Now that attempts to limit the tax cut extension to incomes under $1 million, Dems in Congress have two options: Vote to extend them all, or let them all expire.
If they extend them all, then they look weak and "progressives" will heap scorn on them all, including the "AWOL Obamabush".
If they let them all expire, Republicans have vowed to filibuster everything else of substance through the end of the term. So nothing else gets done from now to Xmas. And then Republicans will claim that Democrats raised taxes on everyone, and make a big deal out of re-passing the "Republican tax cuts" next term. And so the threat to let them all expire is empty; not a threat at all, but an opportunity for the GOP.
the problem is basically the same: the democrats have no idea how to craft and communicate a message. right now they could be freaking out in from of all the sunday talk shows about how the GOP just voted against middle class tax cuts to protect their millionaire friends, and then trying to make that frame the debate from now on.
this is only an opportunity for the GOP because the democrats are completely incapable of taking any opportunities for themselves.
Posted by: upyernoz | December 05, 2010 at 05:50 PM
Maybe.
Posted by: Mithras | December 05, 2010 at 06:39 PM
"this is only an opportunity for the GOP because the democrats are completely incapable of taking any opportunities for themselves."
and let's face it, a lot of those democrats WANT those tax cuts extended. After all, almost every democrat (like almost ever republican) in the senate is a millionaire. There's self-interest at work too.
it's hard to be "freaking out in from of all the sunday talk shows about how the GOP just voted against middle class tax cuts to protect their millionaire friends" when you want the exact same thing, but can't say so.
Posted by: brendancalling | December 06, 2010 at 10:06 AM