McConnell 'willing to listen' on temporary extension of Bush tax cuts

[playstation]

Washington (CNN) – Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who supports making permanent all the Bush-era tax cuts, signaled Thursday he's open to considering compromises with the White House to temporarily extend them instead.

"I'm willing to listen to what the President has in mind for protecting Americans from tax increases," McConnell said.
McConnell issued the statement shortly after White House advisor David Axelrod was quoted suggesting the White House was prepared to accept a temporary extension of tax cuts for both wealthier Americans and the middle class.

...

Republicans believe that Democrats see their window to negotiate as fairly small because after the first of the year Republicans will have not only control of the House but increased ranks in the Senate.

All Bush-era tax cuts are set to expire Dec. 31st but there are some Republican sources who say if the two sides remain deadlocked, it could be to the Republicans' advantage to let the cuts expire–for what could be a few weeks–and then take the issue up when the new Congress convenes in January.

Still, a senior Republican source says that would be a last resort option and that a more likely scenario is the one Axelrod laid out - a temporary extension for both the middle class and the wealthy.

...

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/11/mcconnell-willing-to-listen-on-temporary-extension-of-bush-tax-cuts/

Boner still wants 'em permanent.

[ProSense]

1. I agree with

Steve Benen:

* How ridiculous has it gotten on the Hill? It's now newsworthy, and a stark change of pace, when the Republicans' Senate leader mentions in passing that he's "willing to listen" to what the White House has to say.

The WH is meeting with members of Congress next week. Who cares is McConnell announces he's willing to listen?

[opihimoimoi]

2. If Obama Listens...he will lose more base and supportors

[elleng]

3. AWFUL that admin appears to have to negotiate in the media.

U.S. has become ungovernable due to 'progress,' imo.

[Hawkeye-X]

4. How about if we ignore you and make the middle-class even better in cut

with a permanent tax raise of 4% for those who make over $250,000 not in just income, but also capital gains or bonuses get taxed as well.

And lick that, McConnell (i.e., you'll get nothing)

[de novo]

5. A temporary extension is a permanent extension.