MSNBC:'Young Gun' GOP Whip Eric Cantor says, 'No dice!' to not extending Bush tax cuts to the top 2%

[flpoljunkie]

He'd vote no for extending the tax cuts to the middle class alone.

[Mass]

1. I hope Pelosi schedules a vote and does not let the Senate schedule it.

Then, we'll see what Cantor says. They are hoping they dont have to vote because McConnell will filibuster the vote.

[flpoljunkie]

4. I believe the House as said they will not get ahead of Senate on this. They've been burned before!

Good lord! Luke Russert's naked homage to John Boehner is on--for the fourth time today, by my count!

"He played football, even though he was in pain!' What a prince!

[ProSense]

8. Even if the Senate schedules a vote,

McConnell continuing to filibuster would mean the tax cuts expire automatically.

It can then be replaced with a new proposal: the Obama tax cuts for the middle class.

[flpoljunkie]

12. That vote would have to take place next year, when Dems numbers will be fewer and we may lose House.

A very sorry outcome for Speaker Pelosi who passed everything in President Obama's agenda only to see it watered down in the Senate--and , in one particular hard vote on cap and trade--not even brought up in the dysfunctional Senate.

[ProSense]

15. Possibly, but

it doesn't make Republicans look any better. The Dems would still have filibuster majority and a Presidential veto in their tool box. Besides:

The GOP's lame good cop, bad cop routine

<...>

No doubt Boehner and McConnell think they are pulling off a really cute political trick, but their little good cop, bad cop routine is too cute by half. Fundamentally, Republicans in Congress have a substantive problem: if they hold middle-class tax cuts hostage as a bargaining chip for a permanent extension of Bush's tax cuts, they'll be punished by moderate voters, but if they cave to Democrats, they'll be punished by their base.

As Republicans try to spin their way out of their dilemma, Democrats should respond by pushing straight ahead, starting by calling Boehner's bluff and scheduling a straight up-or-down vote on middle-class tax cuts. As an olive branch, they should also agree to a separate debate and vote on the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. That way Republicans cannot claim that Democrats blocked consideration of a permanent extension of tax cuts for the wealthy.

Republicans desperately want to link Obama's tax cuts for the middle-class with Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, but they are two separate issues. As long as Democrats continue treating them as such, this is a debate that they cannot lose.

Screw the olive branch, let them filibuster until the tax cuts expire.

"The Obama tax cuts for the middle class"

Call them "the Obama tax cuts for the middle class."

Top Democratic leaders in the House are discussing using that phrase to rebrand President Obama's proposed extension of the Bush tax cuts for those making less than $250,000, senior leadership aides tell me.

The use of the phrase has the informal support of Nancy Pelosi and Majority Whip James Clyburn, and Pelosi has used the phrase in private meetings, leadership aides tell me. Rank and file House Dems are privately discussing the phrase. Top Senate aides also like the idea.

<...>

[flpoljunkie]

17. It doesn't make Dems look like they're on our side and fighting for the other 98% either!

Sadly, we are not members of any organized party. We're Democrats! (Credit to Will Rogers.)

[jenmito]

2. You beat me to it!

This is GREAT news for us!

[flpoljunkie]

3. Then Chuck Todd comes on to say no way not extending Bush tax cuts to top 2% passes the Senate

Lieberman, by the way, was the first to come out today to say all the Bush tax cuts must be extended.

[ProSense]

5. Boehner kicks off campaign with Republican infighting.

GOP spokesman: Senate GOP to oppose Obama tax plan

[flpoljunkie]

16. How nice Republicans always manage to vote in lockstep while Senate Dems can't get it together on

this or much anything else. Thank you, Conservadems! You know who you are.

[leftynyc]

6. I'm confused

All the tax cuts are to expire at the end of this year. Why aren't the Dems just putting a vote up for the middle class tax cuts getting extended - not even mentioning the other cuts for the wealthier?

[flpoljunkie]

7. Why not, indeed! The answer is Senators Bayh, Lieberman, Nelson and Conrad.

[Kdillard]

9. Exactly unless they have 60 votes it is better they not do it.

[flpoljunkie]

13. Why not put both R's and Conservadems on the spot? Make them vote no to extend middle class tax cut!

Nothing like showing the base 'whose side you're on,' Dems! Grow a pair!

The Democratic leadership in the Senate (I'm talking you, Harry Reid) look weak when you cave to Democrats who might as well be Republicans when it comes to tax cuts for the rich.

[ProSense]

11. Republicans need 19 Democrats,

they're not even going to come close. The tax cuts automatically expire during this Congress.

[leftynyc]

20. Fuck them

Are there 50 votes in the Senate without those losers? Let their constituents see them voting against tax cuts.

[ProSense]

10. Republicans have to defend tax cuts for the rich,

while opposing tax cuts for the middle class.

[flpoljunkie]

19. Not too difficult, if there's no vote to defend.

[dave29]

14. They are handing us an issue

good on them

[BlueIdaho]

18. Indeed.

Its hard to see a downside here. Let them all expire and then force r's to go on record against tax cuts - the only arrow in their quiver. As a side benefit,we may also wash a few blue dogs out of office too - leaving room for real Democrats to take office.

edit = typo

[Skittles]

21. they're handing us an opportunity that will likely be squandered

[rufus dog]

22. Are the Dems unable to get this through congress on a recon vote?

Can they not get this through just like the Bush cuts got through? With a 50 + 1 and a ten year sunset?