Reply #8: It is a strange choice

[karynnj]

Even the idea that a motive could be "fiscal legacy" is weird unless the goal is also to do something good.

I did not see the hearing this week - no cable, no internet. I do think his questions in the open hearing before that very interesting. He used his 6 minutes to get some OMB statements on record:

- The stimulus raised GDP, this means it has a deficit reducing impact - and the Obama stimulus package includes pieces that have some of the highest impact - especially the infrastructure one. I assume that this is a precursor to estimating the value of the growth and the deficit reduction due to it. (Van Hollen backed this up = and spoke of much of the deficit being due to not being at full employment.)

- He asked about the impact of not renewing the tax cuts on the top % - getting in a snarky "who saw their income increase 400+ % (Can't remember the real number).

This suggests that a primary concern Kerry has is that the proposal be one that helps the economy grow - rather than the Republican plan that with all its cuts would actually harm the recovery and create greater future pain. He seems very concerned that not handling this well means that there will be another committee in a few years. (Consider a nightmare situation of doing it with a Republican controlled Senate and House!)