Reply #4: Krugman is right that the tax cuts for the rich shouldn't be extended, but

[ProSense]

he also knows damn well there is going to be a compromise. Democrats are working on one. It's not a secret.

The President wants the middle-class tax cuts expanded, and most Americans agree with him. Very few want all the tax cuts to expire. Krugman doesn't have to worry about the cost of taxes going up for 98 percent of Americans. It's surprising how big a stink people made about a modest freeze, but they're willing to impose more suffering (up to $5,000) on the majority of Americans.

Then there are all the other political realities that Krugman's statement doesn't address, such as extending unemployment. He will be the first to label the President uncaring if this situation drags out. From someone who made the point that people can't expect the President to make Lieberman act less like Lieberman during the health care debate, he has to understand that anything that passes requires compromise. Democrats need Republican votes. If Krugman wants to spell out exactly how Democrats should achieve the President's goals without compromise, he can do so. Simply stating that there should be no compromise is an easy and cheap copout.

They are going to do what they can to secure the middle-class tax cuts and other key programs related to the stimulus and unemployment.

No one knows the details of that deal.