According to a new poll released by CBS News/New York Times, such a stance could easily help them.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20056258-503544.html
Despite Obama administration warnings that failing to do so would devastate the economy, a clear majority of Americans say they oppose raising the debt limit, a new CBS News/New York Times poll shows.
Just 27 percent of Americans support raising the debt limit, while 63 percent oppose raising it.
Eighty-three percent of Republicans oppose raising the limit, along with 64 percent of independents and 48 percent of Democrats. Support for raising the debt limit is just 36 percent among Democrats, and only 14 percent among Republicans.
Seven in ten who oppose raising the debt limit stand by that position even if it means that interest rates will go up.
If you ask me, interest rates are going up soon, anyway. Some of those who buy US debt are already beginning to grumble about their low rate of return, and there is inflationary pressure building in the US that will likely combine to force interest rates up... probably sometime in the next year or so.
But this poll seems to indicate that the GOP stance will actually please a large percentage of the populace. So fight this battle, people, and win a LOT more than the piddling little $352 million in spending cuts that you won in the last battle.
Passing the balanced budget amendment would also be nice...
If the balanced budget amendment didn't pass with a GOP Congress and Bill Clinton at the helm you can hang it up now (which I am sure you know). I would say that it is extremely risky to quibble over this particular thing. While it may or may not work politically (I am inclined to think it won't in the long run) it would be a much better idea to make the fight over the budget. If the GOP loses then pay our bills, if not then so be it. Boehner does point out something I think all Republicans would do well to remember: The GOP controls 1/2 of 1/3 of the government (which isn't exactly true, they also control the SCOTUS) and no matter the fight compromise will rule the day.
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