I'm not a huge fan of Obama, nor have I ever been.

[Skip Intro]

Not in the primaries, not in most of his actions since winning the election.

But I have to say this, there would have been no hope for the long-term unemployed without some compromise on the bush tax cuts. I was expecting a three year extension, glad to see that it is only for two, making this sure to be an issue in the 2012 election cycle.

In my estimation, he did what he had to do in order to protect the most vulnerable among us.

I can find fault with Obama in many areas, not the least of which is the health care reform pr debacle which I believe lead to the drubbing we took this past November. But I find it very hard to criticize this supposed tax cuts/unemployment deal.

[polichick]

1. If the prez had said a month ago that he would use the veto pen...

We'd be looking at extensions for couples up to $250,000 or maybe a million.

He signaled this from the beginning - that's not "compromise" - that's folding before you fight.

[Fresh_Start]

2. The deal should have been one year for one year

not 2 years for the haves and 1 year for the have nots

They should have been tied in time.

[pnorman]

17. Getting "numeral equivalency" in time frames, is a meaningless goal.

But getting that UI extension right now, WHEN IT IS MOST NEEDED, most certainly is!

And 2012? I wonder how much Corporate $$$$$ is being funneled into the "Dump Obama in 2012"! movement!

[jefferson_dem]

3. Good post.

:thumbsup:

[styersc]

4. Well said.

There are still issues on the table. DADT, START, Dream Act. Stop the belly-button gazing and take advantage of the few weeks of our majority in the House and Senate.

[xchrom]

5. The thing is -- by weakness did he lead us into this?

Good leaders routinely work on members of their
Own party to get the desired results.

Do we have evidence of the admin working
On dems to get better results?

[zulchzulu]

6. Obama's enemies are within his own party and they are the enemies of progressives

The Blue Dogs and the limp Democrats who have been complying with the Republicans on votes are the reason many think that Obama is "weak".

IT'S THEM!

Look at the mainstream media. They fully comply and extend the RNC's agenda at all cost because they are cowards as well.

[valerief]

7. Why doesn't this president and liberals in Congress (as liberal as they can be) play dirty?

Don't they have enough to threaten the obstructionist clowns with? Doesn't blackmail work anymore?

Geez, I'm so pissed!!!!!

[rurallib]

8. I must say one thing - there is no depth republicans won't sink to

anymore.
Holding the unemployed hostage was about as low as anyone could sink
There must not be one cell of common decency in that whole party.

[angee_is_mad]

9. Thank you

kick and recommend!

[jenmito]

10. Thanks. K&R. n/t

[Clio the Leo]

11. Thank you and if it's any reassurance....

... word on the street is the GOP tried for a three year deal, WH wouldn't even entertain the offer.

[Kind of Blue]

12. Well said!

KnR. This has got to be on the highest rung of the most despicable Republican actions.

[angee_is_mad]

13. shameful that one has to put a disclaimer out

stating how much one wasn't a supporter of the democratic President on a democratic (?) forum so as not to get attack, before giving him credit.

Has it really come to this? Really?

[Skip Intro]

14. No disclaimer, simply a synopsis of my support of Obama. Point was, that even with that,

I support what he has done here.

If you're calling into question my support of the party and its various nominees, I'd invite you to look over my eight year's of postings on this Democratic board. (you might have to search posts by "nu_duer" as well, as that was my moniker until 2004-2005).

You may have a point to make, but please don't use me as a stage prop.

On edit, I don't really care now, nor have I ever, about being "attacked." I speak my mind. And that's really all there is here.

[slay]

15. I'm certainly not a fan of his now

this can and should be handled differently. the unemployeed were used as pawns - and i think it gave Obama the cover to keep the bush tax cuts. i no longer believe Obama is on our side. this is bullshit and i hope Bernie Sanders, Alan Grayson, Al Franken, Dennis Kucinich, Nancy Pelosi and others do everything in their power to NOT let this latest sell out by Obama pass! Something about this forum right here that just screams ...........

I don't buy your argument for one second Skip. Not one second.

[jeanpalmer]

16. He didn't help the long-term unemployed very much

The limit on benefits will still be 99 weeks. No help there. And anyone who has received benefits for more than 43 weeks will have the weeks in eccess of 43 subtracted from the 13-month total. With this deal, he wrote off the long-term unemployed. They're on their own.

How hard was it to sell an extension for everyone just before Christmas?

[Ikonoklast]

18. Please show me when the long-term unemployed *never* ran out of benefits.

Any time in this nations's history.

Thanks in advance.