It begins.
Democratic leaders maintain they are content to play defense, but are worried that some vulnerable Democrats might defect and support a temporary extension of all the Bush-era rates, which would undercut their negotiating position.
Sens. Claire McCaskill (Mo.) and Bill Nelson (Fla.), two Democrats facing tough races this year, on Thursday declined to rule out support for an across-the-board extension of the rates.
“If you want to do something in the spirit of compromise, you don’t start out by saying, ‘I refuse to do this’ or ‘I refuse to do that,’ ” said McCaskill. “It’s not my preference to extend tax cuts to multimillionaires — that’s not my preference — but I want to keep every option open in the spirit of compromise.”
Said Nelson, “I can’t get into a hypothetical.”
Democrats from Republican-leaning states are also undecided.
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), who is up for reelection in 2014, said he is undecided about whether to support another temporary extension of the Bush tax rates for all income brackets.
The Hill: Democrats paralyzed on tax cuts
This is why, after giving money in 2005 and 2006 to McCaskill for her campaign for the senate, I have not given a cent to her. I'll vote for her, but that's it.
She does not need my money. She wants it; I get letters and emails and invites all the time.
She's a millionaire herself (or her husband is) (remember her private plane?) and her willingness to consider keeping the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy is bound to get her donations from those who used to give to the Super-Pacs attacking her, right?
She wants to compromise, well so will I. I'll give her my vote and send the money I might have given to her to Barack Obama and Lacy Clay (who has a primary battle against Carnahan).
President Obama opposes an extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy:
Q Jay, is the President's vow not to ever extend the Bush-era tax cuts on the wealthy again extend to a temporary extension aimed at getting some comprehensive agreement?
MR. CARNEY: President Obama has been clear about his position and it has not changed: We should not extend and he will not extend the tax cuts -- the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of the American people. It's bad policy. It's bad for the economy, bad for our --
Q Even temporary?
MR. CARNEY: I would just point you to what the President has said and his position has not changed.
Q It sounds like you're leaving room --
MR. CARNEY: No, I'm not. I'm citing the President of the United States.
Q I just want to be clear, though -- so even temporarily he would not extend the Bush tax cuts?
MR. CARNEY: The President's position is that we absolutely should extend the tax cuts for the middle class; we should not extend and he will not extend tax cuts for the highest-income Americans.
Press gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney, aboard Air Force One to CA, June 6, 2012
Nothing like a stab in the back to the President by Senators McCaskill, Nelson, and Pryor.
The Bush tax cuts is the issue that matters to the bought politicians.
We need to re-elect Barack Obama and he needs to veto any bill extending the tax cuts for the rich that passes Congress. Other Dem Senators need to stand up and say "No more. We cannot afford tax cuts to the rich that are paid for by cutting programs for the people." We need Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House next year.