I know its early, but The Hill's whip count currently shows opponents of the Obama-GOP tax deal outnumbering supporters 76-15 so far. I am not optimistic that Democrats will continue to hold their ground in the end, but this is a very good start.
http://thehill.com/...
Democrats have almost zero incentive to support this horrible deal. First, Republicans spent the last two years running a campaign of lies and hypocrisy against Democrats. There is no reason why Democrats should give them what they want on taxes. When Republicans come in and January, let them pass this deal and own the consequences of an unfair tax policy and increased deficit.
Second, when was the last time Barack Obama steered Democrats in the right direction with his support of something? Cap and Trade went nowhere in the Senate, where it never had a chance, yet Obama stupidly pushed for it in the House and it cost many Democrats reelection.
Third, supporting this would show that Democrats will cave in the face of GOP opposition rather than fight them. Republicans enjoyed a V-shaped political recovery because they stood together and fought everything Democrats did for two years. Democrats need to show that same type of togetherness in fighting the GOP and whatever awful deals they make with Obama.
Its time for Democrats to stand together and sink this deal and make Republicans own it in January when they get control of the House.
The go-along, get-along attitude of the Democratic minority during the Clinton years got it nowhere. This time, Democrats need to fight like Republicans.