Looks like Obama's got the hang of tough negotiating this time

[democrattotheend]

A fundamental principle of negotiating is to start out asking for more than you expect to get. That was the big mistake he made in 2009-2010 with this stimulus and especially health care. Now that he knows what kind of opposition he is up against, it looks like he's gotten the message (I hope!):

President Obama "will begin budget negotiations with congressional leaders Friday by calling for $1.6 trillion in additional tax revenue over the next decade, far more than Republicans are likely to accept and double the $800 billion discussed in talks with GOP leaders during the summer of 2011

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/11/13/obama_seeks_16_trillion_tax_increase.html

I don't subscribe to the Wall Street Journal so if anyone does a summary of the rest of the article would be appreciated.

[Ruby the Liberal]

1. See if this link works

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323551004578117152861144968.html

Edit - looks like it is throwing it back behind the paywall even with the open link, sorry.

The president's opening gambit, based on his 2013 budget proposal, signals Mr. Obama's intent to press his advantage on the heels of his re-election last week. However, before gathering at the White House with lawmakers on Friday, he will meet with chief executives of a dozen companies Wednesday. Many executives have aired concerns about the economic consequences of the looming "fiscal cliff"—and the risk of another standoff.

At The Wall Street Journal CEO Council in Washington, 73% of conference participants surveyed said their primary concern was the fiscal cliff. One conference participant, David Crane, chief executive of NRG Energy Inc., NRG -2.67% a power-generation and electricity firm, said, "I think everyone just has this fear that they just do as they've done the last four years and just lob grenades at each other."

-snip-

"New revenue must be tied to genuine entitlement changes," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said Tuesday. "Republicans are offering bipartisan solutions and now it's the president's turn. He needs to bring his party to the table."

-snip-

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.), in his first floor speech of the session, signaled little interest in concessions and reiterated President Obama's demand that the House pass a Senate-approved bill extending current tax rates for middle-income taxpayers, but not for the wealthiest 2% of taxpayers. Mr. Obama is expected to open a Wednesday news conference, his first since re-election, by calling on the House to pass that bill.

[Overseas]

2. A tiny transaction tax on Wall Street trades would bring in billions.

Hope we can all push for that.

[msongs]

5. agreed especially on the derivatives mob that crashed the economy nt

[Overseas]

6. That's what I was thinking of too.

[SaveAmerica]

3. He's been watching Pawn Stars!! "I'd like $26,000 for this Lincoln Penny!!"

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

4. "He's been watching 'Pawn Stars'"!!! LOL!

Perhaps the President can bring in Johnnie and Jimmie DeRamus from Cajun Pawn Stars to deal with Boehner and McConnell!!

[Enrique]

7. we have to drop the "naive Obama" fantasy

the man has won two presidencies. Do you seriously think he negotiated that way because he didn't understand the basics of negotiations?

[democrattotheend]

8. No, of course not

But I think his initial approach was to start out with something he thought would be acceptable to the Republicans in hopes of getting them on board, rather than starting out demanding more than he expected to get. Now he realizes how intransigent they are and is ready to play hardball.