The President's correct about his position and compromise

[bigtree]

I look forward to the transcript, but this is a sober and well-grounded defense of his efforts so far and his principles for the future.

[jaxx]

1. The President just told the country where he is going.

I wonder if those lagging behind will come along? If they're in it for the country, they will.

[bigtree]

2. that was awesome to listen to

just fascinating.

[NoodleyAppendage]

3. Ostrich...meet this patch of sand. n/t

J

[MineralMan]

4. Yours will not be a popular post, I predict.

Recced.

[malaise]

9. The unrecs are on the attack

The truth is that Obama made two promises - one was no new taxes for people earning 250,000 or less and the other was not to give the rich an extension of those tax cuts. It's painful that the rich got that extension but could the middle class take the increases at this time if he had let all the tax cuts expire.

[MineralMan]

13. Yes, maintaining the middle class tax cuts was a must. If they

had gone away, it would have added around $2000 to the average family's tax load. These days, that's undoable for many, including me. Add to that the extension of UI benefits, and there's some meat here for the typical person. Sadly, the extension for the 99ers wasn't in the bill. I hope they can make that a separate thing quickly.

Extending the tax cuts for the rich sucks. No question about it. The 2% cut in payroll taxes, I'm not sure about yet.

The bill is a mix of good and bad for most people. Hobson's choice, it seems. The next two years are going to be ugly, with the GOOPers in charge of the House and a smaller majority in the Senate. Reality bites. It's unfortunate we weren't able to hold the House. Turnout was a factor, for sure.

[Individualist]

5. Fail.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9713587&mesg_id=9713587

[Vinnie From Indy]

6. HA!

Obama explained quite clearly that the only thing the GOP has to do is threaten doom on the middle class and they get whatever the fuck they want. What is to prevent the GOP from holding other groups hostage in the future? Why would they give up a strategy that has worked brilliantly so far? Is there any doubt that the next big fight between Dems and the GOP will see the Republicans searching for some vulnerable group to hold hostage and get what they want?

Oh yeah, Obama laid a HUGE lie on America in this speech. He claimed he actually fought for the public option. That has been shown to be a lie. He cut a deal long before the legislation came to a vote.

[bigtree]

10. you should try and mail him your magic wand

[Vinnie From Indy]

11. I would simply offer to the President that at some point he has to throw a punch

He has kept his powder so dry for so long he probably forgot where he put it.

Again, Obama could have still caved on this issue AFTER a good fight. He never seriously tried to make this a national debate. There was no campaign style focus on this issue by the President.

[bigtree]

15. he can't be the king of Congress

They had a chance to act last year, but they were unable or unwilling to go to the lengths it would have taken to uncouple the upper-income and the middle/lower-income tax benefits. They drove us to this point and they're still looking like they're unable or unwilling to move forward. That just might suit some - not the President and not me.

[frylock]

16. that's a pragmatic solution

[asdjrocky]

7. LOL! Too classic! nt

[dennis4868]

8. Obama cannot win here at DU anymore

they expected him to be god and he is acting human and they hold this against him....only god can beat the fillubusters that prevents progressive programs....

[bigtree]

12. you know

I'm a bit bummed these days with the tone here, but I listened closely to the very human President explaining himself and I was inspired by his reasoning. It was almost exactly the argument I would have made. He did seem a bit stung by the dilemma he faces with functionally and ideologically limited Democratic majorities and an obstructionist republican opposition.

[MineralMan]

14. Yes. When you look at the realities of where we're going to be

for the next two years, getting some relief for middle-class families was crucial. I don't like giving breaks to the rich at all, but the other is essential, and we got that, at at least. It's going to be much harder next year. Much!