Extending tax cuts for the middle class is a winning issue.

[Dawson Leery]

60% of the public supports ending tax cuts for the top 1% while extending them for the middle/working class.

The GOP rammed though everything they wanted in the run-up to the 2004 and 2006 elections. Many of those things the GOP put through were unpopular!
The proposed tax plan by the Democrats is highly popular!

What the HELL do the Democrats think they are doing?
:wtf:

[muntrv]

1. The Senate Dems. are afraid of taking on this issue, which is very winnable.

"Obama tax cuts for middle class vs Bush tax cuts for the rich" is how to frame the issue.

[gscraig]

6. but so many have the idea that they'll be rich one day

This is absolutely a way to frame it, but one has to at the same time address the argument that small businesses will be hit. And I find it so interesting how many people think that they are likely to be upwardly wealthy in the near future. As a matter of fact, relatively few people move to become significantly richer, but the American Dream says that anyone can do it.

[OHdem10]

2. Those Centrist Democrats fear their Republican Constituents.

As usual Centrist Blue Dogs snap to for their Republican
constituents. Instead of running as Democrats these Legislators
never put D or Democrat anywhere near their name. They
aim at the upper socioeconomic groups. Actually compete with
Republicans for the same group of voters. Republicans do not
compromise. They get these Democratic Reps on the phone
and demand they vote with Republicans. DLC, Centrists, Blue Dogs
are in trouble because it is different when you are in power.
You have to vote with your party. It would be much easier
if they inspired all the Democrats in their states. They could
win with no Republican Votes. Kinda hard when you have kicked
your Democratic constituents in the teeth. I give you Blanche
Lincoln.

[Cassandra]

3. Not only a winning issue but...

good for the economy as well.

[Jack Sprat]

4. They are petrified of being perceived as Democrats

They could lose the election in Nov. They want a lifetime position, which is much, much more important than how they might personally feel about any issue. The GOP is God and Faux News His Holy messenger. The wealthy deserve everything and nobody else deserves a damn thing. I'm just grateful to them that they have spared my lowly life and our democratic congressmen feel the same way concerning their wretched lives. Glory to the GOP in the highest, and THEIR will be done on earth sayeth Almighty Pat & the 700 Club. Palin says so, too. So does Pat Boone. So does Ted Haggarty and Mitch McConnell. So does John Boehner. So does Grover Norquist. So does Rush, Sean, Bill O, and Beck. So does Dem Sen. Nelson of Neb. So do all the fine, old bluedogs of the Southland, including Arkansas's finest Sen. Lincoln. We are living in blissful debt in a hateful land. All is grand.

[Zorra]

5. Blue dogs are corporate plants and their mission is to destroy the Democratic party.

They may have just succeeded.

[gratuitous]

7. Which is why it must be avoided at all costs

We can't be seen to be playing politics so close to the election. It wouldn't be right or fair to force the Republicans to either vote against the interests of large swaths of their constituency or have to betray their fatcat benefactors. This is just a professional courtesy kind of response to the situation in 2002. You remember, when the Republicans decided to postpone any vote on the use of force in Iraq so as to avoid any inconvenience for the Democrats?

Oh wait; that didn't happen at all.

Must be some 12th level Vulcan chess or something.