Axelrod: White House objects to permanent tax cuts for wealthy but is silent on extension

[somone]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i3Q9GPUPRUWO7H-3g7K9d1H-YZeQ?docId=b8b0fdbbeb844f57beff9aa967b36244

Obama adviser: No 'permanent' tax cuts for wealthy

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top adviser to President Barack Obama says the White House objects to "permanent" tax cuts for the wealthy but is silent on the possibility of extending current tax rates for the short term.

Obama adviser David Axelrod says the president only wants to make permanent the tax cuts for the middle class that expire at the end of this year. He urged Congress to resolve the tax-cut question during a lame-duck session of Congress.

Options facing Congress include extending middle-class tax cuts permanently while continuing tax cuts for the wealthy for only one or two years, or to adopt short-term extensions of all tax cuts.

Axelrod says he would leave negotiations to Obama and lawmakers. He appeared on "Fox News Sunday" and NBC's "Meet the Press."

[polichick]

1. The tax cuts are already temporary - to continue "temporary" tax cuts...

...for the wealthy would be the kiss of death for this presidency - better to let them all lapse.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. I agree

Neither situation is politically "good" for President Obama and the Democrat but at least they'll be able to make the argument that the Republicans are the ones whom refused to budge and, more importantly, that they (Democrats) are making the more responsible long-term fiscal decision.

IF the Republicans want to push the issue, there ought to be demands by President Obama and the Democrats in Congress for accountability for the results (or lack thereof) of the upper-class tax cuts and some explanation by their supporters as to the supposed "benefits" of extending the Bush Tax Cuts temporarily and, especially, permanently.

I swear sometimes a majority of this country and its "leaders" seem perpetually stuck on STUPID and I pity the President and the Democrats in Congress whom have to "work with" these morons. I imagine that it must be rather like an adult having to solve a complex problem with somebody who has the mentality of four year old.

Or to paraphrase one of my favorite quotes from The Goonies: "I feel like I'm being babysitting for something I'm not getting paid"

:banghead:

[MannyGoldstein]

2. At this point, does anyone believe that Obama actually wants to help working Americans?

I can't imagine that anyone could "capitulate" with such vigor and frequency unless it wasn't a capitulation at all - it was actually the desired outcome.

[BlueJac]

9. No......

he is a corporate puppet being used to the hilt!

[polichick]

10. Well, when actions don't match words you have to wonder. nt

[grahamhgreen]

3. They know temporary means permanent when the Repubs take the WH in 2012.

Which they will do if they continue capitulating

[Rosa Luxemburg]

7. that is the danger however I hope they don't take the WH in 2012

[Poboy]

4. Hey Axelrod, if you extend them, they WILL become permanent. You think they won't?

This is fucking pathetic.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

8. Can extend tax cuts for poor people only not for the filthy rich

[chimpymustgo]

5. Pathetic. I just watched that shameful performance. Just lay your cards face-up on the table

as the bidding begins.

These people are disgusting, incompetent, sold-out FOOLS.

[DirkGently]

11. Wonder why they think they have to waffle on this? Seems an easy way to corner the GOP.