Why did he do it? Why did he cave to the GOP on the tax cuts?

[xultar]

I'm looking for answers.

[leftstreet]

Checkmate

[xultar]

6. In my brain I know. In my heart I'm broken, I'm angry.

[regnaD kciN]

30. True. Unfortunately, in politics, you have to use your brain more than your heart...

Right now, the biggest problem the left has is that, even when the only clear choice given the circumstances (in other words, the "brain" part) is to cut the best deal possible, our emotions (the "heart" part) let that anger overflow and cause us to turn those on the same side into our "enemies" -- with predictably-disastrous results. Just as happened last month, it won't take too many progressives being "angry" enough to stay home from the polls in 2012 to hand everything right back to the Republicans.

The fact is, we tried to pass a tax-cut extension for the middle-class alone. We failed -- we didn't have the votes to break a Republican filibuster. Given the political makeup of the next Congress, we're unlikely to be able to do better. So the choice is between cutting a deal now or letting everything expire, causing major suffering to the already-struggling middle class, and reaping their wrath as "the party that raised our taxes while we were barely making ends meet" (for, even while that isn't strictly true, that will be the meme that will take hold). It strikes me that there's only one possible solution, on both a pragmatic and a moral level -- even if it doesn't provide the emotional satisfaction of telling the G.O.P. to take a hike. Let's remember that, and not punish our own leaders for getting the best possible outcome for us, even if it is the lesser of several evils.

[littlewolf]

26. Basically it looks like this ....

1. let the tax cuts expire .. everyones taxes go up and the GOP uses this as a new club to
beat Obama and the Democratic party to death with in 2012 ...

2. Extend the tax cuts and piss off the base ...

3. rock and hard place ... can't win situation ...

[BzaDem]

1. So a 4 person family making 40k/year total doesn't lose 2.5k this year and 2.5k next year in the

worst economy since the great depression?

[bigtree]

15. that doesn't fit the narrative here

Apparently, folks here are comfortable speaking for those tens of millions of Americans ans are willing to tell them that they don't need those dollars; those child care credits; will have to accept a revival of the Marriage penalty . . . Apparently, rich people aren't the only ones many DUers would deny tax breaks. 98% of Americans get a big FU from folks here.

[regnaD kciN]

29. Good to see some people here get it...

[Atticus]

33. "98% of Americans get a big FU from folks here." That is 100%

bullshit and you know it!

"At long last, sir, have you no decency?"

[hfojvt]

16. is there no pig you are not willing to put lipstick on?

You sound like Bush, you know. He also sold his tax cuts as all about the poor working people.

Put me down for a no sale.

[bigtree]

18. so, they don't exist?

Or, do they? You don't think these middle-class Americans should have these tax breaks? You'd be willing to let them expire? That sounds more like 'Bush' to me.

[BzaDem]

21. The tax cuts didn't make sense in the economy of 2001.

But the economy of 2010 is much worse. Taking thousands from families at the poverty line (or anywhere near the poverty line) is taking money directly out of consumer demand, since it is otherwise money they would spend.

They should be extended for a few years, and then they should all expire in a year or two when the economy is actually growing again.

[tabatha]

2. I am just hoping, probably unrealistically

that he has shown that he tried to work with the Republicans as much as possible, but the deal was still unacceptable to some Dems and it will be defeated.

[TwilightGardener]

3. They didn't play their hand correctly, left with no good choices after the elections.

[immoderate]

23. That's his best play right now, maybe.

I don't like it. But his strategy(?) has left him backed in a corner. From his point of view, he doesn't want to attack Republicans over the fallen bodies of the unemployed. Calling their bluff means casualties. That's the main time constrained issue AFAICS. DADT, I hope, will be killed by the courts, if necessary.

--imm

[Individualist]

4. DLC: "Yes, we can collaborate."

http://www.dlc.org/
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45020.html

[allmylove]

5. The conservatives smell weakness

and they go for the jugular

[KharmaTrain]

7. Cause He Worked His Way Into A Lose-Lose Situation...

It's either let the cuts expire and get hammered by the right wing corporate media of raising everyone's taxes...and not get any additional benefits for those whose unemployment or take whatever deal (out of weakness) they can. Also throw in START as 67 votes are needed for that and none would be happening if the cuts for the rich weren't extended. It's true political hardball and President Obama put himself in a weak position and is grabbing for whatever he can get.

The ugly truth here is these may be the last meaningful things passed for the next two years as the rushpublicans will try to obstruct or propose legislation to dismantle every social program. The snswer is not a pretty one as the obstinate rushpublicans have bullied this administration into more and more compromises with little to show in return.

Think on this one...do you let 2 million people lose their benefits with hundreds of thousands more to join that list every month? For some it's the principal...for millions of others its keeping a roof over their head and stomaches fed. It's a shame this administration and Democrats have allowed themselves to be shoved into this corner, but here we are...

Cheers...

[cascadiance]

17. The real question to ask is how much they got paid to "get backed in to this corner."

Sometimes it is really hard to read what many of these democrats real agenda is there.

Lobbyist money always has one second guessing what is really going on, especially when with the Democratic side of the fence, what the lobbyists once is so often at odds with what the Democratic constituency wants.

I think many of us are fed up with them being too "stupid" or "gutless" when in reality is that many of them are probably in bed with these guys to the point that any of them that really do want to change things have their hands tied. We really need to find a way to primary these guys more effectively so that we can take back control of this party that's on the edge of the cliff now.

[KharmaTrain]

19. It's Always About The Money...

Right now many of these congresscritters and senators are looking at their campaign coffers. Those who just went through a tedious and costly election need to refill those accounts and fast. The $25 and $50 checks just don't cut it. It's even worse this time around thanks to Citizens United that surely upped the ante in 2012. As "altruistic" as they may appear, politicians care about their jobs and keeping it. The electors only matter in the closing weeks of a campaign...after the money is collected. Right now a call from a lobbyist with an open check book gets answered, our calls go into voice mail.

Cheers...

[WiffenPoof]

25. I Agree...

It wasn't that long ago that people were saying that the Republican party was on life support...that it would take years for them to recover. They almost appear stronger than ever now.

-PLA

[kgnu_fan]

8. He may be under threat, or he may have been one of them from the beginning, I don't know...

[MindandSoul]

32. Thank you! I thought I was the only one crazy enough to think that!

But I really don't understand what else could motivate him to give up his base entirely, to give up any hope for a second term, and even to give up his integrity and his self esteem.

A threat. . .to him or to his family.

[Bluebear]

9. Maybe he's not caving. Given how he admires Reagan, maybe it's what he really desires.

[Monique1]

11. I have not hear Obama cave in

Where or where are you?

[Bluebear]

14. What does "Where or where are you?" mean?

:crazy:

[charlie]

20. Where oh where are you tonight?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfdnhnjlsAk

[Bluebear]

22. - - -

:spray: and :rofl:

[Bluebear]

34. Did you hear him or did you hear him tonight?

[samplegirl]

10. Once they get what they want....

they will move on for impeachment!

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dkofos]

13. Because he really isn't in charge. And those that are told him to.

[Gold Metal Flake]

24. Because he is a conservative.

Wake up.

[Dappleganger]

27. The fact that you're asking why

just shows you haven't been paying attention to the actions of the president during his tenure. Why don't you ask HIM--surely, nobody here can decipher what his intentions are except for himself.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MindandSoul]

31. So am I. I even looked into some sort of "conspiracy theory."

I even thought that, to do such a stupid and unnecessary thing, someone was holding a gun to his head. . .or worse. . a gun to his darling daughters' head.

I am at a lost for words, a lost for explanations.

It just isn't the same man we elected. Something really bad happened to him.
I resent his attitude, and at the same time I feel deeplys sorry for him. He looks broken.