What do Republicans want?

[angus]

what do Republicans want?

world peace and a little place to call my own. 


Actually, many of us want austerity measures, beginning with a total repeal of the Medical Insurance Bill passed by this congress.  But even if the GOP controlled both chambers, they'd not have enough votes for cloture in the senate.  And even if they could get a bill passed, the president wouldn't sign the law.  So I think the priority ought to be paying off government debt and balancing the budget, and I think they should start with areas of general agreement (defunding TARP, etc.) in order to get bipartisan support as much as possible.

I hope they stay away from the divisive "cultural" issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion.

[angus]

... So I think the priority ought to be paying off government debt and balancing the budget, and I think they should start with areas of general agreement (defunding TARP, etc.)

There is no general agreement that defunding TARP helps pay off the debt or balance the budget. 
The NYT reported a week ago that TARP "could conceivably earn taxpayers a profit." 

Consider this:  According to Pew, 34% correctly say that TARP was enacted by the Bush administration.  Nearly half (47%) believe TARP was passed under President Obama.