Boehner says he'd vote for Democratic tax proposal (CNN).

[jefferson_dem]

Boehner says he'd vote for Democratic tax proposal
Posted: September 12th, 2010 10:57 AM ET

House Minority Leader John Boehner said Sunday that if he had to, he would vote for a Democratic proposal to restore higher tax rates on the richest Americans.

(CNN) - The top Republican in the U.S. House said Sunday he would vote for extending tax cuts to all but the wealthiest Americans, if that's the only option available.

Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the House minority leader, told the CBS program "Face the Nation" that he wants the tax cuts from the Bush administration extended to everyone.

However, if President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats push through their plan to extend the tax cuts to Americans earning less than $250,000 a year while restoring higher tax rates on others, Boehner said he would vote for it.

"If the only option I have is to vote for some of those tax reductions, I'll vote for them," Boehner said, later adding: "But I'm going to do everything I can to fight to make sure that we extend the current tax rates for all Americans."

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/12/boehner-says-hed-vote-for-democratic-tax-proposal/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_politicalticker+%28Blog%3A+Political+Ticker%29

Boehner would back U.S middle-class tax cuts

WASHINGTON — House Republican leader John Boehner says he would support extending tax cuts only for middle-class earners even though he considers it "bad policy" to exclude the highest-earning Americans from tax relief during a recession.

President Barack Obama's top economic adviser said Sunday he is happy that Boehner, R-Ohio, isn't willing to hold hostage an extension of tax cuts for those earning under $250,000 a year, or more than 97 percent of earners, to try to gain a continuation of breaks enjoyed by the wealthiest.

The argument between Obama and Republican lawmakers focuses on whether the debt-ridden country can afford to continue President George W. Bush's tax breaks, which are designed to expire next year. Republicans argue that cutting back on government spending ought to be the focus of efforts aimed at beginning to balance the federal budget.

"I want to do something for all Americans who pay taxes," Boehner said in an interview taped Saturday for "Face the Nation" on CBS. "If the only option I have is to vote for some of those tax reductions, I'll vote for it. ... If that's what we can get done, but I think that's bad policy. I don't think that's going to help our economy."

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39131165/ns/politics/?ocid=twitter

[nevergiveup]

1. Whoa!

There must be some shocking Republican internal polling results happening.

[WCGreen]

2. Of course he would embrace this...

His poll numbers show him the numbers just aren't there.

It also takes away a big, big weapon in our political arsenal.

[Lint Head]

3. Pass the bill! It's still a positive for Dems. It's Obama's idea.

[Andy823]

5. I agree

As has been said already, the numbers are not on the side of the republicans, and that's why they are changing their mind on this, they know if they vote "against" tax cuts for those making under $250,000 they will lose votes, so they have to vote for them or face the music from the voters. No matter what this will help the democrats if they put the bill on the floor and make republicans vote on it! It will motivate the base, and help get people out to vote.

They need to keep pushing the republicans to stand up for or against helping this country, and they can't back down!

[ProSense]

4. Did any one ask him about the NYT article

A G.O.P. Leader Bound to Lobbyists

[jefferson_dem]

8. Yes, more or less.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/12/ftn/main6858709.shtml

[msongs]

6. and NOW dems will change it to make Boner more happy - mission accomplished nt

[Inuca]

11. Completely ilogical snark n/t

[dionysus]

18. RAHRR! uh, huh? even good news pisses you off, how odd.

[KingFlorez]

7. That's the only choice he has if it comes to a vote

You can't really say no to middle class tax cuts, especially if the vote is before the election.

[Aramchek]

9. but, but, I thought the Walkback had begun?? bwahahahahhahahaaa!!

Obama Haters are such desperate buffoons!

[Clio the Leo]

10. Looks like last weeks visit by the President to Boehner's district is paying off....

.... in phone calls and emails.

And Obama's just getting started.

[ProSense]

12. Boehner is nervous about something

BOEHNER SIGNALS PROGRESS ON TAX POLICY?....

Everyone no doubt knows the score by now. The White House wants to make permanent lower tax rates on the middle class, while allowing breaks for the wealthy to expire on schedule; Republicans (and some less-progressive Democrats) want to make all of the lower rates permanent, no matter how much it adds to the deficit.

By mid-week, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) had a new idea, which was pitched as a "compromise": President Obama would agree to give Republicans everything they want for the next two years, at which point, they would demand the exact same thing all over again.

The president responded with a counter-offer: No. "(M)y position is, let's get done what we all agree on," Obama said at a press conference. "What they've said is they agree that the middle-class tax cuts should be made permanent. Let's work on that. Let's do it. We can have a further conversation about how they want to spend an additional $700 billion to give an average of $100,000 to millionaires." He added that lower rates for the middle class is "something that we can all agree to. Why hold it up? Why hold the middle class hostage in order to do something that most economists don't think makes sense?"

This morning, Boehner suggested he'd be willing to go along with the president's approach -- but only if he had no other choice.

"If the only option I have is to vote for some of those tax reductions I'll vote for them," Boehner said on CBS' "Face the Nation." <...>

Host Bob Schieffer pressed Boehner repeatedly on whether he would vote for a bill that didn't include the extension of tax cuts for those making over $250,000.

"If that's what we can get done," Boehner said.

The Minority Leader made clear that this isn't his preferred option. He desperately wants lower rates for the wealthy, no matter how much it costs or what it does to the budget, and thinks it's "bad policy" to let some rates expire on schedule (in other words, Boehner now opposes the policy he and his party shaped in 2001 and 2003).

But the bottom line is, Boehner suggested this morning that he'd rather have some lower rates than no lower rates. That may seem like a common-sense position for a Republican to take, but remember, the GOP has strongly resisted this line up until now. Indeed, Republicans have effectively said they're prepared to hold the entire policy hostage -- if Dems didn't agree to breaks for the rich, the GOP would block lower rates for the middle class. If Republicans didn't get everything they want, they'd make sure Democrats wouldn't get any of what they want.

It was, in effect, a game of chicken: give in to GOP demands or else. This morning, Boehner seemed to point in a different direction, conceding if Obama's tax breaks for 98% of the country is all he can get, he'll take it.

Unless Boehner somehow walks this back, it looks like progress.

[Orsino]

13. "If he had to"?

Under what possible circumstances would he have to? Isn't his plan simply to vote "nay" along with his party?

The conciliatory tone is perhaps laudable, but I assume that Boehner is simply lying again. There is zero content here.

[toddwv]

14. Please don't fall for this tactic AGAIN.

You can't trust the John "The Orange Julius" Boehner. They'll say that they are open to compromise, try to slip a few provisions in that ensure that the bill does in fact extend tax cuts to the richest of the rich and then still vote "no". S-O-P for the G-O-P.

[firedupdem]

15. He is trying to change the subject....that NYT article stung him on

his orange ass!

[opihimoimoi]

16. LOL, The Moaner was caught between a rock and an anvil.. he was trapped I tell ya...

[denimgirly]

17. I wish there werre NO TAX CUTS for ANYONE -- How can America survive with all these cuts?

Seriously, tax cuts are useless and so although cuts for middle-class makes more sense than for the upper 2% i just wish we could abolish all tax cuts all together since it is clear that america was more propsorous under higher taxes for everyone.

[Writer]

19. This is only a means of disarming Obama's salient, populist argument...

as of late. Nothing more.

[rasputin1952]

20. I wouldn't trust Boehner if he was trussed up in my basement...

the guy is the ultimate slug, (well, maybe Newt is worse, but he's not in the House anymore). Boehner would sell his mother if he could make a dime.

Here's a novel idea to cut the expenses...get the hell out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Arkana]

21. Take advantage, Dems! You can trap them here!

When they obstruct (and they will) make sure you shown them this.