Weiner: "Deals come after we fight for ideals -- let's do that first."

[BeyondGeography]

Why the left is angry at Obama

Dem Rep. Anthony Weiner, who has a real talent for crystallizing liberal anger at Obama into pithy phrases, has just released a statement opening fire on all the talk about a pending "deal" on the tax cuts. It gets at a key reason the left is ticked at Obama:


"Governing is more than a series of transactions. This is a competition of ideas on how we make the country better."
"Middle class Americans need someone to fight for them. They see this deal as punting on 3rd down -- it seems the President is not seeing the value of being on offense."
"Democrats should welcome the chance to tell the American people what we will fight for. We should be standing up for the middle class and extending unemployment insurance for out-of-work Americans. If Republicans want to add to our deficit and defend the interests of billionaires, make them stand up in Congress and tell that to the public loud and clear."
"Deals come after we fight for ideals -- let's do that first."


This is an easy shot for Weiner to take, and it's worth recalling that House Dems punted on their own chance to put the GOP on the spot with a vote on the middle class tax cuts before the election. Still, Weiner is getting at a key point...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/12/why_liberals_are_angry_at_obam.html

[ProSense]

1. "This is an easy shot for Weiner to take, and it's worth recalling that House Dems punted"

Weiner is in the House, where Pelosi had/has the votes. The Senate is another story altogether. So his point is moot, check out how the Senate votes went on Saturday.

[BeyondGeography]

2. We'll see if his point is moot

Quasi-permanent tax cuts worth $500 billion to the richest Americans in exchange for $18 billion in short-term unemployment benefits is the product of a terrible negotiator, if that's where we end up.

[ProSense]

3. It's moot because

unless Democrats vote against it, it will pass, indicating they accept the agreement. Democrats are meeting with the President this afternoon.

Again, Weiner can't speak for Senate negotiators. Also, this isn't to say he doesn't have a valid point about fighting, but there is the Senate, and that is where the battle is playing out.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Anthony, talk to Nancy Pelosi first.

She's the one who punted before the elections. Obama wanted the vote without a compromise and she declined.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

5. IT IS NOT JUST "THE LEFT" THAT IS ANGRY!! Geez!!! n/t!!

[polichick]

6. First you fight. Seems simple, doesn't it?

[grumgrum]

7. There's your '12 Challenger -- Ideally!