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Jul 27, 2011

Memo to Gosar, Schweikert, Quayle and Flake:

Majority of voters are with president on debt-ceiling debate -- Who's with you?

PHOENIX -- Arizona’s GOP congressmen are lobbing attacks at the president's balanced approach to the debt-ceiling debate, and this week the Arizona Republican Party attacked Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Andrei Cherny after he called for an end to subsidies for corporate jet owners. But the Republicans might as well lob their attacks directly at the general public -- a solid majority sides with the president on these issues.

According to Tuesday's Reuters/Ipsos Poll, 56 percent of Americans agree with the president's approach to offer a combination of spending cuts and ending subsidies and loopholes in a deal to lower the U.S. budget deficit and allow a vote to raise the country's debt ceiling.

The impact of a U.S. default on its financial obligations are "potentially breathtaking," as The Arizona Republic reported today. But despite likely harm to their constituents, Reps. Gosar, Schweikert, Quayle, and Flake are fighting only for their ideology, refusing to budge as they protect subsidies for corporate jet owners. Earlier this week, the Arizona Republican Party rushed to the defense of subsidies for corporate jet owners, attacking Cherny after he called for a balanced approach and an end to such giveaways.

Today's Republic story detailed the cascade of consequences a U.S. default would have on mainstream Arizonans, from higher interest rates on car loans and credit cards to dramatic budget cuts that affect every aspect of American life.

"The majority of Americans reject this Republican blockade, but all Americans will suffer if Republicans force a default," Cherny said. "Mainstream voters know the difference between leadership and gamesmanship -- so far, our Republicans in Congress apparently don't. They must be held accountable in 2012."

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