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See Boehner’s 54-Second Challenge to President Obama: Sign ‘Plan B’ or Own The Consequences

Dec. 19, 2012 4:10pm Becket Adams

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Wednesday vowed that his backup tax bill, dubbed “Plan B,” would pass the House and challenged President Obama to either accept it or be responsible for the “largest tax increase in American history.”

“The president’s offer of $1.3 trillion in revenues and $850 billion in spending reductions fails to meet the test that the president promised the American people – a balanced approach,” Boehner said during an extraordinarily brief press conference. “I hope the president will get serious soon about providing and working with us on a balanced approach.”

“Tomorrow, the House will pass legislation to make permanent tax relief for nearly every American — 99.81 percent of the American people,” he added.

“Then, the president will have a decision to make. He can call on the Senate Democrats to pass that bill, or he can be responsible for the largest tax increase in American history.”

Shortly after Rep. Boehner introduced his “just in case” plan yesterday morning, the White House batted it down, saying it “fails to meet President Barack Obama’s call for a balanced approach and does not put enough of a tax burden on the wealthiest Americans.”

“The president is hopeful that both sides can work out remaining differences and reach a solution so we don’t miss the opportunity in front of us today,” said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) assured members of the press that “Plan B” would never pass the senate.

“Speaker Boehner’s ‘plan B’ is the farthest thing from a balanced approach,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office said in a statement. “It will not protect middle class families because it cannot pass both Houses of Congress.”

“Now is the time to show leadership, not kick the can down the road,” Reid said. “Speaker Boehner should focus his energy on forging a large-scale deficit reduction agreement. It would be a shame if Republicans abandoned productive negotiations due to pressure from the tea party, as they have time and again.”

Boehner has called for a separate bill to address only taxes. He wants lawmakers to extend tax cuts for people making up to $1 million. He has also called for entitlement cuts and a tax reform debate next year.

In addition to allowing a tax increase for million-dollar earners, the Boehner plan would prevent an expansion of the alternative minimum tax that would otherwise hit 28 million middle- and upper-class Americans with an average $3,700 increase on their 2012 tax returns.

The “fiscal cliff” cliff ball is once against in President Obama’s court.

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

The AP contributed to this report. Featured image courtesy the AP.

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Comments (126)

Micmac
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:45pm
Boehner should pass his ugly Plan B and dismiss the House for the holidays.

This pseudo fiscal cliff is only what the Progressives want. I think it will happen in some form. The collateral damage, as stated below, is moot to NoBama. Everyone, including his closest allies, are useless idiots to him and his endgame.

The game was over before it even began. Boehner is just playing Air Guitar.

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- no1hd
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:53pm
  Total agreement – 100%. Go home turn the obama phone off and enjoy with your constituents that sent you there..
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:54pm
  GOP is ball-less.
  
  Report this comment
- Banter
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:06pm
  A clown car full of clowns putting on a clown show for the rubes.
  
  Let it go John, we need to hit rock bottom.
  
  Report this comment
- JohnGalt
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:10pm
  One way or another Obama will own this.
  
  Report this comment
- banjarmon
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:29pm
  BHO has had FOUR years to get the thing under control!!! IT IS HIS NOW!!!
  
  Report this comment
- ltb
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 6:15pm
  Glad to see Boehner finally get some balls.
  
  Report this comment
- Gold Coin & Economic News
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 6:16pm
  Nothing coming from Obama whether it is guns or the fiscal cliff is balanced. Nothing liberals do is balanced, It is all a bunch of smoke and mirrors that is more about an agenda of control than anything else:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezXakqpKHE0
  
  Report this comment
- tifosa
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 8:17pm
  Is the B in the Plan for Bozell? His wigout was priceless :)
  
  Report this comment
- mwhaley
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 9:36pm
  Boehner and the republicans need to realize adult decisions are not going to be popular with the democrat kids. Boehner needs to just go home. Obama owns this, but like all juveniles he is going to blame someone else.
  
  Report this comment
- RabidPatriot
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 11:30pm
  The Democrats and Republicans are two sides of the same cow pie. In the end the American people will all lose.
  
  Report this comment
3Tesla
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:38pm
The reality for Obama — is — that his base is totally unaffected by a tax hike. That is why he has to classify “millionaires” as hard working small businesses grinding it out on $250,000.

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- VanceUppercut
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 7:13pm
  @3Tesla
  
  There are exemptions for small businesses. Not that your “fair and balanced” and “agenda-free” news sources will tell you that.
  
  Report this comment
- SquidVetOhio
  Posted on December 20, 2012 at 8:46am
  VANCE is a freaking dolt. No matter what his “fair and balanced” msnbc tells him. Funny how people who worship at the feet of the White House and Christina Matthews slams conservatives for watching Fox.
  
  Report this comment
DZ-015
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:36pm
Where are the spending cuts in this Plan B? If none, then it is Plan B lame, and nothing more. Let’s see a real plan where any tax increases come with immediate real cuts in spending to “pay for them” as the ‘crats were so fond of saying. While we are at it, make Senate approval of a budget be part of Plan BB with the “Bs” standing for “Balanced Budget.”

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- Vickie Dhaene
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:03pm
  Exactly right.
  
  Report this comment
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 6:29pm
  “He has also called for entitlement cuts and a tax reform debate next year.”
  ===============================================
  We can only hope it is EARLY next year.
  
  Report this comment
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 6:42pm
  Agreed.
  
  Report this comment
powedj
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:35pm
The thought of Obama voters’ taxes going up sends a tingle up my leg.

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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:07pm
  Some people only learn by experience like the child you tell over and over “HOT Don’t Touch”"
  
  Report this comment
- bumfuzeled
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 7:32pm
  Your assuming Obama voters pay taxes
  
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ArizonaHoss
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:33pm
Every one on our side wants reduced spending. How will be get guaranteed spending cuts? Letting the “fiscal cliff” (horrible phrase) deadline expire. Automatics spending cuts. Let it expire and then budget from there.

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FightingBear
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:33pm
Obama does not know the meaning of the word compromise.

His idea of compromise is “my way or the highway”.

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- barber2
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:40pm
  Agree. This entire budget mess has been a game of cat and mouse from day one. Obama plans to destroy ( he uses their code word ” change “) capitalism. He doesn’t care one bit about balancing the budget or improving the economy. He has a much different agenda. Just ask Bill Ayers who is at least open about his desire to end capitalism.
  
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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:04pm
  The card has already been played by Reid the goal is to show Congress as dysfunctional therefore needing change into what the Dems want it to be. Don’t doubt they want Congress to be dissolved and the dictatorship to take over. The end game was never the budget nor fiscal cliff but to show Congress dysfunctional and needing replaced.
  
  Report this comment
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 6:32pm
  Is there an echo in here? :-)
  
  Report this comment
- VanceUppercut
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 7:23pm
  @FightingBear
  
  “Obama does not know the meaning of the word compromise.
  
  His idea of compromise is “my way or the highway”.”
  
  Really? I mean, really?? Where have you been for the past four years? Ever since the Repubs took over the House in 2010 their modus operandi was to tell Obama and the Dems “You have to give us everything we want, and then maybe–if we’re feeling nice–we’ll give you a little of what you want…and then we’ll call you a Fascist. The problem is, this last election was an eye-opener for a lot of people–the Repubs not only lost a Presidential election that should’ve been a slam dunk, but they lost two seats in the Senate, and–just two years after huge gains–they lost seven seats in the House. The majority of Americans agree with the Dems on the right to choose, on gay marriage, and on sensible gun control. Angry White Men are finding that they can no longer elect a President on their own, and that many key constituencies are all but lost to them because of their xenophobic, homophobic, misogynistic beliefs. Now Obama and the Dems unquestionably have the wind at their backs, and the Repubs will no longer be able to play the “my way or the highway” game. Too bad. Deal with it.
  
  Report this comment
- usedCZARsalesman
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 9:54pm
  Hey VANCE…you might be right, but all you’re championing is a future where you and all the people you live with in section 8 starve to death
  
  Report this comment
barber2
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:32pm
Slow day at Media Matters ?

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barber2
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:31pm
Watching these politicians in Washington ( whose benefits and salaries come out of my wallet ) playing media games and fiddling while America burns, makes me wish I were God and had a giant fly swatter.

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Zeke48
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:31pm
Reid happens to be the worst Senator ever. He is like a little boy that has gotten everything he has ever asked for and whEn things don’t go his way he makes up lies and has temper tantrums. between Reid, Palosi and that moron of a Fraud President has ran this country into the ground.

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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:10pm
  The card has already been played by Reid the goal is to show Congress as dysfunctional therefore needing change into what the Dems want it to be. Don’t doubt they want Congress to be dissolved and the dictatorship to take over. The end game was never the budget nor fiscal cliff but to show Congress dysfunctional and needing replaced..
  
  Report this comment
thibx
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:30pm
boehner we need to reduce spending now. not later.every deal he has ever made spending has increased. we need a speaker like newt was.

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Chet Hempstead
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:29pm
Mr. President, tell him to go to hell. You owe your loyalty to the 99%, not the 99.81%. We need to get rid of the tax cuts for all millionaires, not just the multi-millionaires who make a million a year.

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- barber2
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:36pm
  You go, Chet. Punish those evil “rich” people. You bet. Everyone should just sit back, get a check from Big Brother government, and stay poor. Just like Comrade Obama and the Chicago radicals say : down with capitalism ! All power to the people. Cheers for the proletariats ! Comrades all. Now , about those Gulags …..
  
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- RickN
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:37pm
  Dolt!
  
  Report this comment
- Cavallo
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:41pm
  Why not just get rid of millionaires? We could deport them to places like the Cayman Islands, Singapore, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. Or rather than forcibly deport them why not just tax them until they leave of their own accord. I am quite sure that would have no negative effects on the American economy. Why not follow the French lead and impose a 75% tax? Bobo the Wonder Marxist is really good at sniffing the trails of previous Marxist morons.
  
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buttpatriot
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:25pm
boehner’s bluff is a *****

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Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:25pm
Frankly, I’m a little excited about the “cliff”. I get sorta warm and fuzzy at the thought of Obama voters getting a tax hike. Even better is the thought of Obama voters getting a tax hike AND getting less of my money. The increases in my taxes will sort of be the cost of admission to be able to watch the masses come unglued. Should be fun.

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- CatB
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:32pm
  Add to the “cliff” … all those new ObamaTAX … and a lot of Obama voters are in for a rude awakening .. I even heard some are going to get a cut in food stamps due to energy prices going down … unintended consequences ;-)
  
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- NinjaJuice
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:32pm
  Agreed,.. I’m at a point where I really dont care any more. But then to see all those that voted for him suffer will tickle me funny.
  
  Report this comment
- mrunner
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:34pm
  In a really twisted kinda way- I agree with you. I can save some dollars I currently spend on entertainment to pay the additional taxes and let the fallout become my entertainment. Many people may learn some personal responsibility in short order. Maybe even some politicians! LMAO
  
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- Clownzilla
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:38pm
  As sick as it sounds I feel the same way. I really don’t care about the massive Jan 1 tax hikes because those that will get hurt the most don’t care about me. I’m tired of paying out the $#% so somebody can expect to do the bare minimum to get by. Sure, I’m by no means rich and would easily fit in the group below 250k but as a small business owner I really will shed no tears when the paychecks come in smaller. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!
  
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- Shasta
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:42pm
  48% of this country pays no income tax. Most of them are OBlamo voters. Go ahead, raise the rates. See if they care. They would not be so quick to support this crap if they had any skin in the game.
  
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- mrunner
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:57pm
  @shasta – You are are right on the 47% not paying taxes- thing is, they are collecting benefits too. The cliff would force those benefits to be cut. Also, some of the biggest political contributions come from wealthy Dems. Those contributions are based on them getting sweatheart deals from the gov. Those will get pared back substantially when the cliff is done so maybe they will review their logic…
  
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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:21pm
  Some people only learn by experience like the child you tell over and over “HOT Don’t Touch”” apparently this is how Dems were raised not listening to parents or idiot labels. After all that idiot label idea was such a success and fixed the problem.
  
  Report this comment
- hatchetjob
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:22pm
  Count me in for the entertainment too, my chips and dip are ready.
  
  Report this comment
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 6:38pm
  The Oblamo voters have no ID, some have no SS#, most cannot read and have the mentality of an 8-year old, how will they complete their taxes, much less pay them? Does the IRS take EBT cards or food stamps?
  
  Report this comment
- kevinthewriter
  Posted on December 20, 2012 at 9:51am
  I can’t get the song “A Country Boy Will Survive” out of my head. I hope they do bring the system crashing down. America needs a good purging.
  
  Report this comment
welovetheUSA
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:25pm
Fiscal cliff.is such a joke..we.. the government I should say owes trillions..pick a number 20-30 trillion in medicare..social security..welfare..they owe 20 times more than anything they are talking about right now…..its a dream..some kind of nightmare that washington has ignored for decades.

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- olderjarhead
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:55pm
  I agree. I will pay a few more dollars, and let the spending cuts kick in. I’m not too hopeful of our futures either way; so let the games begin.
  
  Report this comment
- Plan B
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:14pm
  Here Here!!
  
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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:25pm
  Just default on the loans let the bank repo it and short sale it.
  
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3Tesla
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:24pm
It was always supposed to be about -millionaires and billionaires — right?? So what is your problem OB ?? I know — SPENDING IS !!

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- CatB
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:34pm
  I thought we were told there were NO middle class BUSH tax cuts? Wasn’t that the old story from the left?
  
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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:29pm
  It’s not any of those it is to show Congress as dysfunctional and needing replaced.
  
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TEIN
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:24pm
“..due to pressure from the tea party, as they have time and again.”…Reid is just being evil….It has no problem bowing to pressure from the radical progressive and fails to be honest that it is the White House holding America hostage and not the tea party…

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moreteaplease
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:23pm
Harry belongs in a museum.

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- CatB
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:35pm
  for the insane.
  
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moreteaplease
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:23pm
“Then, the president will have a decision to make. He can call on the Senate Democrats to pass that bill, or he can be responsible for the largest tax increase in American history.”
——————————
That won’t make a bit of difference to Obama. He just considers it collateral damage in the effort to push his socialist agenda. Obama has left a lot of collateral damage in his wake and his narcissism has convinced him that he is right, no matter who suffers or dies. It’s sacrifices made for ” the greater good ” or should that read ” the collective good “?

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AvengerK
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:22pm
There’s a gnat on the screen..oh wait..that’s John Boehner.

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- hatchetjob
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:23pm
  He has a look on his face like his diaper needs changing.
  
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VoiceoftheMajority
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:21pm
John Boehner, the people have spoken with both the popular and electoral vote. Please do the bidding of the people and stop holding America hostage for your own personal agenda. Your behaviour is now becoming treasonous…

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- Dkoonz
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:32pm
  Finally Boehners showing a little back bone. Keep up the good work im ready for a ride over the cliff just to hear the liberals scream on the way down.
  
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- RickN
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:36pm
  The Americans people have spoken….and they re-elected a Republican Majority to the House of Representatives.
  
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- VoiceoftheMajority
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:52pm
  And that Republican majority is attempting to hold America hosage for it’s own agenda. It is truly shameful what has become of the GOP. America is sick and I think it is reflected in the GOPs current behaviour.
- Dkoonz
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:03pm
  Over the cliff. No more Obama phones, cut in food stamps…oh my I can here the crying now.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:45pm
  @VoiceoftheMajority
  
  Love your name…. do you know why?
  
  Because the majority of Americans chose to have the Republicans maintain control of the House.
  
  So get over it troll. The House controls the purse stings so get used to it. You actually lost. : )
  
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- barber2
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:52pm
  VOICE: What name did you post under here before taking VOICE as your new voice today, December 19, 2012 !? AND the fact that Americans did keep the House Republican shows that they do want the SPENDING to stop , and the BUDGET to be balanced, and the DEFICIT to be reduced. Stop playing the Chicago radicals’ Destroy Capitalism games. Look at Europe. Look at the old USSR. All of that Far Left economics and Big Brother government does not work . Ever.
  
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independentvoteril
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:19pm
He’s given to much to Obama.. but at least he FINALLY spoke out.. he should have gave NOTHING.. for Christmas everyone better be giving FOOD.. or CASH.. we will pull together as families..and make it though .. except for those who have been taught by the left NOT to do for themselves and they DESERVE everything for free..

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- AvengerK
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:24pm
  Boehner’s a fool. Vote present, give Obama everything except the debt ceiling. Then take out ads in strategic states saying Barry got EVERYTHING he asked for. Then when the economy goes the way of the Titanic…take out more ads saying “let’s teach Mr Obama simple economics..VOTE REPUBLCAN”..not “vote Boehner or vote Cantor”…sell the brand and sell it hard..just like the democrats do.
  
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- Cavallo
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:43pm
  Isn’t plan B Princess Pelosi’s idea?
  
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FaithfulFriend
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:18pm
I don’t think barry or harry should use the word hostage in their response.

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byronvic
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:18pm
Republicans will cave, just watch.

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ICSPADES
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:18pm
Both of these men are jokes. Keep playing with peoples lives and eventually both of you will get burnt. That is all.

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ArmedAndReallyPissed
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 4:17pm
Big talk from a guy that will fold like a bad Poker hand. Screw him and everyone else in Washington.

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