This is just bizarre... the WH did not deny anything but folks are sure excited

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Seriously... WTF?

The WH did not really deny the tax cut story and when the WH said they denied it they were actually being quite disingenuous because the word "deny" is a straightforward word with a meaning.

The only thing the WH "denied" is the characterization of their stance as representing giving in to something. They "denied" someone's opinion.

There is no controversy about the WH stance. It is exactly as reported in the freaking article. There is no factual dispute. If someone says, "The WH sucks" and the WH says "No, we are awesome" that response is not debunking anything. It is disagreement about opinion.

Headlines are tricky. We have two tricky headlines here. The first is WH gives in on tax cuts. To the degree the WH has given in on tax-cuts they did it last week so it's not like there's a policy change. And "giving in" is a loaded phrase since there is room to argue about what constitutes "giving in." The second tricky headline is WH denies tax cut story. The WH said, "We deny it" but actually does not deny it, going on to say some stuff that does not really contradict the story.(There may be something to be said for reading beyond headlines which always have an editorial slant due to the need for brevity... to characterize a policy story in ten words involves a lot of shorthand of the editorial staff's understanding of the overall.)

FACT: The WH stance is that the WH is "open to compromise" on the tax cuts but that the WH believes that an extension of the tax cut for income over $250K should not be permanent.

FACT: The story in question was accurate but overly dramatic since it implied a new change in position. Axlerod was not saying anything new.

Is the WH "giving in"? That is a more nuanced question.

DU Vocabulary project for the day...

DENY.

DEBUNK.

These words have meanings.

[jaxx]

1. No, words are just words.

I read that here.

[Poll_Blind]

2. This place, like DC, is gamed and games itself.

Not really sure there's some alternative, seeing how big this place is, but I don't think it inflects the observation.

PB

[opihimoimoi]

3. Such is the result of Psyops....Delusion.. ...Stronger doses of Disinfectant needed; TRUTH will do

[ladjf]

4. I believe that the total White House Cave-in is a done deal.

The question is how can we cut the losses for the American People and the Democratic Party between now and the next election?

[mzmolly]

5. What's more important to me is that I can't find one quote in the original

"white house caves" story to back up that assertion. I'm fine with saying there is no firm denial, but I'm still waiting for the proof of a cave in. :shrug: