Dem (Rep. Peter DeFazio) predicts end of Obama presidency

[sabra]

Source: CNN

(CNN) - Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, on Wednesday claimed President Obama put pressure on Democrats to vote for a controversial extension of Bush-era tax cuts, saying it would be "the end of his presidency," but the White House says it's not true.

In an interview with CNN's Eliot Spitzer on "Parker Spitzer," DeFazio said "The White House is putting on tremendous pressure, making phone calls; the president's making phone calls saying that's the end of his presidency if he doesn't get this bad deal."

Asked by CNN's Kathleen Parker if he had personally received such a phone call, DeFazio said he had not, adding, "I won't name the members cause they said this to me, you know, not for public disclosure, I talked to one member who had that call."

DeFazio argued the plan would harm the administration, and called the deal with Republicans a "trap."

"I think this is potentially the end of his possibility of getting reelected if he gets this deal and it's a trap," DeFazio said. "It's a trap on social security and on progressivity in our tax system, and a tax on huge cuts to programs we care about because this adds half a trillion bucks to the deficit next year."

White House spokesman Amy Brundage countered DeFazio's comments.

"He (President Obama) hasn’t said anything remotely close to that and he’s never talked with DeFazio about the issue," Brundage said.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/15/dem-obama-says-not-passing-tax-deal-would-be-end-of-his-presidency/

[TwilightGardener]

1. "Don't think we're not keeping score, brother.." Obama and DeFazio are not buddies.

[disillusioned73]

8. I had to g00gle that quote.. thanks

http://www.blueoregon.com/2009/04/obama-to-defazio-dont-think-were-not-keeping-score-brother/

[Crazy Dave]

2. I agree, it's a trap by republicans

And with the always predictable short term memories of 99% of Americans, the republicans are going to use the tax breaks as a weapon against Obama in 2012. They will be reminding every American, every day, on the TV and the radio that the deficit is higher now thanks to Obama and that Obama even told his own party and people on Social Security "screw you" in order to extend the tax breaks and drive up the deficit.

Bookmark this thread so that come campaign season you'll see that I was right.

[SnakeEyes]

11. I agree that it's a trap

I think this is the Republican version of getting George H.W. Bush to renege on "Read my lips..."

[cyclezealot]

15. Kuddos..

It is a trap.. O'Bama is foolish enough to not realize everything the gobbers do, is anything but a trap.!.

[xxqqqzme]

36. No need to bookmark, I agree

completely. The rethugs will use the payroll tax 'holiday' in more ways than you can count. Luntz must be giddy in anticipation.

[Mass]

3. In fact, according to the article, it is Obama who predicts the end of the presidency,

which in itself is a little bit weird. De Fazio seems to be relying on somebody else's memory to make this claim.

[Still a Democrat]

4. "I talked to one member who had that call."

Wow. A second hand account of one call. And the member must not be named.

[brentspeak]

14. DeFazio doesn't have a history of making things up

Obama, on the other hand...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/obama-demands-the-bill-i-sign-must-include-public-option.php">"Any plan I sign must include...a public option"

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/us/politics/08obama.html">September, 2010: Obama firmly against a compromise on Bush tax cuts

http://belowthebeltway.com/2007/08/22/barack-obama-flunks-geopolitics/">"I would immediately call the president of Mexico, the president of Canada, to try to amend NAFTA"

has zero credibility.

Conclusion: DeFazio's telling the truth.

[Poll_Blind]

19. DeFazio is the Real Deal. He doesn't bullshit and he works for The People.

Straight up.

PB

[Crazy Dave]

32. I recommend your reply x 1000

:thumbsup:

[gratuitous]

35. Yeah, if this is a credibility contest

I think the president has shot his credibility full of holes. Rep. DeFazio is a straight shooter with a much longer pedigree.

It will be very interesting to see what happens should the House change the Senate bill at all, such that those sweet, sweet tax breaks for the wealthy become endangered. How fast do you suppose the moribund Senate will act if it looks like Paris Hilton will have to pay an additional three cents in taxes for every dollar she "earns" above a quarter million a year? Or if J. Frederick Gotbucks might have to pass on something less than several hundred million dollars to his progeny, Biff and Tiff?

[emulatorloo]

17. Should have gone with "I read it somewhere on the internet!"

[jillan]

5. All of this is so infuriating. Even if it's not true, the fact that Dems are gossiping in public

about what goes on behind the scenes in the Dem party is horrid.

It's really a shame that the party that has all the right ideas is so horrible at being in power. And that the party that knows how to be powerful is destroying our country.

[AndrewP]

34. Perfectly said.

That's exactly what is horrible about all of this.

[Bumblebee]

6. A very misleading headline. DeFazio is not predicting anything.

[dhpgetsit]

29. Exactly

Fox News loves to use misleading headlines and teasers. People who see the headlines and crawlers get a constant barrage of misinformation.

[disillusioned73]

7. At least he had the cojones to go on the record with

a strong opinion. While the timid cower to DLC pressure...

"It's a trap on social security and on progressivity in our tax system, and a tax on huge cuts to programs we care about because this adds half a trillion bucks to the deficit next year."

2012 is not going to be very pretty

[emulatorloo]

18. A made up phone call?

[ixion]

9. The tax cut thing is low on my list of gripes I have with Obama. The endless 'wars' and

continuation of Bush era 'terror' policies, and his lack of interest in restoring the Rule of Law, are my primary beefs.

[asjr]

10. Each time I get upset with Pres. Obama I stop

and remember what it would have been like to have McCain and Palin at the helm of our boat. It so easily could have happened.

[rhett o rick]

13. Why do you thing the oligarchs allowed Palin and ShitHead to win the nomination?

Why do you think Idiot Son and The Torturer stepped down quietly? Things arent always as they seem.

[Poll_Blind]

12. I salute Rep. DeFazio and Sen. Wyden, two Oregonians trying to stop this madness.

Wyden was one of the few Nay votes in the Senate yesterday, BTW. Both of them are courageous individuals and I wish all of us could have representatives this real.

The truth contained in a passing comment by DeFazio has more weight with me than an oath from Obama.

PB

[emulatorloo]

16. "Asked f he had personally received such a phone call, DeFazio said he had not" LOL

"Asked by CNN's Kathleen Parker if he had personally received such a phone call, DeFazio said he had not

[Renew Deal]

20. It would have been pretty bad if it didn't pass.

So it's possible.

[Donnachaidh]

21. what a misleading op title!

Totally shameless spin.

[Poll_Blind]

26. Agreed- it's Obama predicting the end of his presidency, not DeFazio.

PB

[Myrina]

22. .. and when it goes through, and people really realize what it does to them ...

... is will be the end of his Presidency. Certainly the end of any hopes he had for re-election, barring a major miracle between now and summer 2012 ...

[bonniebgood]

31. It will end Obama presidency alright

because the trap, from jump, is to abolish the democratic party for allowing SocSec to be destroyed. Haven't we learned yet that this white house hates the democrats?

[treestar]

23. Jan. 20, 2013 or Jan. 20, 2017

He can take his pick.

[PBS Poll-435]

24. Grateful that Merkley ran and won in 08 rather than DeFazio

Who will have less power than the Capitol parking police in the 112th.

[dhpgetsit]

25. I think your headline is extremely misleading.

[Poll_Blind]

27. Agreed- it's Obama predicting the end of his presidency, not DeFazio.

PB

[BlueIris]

28. Self-delete. I give up.

Either my brain is fried or I've read too many tax deal abomination stories this week. Or both. Probably both.

[Poll_Blind]

30. Oregon's most senior member of Congress, dean of Oregon's House of Rep. delegation and well-known...

...straight-shooter. As one of his constituents, I have never known him to bullshit or exaggerate. I am very proud to have him as my Rep. The ball's in Obama's court.

PB

[Ganja Ninja]

33. His Presidency is done.

When the Nancy Pelosi and the House revolted after he announced his big deal - he was done. When he had to bring in Bill Clinton to try and sell it, he was abdicating his leadership position - even more done! When a Democrat can score points with the electorate by dissing him - you can stick a fork in him, he's done! I wouldn't be surprised if he resigned before 2012.

[xxqqqzme]

37. Agree - but you do know

it is ALL going to be our fault?