Conservatives warn on debt deal
2011-08-02 08:04
Exeter, New Hampshire — Conservative groups are warning of lasting political
consequences as Republican presidential candidates outline conflicting
positions on the debt-ceiling compromise.
Some liken the political impact of the high-stakes fight over the nation's
borrowing limit to the debate that preceded the invasion of Iraq. And interest
groups promise that presidential candidates' positions will be remembered in
the coming months.
As Congress works to avert a fiscal crisis, the political ramifications in
the presidential field may be greatest for Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman.
Romney, the former Massachusetts' governor, opposes the compromise deal
because it opens the door to military cuts and doesn't include a mandatory
balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution.
Huntsman is the only Republican candidate to support the deal, which is
backed by President Barack Obama and congressional leaders from both parties.
- AP
