Conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham tells Newsmax that Republicans should stand firm against a “mini-deal” that would raise the debt ceiling with only “cosmetic cuts” in federal spending.
She also says Washington legislators who would consider such a settlement show that they are “completely unserious” about dealing with the federal debt and “saving America.”
Ingraham has a highly rated, nationally syndicated radio show on Talk Radio Network, and is a frequent guest host on Fox News Channel’s “The O’Reilly Factor.” She formerly served as a speechwriter in the Ronald Reagan administration, and as a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Her latest book, “Of Thee I Zing: America's Cultural Decline from Muffin Tops to Body Shots,” will be released on July 12.
In an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV, Ingraham was asked if the debt ceiling, currently at $14.3 trillion, should be raised under any circumstances whatsoever.
“I’m not an elected representative so I’m not going to play one, but I’ll tell you what the people expect from our representatives: They expect less politics, more reality, and more adult stewardship on the economy,” Ingraham responds.
“What’s happening now is, oh, it’s an emergency, we’ve got to do it by August 2. Then all of a sudden we hear a mini-deal is in the making. Maybe it’s not such an emergency. Maybe we can kick this down the road a little further, put off the pain of spending cuts. That leads me to believe it’s completely unserious, our approach to this.
“Even John McCain over the weekend said [Democrats] want to raise taxes. This is their mission. Any excuse they will find to raise taxes, the Democrats. He’s right about that.”
Referring to what she has been hearing from callers to her radio show, Ingraham says: “I think people have become so cynical about what’s happening here in Washington, they’re not surprised when elected leaders don’t live up to their promises and responsibilities.
“They cheer the fact that Republicans so far have been pretty much on board and unanimous in their opposition to cutting some quickie deal that frankly gives Obama cover and doesn’t go down the road in solving a problem.
“I think people want serious leadership. And they want passion. I think Newsmax and talk radio and a lot of great blogs out there bring passion and substance to the game every day. I think they need that from people in Washington, and I don’t think they’re hearing it.
“Republicans have to be clear about on what’s at stake if we continue spending and do these minimal cosmetic spending cuts along the way. It’s not going to work.”
Ingraham applauds South Caroline Republican Sen. Jim DeMint, who has said he won’t consider raising the debt ceiling without spending cuts, a spending cap, and a constitutional amendment to balance the budget.
“DeMint is one of a handful of people who have actually led on this issue,” she tells Newsmax.
“But people are going to take the Democrats’ demagoguery to heart on oh, you just want to protect the rich, protect the hedge fund owners. If we don’t paint this in the starkest of terms for the America people, we are going down. The narrative of decline has been cemented in the minds of people across this country. We’re turning it around with dramatic action.
“We can do this, but only if we’re serious. It’s not serious to kick it down the road and have some quickie deal to raise the debt ceiling without real cuts. That means cuts now, not 10 years from now.”
Ingraham also says a “demogoguing” President Obama will attempt to use Republicans’ reluctance to raising debt ceiling as a political tool.
“Obama’s going to do what gets Obama re-elected,” she declares.
“He’s a real good politician. He knows how to turn out the vote. The question is, do Republicans? Do they know how to speak to the camera and make a case for saving America?
“It’s a little passed time for Republicans to whine about Obama’s demagoguing. Ronald Reagan didn’t sit around worrying about who was demagoguing what, he took the narrative over and he connected with the American people.
“Make your case to the people. Then the people will follow.”
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