Question: To those who think the Cliff is the best solution...

[Major Nikon]

21. Here's some important things to remember

For one thing, the President has the option of making the witholding effective immediately or delaying the onset of any withholding changes. So if Obama thinks a middle class tax deal will be reached (and it's hard to imagine it won't) he could delay the effect of tax withholding which would negate at least the immediate tax implications for most folks. As far as government spending goes, sequestration is different than other budget stalemates because this too doesn't have to take effect immediately since government budgets will be cut rather than stalled.

Obama really holds all the cards on this one. At the first of the year the argument for preserving the Bush tax cuts vanish because they will no longer exist. From there it will just be a matter of negotiating a tax cut and the cons won't easily be able to say no to that. Since Obama has already extended the olive branch only to have the cons throw it on the floor and stomp on it, they won't find much traction with the public on trying to pin any negative consequences on Democrats.