# Can 20 GOP moderate Reps switch Party to avert Tea Party looming catastrophe **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 3, 2013, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228 "2013-10-03T00:13:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/41 "2013-10-05T16:10:26Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > It “normally” takes at least two personalities to negotiate a settlement. Negotiations are still going to be required before this come to an end. I don’t think you understand the meaning of the word, “negotiate”. What are Republicans offering Democrats in return for adopting the Republican’s proposals? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/42 "2013-10-05T16:15:57Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > I don’t think you understand how negotiations work. _negotiation - the process of discussing something with someone in order to reach an agreement, or the discussions themselves:_ I’m under the impression that person A negotiates with person B. Eventually, they either reach an agreement or they don’t. If the negotiations are successful, then the situation is resolved. If the negotiations are not successful, then the situation is not resolved. Is there another definition? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/43 "2013-10-05T16:21:24Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > _negotiation - > the process of discussing something with someone in order to reach an agreement, or the discussions themselves:_ > > I’m under the impression that person A negotiates with person B. Eventually, they either reach an agreement or they don’t. If the negotiations are successful, then the situation is resolved. If the negotiations are not successful, then the situation is not resolved. > > Is there another definition? Republicans don’t want agreement, they want submission; therefore, it does not meet your definition of negotiation. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/44 "2013-10-05T17:21:36Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Republicans don’t want agreement, they want submission; therefore, it does not meet your definition of negotiation. And the Democrats want submission, also. But that does not change the definition of negotiation. No negotiations = no possible settlement. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/45 "2013-10-05T17:22:32Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > And the Democrats want submission, also. > > But that does not change the definition of negotiation. > > No negotiations = no possible settlement. Sure there is, there is complete surrender by the terrorists which is exactly what we’ll get. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/46 "2013-10-05T17:25:56Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > And the Democrats want submission, also. Of course; but at least we are honest about it. We don’t negotiate with terrorists. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/47 "2013-10-06T00:57:05Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Republicans don’t want agreement, they want submission; therefore, it does not meet your definition of negotiation. This generalization is offensive. Many Republicans want agreement. You should limit your assessment to House Republicans or Teabaggers but don’t extend it out to all members of the Republican Party. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/48 "2013-10-06T01:04:08Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > This generalization is offensive. Many Republicans want agreement. You should limit your assessment to House Republicans or Teabaggers but don’t extend it out to all members of the Republican Party. Fair enough. However, I might not have made that error if moderate Republicans were more vocal in their dissent against the Tea Party. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/49 "2013-10-06T06:47:20Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > This generalization is offensive. Many Republicans want agreement. Okay. What are they willing to give up in order to reach that agreement? ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Blaylock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_blaylock/32/3235_2.png) [@Bob\_Blaylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Blaylock)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/50 "2013-10-06T07:28:03Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Let the Republicans clean up their mess and return to the table once they’re no longer controlled by economic jihadists. It was not the Republicans that gave us this ObamaCare scam. This is the Democrats’ mess, and the Republicans are the ones trying to clean it up. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/51 "2013-10-06T09:47:37Z")
> [@Bob\_Blaylock](#): > > It was not the Republicans that gave us this ObamaCare scam. This is the Democrats’ mess, and the Republicans are the ones trying to clean it up. Then let them use the legislative process prescribed by the Constitution, and knock off this extortion scheme. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/52 "2013-10-06T11:34:33Z")
Blaylock, Actually ACA is the Republican scam. It was a compromise by the Dems in order to get medical legislation. It’s the Romney plan. Obama ran on a platform of appeasement. But, appeasement does not work with a far right opponent. The rightists got it all - ACA, Bush tax cuts, sequester and their discretionary budget number. For that they shut down the government. It is the Republican Party. Crane ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/53 "2013-10-06T13:56:03Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Okay. What are they willing to give up in order to reach that agreement? Moderate Republicans? 1. Accept ACA as law of the land 2. Have a rational discussion about the budget. You know, one that actually tries to control spending (which Democrats hate) and links it to increased revenue (which Teabaggers hate). ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/54 "2013-10-06T14:16:39Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Moderate Republicans? > > 1. Accept ACA as law of the land > 2. Have a rational discussion about the budget. You know, one that actually tries to control spending (which Democrats hate) and links it to increased revenue (which Teabaggers hate). This are basically just democratic positions, which is really a big reason moderate republicans are in trouble. We don’t hate controlling spending, just don’t do it while the economy is bad. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/55 "2013-10-06T14:32:55Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Of course; but at least we are honest about it. We don’t negotiate with terrorists. I still don’t know who you believe “we” represents. The Obama administration does negotiate with many countries including those who support terrorism. That’s part of their job description. Members of Congress do negotiate with other members of Congress. That’s part of their job description. While watching the various media outlet’s presentations of this “gov shut down”, it’s obvious that both sides are, in fact, involved in negotiating an ending to this debacle. A compromise will be reached, neither side may be completely happy, and the government’s business will be conducted. It’s obvious that the members of Congress are NOT listening to the internet posters and rabid guests on pundit shows who demand that no negotiations (with or without the “terrorist” part) take place. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/56 "2013-10-06T14:36:31Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I still don’t know who you believe “we” represents. > > The Obama administration does negotiate with many countries including those who support terrorism. Not to get hostages back, we don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/57 "2013-10-06T16:07:20Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > This are basically just democratic positions, which is really a big reason moderate republicans are in trouble. We don’t hate controlling spending, just don’t do it while the economy is bad. Except for most Dems, the economy is always bad or if they can’t convince us the economy is bad then controlling spending would tank the economy. Second, while under normal times accepting PPACA would be normal democracy, under these circumstances it is agreement to end the shutdown considering mod Pubs that do so may be committing political suicide. One additional “agreement” after accepting ACA is working with Dems to get a workable ACA. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/58 "2013-10-06T16:28:15Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Except for most Dems, the economy is always bad or if they can’t convince us the economy is bad then controlling spending would tank the economy. Second, while under normal times accepting PPACA would be normal democracy, under these circumstances it is agreement to end the shutdown considering mod Pubs that do so may be committing political suicide. One additional “agreement” after accepting ACA is working with Dems to get a workable ACA. We voted for Bill Clinton and his massive entitlement reform during the 90s boom, so no, I’d say your interpretation is quite wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/59 "2013-10-07T22:03:31Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > We voted for Bill Clinton and his massive entitlement reform during the 90s boom, so no, I’d say your interpretation is quite wrong. You had no one else to vote for. Clinton was the only person crazy enough to run for the Presidency when Bush I had approval ratings in the 80s after Iraq War I. By the time the economy tanked and other Dems though that they had a chance against Bush, Clinton was already on the road to being your party’s nominee. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228/60 "2013-10-10T19:05:23Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > What are the House rules on replacing a Speaker? [Here are the current Rules of the House](http://clerk.house.gov/legislative/house-rules.pdf), but I can’t find anything in them concerning the election of the Speaker. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-20-gop-moderate-reps-switch-party-to-avert-tea-party-looming-catastrophe/670228.md?page=4)