Pelosi hedges on tax cuts

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Politico

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Thursday renewed her pledge to pass an extension of the Bush tax cuts for the middle class, but now she’s leaving the door open to extending the tax cuts for upper income Americans.

The California Democrat, speaking in the same room House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) appeared in earlier in the day, said that the “only thing I can tell you is the tax cuts for the middle class will be extended this Congress,” leaving open the possibility that cuts for people making more than $250,000 could be extended at some point, too.

“What I believe the American people deserve is a tax cut for the middle class,” Pelosi said. “And without getting into procedure and timing and process, what we’re going to do is to say at the end of the day the extension of the Obama middle-income tax cuts will take place, and that’s what I have to say on the subject.”

Her comments also deepen the confusion about when the cuts might be done — either in the next two weeks or after the November election. The thorny issue of tax cuts has thrown a wrench in an already contentious reelection season for Democrats, exposing a divide within her caucus about raising taxes — even on wealthier Americans — during a soft economy. Republicans have continued to push for an up-or-down vote on tax cuts — they wholeheartedly favor renewing all cuts.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42283.html

[golddigger]

1. Fired up! "Change Matters." New logo can't be wrong.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. Like dominoes

[DJ13]

3. When the WH said they are deferring the tax cuts to the House I was worried

It seemed to be the same tactic they used with HCR, and we know how that turned out.

This doesnt do much to change my initial skepticism.

[Stumbler]

8. That's what I'm thinking too

First the public-option is in, then it's out, then it's in again. By the end we got nothin'. Now the same game is being played with extending the tax-cuts for those who have more money than God already, and I fear the same predictable outcome...

[bullwinkle428]

4. I KNEW they'd find a way to completely fuck this up!

:mad:

[doc03]

5. They always do n/t

[Jensen]

6. Sick and tired....They have no spine!!! n/t

[felinetta]

7. The rich would still get a tax cut on the first $250,000 which is generous enough. Come on, Pelosi.

[Igel]

9. "extension of the Obama middle-income tax cuts"

Did she actually mean "Obama middle-income tax cuts"? If so, these aren't the * tax cuts.

[totodeinhere]

10. The Progressive Caucus in the House needs to rise up and spearhead a drive to replace Pelosi as

speaker. Grayson would be a good choice for the job. Yes, you can say I'm dreaming but that's what a lot of people said about Obama's candidacy for the presidency not too long ago. I am getting so tired of Pelosi's bullshit.

[Bluebear]

11. .

.

[gkhouston]

12. Clearly, The Daily Show needed one more person in that "How will they fuck this up?" skit. n/t

[Poboy]

13. We are fucked nine ways to Sunday. These people are dispicable!

Worthless corporate cowards.

[kentuck]

14. SS - DD

Lo and Behold, there are just enough Democrats to help the Repubs pass the extension for the millionaires and billionaires in the Senate. Nancy doesn't want to get ahead of the curve. Preferably they could do it without a recorded vote? Then nobody will know who voted for it or against it? How many more times do we fall for this old switcheroo? Is that what she is saying? If they put it up for a vote, I wouldn't bet on it not getting the votes for the wealthy?

But why put it up for a vote at all? It will expire automatically. This is Nancy and Harry's call. They can vote to extend the taxcuts for the middle-class only if they wish.

[blondeatlast]

15. Politico. I dtopped reading there. nt

[Bluebear]

16. Please, let this report be accurate! >>>

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9147135

[kentuck]

17. I know she is very busy but...

she could clarify it. I can't tell if this is "fiddle day" or "yo-yo day". We're up one day and down the next. Are we being played like a fiddle?

[Bluebear]

18. Just tune your strings and shut up

:)

I hear you.

[blondeatlast]

19. I'm far more inclined to believe Reuters. nt

[truedelphi]

20. I don't doubt that the Dems will run on the slogan

"No tax cut extensions for the rich"" and then immediately after the election, offer up the damn extensions.

Same as it ever was.