Erickson: Obama “Declared His Willingness To Shoot His Hostages, i.e. Senior Citizens”

Written by Media Matters Staff

Published

In a July 13 RedState.com blog post, CNN contributor Erick Erickson declared that in noting that Social Security checks might be disrupted should the default crisis not be resolved by the August 2 deadline, President Obama “declared his willingness to shoot his hostages, i.e. senior citizens.” Erickson went on to say, “The GOP should do the same -- show an absolute unwillingness to raise the debt ceiling without their balanced budget amendment passing out of Congress to the states. ... the GOP should embrace the apocalyptic future, call B.S. on the fear mongering, and shoot their debt ceiling hostage.”

From Erickson's blog post:

Everyone is using the hostage metaphor these days regarding the debt ceiling. Barack Obama started it back in December when he called the GOP hostage takers before the GOP gave him everything he wanted.

Well, I hope the GOP noticed Barack Obama yesterday upped the ante and declared his willingness to shoot his hostages, i.e. senior citizens. Yes, if the GOP dares to hold the line on spending cuts, Barack Obama will balk, the debt limit will not be raised, and Obama will refuse to pay senior citizens.

[...]

The President today signaled his willingness to shoot the hostage. The GOP should do the same -- show an absolute unwillingness to raise the debt ceiling without their balanced budget amendment passing out of Congress to the states.

Again and again, Congress folds to the doomsday scenarios. The Wall Street Journal again and again claims the sky will fall and the markets will crash. The suits come down from New York and paint the disaster scenario. The GOP falls in line. TARP is passed. What else will be passed?

This time, the GOP should embrace the apocalyptic future, call B.S. on the fear mongering, and shoot their debt ceiling hostage. if they engage in politics as usual as the Wall Street Journal and Mitch McConnell would have them, we'll be back in this mess again next year.

Previously:

Right-Wing Media Downplay Default Risks By Accusing Obama Of “Threatening” Social Security Benefits