NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
For Immediate Release: July 30th, 2011
Contact: Eric Jotkoff, (850) 222-3411

Florida Democratic Party Chairman Smith: Huntsman ‘Playing a Perilous Game’ with Floridian’s Livelihoods

As Jon Huntsman travels to Florida today, he returns with some hefty baggage after announcing his support for the Boehner debt ceiling plan – a plan with no chance of solving the debt ceiling crisis and which could result in a downgrade of the U.S. credit rating. Jon Huntsman endorsed the Boehner plan earlier this week, calling it the ‘only legitimate plan on the table.’

“If Jon Huntsman thinks the Boehner plan is legitimate, he needs a civics lesson. Instead of taking the responsible road and advocating for compromise and a workable solution, Jon Huntsman has aligned himself with the Republican ideologues in Washington,” said Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith.

“The reality is that this bill isn’t going anywhere in the Senate and there is no chance that it will make it to President Obama’s desk. No less than 58 Senators have said they oppose Speaker Boehner’s plan. Jon Huntsman’s endorsement of the Boehner plan is pure politics, but Florida voters are eager for solutions, not games and partisan posturing.

“Huntsman’s advocating for a plan that further delays a serious solution and increases uncertainty on Wall Street and in every American home. Jon Huntsman is playing a perilous game with the jobs and livelihoods of every Floridian and every American. That’s not leadership, that’s just a disappointing cop out,” said Smith.

The Boehner plan could lead to a downgrade of America’s credit rating. If credit rating agencies downgrading the U.S. rating, it could leading to what would amount to an automatic tax increase for every single American who has a mortgage, car loan, student loan, or credit card as a result of higher interest rates.  

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