TPM: Jim DeMint (R) says "No Way!" to the Deal (Club for Growth, too)

[housewolf]

Two Major Conservative Obstacles Emerge To Tax Cut Compromise

Two key obstacles emerged Tuesday night to the passage of President Obama's tax cut compromise with the GOP. Except this time they come from the right: The influential anti-tax group Club for Growth and conservative kingmaker Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) both came out in opposition to the agreement, threatening the breadth of Republican support for the plan.

...

Asked whether he'd support the legislation, and oppose a filibuster to it, DeMint answered, simply, "no" to both questions. "It raises taxes, it raises the death tax. I don't think we needed to negotiate that aspect of this thing away," DeMint said. "I don't think we need to extend unemployment any further without paying for it, and without making some modifications such as turning it into a loan at some point." DeMint, who's holding out for a permanent extension of the Bush tax cuts, wouldn't say how much support he has, but hinted it could be substantial: "I think there's going to be a lot of fallout on the Republican side, and I suspect even on the Democrat side," he said.

Here's why this matters: Both the Club and DeMint are hugely influential among Republicans, particularly conservatives. And it's quickly becoming clear that this plan is going to have to pass with very significant Republican support. If Republican support for this plan bleeds down too far, the whole plan would be scuttled, and it would be back to the drawing board, with the Bush tax cuts scheduled to expire in just over three weeks.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/two-major-conservative-obstacles-emerge-to-tax-cut-compromise.php?ref=fpblg

[TwilightGardener]

1. They might let this whole thing die, which would delight many here--

however, I don't think we'll like what we get in January. And then Obama just raised taxes on everyone plus your grandma--they'd love that.

[obliviously]

2. I thought these Bush tax cuts didn't

effect any of us in lower income brackets, much of our campaigning surrounded this fact, am I missing something here?

[TwilightGardener]

3. I think it will affect the middle class, depending on what bracket you're in.

IF the cuts expire on Dec. 31st, that is.

[housewolf]

4. Bush cut taxes in 2001 & 2003

and yes, there were tax cuts for everyone, including the middle tax - but not as large of cuts as what the higher income earners received

[obliviously]

5. That wasn't what I heard in the first place

I guess all we can do is wait and see.

[howaboutme]

7. Good let them expire

Let the estate tax go back to 55% and I'm more than willing to pay another $1000 if the Wall Street Goldman bankers each pay another >100K. It's time those who can pay start paying down the debt.

[wtmusic]

6. EXACTLY what I thought would happen

Obama compromises, then they tell him it's not good enough...time to compromise again.

Our President is severely negotiation-challenged.

[aquart]

8. SUNSET. Then let's see who sweats more.

[ingac70]

9. +1