In a July 12 Washington Times column, Jeffrey Kuhner wrote that “Republicans have a golden opportunity to break Barack Obama's presidency” and that the debt ceiling crisis will be Obama's “Waterloo,” claiming: “Ambition cost Napoleon his empire. For Mr. Obama, the 'big package' strategy is the moment of colossal overreach. He wanted too much, too soon. Now comes the long, humiliating and fatal retreat.” Kuhner further claimed that Obama is “not serious about confronting our debt bomb; rather, he seeks to consolidate his socialist revolution, paying for the expansion of the entitlement society.”

From Kuhner's column, headlined, “Obama's Waterloo”:

Republicans have a golden opportunity to break Barack Obama's presidency, ensuring he will be a one-termer. Mr. Obama has backed himself into a corner on the debt-limit talks; the GOP can smash his re-election prospects if they have the will -- and intelligence -- to do it.

[...]

However, [Obama] understands one fundamental reality: European-style spending eventually requires European-style taxation. His aim has been to pile up such high deficits and debt so he can force America to accept massive permanent tax increases. Mr. Obama is using primitive class-warfare rhetoric, insisting on soaking “the rich.” He is not serious about confronting our debt bomb; rather, he seeks to consolidate his socialist revolution, paying for the expansion of the entitlement society.

[...]

Mr. Boehner should insist on a small deal -- lifting the debt ceiling along with corresponding spending reductions. Every debt dollar raised should be coupled with a spending dollar cut. That way, the package pays for itself. More important, it places Mr. Obama in a no-win situation. House Republicans will pass legislation that raises the debt limit. Therefore, they cannot be blamed for any economic fallout should America default. Mr. Obama can veto it, which means he will be solely responsible for the fiscal calamity. Or he can sign it -- publicly standing down from his earlier threats. Thus, he will be denuded among his liberal supporters and the larger electorate, and shown to be a weak leader whose words mean nothing.

Either way, it will be his Waterloo -- the effective end of his presidency. Ambition cost Napoleon his empire. For Mr. Obama, the “big package” strategy is the moment of colossal overreach. He wanted too much, too soon. Now comes the long, humiliating and fatal retreat.

Previously:

Fox Continues Ignoring Economists To Downplay Debt Ceiling Consequences

Right-Wing Media Figures Pushed Boehner To Abandon Debt Talks

Limbaugh Ushers Listeners Into Fantasyland On Debt-Ceiling Risks