WH e-mail about President's NC visit to discuss economy

[ProSense]

Via Greg Sargent

FROM A WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL:

The most important contest we face as a nation is not between Democrats and Republicans but between America and our economic competitors around the world. The President will visit a community college in North Carolina that has shown how to better prepare workers to compete and win in a global economy. He will also call on leaders in Congress, American businesses and the private sector to work with him in helping America achieve the next "Sputnik" moment by investing in education, innovation, and infrastructure. The President will also renew his opposition to even a temporary extension of the Bush tax cuts if it does not include an extension of benefits for the unemployed and extensions of the other tax cuts that benefit middle class families. Without them, taxes would still rise for 95 percent of Americans. He will discuss the need to accelerate our recovery and make the tough choices necessary to reduce our deficit in the long run. Over the coming weeks and months, the President will continue to visit companies, community colleges and training programs during his White House to Main Street tours and he will meet with business leaders, elected officials and the private sector to discuss the steps we can take together to accelerate job creation and make America more competitive in the 21st century.

[Enrique]

1. it's between the rich and the non-rich

which side is Obama on?

[ProSense]

2. The

unemployed.

[saracat]

3. Krugman is right"Lets not make a deal". Obama isn't even on his own side at this point!

[ProSense]

4. Krugman is right that the tax cuts for the rich shouldn't be extended, but

he also knows damn well there is going to be a compromise. Democrats are working on one. It's not a secret.

The President wants the middle-class tax cuts expanded, and most Americans agree with him. Very few want all the tax cuts to expire. Krugman doesn't have to worry about the cost of taxes going up for 98 percent of Americans. It's surprising how big a stink people made about a modest freeze, but they're willing to impose more suffering (up to $5,000) on the majority of Americans.

Then there are all the other political realities that Krugman's statement doesn't address, such as extending unemployment. He will be the first to label the President uncaring if this situation drags out. From someone who made the point that people can't expect the President to make Lieberman act less like Lieberman during the health care debate, he has to understand that anything that passes requires compromise. Democrats need Republican votes. If Krugman wants to spell out exactly how Democrats should achieve the President's goals without compromise, he can do so. Simply stating that there should be no compromise is an easy and cheap copout.

They are going to do what they can to secure the middle-class tax cuts and other key programs related to the stimulus and unemployment.

No one knows the details of that deal.

[saracat]

10. Hmm. Just like the "deal" with Big Pharma.

[ProSense]

11. You mean the deal

that resulted in 58 millions seniors each receiving a $250 check?

[saracat]

12. Wow.And in return they have to pay higher prices for drugs! Whoopee!

[potpolpilot]

13. Obama lays it ALL down: 'Give me $18 bil for the unemployed & Repubs get $700 Bil for the rich'

Obama..The Deal Maker...me thinks he needs a $1.99 calculator.

[ProSense]

14. Wrong

Tax cuts for the rich are not $700 billion per three months.

Also, no deal has been announced.

[potpolpilot]

15. You think Obama, The Dealmaker, will mirror the tax breaks w/ the unemployment ext. time frame???

Not likely.

[ProSense]

16. You were the one comparing $18 billion to $700 billion. n/t

[Clio the Leo]

9. exactly nt

[VMI Dem]

5. The rich.

[ProSense]

6. I suppose that's why

he's for extending the tax cuts for the rich permanently? Maybe he should do it and prove everyone right. Then they can say I told you so.

[VMI Dem]

7. "permanently"

:rofl:

[ProSense]

8. Why is that funny? n/t