I just listened to President Obama

[Botany]

I might be wrong but in his heart I think he is trying to help the people and get
as much good as possible out of a bad situation. It might ruin his re-election
chances but I hope some people's suffering is helped a little bit.

[DrToast]

1. Letting the tax cuts expire would harm his relection chances much more.

The economy would worsen appreciably. And when that happens, voters don't really care/notice why. They just blame the people in charge.

[flamingdem]

2. Blame the psychotic, blackmailing republicans and the AMERICANS who voted for them nt

[DesertFlower]

7. i agree. nt

[polichick]

3. He did sound like he wanted to help those hit so hard...

There may or may not be more to it.

[myrna minx]

4. I think we watched two different speeches.

:-(

[marew]

12. I'm with you! n/t

[Cali_Democrat]

5. Letting the rethugs gain power in 2012 will only hurt the people in the long run. n/t

[DesertFlower]

6. i have to agree. he's not happy about it,

but it was the only way to extend unemployment and not raises taxes on the middle class.

[Botany]

8. Now I hope that after having to make this deal "steels his spine" and he ....

.... starts to fight and fight hard.

Some families will have some money to pay for food this Christmas and that
is worth something more than money.

[DesertFlower]

21. that's my feeling. nt

[gateley]

9. I always think that of him - that's he's doing what he feels helps

the most people and is best for our country.

But boy, do I disagree with the way he's handled a lot of things.

[ProSense]

10. I don't think this will have any impact

People are going to benefit and they're not going to remember the battle.

[Clio the Leo]

11. You're wrong on one thing...

... THIS moment will not ruin his re-election chances.

[Zenlitened]

13. I think you're probably right, re making the best of a bad situation.

He's been thoroughly, 100% backed into a corner: no room to bluff, no room to feint, no room to do maneuver at all. Letting unemployment insurance benefits expire just is not an option, nor is breaking his promise that middle class taxes would not go up.

I don't blame Pres. Obama alone for this situation, although I blame him plenty. I also blame the entire Democratic "leadership" in Washington.

It didn't have to be this way. It didn't have to come to this, if anyone down there had even a shred of political sense to spare on something other than raking in campaign contributions.

I have never seen politics (let alone actual governance) played so stupidly, so ineptly, in my entire life.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

14. no, he made a bad situation worse.

it is that simple

[DrToast]

15. Well said. It shouldn't have come to this, but it did.*

*

[chimpymustgo]

16. Can I get some of what you're smoking? I really need it tonight.

[OHdem10]

17. He just won the 2912 re-election bid.

I have had my pitchfork and torches ready.

I watched Pres Obama carefully tonight. He got a lot
out of the deal and showed he can hold his own with
an immovable Republican Party. The Republicans would
have held the Middle Class Hostage. Obama seized the
moment and got more than I ever thought the Republicans
would give him. He got a lot of the stimulus extended.
Small Business Tax write offs for expenses is big.
He means real small business.

No, I am not happy over the extensions of Bush Tax cuts
for the wealthy and estate tax. At least they are
not permanent. This is big. I feared he would roll
and make it permanent .

I do believe the average Americans, not activists like us,
will embrace it and believe the President did the best
he could.

[JamesA1102]

19. 2912 re-election bid? Is Obama immortal? LOL nt

[Phx_Dem]

20. Very well said. I agree.

I can't stomache Republicans, in general, but I have nothing against rich people. I just think we can't afford to give them tax cuts they don't need. But the Republicans have shown time and again that they don't give a rat's ass about poor, middle-class or unemployed Americans. And there is no way to threatened or beat them into submission. They would gleefully allow them all tax cuts and unemployment benefits to expire and never lose a moment's peace over it.

Thankfully, Democrats and,in particular, President Obama, have a conscience and they cannot and willnot allow people who have already suffered so much to suffer more, just so hye can stick to the Republicans.

[Phx_Dem]

18. He always does what he thinks is right, and this will have no negative

impact on his re-election chances. In fact, it will help. There are alot of other middle-class tax cuts in this package in addition to the general tax rate cut (incl. a 2 percent payroll tax cut and tuition tax cuts) and these, in addition to the unemployment benefits, will play a huge role is driving the economic recovery. In fact, I think we'll see a stronger than anticipated recovery next year.

If the economy is in a "healthy" place, Obama will have no problem with re-election. With or without the few PUMA progressives that hate him anyway.

[impik]

22. It will not ruin anything. His numbers will just go up now

People can see who is the only one in Washington who is actually serious about solving problems.