17 last November. So he’s not just some random anonymous hack. Daniels cites “family concerns” in an e-mail sent to supporters as the reason why he isn’t running for the Presidency.

Mackowiak also states that Mitch Daniels decision not to run not specifically benefits Pawlenty and Romney, and even squishy RINO Jon Huntsman to some extent. He also thinks another “big name” will not be “recruited” to make a run at the Presidency. Rick Perry anyone?

Here is the full letter sent by Eric Holcomb (posted by The Right Scoop)

From: Eric Holcomb (Indiana Republican Party Chairman)

The following is from Governor Mitch Daniels….

“I hope this reaches you before the public news does. If so, please respect my confidence for the short time until I can make it known to all.

The counsel and encouragement I received from important citizens like you caused me to think very deeply about becoming a national candidate. In the end, I was able to resolve every competing consideration but one, but that, the interests and wishes of my family, is the most important consideration of all. If I have disappointed you, I will always be sorry. If you feel that this was a non-courageous or unpatriotic decision, I understand and will not attempt to persuade you otherwise. I only hope that you will accept my sincerity in the judgment I reached.

Many thanks for your help and input during this period of reflection. Please stay in touch if you see ways in which an obscure Midwestern governor might make a constructive contribution to the rebuilding of our economy and our Republic.

“I’m a very fit, fun classy guy”

Thanks to the fact that this dimwit Lee is a Republican, and not a Democrat, expect the media to have a field day with this and for this story to stay in the headlines for several days. Pound him libtards, he deserves it.

Check out some other reactions to Reince Priebus:

Gateway Pundit

A judge has ordered U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to serve three years in prison for his role in a scheme to illegally funnel corporate money to Texas candidates in 2002.

The four Democrats who voted yes on the repeal include Dan Boren of Oklahoma, Mike Ross of Arkansas, Larry Kissell, and Mike McIntyre of North Carolina. Other so called “conservative” Democrats like Jason Altmire, Mark Critz, and Jim Matheson voted no on the repeal.

Full rollcall vote here.

You remember the 1960′s don’t you? Lyndon Johnson, Vietnam and the hippie days? The same hippies who are basically running the country into the ground today? If the actions of some of the remaining Republicans in the 111th Congress are any indication how the party will look and rule in the 112th Congress, then we are in trouble. Of course, some of these Republican RINOs are also on their way out like Bob Bennett, Mike Castle, George Voinovich, etc. So there is some hope.

Another point worth noting is that the GOP has the edge today partly because the number of Democrats is barely above the lowest level ever recorded in eight years of monthly tracking by Rasmussen Reports. This supports the conclusion that Election 2010 was less a victory for the Republicans than a defeat for the Democrats.

One surprise here is Olympia Snowe. She wasn”t one of the eight to vote against the earmark ban. She probably knew her pals like Collins, Murkowski, etc would vote against the ban, so she figured she’d show she’s “conservative” because she know’s she’s in deep sh*t in 2012. Seven phony Democrats voted for the ban on earmarks. One of the funniest is that Russ Feingold was one of them. The other six included: Evan Bayh, both Colorado Senators Bennet and Udall, , Mark Warner, Claire McCaskill, and Bill Nelson; Notice a pattern with the Democrats who voted? Most of them are up for re-election in 2012.

Prosecutors said DeLay, who once held the No. 2 job in the House of Representatives and whose heavy-handed style earned him the nickname “the Hammer,” used his political action committee to illegally channel

$190,000 in corporate donations into 2002 Texas legislative races through a money swap.
DeLay and his attorneys maintained the former Houston-area congressman did nothing wrong as no corporate funds went to Texas candidates and the money swap was legal.

Hit the road jack! Err. Tom.

“It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to serve my colleagues as the Majority Whip,” McCarthy stated in a press release. “I believe that together we can usher in the era of America’s comeback through hard work and a strong commitment to our conservative principles.”

Kevin McCarthy ran unopposed.

“The job of the next speaker is to work to restore the institution,” said Mr. Boehner, who ran unopposed, in remarks to the old and new members gathered to vote today. “Restore it to being the people’s House. It’s not about us; it’s about them. And what they want is a smaller, less costly, more accountable government. More jobs, less spending. It’s that simple.”

He added: “For the good of our nation, and the hopes and dreams of future generations, we have to get this right. We’re going to move ahead with humility, cheerful in our demeanor and steady in our principles, always mindful that the power we hold is entrusted to us by our fellow countrymen and the nation we serve. I’m honored and humbled by your confidence in me to lead the House as we begin this journey.”

Happy 61st birthday Mr. Speaker-elect!

“As the leader of my party in the Senate, I have to lead first by example,” McConnell, R-Ky., said from the floor of the Senate on the first day of its lame-duck session.

“Nearly every day that the Senate’s been in session for the past two years, I have come down to this very spot and said that Democrats are ignoring the wishes of the American people. When it comes to earmarks, I won’t be guilty of the same thing,” he said.

“Like most Louisianans, my discontent with the Democratic Party has grown over the past few years. This move is not about political expediency but rather my own principled philosophy. As a 100% pro-life, family values person of Faith, I strongly disagree with the policies and politics of President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and the National Democratic Party. The job-killing moratorium imposed by the Obama Administration demonstrated a knee jerk reaction to score political points for his voter base outside of Louisiana. It was a rushed, irrational decision with politics in mind. Our State could not afford the detrimental impact of the federal government’s ban on deepwater oil exploration.

I wonder what the rajin’ cajun James Carville thinks about this?