During World War II, there was a story recounted by legendary Marine fighter pilot “Pappy” Boyington in his book Baa Baa Black Sheep.  He and his flight were involved in a dogfight high over the Pacific; they were outnumbered by a flight of Japanese planes.  He and his wingman, George Ashmun, got separated.  Ashmun called out on the radio trying to find Boyington.  After a moment, Boyington called back “I’ve got five Zeros (Japanese fighters) surrounded”

“Where?” called Ashmun.

“Outside this cloud I”m in”.

I think Hamline U prof David Schultz has gotten a touch of the same thing in  his “Schultz’s Take” post from yesterday:

If ever a party were trapped by its political rhetoric it is the Republican Party of Minnesota (RPM). With two weeks to go before the end of the regular legislative session it is more than ever clear that there will be no budget deal by then, forcing a special session and perhaps running a risk of a partial government shutdown on July 1.

Right now it does not look like there is a common ground or room for compromise–mostly because of the GOP–and the Republicans stand to be the biggest loser if there is a shutdown, so long as the DFL can play it right. Fortunately for the RPM, the DFL is probably unable to set the political hook.

That’s because the GOP is “trapped” by “rhetoric” that won it not just an epic victory last November, but turned around two cycles’ worth of crushing defeats.

We’re surrounded outside that cloud they’re in.

And they’re trying to “set the hook” with nothing but…

• …a message most of Minnesota refudiated last fall – 22% spending hikes per biennium, and private sector workers being obliged to work ’til they’re 70 so government workers can retire at 55.
• …A lot of sniping, carping and attacks.

Schultz:

Since January the positions of Dayton and the Republican legislature have hardened even more, with them turning more firm in the last few weeks.

First, Tony Sutton, RPM Party Chair, sent a letter to the Republican legislators urging them to remain firm on no tax increases. Second, Geoff Michel has stated that the Republicans have already compromised enough in agreeing to spend $34 billion or $3 billion more than they wanted. (Yet he did not indicate how with that compromise the Republicans planned to pay for that extra spending).

Er…with growing state revenues?  The way conservatives always pay for more spending?

Maybe Schultz was busy in March…

Conversely, Dayton has made it clear that he does not support these cuts. He also stated last week he would prefer a special session rather than sign these bills.

The lines have been drawn in the sand. There seems to be no room or avenue for compromise. Both sides are playing chicken, waiting for the other side to blink or give in. As of now, there seems to be no middle ground for compromise, rendering deadlock and partial shutdown a possibility.

Good.

Let Dayton impale himself on the message of “you peasants can work ’til you die so AFSCME can retire at 55”.