'Tis only a flesh wound!' Axelrod predicts Republicans will blink on tax cuts

[geek tragedy]

"Yeah. I think they will blink when their constituents tell them enough is enough, let's move on a tax cut for 98 percent of the American people, in fact 100 percent, everyone will get it up to $250,000 dollars," Axelrod told the Huffington Post. "They just want to give a special premium to millionaires and billionaires and we can't afford the $700 billion to do that."

Acknowledging that a vote isn't coming before Election Day, Axelrod's outlook for the tax cut debate suggests that both he and congressional Democrats are prepping for high-stakes, high drama political brinksmanship during the lame duck session. To date, the White House has refused to budge from its position that extending the rates for the rich would be wasteful and bust the federal budget. Not a single Republican lawmaker, meanwhile, has stated his or her willingness to vote for the president's package -- setting up a situation in which both sides end up working a small number of moderate Republicans in hopes that they either change or stay the course respectively.

Congressional Democrats showed their determination . . . by chickening out of a vote.

[geek tragedy]

1. Is anyone buying this? nt

[depakid]

3. I'd think about buying it if the Dems had the fortitude to vote on the matter

before the election and put Republicans on the spot.

Afterwards, not so much, particularly if they manage to take 7 Senate seats and control the house.

Then again, if Reid's among the casualties (either by losing outright or being replaced by Durbin) we might see more backbone from the Senate on issues like this.

[Scuba]

2. What the hell is wrong with the Democrat "leaders"?

[cyr330]

4. Obama & the Dems will chicken out. . .

Just mark my words. I fucking GUARANTEE you all that tax cuts for the RICH will not only be tolerated but actually encouraged! Of course I won't vote for anybody but a Dem, but I'm DISGUSTED! If I were a betting man, I would bet some serious $$ that the Dems will pussy out. Anybody not agree?

[LonePirate]

5. I'll have whatever Axelrod is drinking. Sounds like it is pretty potent.