White House Defers To Pelosi On Tax Cuts

[cal04]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/white-house-defers-to-pelosi-on-tax-cuts.php?ref=fpi

President Obama's aides say the White House is trying to take a step back and let Democratic leadership figure out the best way to handle the question of the Bush tax cuts.

The president made his preference clear, and he'll keep helping the Democrats on the stump with the rhetorical definition of their party versus the Republicans. A White House aide said it's possible Obama might talk about the tax cuts issue during his Cabinet meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

Democrats are huddling tonight with members to see what sort of bill they could support so close to the critical midterm elections.

An administration official said the legislative affairs team is consulting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office to be of assistance where they can. The aim is to craft a bill which helps vulnerable Democrats but exposes the Republicans, the aide said, adding that's not as easy as it sounds.

When Freshman Rep. Gerry Connolly, for example, says he'd be okay with a temporary extension of the tax cuts for the middle class and the rich, that complicates things, the aide said. (Connolly (D-VA) represents one of wealthiest districts in the nation. He's said he gets Democrats' arguments about just the middle class, but he also wants to help his own constituents.)

But the White House aide said word on Capitol Hill is that Democratic staffers are trying to come up with something that puts more spin on the ball, perhaps by creating a new tax bracket for millionaires. "They are trying to figure out something along those lines," the aide said.

[DJ13]

1. Cowards

Take a stand..... for a "change".

[Beetwasher]

2. No, Smart, Obama's Not Running For Re Election, But Congress Reps Are

Let them get all the credit. This is exactly the way it should be played.

[DJ13]

5. Thats the thing, if the WH stood firm it could shield Dems in conservative regions

As you said, President Obama isnt running this year, and he could draw the Republicans fire if he got in front of this issue and made sure the voters knew he is the person who wants to end the Bush tax cuts.

This is like the WH is going to let marginal seats twist in the wind instead of taking the heat off the Dem Reps running for reelection.

[Beetwasher]

7. They Are Standing Firm, Obama Has Firmly Said He Will NOT Allow The Tax Cuts For The Wealthy

He has said it unequivocally and now he is letting the Congress do IT'S JOB. As they should. Too bad you have a problem with that.

[DJ13]

8. You're right

He has no business drawing Republican fire to shield Democrats from deciding to end Bush's tax cuts.

There, is that better?

[Beetwasher]

9. He's Letting Her Do Her Job On HOW To Vote But He's Drawn The Line And Said NO CUTS FOR THE RICH

What the fuck are you talking about?

[DJ13]

10. I already said you're right

Some people are never happy!
:rofl:

[Beetwasher]

11. You Make Shit Up Anyway About Obama "Not Drawing Fire"

He's out there drawing a lot of fire and standing firm. Now the Congress has to do it's job. So Yeah, I'm right and you just make shit up to slam Obama.

[DJ13]

12. You're an angry person when someone disagrees with you

I guess you'll just have to stay mad.

[Beetwasher]

16. Making Shit Up Is Not Disagreeing, It's Making Shit Up

And if calling you on it makes you think I'm angry, oh well.

[DJ13]

20. I wasnt "making shit up", I was talking about election strategy

I know that subject is confusing to many Democrats, but its something our party needs to learn.

[Beetwasher]

23. You Were Making Shit Up Because I Never Said:

"He has no business drawing Republican fire to shield Democrats from deciding to end Bush's tax cuts."

And yet YOU Posted:

"You're right

He has no business drawing Republican fire to shield Democrats from deciding to end Bush's tax cuts."

What am I "right" about if I never said any such thing?

You are making shit up and now backpedaling.

Please provide any evidence I said any such thing. If you can't, then you are making shit up.

Pretty simple.

[dionysus]

25. no, you were.

[DJ13]

27. Bullcrap

Read my initial post, its about providing cover for weaker Dems in red areas in November.

[Phx_Dem]

33. +1. No shit.

[dkf]

15. How does Deferring to Pelosi mean he is drawing a line in the sand? Isn't that contradictory?

[Beetwasher]

17. What Is He Deferring To Her?

He's a drawn a line in the sand on the tax cuts. He won't allow them to be extended for the wealthy. How she deals with the vote is up to her. Not to difficult to figure out.

[ProSense]

4. "Take a stand"?

Did you miss the President taking a stand on the tax cuts for the past few weeks?

He isn't the Speaker of the House or the Senate Majority Leader. Pushing the bill through Congress is their responsibility.

The President's position is clear.

[AtomicKitten]

14. Cowardly? No, respectful: He defered to the branch of gov't that actually crafts legislation.

Pres Obama has been front and center the last couple weeks pounding the GOP on their wanting to extend tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.

How could you possibly have missed that?

[mkultra]

37. ahh the echos of facism from within our own party

[montanacowboy]

3. What a Joke

Where is the leadership in the WH? Same shit happened during the Health Care Bill - no leadership. In the end, the rich WILL get the tax cuts because the Democrats and the WH are Cowards.

[geek tragedy]

6. I trust Pelosi over Rahm. Do you? nt

[Enrique]

31. this is the House, not the Senate

if it said White House defers to Harry Reid, I'd be with you. But deferring to Pelosi, I'm all for it. :thumbsup:

[themaguffin]

32. Great, House passes, Senate blows it up. Plus House Reps get to vote for it, knowing it won't pass

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

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[Tatiana]

18. At this point, Pelosi's done her job and has a great track record as Speaker.

She's held her ground and the caucus together, and has exhibited more discipline in getting the job done than either the WH or Reid's Senate, IMO. And she has her own Blue Dog traitors to deal with.

So I'd feel comfortable letting her take point on this issue.

[Doctor_J]

19. Didn't Axelrod just say yesterday that the WH is against the top-heavy

part of the tax cuts? why are they now walking back from their stance? I mean besides the fact that that's what they always do?

[jenmito]

22. Pelosi AGREES with the WH's stance. n/t

[jenmito]

21. Rec'ed. Obama defers to the LIBERAL Nancy Pelosi and some think that's a BAD thing?! n/t

[dionysus]

26. just the perpetually bitter, thankfully

[jenmito]

28. Yup.

[Arkana]

24. I trust Pelosi.

[vaberella]

29. As Pelosi's no.1 fan...I support this message, if true. n/t

[bvar22]

30. That approach worked so well on the failed HCR.

"Strong and successful presidents (meaning those who get what they want - whether that happens to be good for the country or not) do not accept "the best deal on the table". They take out their carpentry tools and the build the goddam piece of furniture themselves. Strong and successful presidents do not get dictated to by the political environment. They reshape the environment into one that is conducive to their political aspirations."

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/07/17

[ClarkUSA]

35. Obama succeeded at HCR where the Clintons failed, precisely because of that approach.

The Clintons did the opposite (i.e., they did what you are advocating) and failed miserably.

[denimgirly]

34. If I Recall anytime the WH does this it always ends Badly -- Stand Strong or get F'ed

Hope this isnt a sign the WH is willing to accept extension of this disaster since we've seen in the past when they dont stand firm on something they are willing to accept compromises

[ClarkUSA]

36. "ends Badly"? This administration has been the most successful in decades. nt