Obama probably will call for temp extension of ALL tax cuts. This might work. Note, I vigorously wanted a PRE ELECTION vote on only the under $ 250,000 Obama Tax Cut- but dems lost their spine, and lost election
Everything from this Point on is framing, agressively attacking, while protecting your flanks and playing Defense where necessary. Obama has little leverage, BUT, here are the issues:
- Temp tax cut for all/kick the can, does at least keep middle class cuts, and allows ecomony to not bear brunt of even more contraction;
- It also keeps repugs away from their balanced budget mantra, and when they DO object to stimulus ideas like unemployment extesnion, DEMS can argue-but you jammed these MILLIONAIRE tax cuts down publics throat, where was thought on deficit then;
- THEN, Obama can demand/threaten veto on Health Care spening pullback, (over)
Social Security/Catfood commission cuts, etc; he can forcefully draw a line in the sand by what is being called caving on the temp tax cut buget buster.
- Remeber, in round numbers extending ALL tax cuts cost I believe $ 3 trillion, adding the over $ 250,000 only adds an extra 700 B (a huge number still, but even the under $ 250,000 would still be a 3 billion budget buster; 2 year kick the can maybe the best alternative.
- Dems- we have never fought hard for stopping rich tax cuts, instead we have always fought hard to stop social benefit SPENDING program cuts (or increasing them) As they are stimulative maybe punting on tax cut is worth it.
- The tax cuts may cause repugs to lose deficit street cred; as has their abadonment of earmark reform.
- Also, pushing 100 % tax cuts Obama Temp Tax cut- gives voters what they want- Dems do something popular, give away imprroves Obama/Dems numbers
BUT DO THIS WITH STRENGTH, DONT LOOK LIKE YOUR CAVING-
" I will consent to TEMPORARY extension of all tax cuts w/ economy in dumps"