Harkin: If Obama Caves On Taxes, He Better Pray For Palin In 2012 - HuffPo

[WillyT]

Harkin: If Obama Caves On Taxes, He Better Pray For Palin In 2012
Sam Stein _ Huffington Post
First Posted: 12- 3-10 11:17 AM | Updated: 12- 3-10 11:17 AM

<snip>

WASHINGTON -- The sense of frustration among Senate Democrats over the White House's handling of the tax cut debate has grown throughout the week, culminating in a series of articles on Thursday anticipating some form of presidential capitulation.

Whether the mood is genuine or deliberate -- or, perhaps, a bit of both -- is worth some honest debate. Aides acknowledged that they were airing concerns about a forthcoming tax cut deal, in part, for the purpose of stiffening the White House's spine during the remaining negotiations. None would take the step of going on the record with their remarks. But others were even blunter when they went completely off the record.

When leaving a Senate Democratic caucus meeting late Thursday night, most members declined to answer questions about the White House's role in the tax cut negotiations. But the few who did talk didn't exactly hide their sadness over the state of affairs...

And...

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) did a little less dancing. "I just think, if caves on this, then I think that he's gonna have a lot of swimming upstream ," said the Iowa Democrat, a unabashed progressive who has been less reticent than most in criticizing the White House. "He campaigned on , was very strong on that, and sometimes there are things that are just worth fighting for."

And if he decided to compromise away from that, a reporter asked the senator.

"He would then just be hoping and praying that Sarah Palin gets the nomination," Harkin replied, insinuating that there would be few other Republicans that Obama could assuredly beat in 2012.

<snip>

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/03/harkin-if-obama-caves-on-_n_791589.html

:kick:

[whistler162]

1. Don't you mean Mr. Harkin that if Congress caves on taxes....

since it is up to Congress to pass the bill President Obama would be given to sign!

[Hello_Kitty]

3. Right. The President is powerless. eom

[Bluenorthwest]

4. So you see him as utterly powerless and passive?

He just signs what's he is 'given to sign'? They took his veto in the night when he was not looking, while they were also stealing his bully pulpit? Is that it?

[whistler162]

11. No I see many of you either clueless or playing at it!

but that is to be expected!

[Donnachaidh]

5. so basically all those backroom deals being worked on

has nothing to do with Obama, right?

Just like he had nothing to do with the dealmaking done with pharma and the insurance industries for that *historic* insurance protection reform passed recently?

Got a bridge, dude... :eyes: :sarcasm:

[whistler162]

12. Dude if you bought that bridge I am not surprised you

buy the rest of the garbage being generated!

[Donnachaidh]

13. enjoy that koolaid.

:eyes:

[Orsino]

7. Fuck, yeah.

The president may earn the greatest personal share of the blame, but Congress owns a much bigger piece of that pie.

[hlthe2b]

2. Oh, my dear Tom... You have said a mighty mouthful....

Whew boy....

[notesdev]

6. LOL

Obama could go on national TV dining on a different endangered species every night until Election Day 2012 and he'll still be the Democratic candidate.

[Skittles]

8. yup, we are stuck with him

:(

[msongs]

9. is there ANYTHING obama will actually fight for? hmmm nt

[Subdivisions]

10. As long as he continues to enrich and serve corporate masters and the rich,

he'll get his Palin. The Money Masters will hand her to him gift-wrapped.

[WillyT]

14. Kick !!!

:kick: