Pelosi is pushing for the tax package

[Still a Democrat]

...

...

In the week since, Pelosi neither defended nor criticized the measure, except to say the estate tax provision was, perhaps, "a bridge too far." Then, polls began to show public support for the plan — a NBC/WSJ poll early this week found that 54% of Democrats and 57% of liberals want to see it pass — and members went home and heard less than outrage from constituents. Sensing the tide was turning, Pelosi finally addressed the issue at a caucus meeting on Monday night. In a 10-minute speech she outlined all the important items that needed to pass in the bill: middle class tax relief, unemployment insurance for millions of Americans, renewable energy tax credits. She also assured leery members that they would have the chance to vote against the estate tax provision before final passage — most likely in the form of a substitute bill they passed a year ago that would tax estates worth $3.5 million or more at a maximum rate of 45%. The legislation, she told the caucus, is a win for Democrats because it helps them show that Republicans care only for the rich at the expense of the middle class. Most members left, if not convinced, somewhat mollified. "The appetite for rejecting the White House deal isn't where it should be," said Raul Grijalva, co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus, told reporters. "It will probably pass."



Read more: http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,2037516,00.html#ixzz18IybfGlJ

[Beetwasher]

1. Sell Out!

Right?

[Still a Democrat]

4. Obama tricked her with fake polls

Twisted her arm too! :sarcasm:

[OregonBlue]

16. Yeah, we all know Pelosi is a closet conservative. Primary her!!!

[Horse with no Name]

2. Only the polls that were paid for by Team Obama and the M$M

I don't know ANYONE IRL who thinks we should give more money to millionaires.

[EFerrari]

3. Or raise taxes on the lowest earners. n/t

[nc4bo]

8. That's where I'm confused.

I noticed that this article specifies the poll takers as Dems/Libs but I wonder how these ?'s were framed.

But we've all seen results from polls that said a majority of Americans want the tax cuts to expire.

[gateley]

5. I'm less concerned about the Estate Tax portion, than I am about the Unemployed

(the 99ers) and those earning less than $20K a year.

If we're going to sell out, we shouldn't be selling out segments of the population you're pretending you're making this "sacrifice" for. :grr:

[Larkspur]

15. This bill does NOT help the 99r's at all

It leaves them out in the cold.

[gateley]

17. I'm aware of that. nt

[nc4bo]

6. Do all these polls tie tax cut extension with the unemployment tax extension?

Have any DUers taken one of these polls and remember how the questions were framed?

Can any one share a link to these polls?

I don't understand how we went from polls showing that there was a majority that agreed that the Bush cuts should expire to a majority supporting this extension.

:wtf: I'm lost.

[pacalo]

7. Disappointing. Nancy said the reason it's a win is that it shows that the Republicans

care only about the rich at the expense of the middle class.

If the Republicans admitted in a press conference that they cared only about the rich, it wouldn't put a dent in their support -- they're not the savviest when it comes to sizing up what's in their best interest.

[aquart]

13. And it shows that we won't fight for a thing we believe in.

So why vote for any Democrat? That's what it shows.

[KansDem]

9. So was "off the table" on the table?

I'm confused!

??
:(

[BlueCheese]

10. It's a win!

We showed that the GOP only cares about the rich--that's why Obama agreed to the deal and the huge majority of Senate Democrats vote for it. That'll make a lot of sense to the public.

Also, Pelosi is offering a chance to vote against the estate tax part of it. Does that mean it's already determined that the substitute bill is not going to pass? Because if it does, then someone has to go tell the "take it or leave it" crowd that it's time for new negotiations. And we can't have that...

[JustAnotherGen]

11. I don't disagree

That is shows the Republicans only care about the rich . . . but in August, September, October 2012? By that time? The Republicans will be screaming about the Obama tax plan that increased the deficit, and how they SHOVED it through in the last days of a lame duck Congress and that the Republicans had nothing to do with it.

I mean - if we were on message that talking point of 'The Republicans only care about the rich' would be worth it - but since we suck at at assailing and pummeling them with cold hard truth and they are STELLAR at pouding us and 'shellacking' us with lies - there's no reason for her to evey try and sell that to them.

[texshelters]

12. It's what I expect from Pelosi, a team player...

She tried to get some movement, then gave in.

Can anyone tell me why it is such a bad idea to raise everyone's taxes, other than the political lies?

I'm with an earlier comment, the worry is the unemployed and jobs and if they can get more for the unemployed and a tax provision penalizing those who have offshore labor (yes, grandfather in the penalty for companies paying workers overseas) and a benefit for hiring in the US (not to exceed taxes paid by the newly employed) then I might agree with the bill.

Tax cuts are the worst type of stimulus though.

Pelosi sold out when she supported NAFTA years ago against the interests of unions and environmentalists in her district.

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[Still a Democrat]

14. Nancy has been pretty quiet

which led me to believe she was in line.