Let's get the messaging straight - this is The Bush Tax Increase &

[jillan]

Dems need to start calling it that.

The Bush administration set up these tax breaks to sunset at the end of this year.
The Dems didn't set this up - the REPUGS did.

Bushco set up a timeline for the tax breaks, not Obama.

The Bush Tax Increase... say it, frame it, spread the message.

[veganlush]

1. absolutely right!

I've tried to make this point though, it falls on deaf ears here mostly. The repugnants, with thr help of Boenher of course, "rammed it through" by reconciliation, which is why it needed a sunset in order to pass. These are the Boenher tax increases.

[jillan]

9. YOU are absolutely right, that is the perfect frame. Boner tax increase! And

also absolutely right on your first point as well. Well maybe Bernie Sanders or Al Franken or some true progressive will realize this so-called tax increase has nothing to do with the Dems.

[DrToast]

2. So we want to be arguing about how we agree with Bush?

Not too sure about that strategy.

[jillan]

4. What????? Bush set up these tax breaks to expire - it wasn't the dems.

Plain and simple. Dems should wash their hands of this issue. It's their issue, not ours.

Harry Reid should say plain and simple - the last administration set up this temporary tax break, and set it up to expire.
If the repukes wanted these tax breaks to go on longer then they should have set it up that way.

[DrToast]

5. Yes, and now you're saying that we should be pushing for Bush's policy

If it's still not clear, if we're calling it the "Bush tax increase" and we're arguing for it, then we're in favor of implementing George Bush's economy policies. Do you really not see how that's a problem?

[jillan]

6. So you think it's better that the message be "Obama will raise your taxes" ?

And if not, how do you think the Dems should frame the debate? I'm curious to hear what you come up with.

[DrToast]

7. Democrats want middle class tax cuts.

Republicans want tax cuts for the rich.

That's pretty easy.

[jillan]

8. And the taxcuts for the billionaires are going to expire - and Obama & the Dems are going to get

blamed for it. Unless the Dems frame it correctly, or cave in.

Can't you hear Boner now - Obama raised taxes in the middle of the worst recession in history!

I'm not saying my frame is perfect, but it is one idea. I just want the Dems to fight, not cave.
It's almost like a set-up... the last administration timed it just right, didn't they?

[Pryderi]

3. K&R