GOP spokesman: Senate GOP to block Obama tax plan

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans will oppose any effort to renew soon-to-expire Bush administration tax cuts if upper income taxpayers are excluded from the reductions.

A spokesman for Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell says the Kentucky Republican has pledges from every Senate Republican to filibuster President Barack Obama's plan to allow the top income tax rate to rise back to almost 40 percent on family or small business income over $250,000.

If Republicans stand together, that would deny Democrats the 60 votes they would need to push the measure through the Senate.

Just Sunday, House GOP Leader John Boehner said he would support renewing tax cuts for the middle class but not the wealthy if that was his only choice.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iV8UaDH816Rxzyikw9In_WGjT3cwD9I73SR00

[jaxx]

1. Imagine that.....obstructing.

Bring on the cots Harry Reid, make them do it the right way.

[Bitwit1234]

29. That is the one thing I find wrong with Reid

he has never made the republicans show their true obstruction face to the public. I don't care what anybody says about the fact that the republicans have delayed, denied and obstructed every single bill that the Democrats have proposed to help this country, the MSM has not reported this to the public they way they should. If Reid had made them filibuster and show their ass at every single time they did this the MSM would have had to report it and the public, the reasonable ones that is, would know now what they republicans are trying to do. SINK THE DEMOCRATIC PLANS SO THEY, THE REPUBLICANS, CAN GET ELECTED. Then they can continue to send us further in to rack and ruin.

[SusanaMontana41]

76. Don't see how we can kill the messenger for this

especially when we have access to C-SPAN.

You're right about the filibuster, though. I want to see old-fashioned filibusters with people standing and talking to hold the floor. Filibuster by procedure renders moot all sides in the Senate. And we must have a functioning Senate.

[ShockediSay]

49. And what did these super millionaire tax cuts get us? Try these guy lining

their pockets while the rest of us lost our jobs, our homes, our retirement accounts and our kids education.

WE GOT TO HIT BACK AT THIS RIGHT WING CORPORATE SUPER MILLIONAIRE FUNDED PROPAGANDA BEFORE WE GET BURIED IN THEIR FASCISM FOR LIFE !

[Mass]

2. This is exactly why Boehner's blinking was totally unimportant. He knew the Senate

would not authorize a vote.

[opihimoimoi]

17. It boggles the mind that they continue the Madness of a Selfish Party known as The GOP

Their DNA is diff from ours?? What drives them into insanity and loss of Reason? Too much Jack Daniels?

[Bandit]

27. If it is a question of all or none then it should be none and blame be on Republicans.

Let the entire package of tax cuts expire and then down the road a week or so submit a new bill asking for middle class tax cuts.. Simple solution. Let Republicans block that bill...

[Cant trust em]

3. Dems need to stick to their guns on this and ride it out as long as possible.

This is a winner as long as we don't cave.

[Iowa]

54. They'll cave. That's what they do.

Furthermore, Obama is backing an extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest. He's backing it in the way he always backs right-wing policy; by saying the opposite while simultaneously refusing to do anything to derail it (like saying he'll veto it). This is classic Obama. Say one thing; do another. The tax cut extensions for the wealthiest are already a done deal. It's in the bank. All this political posturing is just theater for the gullible. The middle class will get screwed again by the faux Dems in Congress and the WH. And after the election they'll trash Social Security to pay for it.

[COLGATE4]

4. HEADLINE!!!!: Senate to block Obama's _____ (fill in the blank). n/t

[OrangeGrapes]

8. How very appropriate.

Such a blatant pattern, how do they maintain dignity while doing that?

[Enrique]

5. if they block it they block it

the "middle-class" tax cuts are not essential. Going back to Clinton-level tax rates will not be the end of the world.

[SpiralHawk]

6. "No no no no no no no no - to whatever." - Republicons

"We gots one exception: more more more more more more tax cuts for rich republicons. Smirk. Sneer."

- Republicons

[bushisanidiot]

7. What a GIFT for the november elections! I can't believe the republicons

are falling for it.

Now the democrats need to use reconciliation to break the GOP obstruction fillibuster.

[trayfoot]

9. I was thinking the same thing!

[groundloop]

12. I may be mistaken, but I believe there have to be bills to reconcile first

As I understand it (someone correct me if I'm wrong), there needs to be a Senate and House bill which have differences that need to be reconciled. The Party of No won't let there be a bill to reconcile.

Now, with that being said, it won't bother me if we go back to Clinton era tax rates but I'm sure a bunch of middle income Americans will be more than pissed that the Party of No is increasing their taxes (as long as this is played right by Gibbs).

[karynnj]

18. That would seem fair as the taxes were enacted under reconciliations by Bush

BUT I don't think there is enabling language to do so.

[AlbertCat]

23. Now the democrats need to use reconciliation to break the GOP obstruction fillibuster.

Which is why the tax cuts are to expire anyway! Oh the irony!

Now is the time to let them ALL expire, and come in with NEW and BETTER middle class tax cuts.... that can be called the OBAMA tax cut, not the Bush tax cuts. Let the Repugs filibuster that and then pass the NEW and IMPROVED OBAMA tax cut thru reconciliation.

[nyy1998]

33. Actually they don't need to use reconcilliation

The Dems need to use this as a election issue. It's a winnable issue, and if the Republicans are going to block it and they expire, well we cut into deficit, if we pass a middle class tax cut, we still cut into the deficit and the middle class gets a tax cut(or keep it, rather). It's a win-win issue.

[No Elephants]

51. No, let all cuts expire and blame Rethugs.

[bushisanidiot]

53. That will take to long and it will hurt the economy. Not good for anyone.

They need to let the republicons haul their cots into the chambers and make them spend as much time as possible.. get as much news coverage as possible, then the dems can ride in on the white horse to save america. It's so easy, a caveman can do it.

[onehandle]

10. Don't they mean 'GOP Senate to block Obama tax plan?' nt

[sinkingfeeling]

11. I'm willing to let my $16 a month Bush tax cut expire.

[AC_Mem]

25. Let mine expire too - I'm fine with it

Whatever it takes to get the economy moving again. I'm happy to do my part.

I spend $16.00 on much less important things.

GO DEMOCRATS! TAKE THIS GIFT AND RUN WITH IT!

[OregonBlue]

13. This would be great for Dems if Reid would make them actually filibuster, not just threaten one.

[drm604]

14. The sky's blue,

the Pope's Catholic, bears use the woods for a toilet, etc. etc.

Did anyone expect otherwise? Obstruct, obstruct, obstruct should be their theme song.

[Beerball1]

15. This is bullshit

Making it sound like a "vote" is necessary. The Bush tax cuts WILL expire unless there are 60 votes to extend them. The Dems need do nothing. They don't have to vote NOT to extend. Submit a bill NOW to extend middle class tax cuts and let the Pukes filibuster THAT bill and show them to be the greedy fucks they are.

[Roland99]

16. Then, by golly, the Dems in the SENATE Fucking BETTER MAKE them actually filibuster

Make those pompous assbags speak for days on end and prove to the American public that they don't give two shits about anyone but themselves and the uber-wealthy.

[SnoopDog]

19. If Republicans succeed on this - doesn't that mean the Bush Tax Cuts Expire?

If so, the Dems could then implement a new tax cut for $250k and under - right?

[Beetwasher]

20. Yes

Correct.

[droidamus2]

21. And when asked...

And when asked why they would block the Obama tax plan the spokesman stated 'well we are blocking it because... because... because Obama proposed it of course!'.

[SomeGuyInEagan]

31. You forgot, "That, and of course, because we are douche bags."

But I guess by now even Republican leadership realizes that most Americans either know that they are the party of douche bags (except those who are, themselves, douche bags).

[samrock]

22. We don't NEED 60 votes!!!

The democrats should just do exactly what was done in 2001.. Use reconciliation to pass it for just 10 years.. Sooooooo for the next 10 years 97% of Americans would get the cut while the wealthy would not.. in 10 years all the cuts would go away and we be back where we are now..

[AlbertCat]

24. we be back where we are now..

NOW we are in the Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy mode. We will be in a very different place.

Abandon all the BUSH tax cuts and go for NEW and IMPROVED OBAMA tax cuts.

[AC_Mem]

26. Good Point

This could be very good for the Democrats. The question is, will they DO IT?

Strong democratic leadership is needed right now more than ever. Now is time to get the word out, run the ads, let the tax cuts EXPIRE and then go for a middle class tax cut.

Once I see that happen, I'll volunteer for the OFA phone banks to help get voters to the polls.

Hope. Change. Hope. Change.

[mvd]

32. Good idea!

:thumbsup:

[alp227]

28. Dear Republicans, you had a chance to prove that tax cuts work...and failed.

I almost mis-read it as "to back Obama tax plan" but then read again...no surprise, all that the Republicans wanna do is play politics, they even opposed Obama's small business tax cut, so the bottom line is that all they wanna do is make Obama fail even if Obama read from Reagan's playbook.

And then Democrats end up treating their jobs as a video game too rather than representing their constituents. They keep on sucking it up to the G-No-P and water down every bill. You know why the majority of Democrats voted for the Defund ACORN Bill (and Obama signed that)? Why there's no public option? The frickin' obstructionist and intimidation party.

Under Clinton, by 1998 the federal budget balanced, and we began the millennium with a budget surplus. But then came along the tax-cutting Bush, and the ~$200 billion surplus sunk into a nearly trillion-dollar deficit when Bush left caused partially by the tax cuts and non-stop spending on an illegitimate war in Iraq and a whole buncha other things paid for by a Chinese credit card.

[DallasNE]

30. Call Their Bluff

Report a bill out of committee and make them vote to end debate on a tax cut measure for 98% of Americans effective January 1, 2011. It is not the Democrats that are in trouble on this issue, it is the Republicans. Let them eat cake.

[kpete]

34. GOP spokesman: Senate GOP to block Obama from cutting taxes for middle class if rich excluded

Source: Associated Press

GOP spokesman: Senate GOP to block Obama from cutting taxes for middle class if rich excluded
The Associated Press


Senate Republicans will oppose any effort to renew soon-to-expire Bush administration tax cuts if upper income taxpayers are excluded from the reductions.

A spokesman for Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell says the Kentucky Republican has pledges from every Senate Republican to filibuster President Barack Obama's plan to allow the top income tax rate to rise back to almost 40 percent on family or small business income over $250,000.

If Republicans stand together, that would deny Democrats the 60 votes they would need to push the measure through the Senate.

Just Sunday, House GOP Leader John Boehner said he would support renewing tax cuts for the middle class but not the wealthy if that was his only choice.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11623679

[global1]

35. End The Filibuster!!!!!!! Now........nt

[GreenTea]

36. Democrats make the republicans actually filibuster this for a change and expose

the republicans greed for the whole country to see!

As the rich continue to get extremely richer while the skilled & educated hard working workers of America are making less and working harder than ever before to make outrageous profits and bonuses for the richest and their corporations.

The Democrats have to expose the republicans to ALL of the American voters, to show just how the republicans always fight only for the rich and the corporations - republicans always say screw the workers, middle-class & small business....In favor of the selfish greedy arrogant rich & their corporations.

REPUBLICAN ALSO REFUSE TO SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMA'S NEW 100% TAX CUT BILL FOR SMALL BUSINESS INVESTING!

Yes indeed, Democratic leaders make the republicans go to the floor and filibusterer for those huge ten-year DEFICIT RAISING tax cuts for the rich - that have produce NO jobs - But have made only the top 2% of the wealthiest richer & greedier!

[pampango]

39. Exactly. If the repubs want to go down this path, make them do it publicly and before the election,

if possible.

[GreenTea]

55. It has to be done NOTHING else will stop these greedy obstructionist republicans, certainly not

pacifying or appeasing them....Republicans like their corporations are greedy fuck fair play, they want it ALL!

[LaPera]

52. I agree republicans have to be fully "exposed". Make the fuckers face the cameras with a filibuster

[KansDem]

37. Well, there you have it....

As if we only "suspected" before, the GOP is the "Party of the Wealthy," and to hell with the middle class...

[SpiralHawk]

38. "Protect the fatcats. Screw the proles." - Republicon Platform

[indimuse]

40. knr! n/t

[mvd]

41. First, make them filibuster. Filibustering middle class tax cuts..

would bring horrible publicity. And if all else fails, then there will be none of the tax cuts remaining - and the people will know who is to blame. The GOP putting greed over everything will hurt them in November.

[HomerRamone]

42. "The Democrat Party is causing the largest tax hike in history."

Checkmate.

[mike_c]

43. this is all part of the partisan noise machine until Reid and the dems find the spine...

...to make the republicans stand up and filibuster. Bring in the television cameras and name names.

[Thav]

47. Just sent my democratic senator a note

To make them do just that. Stand up and explain why they won't support extending tax cuts for those who need it the most. Explain, ON THE RECORD, why they're so deeply in the pockets of the rich, and why they hate everyone who isn't rich.

[mike_c]

50. yep, if dems make them do this, during the worst recession and job loss...

...in recent memory, it will be a serious blow to republican ambitions. By not making them filibuster, democrats are providing cover for extending tax cuts for the rich. Withdraw that cover and the republicans will fold.

[ShockediSay]

48. Partisan noise machine!? It's the right wing propaganda machine

funded by corporation millionaires and billionaires who line their pockets at the expense of our homes, our jobs and our kids educations.

This is how Fascism got started.

We got to hit back hard with the truth, these greedy corporate right wing millionaire types want to line their pockets and don't give a crap about our expense !

[Bitwit1234]

44. That way their wet dream will be made true they can say

that the Democrats raised TAXES.

[old mark]

45. Again, I urge everyone to vote Democratic - these republican assholes

have got to go.


mark

[Joanne98]

46. CALL THEIR BLUFF! MAKE THEM FILIBUSTER!

[ProSense]

56. The Republicans' argument is

bogus

[Unvanguard]

57. GOOD. Make them filibuster it. n/t

[JCMach1]

58. Repugs want to raise your taxes to help the wealthy! Spin now

before the moment is lost.

[Joanne98]

59. Senate Republicans firm on tax cuts for rich

Source: Reuters

Senate Republicans have enough votes to block President Barack Obama's plan to extend tax cuts for the middle class while allowing those for the rich to expire, a spokesman for the Senate Republican leader said on Monday.

Republicans on Monday scrambled to regroup on the tax issue ahead of November 2 congressional elections after House of Representatives Republican Leader John Boehner appeared to open the door for a possible compromise.

Don Stewart, spokesman for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, said Senate Republicans are united on the issue. "There are no Republicans who support a tax hike," he said.

Obama raised the stakes last week when he accused Republicans of "holding hostage" middle class tax cuts to save lower tax rates for the top two income groups.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68B1SH20100913

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

60. Shocked!

[catgirl]

61. They make me sick n/t

[Skink]

62. Obama should just call these guys out.

be on every talk show. Seize this campaign issue.

[Aramchek]

63. headline should read: "Senate Republicans firm on tax increase for Middle Class"

[spinbaby]

64. Make them vote against it

It'll make for great TV ads.

[Kingofalldems]

65. Republican Lieberman also pro Bush tax cuts for the wealthy

Lieberman's followers should be considered republicans.

[lark]

66. Actually, Dems could use this if they have the balls

Schedule vote after vote after vote to extend middle class tax breaks but not for families making over $250,000. Make Repugs vote time after time to increase tax cuts on working class families and then run messages at all contested elections - McConnell voted 7 times to increase taxes on middle class Americans. He refused to let you keep your hard earned money because giving an extra $100,000 to each and every millionaire in this country was the most important thing to him. 1000 millionaires were more important to him than brillions of struggling working families.

Come on Dems, I dare you. Play hardball for once!

[David__77]

69. Absolutely!

This could be a real winning tactic. And they're trapped ideologically - the GOP I mean...

[sce56]

70. Sound like a great idea to bad they haven't got the cajones to do it..

[Jackpine Radical]

71. They haven't got the boxes to do it?

Why do they need boxes?

[alp227]

75. +1

Seriously, that'd call those damn Goopigs out for the obstructionist self-interested political gamers they've always been since Obama came in.

[JDPriestly]

67. Senate Republicans are always firm. Democrats are always soft.

I would not want people to compromise on moral issues like war and peace, like human rights. But when it comes to things like tax policy or voting for a stimulus plan, everyone should join together even if the details are not to their liking.

And I do consider Social Security to be a moral issue because without it, I promise, you, many seniors would die of hunger, cold and heat.

[David__77]

68. This could play out VEEEEERY well.

This could be like the government shut down of 95. The GOP, perhaps rightly, thinks the Democrats will back down. They had better not if they don't want an epic disaster.

[COLGATE4]

72. Wanna bet?

[sam sarrha]

73. who are the rich.. what is rich? top 1% richest has 6X more financial wealth than bottom 80% >>Link>

http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html


the top 1% holds 42% of financial wealth, the Bottom 80% holds 7% of Americas Financial wealth..

the Bu$h tax cuts really only help the top few.. subsidizing the richest people on the face of the earth..

the Bu$h tax cuts are responsible for 1/2 the Debt

the GOP believes that Wealth is the Measure by which God favors a man.. thus it is a Sin to Tax a Rich man. thus all their tax cuts for the rich.!

[provis99]

74. what the hell is wrong with the poor and middle class who vote Republiklan?

Just cognitive dissonance, or sheer outright stupidity?