Obama: Tax negotiations continue
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/12/06/obama.jpg]
CNN Wire Staff
President Barack Obama said Monday that there are still "serious debates still taking place" in the negotiations over extending the Bush-era tax cuts, and both Democrats and Republicans have to be prepared to compromise to reach a deal.
The president reiterated his position that extending the cuts for the wealthiest Americans would be fiscally irresponsible, and stressed the opinion of Democratic leaders that an extension of unemployment benefits needs to be part of any agreement with the GOP.
"We have got to find consensus here because a middle class tax hike would be very tough, not only on working families, it would also be a drag on our economy at this moment," Obama told an audience in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
"We've got to make sure that we are coming up with a solution even if it is not 100% of what I want or what the Republicans want."
White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton told reporters that negotiators "have been making progress and the president is confident within the next couple of days" they will reach a deal.
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Filed under: 360° Radar • President Barack Obama • Raw Politics |
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I agree with the President. He can't sit by playing silly political games while so many will lose their benefits. Let's blame the Republicans for using the unemployed people of this country in a game of "chicken."
I am with President Obama in making this decision hoping that it will help us all in the long run. It is necessary that both sides be reasonable at all times. It is not always a win/win but it is what can be resolved to help all of the American people. It happens so many times that you promise something but it becomes impossible to do, All of us need to continue to pray and keep God in your plans and decision and stop working against the President but with him.
Cheap shot at the president – Anderson – I'm sure that in 2007 as he was running his campaign he did not know he would have this big of a mess 2 million unemployed Americans and banksters/mortgage mess this big also. Well if cnn is going to bash the President we may have to switch the channel! Never switched the channel before.
so what you wont him to do let people go hungry i have a pay check coming in but my son have lost his job he stay with me i am disable with oit his pay check coming from in what do you wont people to do and he have a degree, and cant fine a job. and he wont to work.
Im sure when the tax issue comes up again in two years obama will cave again. The truth is he is not a fighter, he will not stand up for what is right. What a dissapointment.
I am very disappointed in the decision that President Obama is making to engage in a compromise with Senate Republicans over the Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy. I voted for President Obama; because I thought he would level the playing field for Middle Americans, those of us who get up every day, go out and attempt to find a good job so we can work hard and earn a living for our families. Also, contrary to those in the higher income brackets, we pay our fair share of taxes that run our government. We do this without the benefit of all the tax breaks that are available to the wealthy. It's past time for the big wage earners to pay their fair share. The very idea that the welfare of the unemployed would be used as a bargaining tool by the Republicans to achieve the extension of tax breaks for the wealthy, speaks volumes about who they are most interested in representing.
I voted for Pres. Obama in 2008. I had every confidence that he was the right person to run this country based on his campaign promises. I still believe that but he must get tougher! I am very disappointed that he is caving in to the GOP. They are practically giddy over the November elections and they are on a roll! The GOP has no regard for the middle class working, or nonworking, citizens of this country. They care only about their own agenda; lining their own pockets and making Obama a one term president.
So after all the talk about deficit reduction the new tax deal only makes things worse. No creative compromise. We need a movement from the middle to replace the Dems and Republicans who are so out of touch with what is needed.
the fact that the rich dictate to our government is overtly sickening do the congress really believe the american public is oblivious to reality? we have no jobs because the rich companies held people hostage by not hiring, then forcing our president to make a very unpopular choice, thanks to the blank checks to bush and his very unpopular debt ridden wars.
Do you really think someone with a million dollar's would raise taxes on him/herself?
I agree with the President and his position. I think he made a wise, unselfish decision, that given the weak economy, will benefit most Americans, in some way, now. I think he has balls to be willing to hold true to his values and belief in bipartisanship, even tho knowing he will be criticized by both sides for doing so. I like what he said about being able to convince the majority of Americans in 2 years that these tax cuts cannot be continued and are temporary. I commend him for being willing to give a "deal" to all Americans at this time.
This is a change in the status quo and the way fights are won in Washington. I respect him for holding true to his campaign promise of "A change we can believe in." See him out; the game is not over until the last out of the 9th inning. Remeber the American Promise he stated when giving his inaugural speach."Hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess." Trust in the wisdom of our President, God, and our great country.
I'm a democrate; I voted for Obama. But as the elections came up, the replubican side won. With this tax issue, the middle/upper class seemed to have voted for the replublicans. Let the taxes expire to the higher taxes. I voted for Obama; if he bends to the will of the replublicans, why should I reelect him for a second term. I think he may be a one term president.
I am a disabled vet.
Jose
Such a selfish, short sighted, childish display of politics today. I'm sickened that the Republicans want to keep and make permanent THE BUSH UN-FUNDED tax cuts for the obscene rich, 13 years of lost revenue forever. Twisting words, calling it a tax increase, when this tax cut experiment has failed, causing lost revenue, borrowing more money from China, is more brainwashing propaganda, from the party that is about ME not WE the people.
Total ignorance continues, keep passing the buck to generation for short term gains. Thanks for adding to our interest ladened debt as we fuel prosperity into Asia watching and then wondering....let's keep status quo as world keeps spinning around....Is this real change or another mandate for the terminally entitled and a bi-product of trickle down politics. Children go to your room!! America needs to Wake Up!!
The wealthy tax payers are the ones hiring you and me Robert Biggs.
I prefer all of the Bush Tax Cuts to expire as oppossed to making any compromise to extend the cuts for the wealthiest tax payors.
We need to advocate more taxes for American
corporations taking jobs out of this country.
Small business will not be harmed by the expiration of the tax cuts.
Please do not compromise on extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, even temporarily. Do you think anything will really change in the next year or two?.....it will be the same the Republicans will still have the same demands. please stand up for and with the people who elected you to do so. Thank you