Politico's Jonathan Allen:
A set of mostly liberal Democrats sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Friday requesting a vote to extend Bush-era income tax cuts for all but the nation's top earners.
The letter was signed by 46 lawmakers, including several in competitive re-election races. It stands in contrast to a letter from 38 moderate Democrats pushing Pelosi to extend the current rates for all earners — at least for the short term.
The writers of the latest letter framed the matter as one of standing up for principle — and for low- and middle-income constituents.
"We must show the American people that our Democratic majority stands for them -people who have worked hard, played by the rules and depend on these tax breaks to make ends meet," they wrote.
They also argue that allowing the top rates to expire will help close the gaping budget deficit.
Even though the list of Dems pushing for a vote is growing -- last week, 36 Dems signed a similar letter -- there's been no indication that House leadership is planning on heeding their call. Speaker Pelosi indicated on Friday that a vote was still possible, but Steny Hoyer on Sunday all but ruled out a vote and the White House appears to have given up hope as well.
Despite the long odds of Congressional Democrats pulling their heads out of their you-know-whats, it's worth once again pointing out that holding a vote is both in the political interests of the Democratic Party and in the substantive interests of the country. The worst thing that could happen with a vote is that Republicans hold the tax cuts hostage; the best thing that could happen is that the tax cuts pass the House. Either way, it's a win.
In contrast, inaction gives Republicans an easy line of attack against Democrats, correctly pointing out that Democrats have not only failed to extend middle-class tax cuts, but they haven't even held a vote on them. And to be clear, I'm not whining here. I'm just pointing out that the Blue Dog intransigence on the tax cut issue is an act of political malpractice. If you doubt me, just watch Steny Hoyer's disastrous interview on Fox News Sunday last weekend.
There's still time for Dems to play their cards right. I've just about given up hope that they will, but until the opportunity is gone, it's worth pushing them. Maybe somehow someway they'll get a clue.