Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), a staunch conservative and senior House Republican, urged his party this week to take President Obama up on his offer -- pass the tax breaks on all income up to $250,000, and then fight over everything else. On MSNBC yesterday, Chuck Todd asked Cole a good question: how many Republicans have quietly told him they think he's right.
"I'll let other members speak for themselves, and just leave it that," Cole said.
That's not a bad way to dodge the question, but Faiz Shakir has started keeping a running tally of House Republicans willing to say out loud that they, too, would accept Obama's offer on middle-class taxes. So far, the total stands at five: Cole, Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), Robert Dold (R-Ill.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), and Charlie Bass (R-N.H.)
That's not many, but it stands to reason there are others who, for a variety of reasons, haven't made public comments, but would also take the deal. Indeed, this Reuters report stood out as pretty interesting yesterday.
Another senior Republican lawmaker, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters that a Democratic bill, which passed the Senate in July and would raise income taxes on families with net incomes above $250,000, could pass his chamber if it got to the floor.
Another conservative House Republican, Representative Tim Scott, a first-term congressman, said that such a measure "could pass the House," according to Scott's spokesman.
Ordinarily, Boehner's problem is finding ways to get the House to pass a bill Obama will sign. In this case, the House is ready to pass a bill Obama would sign, but Boehner doesn't want to bring it to the floor.
If/when push comes to shove in a few weeks, the Speaker's position is likely to prove untenable.
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It is time to transfer grant money to those reps'. districts who are willing to stand up for American needs. I am sure LBJ knew how to share pork with those who played ball.
Three of these other five members are from states that went for Obama. Maybe we just need to get 22 more Republicans from states that went for Obama to realize that a vote for Obama's plan might be a good way to keep their seats in 2014.
I live in a Republican district in Colorado. I have already called my Republican congressman, Scott Tipton, to urge him to vote for the President/Senate's bill.
Me Too...and an email to back it up...then on to the others...Bennett...and what's his name...They're gonna have to get used to it for their terms...And getting the list ready for the State House Congresscritters...
Well, I can only hope that Obama won't sign simply that single-issue thingy. If that's all he gets out of the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, that would be a loss. He needs to get more.
Disgusted, #3,
IMO, the best thing President Obama could do is tell these hateful, wacky, clueless, Norquist worshiping Republicans to see him after we go over the cliff.
The majority of them will never agree to raising taxes and all of them want the three safety nets on the table. That is a big NO DEAL for me. Do not touch the safety nets. If Obama gives on the least little point, I will be livid.
I wouldn't even give the Republicans the time of day.
Consider how the game changes if the GOP accepts that offer?
It would cut the legs out from under the Presidents bargaining position. The GOP would now have the debt limit hostage to work with.
It would undercut the perception that the GOP is protecting the rich.
It would improve the idea that the GOP is protecting the middle class.
Consider it a strategic retreat and a tactic that will allow the GOP once again to bargain from a position of strength.
Only a General who may admit that his position is indefensible may consider a strategic retreat. Will Boehner allow an admission of weakness?
Let's stop congratulating these people for finding a "shiny object" to distract us with while they quietly pour the poison into new bottles.
EVERY ONE OF THESE PEOPLE has made it clear that they'd be happy to vote for the tax increase IF MEDICARE "REFORM" (i.e., death) WAS ON THE TABLE. Keep that in mind. These people are only being the ones trying to sneak their original plan in through a different door. They are all using verbal sleight-of-hand to continue their assault on the country.
You cannot trust a Republican any further than you can see him with your eyes closed.
Always read the fine print and listen to the disclaimers with these people before you start celebrating. They are always Lucy with the football and progressives need to stop being Charlie Brown.
I couldn't agree more!
And the congressmen on the right saying that they are now willing to break their "pledge" for the good of the American people...as if they are doing something heroic! Give me a break!
This isn't a poker game but I am sure behind the scenes these guys are counting cards...
And they might sacrifice even an ace and end up with a better hand!
The easiest way for Obama to get what he wants is for House Dems to move the bill for a vote. Blocking a vote is the same thing as voting against the tax cut in the eyes of the public. Republicans would be put on the spot and that might force the issue because those Republicans in swing districts who want to be reelected are not going to want publicity about their vote or be the deciding vote on the issue. I think the Republican herd would vote to bring the bill to a vote if push came to shove. Obama is out in the states marshaling public opinion and it would be very easy for him to draw attention to the House vote.
House Dems can't move the bill for a vote without Republican support -- and there are rumors of just that today, about Nancy Pelosi forming a discharge petition to bring the bill to the floor. By my count, there are about 120 Republicans from states Obama won -- and we only need 18. If Pelosi can persuade enough of them to join her and sign the petition, it will pass and be among her finest legislative achievements. And come January, we can watch a dandy catfight among Republicans to replace Boehner as Speaker.
Pelosi does not need Republicans to join the petition; they will be compelled to join if they do not want to hand the Dems an issue in 2014.
Since we're obessesed with Warren Buffett's view on everything, everybody should understand that he doesn't support the president''s $250,000 tax rate:
"One thing that we may not have talked about a lot, though, is in that, you laid out where you thought higher taxes should be raised on people. You thought the starting point should be at 500,000 instead of the 250,000 that the president has proposed. I know you spoke with the president last week, he put out a news release about that. Did you tell him at that point that you thought the starting number was too low?
BUFFETT: Yeah. He—well, he knew my view on it because I had sent—they made a call on Friday and said would I be available for a call on Saturday from the president. I've never called him, but—and since I knew I was going to put out this op-ed piece, I sent him a copy prior to the phone call on Saturday, of the piece. So he had seen the $500,000 figure when we talked. He did not specifically bring it up.
BECKY: Did you bring it up to him?
BUFFETT: No, he'd seen it. I mean, I knew it was there in front of him. Since he—since he was saying 250, I did not think it was a great subject to bring up."
http://www.cnbc.com/id/49995975/
Who is "we"? The only folks "obsessed' with Warren Buffett are people trying to muddy the water even more. Who cares what one man says when over 60% of the entire nation supports raising the taxes on people making more than $250,000.00? This nonsense was in vogue in 2009/2010, when you folks had the narrative even though you did not deserve it.
Why do you think they call it the "Buffett Rule"?
One correction--Mary Bono Mack was defeated for re-election, and so is the prefect definition of a lame duck. She will be gone in the new Congress.
So, if the tax cuts stay in place for most people are they STILL going to be called "Bush tax cuts" even though he has been out of office for 4 years - and counting?
Yep, the Bush tax cuts and spending increases and the Obama tax increases and spending cuts! Love that panoramic view of America from the cliff! Don't flinch, don't give in, don't negotiate! JUMP!
Sandy,
Actually I am all for jumping. I always find it interesting that the politicians from both parties for many years now just think that continual deficits (which adds to our massive debt) of huge amounts - during BOTH Bush and Obama will somehow magically disappear sometime in the future. In my opinion even the fiscal cliff will not be enough, but to listen to these politicians (again from both sides) talking about what amounts to a few hundred Billion a year in revenues and cuts is going to solve everything. We will still have around $500 Billion deficits even if the cliff hits. That means adding another half Trillion per year to our debt. All the solutions are half-solutions at best. We will still be in the red for the forseeable future even after we jump off the cliff. Budgets and the government are like oil and water.
They will keep getting called the Bush Tax Cuts because he gets to take credit for things people like (tax cuts) but not the stuff they don't (the Bush Depression).