Newt Gingrich: The New Pattern of American Politics
The Debt Ceiling Battle Reveals a New Pattern Emerging in American Politics and Government
Written by Newt Gingrich.
The dance over the debt ceiling and the budget may lead to a decisive choice about the future of the United States. It seems like two different patterns — the rise of the extreme wing of the Democrat Party and the growing bipartisanship in the House — could represent a groundbreaking new way of thinking about American politics and government.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders acknowledged this shift, saying in her response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union that “the dividing line in America is no longer between right or left; the choice is between normal or crazy.” This makes sense, given that some elements of American politics are pushing divisive social ideologies, such as rewriting American history, promoting racial discrimination, and imposing sexual identity on minors. These fringe positions are opposed to the overwhelming majority of Americans and may be perceived as “crazy.”
President Biden’s proposal regarding the debt ceiling and budget debate highlights another contrast that could be more relevant to describing this shift. On one hand, there are reasonable people striving to achieve compromises that align with the aspirations and values of the American people. On the other hand, there are extremists who are fighting for a set of values supported by a small minority of the American people.
The fight over the debt ceiling may be the best example to illustrate the gap between the reasonable wing of American politics and the extreme wing. Biden said he would not negotiate and would not approve any spending modifications added to the debt ceiling bill while opposing cuts to spending. The majority of Americans oppose Biden’s stance since only 27% would agree with his position, whereas 45% would raise the debt ceiling only with spending cuts, and 17% would not raise the ceiling at all, believing too much expenditure constitutes waste.
If those wanting to raise the debt ceiling without cuts partnered with those willing to raise the ceiling with cuts, there would be a coalition of 72% in favor. Conversely, if Biden’s extreme position galvanized people in the opposite direction, he would face opposition from a 62% majority.
Although Speaker McCarthy can and should request that both sides sit down to find a solution, if Biden continues to maintain his extreme stance of no negotiation and no spending cuts, McCarthy can propose a debt ceiling bill with modest, reasonable spending adjustments. Knowing that Biden’s stubbornness is unlikely to be supported by the vast majority of the country, some Democrats may opt to represent their constituents by voting for a bipartisan coalition.
If the choice continues to be between reasonable, popular positions and extreme, fringe positions, this trend may become the theme of 2024.
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