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2:59: That's the end of the press conference. Of note: Obama's very passionate remarks on "pure" (and sometimes "sanctimonious") ideology versus compromise that solves problems.
Chuck Todd called it "a mix of tough love and a little bit of anger" towards those on the Left frustrated with the president's willingness to work with the GOP.
Thanks for following along; keep checking First Read for analysis of his remarks.
2:57: "This country was founded on compromise," Obama says. "I couldn't go through the front door at the founding of this country."
"Let's understand that this is a long game, not a short game," he tells Democrats.
2:52: Obama closing with some visible irritation: "I've got a whole bunch of lines in the sand."
"This is the public option debate all over again. "He also notes Democratic victories on health care, "something that Democrats have been fighting for for 100 years."
If compromise is unacceptable, "we will never get anything done," he says heatedly.
"We will be able to feel good about ourselves and sanctiminoious about how pure our intentions are" but the American people will still be suffering. "That cannot be the measure of what it is to be a Democrat."
2:51: Over the next two years, they [Republicans] are going to have to show me what it is that they can do. I think it becomes pretty clear when you go through the budget line by line that if in fact they want to pay for $700 billion in tax breaks to wealthy individuals, that's a lot of money.
"Either they're going to have to rethink their position of I dont think they're going to do very well in 2012," Obama warns.
2:50: Last question from WSJ: What will be different about this debate in 2012?
2:49: Obama: "I will take John Boehner at his word that nobody, Democrat or Republican, is willing to see the full faith and credit of the United States government collapse. That would not be a good thing to happen."
He notes that the debt limit is "something that nobody ever likes to vote on."
But Boehner "is going to have responsibilities to govern" once he's sworn in as Speaker of the House, Obama remarks.
2:48: Question from National Journal: How do these negotiations effect issue of raising the debt ceiling?
2:47: "I don't think anybody thinks right now that the tax code is fair or efficient." Says he'll fight for reform.
2:46: "How is this country going to win the economy competition of the 21st century?" he asks. Mentions today's news that the U.S. has again slipped in global education rankings.
2:43: Obama: "I am happy to be tested over the next several months about our ability to negotiate with Republicans."
He wants to get the American people and the economy "in a safe place."
2:42: "I'm happy to have that battle" again in two years, he says.
But, right now: "This is a very unique circumstance... Tens of millions of people would be directly damaged."
2:41: "I've just gone through two years where the rap on me was that I was too stubborn," he replies to Chuck Todd's followup about whether he gave up too much ground early in the negotiations.
"I don't make judgments based on what the conventional wisdom is at any given time."
2:40: Obama says he would have "enjoyed" continued fight with Republicans because the American people are "on our side" on the sunset of tax cuts for the rich. But he says he wasn't willing to endure "the casualties for the American people that are my number one concern."
2:38: NBC's Chuck Todd asks about objections about the deal by Hill Democrats.
"It's tempting not to negotiate with hostage takers. Unless the hostage gets harmed," Obama replies.
"In this case the hostage was the American people and I was not willing to see them get harmed."
2:37: For us to have another 3, 4, 5 months of uncertainty... would have a direct impact on people who are unemployed or need to pay their bills, Obama says.
"My expectation is that the unemployment rate is going to be going down because the economy is growing," but how quickly that happens is a difficult question to answer.
"I am not going to make a prediction. What I can say with confidence is that this will strengthen the economy."
2:36: "The single most important jobs program we can put in place is a growing economy."
2:35: Tax deal provides "an additional boost" to the economy, Obama says. "We may see faster growth and more job growth as a consequence of this package."
2:34: Next question from Bloomberg: Will this do more for job creation than the Recovery Act?
Obama says "we're in a different situation now."
2:32: Tax cuts for the wealthy are the GOP's "central economic doctrine," their "Holy Grail," Obama says.
Says he would have liked to see a vote on this BEFORE the November midterms.
2:32: Obama says he "would stick to my guns" except for the "collateral damage" to Americans who would not be able to pay their bills unless middle-class tax cuts pass.
2:31: "I will continue to fight before the American people to make the point that the Republican position is wrong."
2:30: Obama's response: "This isn't the politics of the moment," he says. "This has to do with 'what can we do right now?'"
2:29: First question from the AP's Ben Feller: Why should the American people believe that you're not going to flip-flop?
2:28: "I understand the desire for a fight. I'm sympathetic to that," he says, but "it would be a bad deal for the economy" and for the American people.
"When [the cuts for top earners] expire in two years, I will fight to end them." He says he assumes Republicans will fight to end the middle-class tax cuts "that I have championed."
2:27: "My number one priority is to do what's right for the American people," says the president.
He reiterates a point made yesterday: "This isn't an abstract debate. This is real money, for real people."
2:26: Here we go.
Obama: "Because of this agreement, middle-class Americans won't see their taxes go up. Which is what I promised ... during the campaign."
2:24: Reporters have received the two-minute warning. About to start...
2:19: Tough statement out from AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka, who says the deal "rewards Republican obstructionism" and "locks in the growing income inequality that has plagued our country for at least another two years – and quite possibly much longer." More:
"Two years ago, working Americans had high hopes that we would ultimately emerge from the deep, punishing financial debacle with a sharp focus on a fundamentally stronger, fairer and more balanced economy. Today, that vision has dimmed."
2:18: Sounds like the press conference's start will be closer to 2:30.
2:16: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell just announced in remarks to reporters on the Hill that the "vast majority of my members will be supporting" the tax cut compromise.
2:10 pm ET: A day after announcing a "framework for bipartisan agreement" on the issue of Bush-era tax cuts, President Barack Obama will hold a press conference to field questions about the compromise.
The deal, which allows for an extension of all the cuts - including those for top earners, has prompted fuming by many Capitol Hill Democrats who believe Obama broke a key campaign promise by brokering the arrangement and extracted too few concessions from Republicans.
Per NBC's Athena Jones, the president will make an opening statement about the tax issue and will then take a number of questions.
The press conference is scheduled to start at 2:20 pm ET.
Leave a Comment:
Did anyone believe that the GOP were going to stop unemployment benefits?? One of the great bluffs of all time. Help the rich with tax cuts, and screw the unemployed. That really won't go far with Americans.
I didn't! Reagans bluff to the russians on The US's star war type technology was another good bluff.
I'm sorry MR President but, that is not a good excuse that you gave!!!
Do what you say you are going to do or don't say it!!!!
I wouldn't have voted for you if I knew you would flip flop!!!
But, then again if this tax cut will benefit you and the majority of your friends I see why you are doing this. It actually makes it easier to say yes knowing it will benefit you.
The middle class don't care if you save them $1000 over a year!!!
My democratic congress and senators better not vote yes....
how about we give tax cuts to corporations that DO bring jobs back to the US?
And we tax the hell out of the corporations that are "foreign" (moved their addresses to Cayman Islands) and the ones that chose to profit off a Chinese kid working 15 hours a day.
By 2015, roughly 3.3 million service jobs will have moved offshore, including 1.7 million "back office" jobs such as payroll processing and accounting, and 473,000 jobs in the information technology industry.
bruce, the just did it over the summer, remember,remember,remember!!!!!!
I say SHAME on the republicans, all their talk about the deficit, thanks to them our country is going deeper in debt. Looking out for themselves and holding hostage the American people is all they care about. You can bet I will NEVER vote for a republican again. Wake up people republicans only have one agenda and that is themselves!
the prez is correct. there's time to fight and this is not that time. imagine what would have happen to over 2million americans like you and more if this chumps had carried home their threat. then, every one will pill on the president. you don't expect him to stoop that low and endanger needy americans and the economy as a whole just to score a political point...though, he's score real big in this.
Does anyone believe the Republicans would allow tax cuts to expire for the middle class? Yes, I believe they would, because the Republicans thrive on playing politics in lieu of proposing real solutions.
The questions is, will the Dems ever get off the defense and go on the offense? You know, like maybe forcing a real filibuster instead of Republicans constantly getting away with just a threat of filibustering, thus forcing super majority votes on everything?
Well anyway, after the Blue Dogs are gone there will be fewer votes but more cohesion. And I feel this will still be better, because I tire of hearing conservatives jeers about why the Dems can't get the votes despite their majority--though of course when the Dems do (i.e., health insurance reform, which included 40 Republican amendments and two Republican votes), conservatives just cry about things being "jammed down their throats."
But let's be real here. The word "compromise" is incorrect. The Republicans, as usual, are giving up little if anything right now. The word "deal" is more appropriate. The so-called liberal media and the Dems need to get ahead on the information dissemination.
Allowing benefits to expire for the unemployed? You betcha!
The Republican party allowed the government to shut down in the 1990's to prove a point to President Clinton!
You bet your a$$ they would let those benefits expire on Christmas Day.
They have no heart and are certifiably insane because they can get in front of a TV camera everyday and talk about how important it is to give the rich a tax cut!!
Why are you people crying now...You put the Republicans back in there....I am so sick and tired of hearing the crying...The rich are always going to be about them...To late you dummies you put them in now deal with it...
Deb, Republican voters have never had any backbone. Didn't they just see what their leaders did? They insisted on tax cuts for the rich @ the expense of the unemployed. At Christmas time.
And they don't care. Because it's the Republican Party. The Democrats are the irresponsible ones when it comes to the deficit. They STILL believe that crap.
Stupid doesn't even begin to describe them. They blindly follow the Republican lies. Always have and always will. No backbone. None. They talk tough. But they're wimps. And incredibly naive and stupid. They support Mitch McConnell. The most incompetent person ever to come to the Hill on behalf of us.
They've already let 4 million Americans run out of unemployment insurance payments. Why would they hesitate to force 2 million more to work at minimum wage jobs?
A lot of those rich people that everybody points outs has businesses who create jobs, so if you American people think that its wise to tax these wealthy people then I can see more lay offs for the American workers. What our government needs to do is seperate the businesses from those who are just rich and don't create jobs.
Also these unemployed Americans who are collecting their checks, a lot of them don't even want to look for a job because it don't pay as much as what they are getting now. THERE NEEDS TO BE A TIME LIMIT FOR THE UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS.
I like that, but how about we go much further!
We need to make transfer pricing and other loopholes like it illegal. Companies like GE, Google, Exxon, et al pay little to nothing in US taxes, yet get to enjoy all of the benefits of remaining US corporation (special treatment in the stock markets, easy access to financing, ardent protections to intellectual property and company assets, etc.).
Here's what I propose, carrot & stick approach
These are just a few thoughts
I don't understand why the rich need a tax cut. I graduated high school, went straight to college and have been out for 2 years now. I am poor, I owe to the government, I owe to my college and I owe to various other creditors. I owe because I can't find a job decent enough to pay back my loans, let alone my monthly bills to survive. I think its funny that people keep talking about a middle class, my parents used to be middle class, now they are poor too. There is no middle class and its because we keep giving the rich a break....a break from what? Being rich. I have no sympathy for people who have nannies and 2 extra cars to drive to their vacation home in whatever gated community that stay at 2-3 times a year. When is the government going to fight for the poor who are working hard and getting a little more than minimum wage. With the price of everything going up, where are the high paying jobs to compensate? Also, why are already rich CEO's getting bonus checks that exceed what I make in a year? Their bonus should go to increase their underpaid staff.
Some people need to realize they are not going to find a job that pays them what they were making...You can not expect hard working people to pay for you to sit home because you think you are to good to take a job at lower pay....When do you draw the line...
Heartbroken,
What exactly did the RICH person take from you? Why is it their fault you can't pay your bills? Why do they have to pay to make your life easier? WTF? Life ain't fair buddy....you weather the bad times and in good times you prepare for the next bad time. Man up and figure it out...it is what we all have to do. I don't expect anyone to make my life easier.
If you haven't been paying attention "The Republicans"( and some paidoff Democrats) are very serious about their position and have no problems observing the casualties. Care about the unemployed they're the ones who put them there!
Sheila, Clinton shut the gov't down not vice versa. That's when he became a cigar lover with Monica.
The only way Bitch McConnell will treat Obama in a civil fashion is when he gets his way and gives the middle class American tax payers a good screwing. That's the only thing that puts a smile on his and Boneheads nasty a$$ faces is if they are handed over a pile of money. Guess who's paying for it people? Yes, that's right. The middle class taxpayers will foot the bill. Only we will suffer. The Republicans need to pay back the foreign and U.S.corporations who paid for their campaigns.
I still cannot believe that America voted all of these filthy jerks into office. And they are so cold and calculating about the fact they don't give a crap about the rest of the country. The rich get richer on the Republican plan and the poor get poorer. What is it that the voters in this country cannot figure out? It's in your face people.
I thought it was a great press conference and rekindled my appreciation for Obama. I think he picks his fights to WIN them. The GOP got their extension and it is going to kill them at the polls in 2012 - they just added to the deficit and now must prove that they can add millions of new jobs by giving another! tax break to the rich.
Every GOP candidate for president must now back this GOP ransom.
I am not asking anyone to pay for anything for me. I am just not sure how taking 30% of my pathetic pay check is helping when I know plenty of rich people who don't pay anywhere near that because of all the tax cuts they are eligible for. Sorry I am not a single mother, I went to school and got a job and for some reason that means a large chunk of my paycheck goes to what exactly? I didn't say life was fair...but it would nice if I got a break that some of the more fortunate people I know, get every day. And I don't sit at home. I work full time and overtime when they allow it. Thank you.
I guess I don't understand, the Bush tax cuts were very helpful to me and my family, We are not millionares heck we ar not Hundred thousandares, 2 kids and 1 income... the bush tax Cut saved us big time for our family. It is why my wife can stay home and take care of our little one.
If she took a job 80% of her income would go towards day care and the other would go to the government.
I also look at some of my friends who have been unemployed for longer than 2years due to being woundede in the war. and yet they don't meet the requirments for social security. This is not fair as they are going to the VA everyday for treatment and so forth as they wait for a small check which can take up to 2 years to receive as a soldier has to pay off the severance pay they receive from the military prior to ever seeing a 1 cent from the VA.
watt75
Heartbroken,
What exactly did the RICH person take from you?
Maybe, just maybe, they took away a job opportunity Heartbroken could have had a shot at, and gave it to some guy in China so they could pocket the savings and make even MORE.
Mayby. What do you have against your own fellow citizens, Watt?
The deal that President Obama was forced to make is extortion without the criminal charge by every card carrying member of the GOP. Only a complete fool would believe that the top 2% pay their "fair share" in taxes. No money will "trickle down" from this rotten deal! Here's a deal for ya...every business that is worth more than 5 million dollars on paper and yields a 20% profit margin within a given tax year should be forced to re-invest a minimum of 20% of that 20% profit back into the business in the form of local expansion, employment, or productivity. That investment MUST be within the US borders...then watch the GNP increase exponentially as the deficit decreases. All it takes is some ca hones Democrats...quit bowing down to these Republican morons! I know, I'll hear from the GOP and the clueless Libertarians that this is way too "Socialist"...I say tough $hit...deal with it! Progressive is not a bad word or evil in manner...it's just plain common sense!
Bruce, The Republicans were not bluffing; they have the might, and they know it. This will be two years of" HELL" for the middleclass; and the ones that voted for this bunch of cut throat bandits deserve no better. We will not see more jobs, and on the next vote for middleclass help with the Republicans driving the bus, there will be none. Obama did not cave in, he merely did what was right for the unemployed and their families. People need shelter for their families and it cold out here. Some of us are lucky to have jobs, but to the unfortunate ones, his actions, were the mark of a truly great leader. I applaud the man, great leaders think of their people first, and ridicule last. Any fool who thinks the Republican Party cares anything about the middleclass and the poor is really a complete idiot. You have to love America more than power or money to put her first, and America's people are her crowning glory, so why would you threaten the unemployed only source of livelihood , for people who do not need money. The Republicans campaign against Obama was a national disgrace, but this time, they have suceded to a new level of man's inhumanity to man. If anything needs repealing, or impeachment it's the Republican Party and their constituents. We are in for a really rough ride, so let's hang on tight, an elephant is a mighty hard damn thing to ride, and us with no saddles , huh!!!
The rich do not create jobs, the rich do not spend their money and the rates the lower and middle classes do.
Two years from now.. hmm..2012. What happenes in 2012? Oh that's right, a presidental election! Yea, if you beleive either party is going to run on letting the Bush tax cuts expire you're a fool or worse. Complete coup for the Republician party on this one. Master stroke of genius.
Wow! Ego much? We all bow to your imagined greatness oh egoistical one.
BTW, Every sentance begins with a capital letter. (obivously not an english major are you?)
I'm sick and tired of the way everything is playing out, so listen up Reps and Dems,,,,,,,F*** all of you lame asses ! We should find a way to get rid of all of them. That is simply my opinion. Like it or not!
Well, the President sold out the middle class once again for the elite. It has been D.C. for many years that has paved the road for such disparity at the same time dwindling down the middle class numbers. And what does the tax break do for the many part-time and unemployed contractors, etc., etc., who are never eligible for U.E. or other such benefits? Absolutely nothing!! The real American Dream is for the elite and never for the middle class, poor, or the elderly, whom many are forced to get by on less than the minimum standard of living while working more than one job and maybe even two or three jobs at a time. For the2% elite, it is all about continual abuse with taking away from those with less to place more in their own pockets along with never a balanced share of the burden for lowering the deficit. And to pay for these tax breaks for the elite, an even greater burden will be placed on the middle class, poor, an and elderly through cut backs on SS, Medicare, VA benefits and medical care, lowered property tax deductions (which has the strong potential to promote even more home foreclosures), higher medical expenses, higher health insurance costs even with the new Health Reform, cutting out most social programs (as the Republicans call it) for the poor, food and shelter for the homeless forced out of work, etc., etc., etc. All those cuts, just to cover the tax extension breaks for the rich (at the cost of 30 B to cover the m.c. and poor, and to over a Trillion dollar cost for the 2% elite) for the next two years. What part of this Recession and afterwords will be a loss of benefits to the elite, or a burden to them?? We will find out once again, that this tax cut is very bad for our economy. It will became the most fiscally irresponsible bill this year, the moment it passes as-well-as, it will not create new jobs. It does not motivate the big businesses to hire new workers in order to receive tax deductions to avoid paying more money to the IRS. We all know that when the taxes go up, the businesses are motivated to hire and grow their business in order to get their tax deductions rather than paying all of the money owed for taxes to the IRS. What businesses need is a special tax deduction or credit (cash off your tax) that motivates the companies to hire new workers.
Our family is willing to forgo those few dollars on the tax extension; because the amount was so small, and most importantly it does nothing to bring down the deficit. Instead, it just increases the amount to an already huge deficit . These very actions pave the road for the naive and inexperienced Palin Tea Party (It’s too bad they don’t have a more stable, intellectual leader guiding them). Our family will not vote for any of those 3 parties. What we need is a responsible person not afraid to stand up with some spine, doesn’t spend what is not available, can negotiate without running off to two unpaid wars at the expense of so many young lives, doesn’t kill the American Dream for the vast majority, and listens to the middle class, poor, and elderly, while not continually caving into the elite whiners wanting an even bigger piece of the pie. How convenient for this tax cut set to expire in 2 years AFTER the next election (politics as usual)?? It is appears as if Obama’s and the Blue Dog Democrats only interest is: to save their next term re-election, and not what is good for really stimulating the economy. (I’d rather go down with one term, saying that I at least stood up for the vast majority along with keeping my campaign promises of doing what was best for the whole economy to create new jobs; rather than to pander to the other side always wanting more tax breaks or special deals). Plus the Republicans are already in control of the House for at least one term. They have nothing to lose and even more to gain. They could care less for those not belonging to the elite, except to use them for working at low wages, while they earn outrageous wages, bonuses, benefits not worthy of a job often done so poorly to include bankrupting the business. And to think the first Bush "Bail Out" did not require the Banks to pay any of the money back to the Govt. At least Obama did change that loophole. But we still have the Best Government that money can buy through the efforts of Lobbyists, Special Interest Groups, and Big Businesses. Even the Supreme Court Justices this last spring gave the elite an even bigger opening by allowing the Non-disclosure of unlimited amounts of donations with huge loopholes to the candidates of their choice. It's like they vote 2 or 3 times with their say, while we vote just once as individuals. After the Supreme Court opened the door for these funds to come anonymously from anywhere, the elite then used their money and power to pay for ads of manipulative, misinformation "To Confuse to Diffuse" or "Diffuse to Confuse" the voters. Yes, voters, they bought many of your votes (hook line and sinker). So it should be no big surprise when you find out over the next two years and maybe even longer as to exactly what they have in store for themselves first ,and you the Constituents last. Shame on both of the parties for bringing down a good Nation to such a mediocrity status.
Here is a message that came from a Congressman to a family member:
“We hear a lot of talk about the “Bush Tax Cuts.” And why not? According to Newsweek, George W. Bush “earns” $4.2 million from paid speeches, public appearances and miscellaneous punditry each year. Hence the Bush Tax Cuts cut Bush’s own taxes by an amazing $187,552 each year. And that’s not even counting how much the Bush tax cuts engorge Bush’s investment income.
So Bush cut his own taxes. No wonder Bush is in favor of extending those tax cuts.
He’s not the only one. Here is how much the Bush tax cuts benefit (each year) some other folks you may have heard of:
Rush Limbaugh - $2,689,135.
Glenn Beck - $1,512,352
Sean Hannity - $1,006,352
Bill O’Reilly - $914,352
Sarah Palin - $638,352
Newt Gingrich - $247,352
Maybe we should call them the “Rush Limbaugh Tax Cuts.” Or the “Glenn Beck Tax Cuts.” Because the reason why these right-wing support tax cuts for the rich, is that they support tax cuts for themselves.
Which will cost our country almost $100 billion a year. Enough to give $30,000-a-year jobs to 3 million Americans. To cut unemployment by two percent, immediately. And to get our economy moving again. I’m not going to vote for tax cuts for the rich. I’m going to vote for jobs.”
And yes, big business, Chamber of Commerce, and the voters voted this Congressman out of office. You get exactly what you voted for.
.
Mid-Day press conference should be interesting.
daviddizam
Mid-Day press conference should be interesting.
What I find more interesting is the Republican/ Tea Party efforts to crush everything to a Drudge and Fox repot by halting government. The President said his decision was to not have protracted debate. (paraphasing)That is so true we don't need to play with people's lives.
Likewise if the angry left seeking no compromise. Are they doing so for the benefit of the their vision. I think so; but, I, being one, do not ascribe to the rhetoric of caving and weakness. It only feeds the rabid right.
The deal would also continue a college-tuition tax credit for some families, expand the earned-income tax credit and allow businesses to write off the cost of certain equipment purchases. The top rate of 15 percent on capital gains and dividends would remain in place for two years, and the alternative minimum tax would be adjusted so that as many as 21 million households would not be hit by it.
Plus, a 13-month extension of jobless aid for the long-term unemployed.
The Prez fought.
daviddizam why don't you just not turn your TV on...Get a life...
Keep spinning Beverly, you look like a top. He caved on one of his biggest promises and you still defend him. It would have been political suicide to not extend Un-employment at Christmas but your Obammie blinked. That is what the rest of the world already knows, Obammie will blink.
soupy55
Keep spinning Beverly, you look like a top. He caved on one of his biggest promises and you still defend him. It would have been political suicide to not extend Un-employment at Christmas but your Obammie blinked. That is what the rest of the world already knows, Obammie will blink.
soupy55
The proper terminology is "COMPROMISED!!!"
You sound like those dumbos on the right who think unemployment harms people.
Soupy55 first of all, I can see the racist slant on you using Obammie vs Obama, so just come out and say what you need to say. You hate him, not only for his politics, but from what I can see...also who he is.
Anyway, Democrats need to shut it at this point, because our democratic leaders screwed up! Period...no way around it...they failed to push the President's policies when they had the majority, because they think that they would...well still keep the majority. They pussy foot around and well, time ran out on them. So, if the progressives want to lay blame, they should only look at themselves. He retain the tax brakes for the middle class, but lost the fight on the tax break for the wealthy. There is NO WAY, Obama could have survived a holiday with letting the tax cut expire for everyone. The Repubs would have talking points and lined up on every media outlet and eat him alive. Now the question is, how do you spin this (yes, politics is about spinning) for the new congress. How does the Dems use this to their advantage for the 2012 election (yes, everyone is gearing up for this now). Obama fired the first shot, so run with it Dems. A bird in the hand...is worth more than two in the bush.
Jahmekan
Soupy55 first of all, I can see the racist slant on you using Obammie vs Obama, so just come out and say what you need to say. You hate him, not only for his politics, but from what I can see...also who he is.
Can you believe they call me a racist when I respond to slurs like that from the nutty Tea Baggers?
Anyway, Democrats need to shut it at this point, because our democratic leaders screwed up! Period...no way around it...they failed to push the President's policies when they had the majority, because they think that they would...well still keep the majority. They pussy foot around and well, time ran out on them. So, if the progressives want to lay blame, they should only look at themselves. He retain the tax brakes for the middle class, but lost the fight on the tax break for the wealthy. There is NO WAY, Obama could have survived a holiday with letting the tax cut expire for everyone.
No truer words could be spoken. The GOP/TEA Party didn't care if people didn't have the bare essentials to survive. What do the the disgruntled progressives want? A fight that will turn the people against the Democrats and President who sat out last time to not come out next time.
It makes sense to fight; but you have to pick the right fight.
No political further suicide is needed. We need the Supreme Court in the future .
Pres:Obama turn his back on us the middle class,he need to stop please these republicans.
I've seen the comment a couple of times that: "President Obama turned his back on the middle class..." How in the world do you come to that conclusion.?He JUST BLED FOR YOU. YOU GET YOUR TAX BREAKS AND YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT IF YOU NEED IT! This economy was due to come to a halt when the tax breaks FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS as well as the wealthy (Republican hostage taking!) and money for unemployment insurance came to an end. What is it you don't understand about HE GOT YOU ALL THAT. Plus he staved off another economic crash. Please, people, think!
So deficits are no longer a big deal? The Republicans had no problems with Bush deficits, then we had an election and the republicans and the media lap dogs went into a snit over deficits, now the election is over and we no longer care about deficits. Makes your head spin.
Ok - everyone who knows my past rhetoric - I am an avid President Obama supporter.
So here's how I look at it. There were four or five Democrats (blue dog - - DemRepbulicrats) who would not get on board with the Schumer million dollar tax cut off or the Durbin $250,000 cut off); So President Obama didn't have the votes regardless of the rhetoric being bandied about in the media and on the blogs.
In order to keep tax cuts for the poor and middle-class, a compromise had to be reached - we can fight all we want, but if the line was drawn and the Republicans who have spent the last two years saying no and holding everything up in the Senate even when they agreed upon the bills; President Obama knew, if he held his ground - mine, yours and everyone elses taxes would have gouged the economy in January when the tax cuts (remember set to expire on purpose by the Republicans to box the next President into a probable permanent tax cut for the rich) came due to expire. To off set that "boxed-in" dilema, President Obama extended the tax cuts for two years, at which time - we will begin the fight all over again.
BUT NOW - because the tax cuts would be expiring in two years for the rich and NOW, every Democrat has, on record, who they voted for and NOW, we have, on record, HOW EVERY REPUBLICAN VOTED (with terrific sound bites to go along with those votes), I see the 2012 elections looking much better for the Democrats. Every single sound bite shows the Democrats fighting for the 98% of us - (keep in mind, the White House wanted this vote prior to the mid-terms - but the house didn't want the fight and neither did the Republicans and the votes that weren't there now - would not have been there before the mid-terms - still a bad move on the Democrats part, but can still be salvaged) - keep reading, please.
The Democrats will go on the offensive with beautiful sound bites that was gleaned over this past week-end (Mitch McConnell saying it was a waste of time to deal with the taxes for the middle-class, unemployment benefits being held hostage, the threat of shutting government down until they got their tax cuts for the rich - no unemployment, no DADT, no START, no Defense Budget, no funding for the anything until the rich got their tax cuts AND John Boehner crying - "chicken-crap" regarding tax cuts for the poor and middle-class while screaming for tax cuts for the millionaires and billionaires - Yep I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I have a feeling the Democrats who sided with the Republicans on the extension of the Bush tax cuts will not get re-elected (if they are up for election in 2012) BUT ALL REPUBLICANS that have avidly campaigned, lobbied and advertised for the millionaires and billionaires, will not be re-elected and President Obama will come out with another four years in the White House.
It's a chess game - the Republicans may have checked our King (not check-mate - only checked), but the game is on - we will see just how productive the next Congress is - they want deficit control - let's see how the Republicans will govern - gee maybe they will finally start to work for the pay we give them. I doubt it - they are riding high on what they perceive (and what my good liberal friends perceive) to be a cave-in by the White House.
I see it this way, that the game has just begun for 2012, our taxes (we, the poor and middle-class) will not go up, and the Republicans NOW HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE DEFICIT they have been screaming about for such a long time. They played their hand - NOW IT'S the Democrats who can call the Republicans plutocrats, out of touch with the majority of Americans and will do anything, including running the deficit up for their millionaire and billionaire buddies. Let's see how serious these Republicans are.
I'm laughing, but not in the same sense as our host of this seed - I'm laughing at the "box" the Republicans created in 2001 and 2003 and then fell right into in 2010. Let's see their rhetoric NOW. Let's see how they spin themselves out of crying for the millionaires and billionaires while holding hostage the unemployed, the middle-class and the poor.
Ok so lifting my now cold cup of coffee to everyone and hope everyone has a better holiday now that we know our taxes won't go up and the unemployed will not be out on the street.
Happy Holidays everyone.
Obama has only two hopes for for winning re-election in 2012...
1. If sarah palin runs against him
2. If he works with congress much in the same way as clinton did after 1994.
Well said Debeki. We shall see what the Republicans do next.
Cheers
It's been democrates since 2001. The republicans don't get in office until 2011. The rich get richer and the economy gets poorer. same old same old. Now tell me, who will stand up for the middle class and poor? When was the last time you had a vacation? When was the last time you had enough food to last to the next payday? When was the last time you could to take the whole family to the doctor??! Let alone afford the gas to get you there. Not to mention being able to afford the perscriptions for the whole family. Sounds to me like we need a new government and do away with the old. you know ,the one that lets the rich get richer while the people suffer.
"It's been democrats since 2001" Was Bush a democrat? Republicans had the presidency and the House and Senate in 2001 - Republicans had control of the house and senate from 1994 to 2006.
Naa, there's one more option.
He will give amnesty to all of the illegals in the Country, in return they will vote for him.
That's the one up his sleeve you can bet on.
DEBEKI great post!!! I am one of those people that was angry at the POTUS and believed he caved but you just changed my mind and I feel a "little" better about the deal. Thank you
debeki - you to are spinning like a top
Drdigital1
Amnesty does not mean they will become citizens. It just means they will not be deported. I know you are supposed to be a citizen to vote and Acorn will enroll the the illegal aliens like they did the dead and Mickey Mouse, but I think he will lose as many votes as he will gain and the independents will certainly desert him so I really don't think Obammie the waffler will do it.
Iam a democrat who is not asking the President to fight but to stand up for what he told us in 2007.
harris porter - as a conservative I wish he had to. Just seems that he got a wild hair up his azz and went crazy.
I agree Harris,
we want you to fight!!! I wish he would stop saying Republicans feel or Republicans think!!!
Forget the Republicans and just move forward with your agenda!!!
That is why we voted for you!!!
The president actually thinks he has held his position previously.
Yeah, for what you beleive in.
this issue right here we hold dear to our heart and he does not get it.
Also, the last time the government voted on unemployment extensions they only extended for a few weeks. That means that this vote soon to come was a set up so that the government could slide in tax cuts for the rich.
You broads in washington suck.
There is no team in I!!!
We American citizens feel cheated in our pursuit to happiness and when you cheat we stop playing and try to sabotage what ever this country is trying to do.
But don't worry I can't vote for the weak anymore!!!!
I wonder how many broke Republicans fell cheated???
Which lie do you wish to believe from this President?
I agree. Harry Porter. Does anyone think the president will get a back bone?
Well all you people posting here must be pretty secure if they did nothing on the Bush Tax cut and let them expire. I am not one of those people. Also others that are unemployed through no fault of their own - would not get help. Many of us have to go into hock each year just to pay our measly taxes which most of us can not afford because we live from paycheck to paycheck.
While I disagree about the tax cuts, I can only see what President Obama is doing - he is protecting the middle class right now.
I would just like to say as a person who is dependent on unemployment, I am very happy that the President made the decision he did, it just shows that he is about the people! I would have lost my benefits in Jan and there would be a good chance we would be out on the street. So I say thank you!
speaking of unemployment, are we talking about providing funding thru tier 5 funding or also extending benefits past 99 weeks? I seem to be getting mixed signals on this from the media and posters alike..
We did not have to have a vote on extending unemployment if they would have done this 3 months ago when they voted on it again.
Ask yourself Yolanda why did they not extend for 13 months then instead of what 13 weeks???
It was because this was his and their plan all along to use benefits in order to keep getting the same cuts for the rich.
I'll be honest, I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the voting then, partly because I did not think that I would still be using it, and I didn't realize just how much it affects my life, rather directly or indirectly. I now see the picture for what it is, the American people have made their bed now we all must sleep in it. It doesn't matter if you are a Dem or a Rep we are about to be in for some hard times. Change takes time, good or bad, but it won't get better until we as a people stop looking out for self! This is a great country, but I just wonder how some people sleep at night!
Yolanda...I'm sorry to hear that you're out of work, but you should never be "dependent" on the gov't to give you anything...believe me, I can't tell you how many times I have lost my job. As a single mother with 2 children depending on me, I couldn't afford to stay on unemployment...I worked 3 part time job for as long as it took to find a full time one...don't be dependent, that is your mistake.
I agree with you Yolanda...I have a job...If Peel-Layer who probably also has a job was in your shoe he probably would not be saying what he is saying...The President did what he thought he had to...He may be President Peel-Layer but he do not get the votes it does nothing for him....You probably voted for the people that are looking out for themselves you dummy....
Im still confusrd about the extended benifits are they just extending the 99 weeks or are they adding more? There are alot of people in northern Indiana that are out of benefits altogether is this going to help them?
@Peel-Layer, Very good points you made. I wouldn't have voted for him either if i knew that he had no back bone. He said he was not going to play politics. But that's all he's done. It's like he's a secret Republican.
What a deal for republicans! The president has done more to help them rebuild and get what they want than any republican I know! The thing is: raising taxes on the top 2% might unfairly single them out, so I can see how that could be objectionable, but it's not going to hurt the economy on a major scale. GOP won't admit that raising the tax rate would make them reinvest their money back into their businesses (i.e. creating jobs) because the tax rates are so low right now that it is easy for them to pull that cash OUT of their businesses. The part the Demos won't admit to is that it was the health care overhaul and the fact that democrats have made employees more of a liability to a US owned business than an asset anymore, that rich people don't want to hire or expand business right now because this administration and congress are hostile to business and make the future seem unpredictable. In the meantime, they'll do what they always do: agree to spend money on each other's pet projects and stick our grandkids with the bill for it. One more thing: a tax break isn't "giving" money to the rich, it means that we're not "taking" as much from them. Too bad the government wants to be the world's beaurocratic benefactor....seems like people should be giving their money to charities instead of buying politicians to raise taxes on everyone else.
..So, Obama caved in and paid the ransom, I thought we had a policy of not negotiating with hostage takers...............This so-called deal does nothing but kick the problem down the road, shame on both the president and congressional republicans......Election is over, no need for more talk about fiscal responsibility
It is very clear now that we elected the first Black President without balls!
GROW A PAIR BARACK! You too Democrats! F'in P*ssies!
GOP Speak for yourself you idiot...Get a life...
GOP = Grandstanding Obstructionist Party
It is very clear now that we elected the first Black President without balls!
GROW A PAIR BARACK! You too Democrats! F'in P*ssies!
Actually, the President has emasculated the GOP; including today's Presser.
Stimulating Hypocrisy: 114 Lawmakers Block Recovery While Taking Credit For Its Success
http://thinkprogress.org/touting-recovery-opposed/
Now, who is it that needs to grow a pair? I would think the slimes on the right side of the aisle.
Obama has been so busy compromising that he has taken up the Republican's agenda.
I was furious when he abandoned the public option and gave the insurance companies
a go ahead to continue raping and killing our citizens with their now mandatory policies.
Tax cuts to the millionaires and billionaires will become permanent if they aren't stopped
now. And that is where the middle class of this country and democracy ends. From the
humiliating searches at the airports, to the surveillance of our phone calls and emails, to
the stealing of our money... freedom is no longer something we have. This is not the
country I grew up in.
Marcia- Well said. I believe the American people should become familiar with the term "let them eat cake." We will be hearing that often.
Marcia - How can we stop this b--l sh-t. Take up a petition to stop them. seems like the only way. American vote by petition. What do you think?
Keep going to the center Obama, the bleeding progressive wing will whine and throw poop but in the end he had no choice and they know it. The libbie side of our dem house needs to get over it.
The progressive movement is dead for now. Im sorry, but it is. As long as this economy is in the dumps, the voters arent going to embrace progressive agendas.
I agree that extending the tax cuts for the rich wont trickle down because it never has...... But the public is desperate that we try anything to fix the economy...even though rational examination would prove that ir wont help.
The statement that I have is this...you said that its the 'uncertainty' that is keeping the corporate world from hiring. The uncertainty has been removed for taxation + a new tax giveaway to companies in a payroll tax holiday.
So I am expecting an immediate job hring spree becasue the GOP and the greedy Chamber of commerce folks say that was the problem. So ok, the problem and uncertainty has been removed. No excuses, right? SO where are the jobs?
Or, will there just be another excuse for more 'uncertainty' that gets invented to not follow through in hiring as the business commnunity has promised? The voters are watching.
Here is your undeserved and extorted extra money, corprate america, now start hiring!
The deal or framework the President work out overall is not good but given how he saw things from his vantage point he got what he wanted and basically that was the unemployment insurance and the stopping of any tax increases that would have occurred on the middle class. The fact that unemployment and the tax for the middle income was held hostage makes the framework a bad framework from that perspective only.
I understand the liberals who are angry, so from my perspective I would say the time is coming for payback possibly in the House but definitely in the Senate in January and on. Choose the battles but definitely administer payback.
Hey Tea Party???
WHERE IS YOUR OUTRAGE???
I'm happy that Obama put politics aside to help the unemployed and we the middle class. However, I think that the wealtlhy should pay more taxes to help out. They spend a lot of money on multiple mansions, bling, expensive cars, designer clothes and shoes, out of this world vacations while children are going hungry and homeless. What is wrong with this picture?
Chris, they pay 95% of the tab now how much more should they pay? Maybe the beautiful and talented and 2nd most brilliant woman ever to walk the Planet (sorry Hill the Thrill is 1st) should have stayed home and donated the Spain trip money to charity. How much more should they have to pay because they became successful? Liberals are some of the richest people in the country. They should pony up all of there hard earned cash because that's what they believe in (Kerry, Gore, Edwards should sell their mansions and give the money to Obammie). Remember when Hillary tried to lower her tax bill by trying to write off Bills old under ware? Charlie Rankel forgot to pay his fair share. Hypocrites
Obama gave into Mitch McConnell who's sole concern are tax cuts for the rich, even though his state is one of the poorest in the nation.
Take a look at the failure of Republican economics in Mitch McConnell's Kentucky: http://mitchmcconnells-kentucky.blogspot.com
Or you could look at the liberal economics of California. Just a thought.
"Did anyone believe that the GOP were going to stop unemployment benefits?? One of the great bluffs of all time. "
Excuse me but they have blocked them before. To me that means they would be more than happy to do it again knowing the man in charge would take the hit as being responsible. Republicans continue their mantra of what the American public wants until it disagrees with what they want. They have not mentioned the latest polls clearing showing Americans overwhelming against tax cuts for the top 2%. What happened to what the American people want? They seem intent on holding everything hostage until they get their way. As long as their rich benefactors prevail, they can continue to fake concern for middle and lower class.
"the devil made me do it"!!!!!!!!! OMG...how weasly can he get? when someone tries to be all things to all people, he/she becomes nuttin' to nobody>
Funny. dems are supposed to notoriously known for big gov and big spending yet here we have a man in the whitehouse, who not only tries to find common ground so everyone can move forward but he takes the side of people who need the help. Some of which are those who are harmed more when bad things happen, whos cost at life and struggles to cross those barriers in life almost kill them, and who carry the burden. while on the other side, we have the GOP of all things, Bitchin about a 250 tax cut. You guys are going to kill yourselves if you are not careful. Hell i am for moving forward, growing, and meeting on new Horizons!
Says he would have liked to see a vote on this BEFORE the November midterms.
This is when everything went down hill. Not a wise decision by democrats running in the midterms.
Wicked stupid.
Good for Chuck he gave the president a chance to call the republicans what they are, blackmailers.
We the Republicans who killed the democratic party in the election's still have the option of not letting Odumbo have anything to say or vote on right now. We could just hold off until January and vote in not only a extension but a reduction in taxes...
So, All of you left wing nuts.... Sit down and shut up !! not only did you loose the election, you lost big !!!!
If you wait until next year, you will have to write a retroactive tax bill. Good luck getting that through the Senate and then back through committee.
I'm unemployed, with no unemployment benefits, but would gladly let my taxes go up a little to avoid handing millions (billions?, trillions?) in tax breaks to the wealthy thereby increasing our debt exponentially. They haven't "created jobs" like the Republicans claim, nor will they "create" more jobs in any near future. Millionaires don't spend to boost the economy. They invest and avoid taxes. They're not being hurt by the recession. The middle class are. A hearty thank you to the people who voted these people into office. They proved that they had no intention of following the "will of the people" as their mantra spouted. They want to protect the rich, and get Obama out of office. Nothing about the people who actually support this country. The middle class. Corporations are making record profits again. So why would they start magically hiring people when they can earn the same profits with half the workforce that they used to have. No incentive. Hunker down people, this is going to last for many years to come. If you aren't rich now, forget the chance of ever getting there. Unless you become a politician or win the lottery.
Mark, I agree with what you're saying, I feel you on this whole thing. I have worked my whole life only to not be able to pay my bills now. I tell all my so called friends that change takes time and you don't have to like this man but you should respect the fact that he will help people, so if that means going back on what he said he was going to do outweighs the overall good for the people!
Falling in the rich category are small business owners who most definitely DO create jobs. I have worked for small businesses my whole life. Most file an 1120-S which means the income from the corporation pulls to their individual tax returns where they are taxed as opposed to filing an 1120-C where the corporation bears the tax. But just because the corporation (1120-S) for example earned $250,000 doesn't mean that said owner pulled out $250,000 for his or her own use. They pay the taxes on the earnings even when they leave the earnings in the company, which a vast majority of small business owners do so in effect they are paying taxes on earnings that they are not receiving directly for personal use. Therefore, increasing the taxes on this class of folks would directly reduce job creation. I know that you might not understand what I have said. I have worked 20+ years in the business world and am very familiar with tax code and small businesses. I would support no tax increases on folks making $500,000 or less, that would encompass most of these small business owners. But at $250,000 or over, the threshold is too low. Notice the concept was for individuals making $200,000 or more and families making $250,000 or more. At best, why the marriage penalty - why not no tax increases for families making $400,000 or more (double the single rate)? But I will say one thing, I am completely and totally for a flat tax or a total tax code overhaul.
Maybe you should have been a C corp. The 1st 50k of annual net is only taxed at 15%. If you need the cash to fund expansion or pay down debt this is much less expensive than the top personal rate. It has worked for me in several business over the last 36 years.
Also, one could argue that we do not "create" jobs simply because we have the money. We do so only to earn additional profits. Since the tax rate is never 100%, I do not see the rate as a disincentive to earning more.
Oh, great, in response to Chuck Todd's question, now terrorists all over the world know that America WILL negotiate with them if the hostages are going to get harmed. So, we have new foreign policy.
Pres:Obama i am hurt,really,really hurt because of your statement that you fail to persuade the american people but you let these unconsiderate republicans persuade you to make this deal,please stand up for us the hard working middle class and not just the rich.
Harris, I believe that the president did stand up for the American people, these fights take baby steps, it was as far as I'm concerned a just decision.
So, you're one of those folks, who just stands in the way, so someone else, more ambitious, cannot get ahead of you.
Merrill, to whom is your comment directed to?
Mr. President, you're not Abraham Lincoln... you're George B. McClellan.
NOTHING is done for kids that perform great in school. ONLY THE FAILING CHILDREN.
That's not true. My daughter was in gifted and talented programs throughout school. They were enrichment designed to move her ahead. She was also in AP programs that allowed her to avoid some core classes in colleges.
WOW - bad questions, Chuck. To ask about the "obstructionist" Republicans (what no comment on the "buldozer Democrats" during the Pelosi, Reid reign?) and how they could beat the President leaves no doubt about your political leanings. It seems the real issue with journalism these days is whether or not we can have accurate reportage without obvious and propagandized party politics. If the Dems could act as they did over the past two years (as Obama said "We won the election") certainly Republicans, effecting the biggest sweep in history, can say the same. To which I sincerely hope news organizations will side with as much as the Democratic sweep 2 years ago.