Gibbs talks debt ceiling debate, says backlash against Republicans will be forgotten as ACA rolls out

  • By Nick Sabo
  • October 14, 2013
  • 396
                        
Congressman Bob Gibbs said the backlash against congressional Republicans due to the debt ceiling fight will be short-lived compared to that felt by the President and Democrats as the Affordable Care Act rolls out. Gibbs, speaking Saturday Oct. 12 at the Holmes County Republican Party hog roast, said Republicans needed to “stay strong” in the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations. Polls show Republican are taking the blame more so than Democrats, and congressional leaders overall have a 5 percent approval rating. Gibbs conceded that the original goal of the negotiations, defunding the Affordable Care Act, is no longer feasible. “This issue has become bigger than Obamacare, it has become an issue of the separation of powers,” Gibbs said. “Now (President Obama) wants to get carte blanche power. It’s about our freedoms and our futures.” When questioned if the situation was causing damage to the Republican party, Gibbs said to give in now would hurt Republicans even more. He said Obama and Democrats will soon be getting their share of scorn because of the ACA. “I think as time goes on with this Obamacare thing, (Obama’s) going to hurt,” Gibbs said. “If we cave, we’ll go really low. These issues are big. If the President wins this battle, you can imagine what he’ll do in the next two years.” Gibbs further said that Republicans are “pretty united” when asked about reports of infighting within the party. Gibbs said the stalemate will end only with a bipartisan compromise. “House Speaker Boehner has said if we’re going to resolve these issues the only way is going to be bipartisan,” Gibbs said. “The White House is going to have to talk to house Republicans.”


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