HARDBALL WITH CHRIS MATTHEWS: INTERVIEW WITH GROVER NORQUIST, THE MAN BEHIND THE G.O.P. CURTAIN

July 18, 2011--On HARDBALL last night, Chris Matthews grilled the most powerful man in Washington--Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform. It was Grover Norquist who obtained signed pledges from nearly every Republican lawmaker to NEVER NEVER NEVER under any circumstances raise taxes or close any tax loopholes to raise tax revenues. EVER.

That is why the GOP is so staunchly and stubbornly refusing to compromise on a budget deal with President Obama,

That is why the nation is on track to default on its debts for the first time in our history.