Obama To House: "I've got this pen. I'm ready to sign the bill right away."

[kpete]

Delivering a statement on the economy on Friday, President Obama urged Congress to extend Bush-era tax cuts on the middle class "right now," while talks on a broader deficit reduction package continue with top Republicans.

"If Congress fails to make an agreement...everybody's taxes will automatically go up on January 1st," Obama said.

"All we need is action from the House," Obama added. "I've got the pen. I'm ready to sign the bill right away."

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-calls-on-extending-middle-class-tax-cuts?ref=fpa

[godai]

1. Not exactly strong leadership.

I'd prefer he put forward specific demands for Congress to meet or negotiate. Not sure what inviting Repubs to the White House will accomplish.

[Recursion]

2. That's what he did. He told the House to pass the Senate bill (nt)

[godai]

4. Extend the Bush tax cuts...problem solved. n/t

[Recursion]

10. For 97% of households

Personally, I'd rather just let them all go (the upper income cuts are 800 billion, but the middle income cuts are 2 trillion), but 800 billion is a good bit of grist for the mill, anyways.

[godai]

21. How about something new...phase out all the Bush tax cuts.

High income now...others over 5 years. The revenue is needed now or eventually.

[Qutzupalotl]

24. That's what he's doing.

High income now. When the economy recovers, the rest.

[godai]

26. What I've heard is Obama saying to make the lower tax cuts PERMANENT. n/t

[ProudProgressiveNow]

34. Yes...

Yes, he laid it on the table.

[mac56]

3. Seriously?!

Noted.

[MineralMan]

5. On the contrary. It is concise, to the point, and firm.

Exactly what is needed at this particular moment. It's a challenge to the House. All they have to do is pass the Senate bill. You knew about that bill, right?

[DonRedwood]

7. +1

[Dawgs]

6. Agree. Asking is not leading. n/t

[Skidmore]

8. You can ask while showing your fangs.

Which is what he did. He was asking for something specific to be given to him--the Senate bill.

[godai]

11. He needs to show his fangs at a press conference...answer questions. n/t

[Dawgs]

22. That's fine, but asking and doing are two different things.

Let's just wait until this is over before we decide that he's new and better in his second term.

[jberryhill]

31. Banging a shoe on a table is so effective though....

[MineralMan]

9. You are incorrect. The wise leader always asks that people do things.

It's a fundamental part of leadership. Put your orders in the form of a request. That's a basic thing taught in all schools of management. It encourages cooperation. Commands encourage resistance.

[Dawgs]

16. BS. Real leadership is following through on what you say.

Fool me once, shame on you...

[MineralMan]

20. Yes, indeed it is.

As for being fooled, it's not a habit of mine. Seeya.

[shraby]

12. As far as I can see in the op, Obama didn't "ask" anything. He told them to pass

the bill and he has the pen to sign it with. Otherwise, taxes will automatically go up on Jan. 1.

[Dawgs]

13. Is that different than the last time he drew a line? n/t

[godai]

15. Post #9 indicates wise leaders don't do that. n/t

[Qutzupalotl]

32. Wow, two different posters characterized that differently. n/t

[DonRedwood]

14. And telling them puts the power in their hands--they don't do it, Obama looks weak.

Obama retains control of the conversation by asking. He continues on the same message gaining strength.

Telling means he has to wait to see if they do it. If they don't then what? He tells them again? THen he asks? begs?

Obama is a chess player and by asking he sets them up for check or checkmate.

You have to remember what the real issue is for that chunk of the Republican Congress: they don't do what a black man tells them. And they won't budge because the south elects the guy with the R behind his name period. Scott DesJarlais got reelected after banging his patient, having four mistresses, knocked up a patient, taped a conversation where he was pushing her to have an abortion and played that for his wife who divorced him.

Those kind of people don't budge. So, Obama is going to ask for the support of the Republicans who might be swayed. I'm OK with that. (for now...but I do hope he goes on attack here in a few more days)

[godai]

17. OK..first step to get them to do SOMETHING or he can accuse them of inaction.

That's probably what this is all about. Kind of a trial balloon to get a response from the House. But, I believe that, soon, Obama needs to put forward specific proposals beyond what's already in the pipeline.

[Dawgs]

18. Agree. I think it's too early to give him the title of 'ultimate leader'

Too many of us have been burned by his other 'lines in the sand' comments.

We'll see if he follows through this time.

[Firebirds01]

19. He is coming off of huge momentum

from the win. We even took extra house seats so this is clear mandate. Its like staring down the opposing team after you score a 90 yard touchdown. Better to politly ask them to get of their ass now while the going is good and people are still focused on the republican defeat. I could be wrong though.

[rhett o rick]

38. Leadership is not "demanding", esp when he has no hammer. He cant force Congress to do anything. nm

[godai]

23. President Obama. Here's a new idea. A defense tax.

This would be an x% payroll tax for those with incomes above say, $250k. Let them pay for the additional defense spending if they are so in favor of it.

[tk2kewl]

25. Wield that Big Stick Bro!

[fugop]

27. Heh.

Three days after the election. Check. First address pushing for change. Check. DU thread with people already crapping on the president's lack of strong leadership and whining that he's not doing enough. Fuckin' check.

Jeebus. I just can't stand it.

[godai]

28. Actually it's been 4 years and 3 days. The same person is President...same Congress. n/t

[fugop]

35. Wrong.

He's not the same president. Wake up. He's learned things he could only learn on the job. He's got the leverage that comes from tax cuts expiring even if he does NOTHING. And perhaps most important, he no longer has to try and please the left and the right and everyone in between because the elections are OVER! No need to campaign ever again. Now we'll see, I suspect, what he's really made of. (Hint: I think it's strong stuff, not weak.)

So right now, we have no idea how BO will govern yet. He's got a completely different dynamic guiding him. Will he be stronger? Weaker? More progressive? Less? Guess what? WE DON'T KNOW!

But by all means, proceeeeed, governor. Assume you know from this one speech that the president is weak. I'm not buying it. But it's your right, so enjoy.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

29. Right there with you.

I sincerely believe the President is not going to allow us to get screwed.

Not one stroke of the pen and people are already shitting themselves as if it's the end of the world.

Until we have a supermajority, people need to sit down and shut the hell up about what they want out of this second term. Because with a Republican House, things are not going to be easy. We didn't elect a dictator.

[Jamaal510]

30. This.

[SidDithers]

33. Obama will veto any bill extending tax cuts for those making more than $250K...

https://twitter.com/AP/status/266984601086459907

Sid

[AlinPA]

36. Seriously, will any republicans go to the White House? Teabaggers will go berserk if Boehner or

McConnell go there to meet with the President.

[Autumn]

37. Let all of those tax cuts expire. All of them.

Have a new bill ready to go on Jan 1 with stand alone tax cuts for the poor and middle class. Fuck the agreement from the house.

[rhett o rick]

39. I agree. nm