The Plumline: R's already blasting Dems for failing to act on the tax cuts

[flpoljunkie]

Dems punted on extending the middle class tax cuts because they were worried that their failure to also extend the high end ones would allow Republicans to blast them for raising taxes.

Now, in a move as predictable as the roar of media attention that greets every Sarah Palin tweet, Republicans are already blasting the Dem failure to act on the tax cuts as ... a tax hike! Here, for instance, is http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/23/AR2010092306732.html">Orrin Hatch: "It's unfortunate that politics has gotten in the way of making sure the American people's taxes don't go up."

In short: The Dems' decision to punt has actually given Republicans a tax-hike cudgel to use against them, rather than deprived them of one. Expect lots more of this.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/09/the_morning_plum_97.html

[Autumn]

1. Very unfortunate.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Sorry to bust a gut, it's either laugh or cry. The Democrats had to have known this was coming.

[ProSense]

2. Let them.

The taxes don't expire until the end of year. If the Dems can't set up separate votes on middle-class and wealthy tax cuts, then don't hold any vote.

[flpoljunkie]

7. Except R's will say, 'Elect us, and we will keep the Dems from raising your taxes.'

Sadly, but predictably, many folks will believe them.

[geek tragedy]

3. The Republicans have the better of the argument, honestly.

You can blame Republicans for filibusters, but you can't blame them for Democrats not scheduling a vote.

[ProSense]

5. Republicans think they're slick

It's not like the tax cuts are going to expire before the election.

After seeing that blue dog list, the Dems are right not to hold a vote until they have the numbers.

Why should they vote if these assholes, who are beholden to special interests, are going to vote with Republicans?

The American people do not want the tax cuts for the rich to continue. If the House votes then, there will be pressure for the Senate to vote. Screw Republicans.

Dems are in charge. Let the Republicans stomp their feet.

[geek tragedy]

6. So, you concede that the Republicans are going to win this fight?

That they are going to get their way on taxes?

[flpoljunkie]

8. It will be far more difficult to pass middle class tax cuts with fewer Dems in Senate.

Perhaps as few as 52 Democrats after the November elections. R's could even take back the Senate, if there is a tidal wave--which could conceivably happen,

[ProSense]

9. No,

the Senate doesn't have the votes to extend the tax cuts. Still, why should the House vote on an undesireable bill?

If the House votes on the middle-class tax cuts, the blue dogs will not vote for it. That's fine, and that's the vote they should hold.

Why should the Dem leadership craft a bill to please blue dogs and Republicans? That's not how Congress works. The minority doesn't get to dictate.

This is strategy, and no different from the process on any other piece of legislation.

[geek tragedy]

12. The Middle Class tax cuts WILL get passed.

The question is whether they will be accompanied by tax cuts for the rich, and if so whether those cuts are temporary or permanent.

It seems that the Democrats are stating that they do not have the stomach to force a showdown with Republicans over this.

[COLGATE4]

4. Who could have seen this coming??? [sarcasm]

We either get whacked for acting or whacked for not acting. Just that being whacked for having acted would have probably brought us a great many votes in November. Now, we're going to be hammered to death on "making sure Americans' taxes go up". Great strategy. Christ, we should hire a bunch of 5th Graders to give our leadership political advice - they'd probably do a whole lot better. They certainly couldn't do worse.:banghead: :banghead: :grr: :nuke:

[Mass]

10. No surprise, except may be for the inept Congress Democrats and their enablers here.

And sorry to tell you it will work.

[alsame]

11. Sickening cowardice. nt

[Arkana]

13. Jesus, Democrats are idiots sometimes.