All things 'Fiscal Cliff' Thread

[janedrake]

VID: 11.9.12 - 'This is not your father's Obama' - Prez presser on fiscal cliff
http://democratsforprogress.com/forum/sh...?tid=20434

VID, 11/14/12 -- Prez first full presser since re-election
http://www.democratsforprogress.com/foru...?tid=20515

VID: 11.27.12 - Sen. Durbin Discusses the 'Fiscal Cliff''
http://www.democratsforprogress.com/foru...?tid=20653

VID: 11.27.12 - Schumer: Republicans Are Saying They Want A Divorce From Grover Norquist

11.29.12

11.29.12

11.29.12

Ezra Klein: Obama to GOP: I’m done negotiating with myself
Excerpt: "Previously, Obama’s pattern had been to offer plans that roughly tracked where he thought the compromise should end up. The White House’s belief was that by being solicitous in their policy proposals, they would win goodwill on the other side, and even if they didn’t, the media would side with them, realizing they’d sought compromise and been rebuffed. They don’t believe that anymore. ~ Perhaps the key lesson the White House took from the last couple of years is this: Don’t negotiate with yourself. If Republicans want to cut Medicare, let them propose the cuts. If they want to raise revenue through tax reform, let them identify the deductions. If they want deeper cuts in discretionary spending, let them settle on a number. And, above all, if they don’t like the White House’s preferred policies, let them propose their own. That way, if the White House eventually does give in and agree to some of their demands, Republicans will feel like they got one over on the president. A compromise isn’t measured by what you offer, it’s measured by what the other side feels they made you concede."

READ: The White House’s fiscal cliff proposal
This statement from the WH follows the proposal: "*UPDATE: Here’s a comment from White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage: ”Right now, the only thing preventing us from reaching a deal that averts the fiscal cliff and avoids a tax hike on 98 percent of Americans is the refusal of Congressional Republicans to ask the very wealthiest individuals to pay higher tax rates. The President has already signed into law over $1 trillion in spending cuts and we remain willing to do tough things to compromise, and it’s time for Republicans in Washington to join the chorus of other voices—from the business community to middle class Americans across the country—who support a balanced approach that asks more from the wealthiest Americans.”

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This is a start! Feel free to add in items and comments on the topic as you find them/think of them.

[pappy]

Before I could switch the TV channel this morning I had the misfortune of hearing Moaning Joe say that is he would advise Boehner to stop talking to Obama until he puts a real offer on the table (somehow I managed to not spew my coffee). Imaging my surprise to then turn on my recording of "Last Word" from Thursday night to hear Rush say the exact same thing. The "Dear Leader" has spoken and Comrade Joe follows like a good Republican.

I guess the fact that a bill extending the the tax cuts for all but the top 2% has already passed the Senate and is sitting on Boehner's desk is not serious to Joe or his leader Rush.

The only offer the Republicans, including Joe and Rush, consider serious is complete capitulation by the Democrats. Their problem is that they have no leverage left. For them the "fiscal cliff" has turned into a fiscal bluff.

[janedrake]

Well said, Pappy. One thing the GOP is a master of -- the "feigned indignation/outrage" that serves as a thick smokescreen for the fact that they do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING but whinge and come up with ways to serially damage the country.

[janedrake]

Wonkblog's "Fiscal Cliff FAQ" -- a great resource for an overview of the Cliff's various aspects.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonk...n-one-faq/

[Born_A_Truman]

Martin just showed a montage of GOP hissy fits. Bunch of immature WATBs acting like 2 year olds that had their pacifiers ripped from their pouty mouths.

[Myra]

As GW Bush said: "I earned capital in the campaign -- political capital -- and now I intend to spend it. It is my style. That's what happened after the 2000 election: I earned some capital. I've earned capital in this election, and I'm going to spend it for what I told the people I'd spend it on.”

Payback is a BITCH!

[Myra]

Let Go!

[There Is No Spoon]

(11-30-2012 07:15 PM)Myra Wrote:  

Let Go!

That's funny.

[janedrake]

11.30.12

And latest Boehner VID: 11.30.12

Love that TOON, too!

[janedrake]

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/11...orce-vote/
11.30.12 - PELOSI: The clock is ticking, the year is ending, it’s really important, with tax legislation, for it to happen now. We’re calling upon the Republican leadership in the House to bring this legislation to the floor next week. We believe that not doing that would be holding middle-income tax cuts hostage to tax cuts for the rich. Tax cuts for the rich which do not create jobs, just increase the deficit, heaping mountains of debt onto future generations.

And so, to that end, we are – we will be introducing, if the bill, if there is no announcement of scheduling of the middle income tax cut, which, by the way, has tremendous support in the Republican Caucus – I think we would get a 100 percent vote on it if it came to the floor. If it is not scheduled, then on Tuesday we will be introducing a discharge petition which you know with – if we get 218 signatures, would bring the bill automatically to the floor. That would mean that we need some Republicans who support middle income tax cuts, to sign on with us.

[janedrake]

The Godfather Angle or Steve Benen explains it all:
Boehner tells Obama, My offer is this: nothing

[janedrake]

Read the Republican 'letter of proposal'

Steve Benen again explains it all:
The House Republican line on taxes is pretty straightforward: unless President Obama agrees to extend lower tax rates on income above $250,000, the GOP will force higher tax rates on everyone. The problem, of course, is that everyone knows Republicans don't really mean it.

Unlike some of the other recent hostage standoffs, GOP officials don't seem at all interested in pulling the metaphorical trigger. The challenge for House Republican lawmakers becomes one of how best to lose gracefully. Apparently, the "Doomsday Plan" is taking shape....

[janedrake]

12.2.12 - OFA Ad

[janedrake]

VID: The Godfather Angle Part I, or Melissa Harris-Perry explains it all -- Obama: My Offer is this... nothing.


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