White House Gives in on Bush Tax Cuts

[steelmania75]

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's top adviser suggested to The Huffington Post late Wednesday that the administration was ready to accept an across-the-board continuation of steep Bush-era tax cuts, including those for the wealthiest taxpayers.

That appears to be the only way, said David Axelrod, that middle-class taxpayers can keep their tax cuts, given the legislative and political realities facing Obama in the aftermath of last week's electoral defeat.

"We have to deal with the world as we find it," Axelrod said during an unusually candid and reflective 90-minute interview in his office, steps away from the Oval Office. "The world of what it takes to get this done."

"There are concerns," he added, that Congress will continue to kick the can down the road in the future by passing temporary extensions for the wealthy time and time again. "But I don't want to trade away security for the middle class in order to make that point."

It has been widely assumed that the president would have to accept an across-the-board deal of some kind, but Axelrod's remarks were the first public confirmation of that fact -- and by a figure regarded as closer to Obama than any other White House staffer.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/10/white-house-gives-in-on-bush-tax-cuts_n_781992.html

I'm furious, but I'm not surprised of the result. What a bunch of pussies, can't take a stand or else they'll be given the evil 's' word label.

[tabatha]

1. That is SO stupid.

They should let them expire, and then give the middle lass tax cuts. How can the Republicans veto that????

[steelmania75]

4. Because Republicans represent the wealthiest individuals in America.

[Jack Sprat]

10. Exactly. It is so easy. Just let them expire and

offer up tax cuts for the 98%. If the Repubs don't want to pass them, let them live with it.

This is the last straw for me. I have never seen such a weakling in my life. Then again, maybe this was a Republican administration all along.

[steelmania75]

14. It's pretty pathetic I must say. I knew I was going to be disappointed, but not this disappointed

[laughingliberal]

48. It is obvious that would be the thing to do. The only reason not to do it this way is if you really.

...want to give the wealthy their pony.

[somone]

2. Yep.The big change we've been waiting for

FUCK

[BlueCaliDem]

50. He told us to MAKE him do something - SO LET'S MAKE HIM DO THE RIGHT THING

Start here:

Flood the White House Comment Line: 1-202-456-2111

TELL HIM NOT TO CAVE!

After the call, send a follow-up postcard. This skips security screening since it doesn't have to be opened. Flood the White House mail room and make sure they know, lost House or not, we ARE paying attention here!

We need to support Bernie Sanders who, together with Al Franken, will most likely filibuster any bill that will bloat the deficit even more!

We need to put all this energy to good use, and we need to hold their feet to the fire. If we remain silent, Obama will do what the millionaires and billionaire Democrats and Republican'ts want.

I hate to have to tell this President what to do, thinking HE should be the one fighting for us, but we need to remember ... they are OUR employees, and it's high time they get a little tough-love.

[Poll_Blind]

3. Well that's just Double Rainbow Across the Sky.

That is the baddest fuckin' rainbow I have ever seen.

Fuck.

PB

[Quixote1818]

5. We need to fight back. Dems need to flood the Whitehouse with angry calls on this

We can't STAND for this fucking spineless bullshit anymore!

[tabatha]

7. Agreed. If this happens, then the Obama admin has zero chance in 2012.

We have to do what the UK students are doing.

[steelmania75]

9. Actually vote in a liberal who will FIGHT for the middle class and won't bend over to the GOP or....

corporate interests. We need someone with a spine who can twist arms and get shit done around here. Sadly, I don't see anyone with that capability.

[hfojvt]

47. so how many of us are going to call or write?

I already called Pelosi's office once.

[BlueCaliDem]

6. This is very disappointing. VERY disappointing. The Media better

report that this move, forced by the reelection of Republican'ts in the House, was a sign that "the American people" don't give a shit about balancing budgets.

This is the result of voting for the same assholes into power who won't stop until they've completely destroyed America.

Now, on to repealing Social Security, HCR, Medicare/Medicaid, Unemployment Benefits, Child labor laws, Federal funding for schools, higher education, the 14th Amendment, sanity...

[QC]

8. As Homer Simpson once said, "Trying is the first step to failure."

It's best just to fold as soon as possible, or else the Republicans say something mean.

[Dr.Phool]

11. Call the fucking Republicans bluff!

Let them all expire. And let everyone know EXACTLY why. And who did it.

Let the public know that Republicans are holding them hostage for Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, George Soros, Hollywood Elites, and Paris Hilton!

[EFerrari]

29. I don't believe Obama has ever played a hand of real poker. n/t

[QC]

39. I wish someone would take him to a yard sale and teach him how to bargain.

Hint: You don't open negotiations by telling everyone exactly how much you're willing to pay for something.

"I'm going to offer you $10 for those dishes, but I am actually willing to pay up to a hundred."

[EFerrari]

43. That really is it. And it's the hagglers who relish that contest

who do well and earn respect in American politics.

[QC]

60. Exactly. And the people who do not know how to negotiate

end up being colossal disappointments.

[highplainsdem]

12. Spineless, despicable, and dishonest. Axelrod knows very well that there's no "security for the

middle class" in continuing the tax cuts for the richest Americans.

[the redcoat]

13. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO GOD DAMMIT

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[pa28]

16. Republican response:

'We demand a cut in the capital gains tax to finalize the package'.

Chess is fantastic game. Poker is actually more popular.

[somone]

18. Obama must have taken 11-D chess lessons from Neville Chamberlain

[pa28]

22. lol

I laugh to avoid crying.

:toast:

[jillan]

17. Oh that's just great. The repugs aren't even in office yet, and already this administration caved?

I'm beginning to feel like that lady at that townhall....

I love Obama, but I am getting tired of having to defend him all the time.

In fact, it's worse - between this news and the catfood commission - I'm fed up.

Time for a new political party?? Cuz I'm never ever ever going to be a republican, and the Dems are worthless!

[somone]

20. It's a very sophisticated chess move, called preemptive surrender

[Contrary1]

19. And what will be the reasoning in two years when the economy is still in the crapper? n/t

[gristy]

21. Now THAT is my breaking point. I've had it.

HAD IT. That's it. I will not be part of this or of the party that acquiesces to this. I can not. Our country is bankrupt and the oligarchs in washington are the folks who have intentionally done this. A bankrupt country is a powerless country. This is only the beginning, folks. It's going to be a long ride to the bottom. They are in control now, and there is nothing we can do about it. Nothing.

:(

[Quixote1818]

33. Mine too. I have been much too patient and forgiving. I was stupid

and this proves it to me. Since Reagan cut taxes for the wealthy this country has been going to hell in a hand-basket. It needs to stop NOW!

[inna]

53. sadly, true. the corporate takeover is in its final stages; fasten up your belts.

on the plus side... we live in interesting times... :shrug:

[Wounded Bear]

23. Republicans lose, they move to the right

Democrats lose, they move to the right.

We're fucked.

I'm beginning to understand the "independent" mindset. :shrug:

[Odin2005]

24. Obama has no spine.

[QC]

25. Of course! A subtle yet brilliant strategy!

[Bluebear]

59. Chill the fuck out!

:cry:

[Hannah Bell]

26. well, there goes the neighborhood. the so-called middle-class tax cuts ain't all that

anyway. i'd give them up for the top 2%, who got the lion's share -- enough to pay off the entire SS Trust Fund.

[Parker CA]

27. Until this is fact and happens there's hope that it won't go down like this. If it does, Obama

and the WH are giving up any power they may have left.

[yodermon]

28. HOW FUCKING HARD IS THIS. JEEZUS:

1) Pass a bill in the House during the lame duck session that Cuts Taxes for the Middle Class (<250k families) starting Jan 1 2011.
2) Hand it off to the Senate.
3) The Senate Repukes could Filibuster it, but THEY WOULD BE FILIBUSTERING FUCKING TAX CUTS!!!
4) goddammit.

[neverforget]

35. Too hard. Need bipartisanship.

:argh: :wtf: :mad: :grr: :nuke:

[coti]

38. ^^^ Yes, this is what a decent President would do. And it's very simple. nt

[Yupster]

51. 5. On January 2, the Republican House passes

a bill reducing all tax rates to what they were on Dec 30.

That bill gets sent to Harry Reid in the Senate.

The Senate .....?

A. passes the bill onto President Obama who signs it or vetoes it.

B. defeats the bill.

C. never votes on the bill.

Doesn't look like a winning hand to me. What do you think?

[neverforget]

30. I just sent an email to the White House expressing my displeasure at this

report. If he won't fight for us, who will?

[Dappleganger]

31. Stop the world!

I want to get off.

[WCGreen]

32. He's suggesting it and it wasn't president Obama so I will wait until

he says it himself...

[ProSense]

34. "But plainly, what we can't do is permanently extend these high income taxes."

"We don't want that tax increase to go forward for the middle class," he said, which means the administration will have to accept them all for some unspecified period of time. "But plainly, what we can't do is permanently extend these high income taxes."

Stein's article is confusing.

[coti]

36. No, Pro, you're TRYING to confuse people. You know very well what's happening here.

Stop running interference.


They're extending the top 2% temporarily, just not permanently (yes, they're "taking that stand" ;) )


Manipulation evvverywhere.

[ProSense]

40. Here:

middle class tax cuts and (fill in the blank).

What's the plan?

Has anyone announced it? Has it been defined here. Why Stein wrote that headline and another speculative piece is anyone's guess.

He seems to have gone out of his way to spin the quotes in a confusing way.

"We have to deal with the world as we find it"?

When Congress convenes next week, the world will still find a Democratic majority in both chambers of Congress.




"You know very well what's happening here."

Want to stop giving people like Nelson cover? Stop buying into narratives that say the game is over before it starts.

[laughingliberal]

49. Bookmarking. nt

[alittlelark]

37. .......

:mad: :puke:

[western mass]

41. No they DID NOT give in

If liberals haven't picked up on Obama's game, then there really isn't hope for them (or the country).

Step 1. Some nice rhetoric to keep the libs happy.

Step 2. After much hand-wringing and crocodile tears, do exactly what their real constituents (the bankers & corporate donors) want them to do.

[Duke Newcombe]

42. Mr. President. Once again...

...you and your advisers may need to invest in some of these...



They come in handy. And keep you from endlessly "compromising" with people who don't respect you or working people.

[laughingliberal]

46. +1000 nt

[NCarolinawoman]

44. Here's a quote from Wes Clark on how Democrats should negotiate:

"Someone once told me in business that when you're going to negotiate a
business deal, you stake out your position and stand on it! Don't go in there and ask what they want. Say, "HERE'S WHAT I WANT!"

"You've got a Republican party under Tom Delay that says, 'Here's what I want.' Then you've got the Democratic Party saying, 'Yeah, a yeah, we could.... some of what you say makes pretty good sense.' The result is that the American people don't see the full spectrum."

"For instance on tax reform: Stop saying you agree with simplification of the tax code.: WE STAND FOR PROGRESSIVE TAXATION! WE'RE PROUD OF IT! IF YOU MAKE MORE, YOU SHOULD PAY MORE, PERIOD!"

I believe that General Clark said this back in 2003, but the spirit of it would apply to today. Heck, even if you don't succeed, at least you would go down fighting and people might just "get it" and respect you and the party more.

[laughingliberal]

45. Is there some reason we even bother anymore? At what point do we start opposing...

the Republican plans?

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BlueCheese]

54. Screw that.

Frankly, I'd rather have no tax cut extension at all than have them for everyone. We just can't afford it.

Best case scenario is that this is a trial balloon. In which case--fire away.

[TheKentuckian]

55. You knew the tent was folded when they didn't go for repeal.

As soon as they went with ride it out the failure had already begun. We fucking ran on getting rid of them and had one of the largest majorities in history and left it hanging there which effectively left in place four years after we took Congress and two years into a Presidency just eating up our present and future budgets, doing jack apple shit for the economy other than bringing it down.

Our party is pure bullshit and means little to nothing it says. The voters see this.

The problem is nothing like lack of spine, it is goals and direction.

Problems are addressed only in such ways that allow the debate to rage on and maintain the status quo or enhance the wealthy.

[anAustralianobserver]

56. The article paraphrases Axelrod; "separating out different categories of tax cuts now --

extending some without extending others -- is politically unrealistic and procedurally difficult, he added."

The question is exactly why? Isn't there a way of splitting it into 2 parts in the lame duck session??

[w4rma]

57. wimp. Who wants to listen to or follow wimps? And who trusts them with national security? (nt)

[Lorien]

58. With friends like Obama

who needs Republicans?

:banghead: :mad:

[Oilwellian]

61. I'm reminded of this...

[NotThisTime]

62. Does Axelrod know NOTHING has changed and nothing will change until January? So stupid... seriously

It's like we have a bunch of repukes in the office...