Dick Durbin: Tax Cut Debate Will End With High-Drama Brinkmanship

[kentuck]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/26/dick-durbin-tax-cuts_n_739551.html

<snip>
Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill), who is tasked with counting votes in the Senate, acknowledged the obvious on Sunday: The Democratic party doesn't have the 60 members needed to end a filibuster on extending the Bush tax cuts just for those making under $250,000.

But in a telling hint at party strategy, the Illinois Democrat suggested that leadership would get moderate Democrats and a Republican or two to support President Obama's plan only with a high-drama, high-stakes, 11th-hour standoff.

Speaking to CNN's Candy Crowley on "State of the Union," Durbin said that the specter of the Bush tax cuts expiring across the board (as they are scheduled to do under law) would compel at least 60 senators to back an extension just for those making under $250,000. The plan rests heavily on a bit of political brinkmanship on the part of the Democrats. If the deadline isn't met, after all, tax rates go up for everyone (with Obama, undoubtedly, getting the blame). But Durbin hinted strongly that this was the one vehicle the party had left for securing the necessary votes.

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[Radical Activist]

1. Another reason Durbin should be majority leader.

He understands the benefit to Democrats of forcing Republicans to filibuster a popular issue.

[COLGATE4]

3. Yes, but unless (unfortunately) Sharon Angle prevails in Nevada

we're stuck with ball-less Harry.

[Andy823]

2. Yes the right will blame Obama

But if republicans are the ones blocking the bill from even getting an up or down vote, I think they will get a lot of the blame also. Democrats need to force the issue, force the votes, and make very damned member of congress face the music! If there are democrats that want to stop taxes for those making under $250,000, then we need to know who they are. If republicans want to stop it, then we need them to stand up and be counted. Backing down is not acceptable, pushing forward is what we need, and it should be done "BEFORE" the elections as far as I am concerned!

[kentuck]

4. my opinion is that the Democrats are going to wait until about three days before...

...the election and bring it up for a vote. Then, if anyone votes against it, it will be fresh in the minds of the voters by election day...

[kentuck]

5. Also, I doubt the Dems will get the 60 votes to stop debate...

and if not, the voters will clearly see who the Repubs support. However, they already know. They said they supported extending the Bush taxcuts in their Pledge to Bankrupt America.

[autorank]

6. k*r Go for it Durbin