Democrats Emerge From White House Meeting Determined Not To Cave On Medicare, Taxes [View All]

[TomCADem]

Source: TPM

House Democrats emerged from a White House meeting with President Obama confident that the GOP Medicare plan has Republicans on the ropes and more determined than ever to ensure that tax increases on the wealthiest Americans are included in any long-term debt-reduction package.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said the meeting was "very productive" and a "great exchange of ideas."

In negotiations with Republicans to raise the debt-ceiling and reduce the ballooning debt, Pelosi said Democrats and the President are committed to strengthening the middle class and reducing the debt with "balance" and "fairness."

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House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said Democrats and Obama have clear objectives in the negotiations: "We need to bring the deficits down and make sure Medicare is strengthened and preserved."

Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/democrats-emerge-from-white-house-meeting-determined-not-to-cave-on-medicare-taxes.php

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Of course, watch the corporate media spin this as meaning that neither Democrats nor President Obama are serious about reducing the debt, because the Republicans already said that tax increases are "off the table," and of course the media will not dare ask Republicans how tax increases can be off the table if Democrats are still pushing for it. However, if Republicans say that privitizing Medicare is still on the table, then it is even if Democrats repeatedly say no freakin way and the American people say no freakin way.

Why? Because if there is a default, the President Obama and Democrats will be blamed for not being serious, and taking Republicans pre-conditions that taxes to the rich are a non-starter whereas the destruction of Medicare is perfectly reasonable in the minds of the corporate media.

See how it works? Give Republicans a free pass. Blame the Democrats. Rince and repeat.