Biden schmoozes House Democrats on Obama's tax cut package, but the message is firm: No changes

The full PR panoply of the presidency is on display this week as President Obama attempts to sell his tax cut "compromise" not to voters, nor to Republicans, but to his own Democrats.

So many people chuckled over the president labeling his agreement to accept all of the Bush era tax cuts a "compromise" that the White House changed its terminology. It's now calling the packaged agreement the "Middle Class Tax Cut Framework." (MCTCF) And every few minutes flashing word out to a watiing world of the latest governor, mayor or bus driver to endorse the president's deal.

That'll no doubt fool all of his party mates up on the Hill, where there's still much grumbling over this Chicago pol caving in to the GOP by giving too much for too little. (To refresh your memory, here's how Obama presented the agreement initially. And over here's how he initially defended it against the opening barrage of Democrats' criticism.)

Obama dispatched both his chief economic advisor Lawrence "I'm ....

... Leaving Soon You Know" Summers and VP Joe "Hey, How Ya Doin'?" Biden to Capitol Hill. There, a seemingly worried Summers talked of a significant possibility of a double-dip recession if this package wasn't passed -- and quickly. And, gee, since the Pelosi-Reid stimulus bill of 2009 didn't stimulate much, who'd want to have the responsibility for even more than 9.8% unemployment when 2012 comes around, which it will in just 387 days.

As usual, transparent Joe's meetings were closed. But there was reportedly much back-slapping, hand-waving (see photo above) and elbow-cupping by the man who was a senator before most House members ever thought of tinting the gray out of their hair.

In a two-hour session with departing Speaker Nancy Pelosi's flustered flock, Biden delivered the firm news from the boss of them all: "It's up or down," he told them, according to The Hill.

Gee, why wouldn't every House Democrat immediately obey the president, having not been consulted and all during the talks with those non-unionized GOP suits.

Biden no doubt described the package as the ill-disguised second stimulus plan that it is, albeit a Republican-style stimulus based on tax cuts and incentives. And the extra 56 weeks of unemployment insurance.

In the interest of transparency, Biden did comment afterward that the meeting went "great."

Democrats don't like the money not going through government first with a proper skim-off to cover bureaucratic costs, of course.

But here's the self-interested appeal: If keeping more of their own money does prompt American consumers to feel better and spend more, then the Republican tax plan will have saved not only the lagging economy but the Democrats' bacon come 2012. How's that for plot twists?

Many on the Hill were no doubt thinking like Harry Reid, as The Ticket reported here Wednesday morning: That if the president wants this bill so badly, maybe they can sneak in a little something for themselves and it too will fly through.

No go, said Biden. Few people, let alone inflated incumbents, like "Take it or leave it" ultimatums. "Take it or leave it, but you can't actually leave it" goes down even harder. Still, Democrats hold large majorities in both houses for the remaining two weeks of the awkward lame-duck session. They will be sorely tempted to fiddle with some things, likely the estate tax protections the Republicans covet.

That could force a messy renegotiation with Republicans or even prompt them to walk. After all, they will control the House big-time come January and could initiate the same tax cut restorations on their own, minus any credit for the ineffective White House or its Party of No.

GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell could have some caucus turmoil of his own. Already Jim DeMint of South Carolina, a self-proclaimed "tea party" adherent, has vowed to vote against the package. Something about not liking tacking another mere trillion dollars onto the deficit.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Tim Sloan / AFP / Getty Images; Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press (Obama arrives for his tax cut news conference, 12/7/10).

Comments

[Tab]

I just cannot puke enough when I think about this.... TRAITORS

[Mark Montgomery]

What is a Republican? A Republican is a person who hates the middle class, the poor, minorities and all immigrants. The Republicans want the entire population to be homeless, powerless and without medical insurance. The new big Republican project is to kick public school teachers out of the middle class and leave them destitute. The Republicans are seething at the amount of power the teachers' unions are exerting and they won't be happy until the unions have been destroyed. When is America going to wise up to the Republicans? We should be fighting them in the streets, not compromising with them. Mark Montgomery NYC, NY boboberg@nyc.rr.com

[That's the way the mop flops !]

Poor democrat congressmen....when they are not beeing bullied by the union bosses it's the voters that throw the bums out.But having to sit through one of
Biden's interminable monologues has got to be the ultimate humiliation.Most
would prefer to have a couple of teeth pulled.Crypto marxists and other
socialists will be knocking on Ralph Nader's door unless Kucinich and Bernie
Saunders decide to form a ticket.

[J N]

With January just arround the corner. I believe the President has to agree to some kind of compromise with the Republicans like a stay order in a divorce case. It's only buying time for him to renegotiate these issues once the Democrates gain more control. To me our President is a modern day "Robin Hood". I thought politics began for the people by the people. Not for any past Presidents errors or so called "Kingship issues". The Republicans agreed to pay for Bushes mistakes, not the middle class people. Now it's time to pay up or repay for there cheating ways.

[Road washed out]

Looks like Biden fatigue is setting in real fast.True...he did spend 2 days trying
to convince the enraged leftys,but only to find out that Biden's and his bossse's
credibility are now in the toilet.Emanuel left the sinking ship precisely because
of Obama's refusal to dump the gaff prone wind bag.

[Girl with the bushy armpits]

Biden scored a goal in his own team's net,and the Pelosi witch has lost control.
Hope has switched camps ,praise the lord.

[Leevan Banzuelo]

Wow, well what were we expecting right? Poor democrats. I hope one day, equality would not just remain spoken, but actualized.

[josephinecorona]

America Held Hostage! This is what the headlines should read!Both the democrats and the republicans are at fault here. Just who do they think they are?I think the American people should hold out on them when it comes time to vote.Does anyone remember the old saying,what if they gave a war and nobody came?Well,what if they had a vote and nobody voted?

[Greg]

Softsoap Joe Biden still laying his lies on thick. Nothing changes from the Delaware days, eh Joe?

[Dennhk]

The Republican know that if the large companies don't get a tax cut with every one else, there will not be any new jobs. There will job cuts. The democrats want the people to be dependent on the government. that is why they want to extend unemployment but not allow large companies to have cuts and create new jobs. The democrats don't want people to go back to work, then the people won't be so dependent on the government and the government would have to reduce their size. God forbid if the government had to reduce and become smaller, the economy might grow by leaps and bounds and then the politicians couldn't hide their special ear marks and special interest spending. But there are enough liberals who want their free handout and don't really want to go back to work, so they support the democratic agenda for big government, special interest spending, back room deals at midnight, and keep the big companies from growing.

By the way, you are just driving the big companies out of the country and you the liberals are the losers and you are taking the middle class down with you. Shame on you..

[Dennhk]

Hey; Mark Montgomer,,,,

You must be a big union boss who hold the average worker and middle class hostage to the back room and night deals. The unions are the reason for companies leaving this country. The unions are greedy, exploitive and have the politicians in their back pocket and control the economy. The unions are the reason this country has not recovered. I know because I used to be in the union
when I was a socialist,,, before cared about other people and the welfare of this country. I think unions should be outlawed, because they are legalized outlaws.

[William Boko]

Hey, Biden, how does it feel to be doing the bidding of the same millionaires and billionaires you used to rail against when you were in Congress? Ah, to be in the White House today, at any level, is to be their lap-dog....

[Stephen Fischer]

Here is something that is ironic and would be hilarious if it were not so pathetic. Everything the left lobbed at former VP Richard Cheney is true of Joe "Bite Me" What a clown, and court jester. I would love to see VP "Bite Me" in a jesters get up.....what could be more perfect!!!!
Now then if Obama to improve his chances for a second term in 2012, dump Biden from the ticket and here are my top candidates to replace VP "Bite-Me" Oprah Winfrey, Louis Farakahn, Barbara "Babbs" Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Russ Finegold, Michelle Obama. Yes I am being sarcastic, but this is mild!!!!
IMPEACH OBAMA in 2011!!!

[pete]

2 stoogies

[Anuta]

I think that Biden should e a it more to the left or simply to the center than Obama, which is badly needed now

[Anti DEM]

Well, well, well. what happened here. I see Obama switched and forgot to rally his party, not to mention, mention to them that he was going to do something he knew his party would be against. I know, He (Obama) will blame Bush... I guess Bush made him do it. Wake up Democrats, before he sells your house in his "spread the wealth, campaign."

[Candidate Schumer ?]

N.Y. sen. Schumer is patiently preaparing a primary challenge to Obama.
Chuck has way more intestinal fortitude than the ex comunity organizer and
much less elitist arrogance.Aipac is pushing him real hard to jump in,let's hope
he goes for it.

[Why Biden ?]

In the light of the most recent Obama cave-in,Kucinich or sen. Sanders might
limit the erosion of Obama's 2008 coalition,while teaming again with the
verbal diarhea afflicted wind bag Biden is the surest way to a Carter like one
term flopsycle.

[Dump the babbling lefty old bum !]

Biden is obviously an anachronism,a relic of the past century,and this is a very
charitable way to put it.Let him be appointed ambassador to Pyongyang or
Caracas where he could end his days with other nostalgics of the Stalinist era.
The market for proletarian dictatorship is fast shrinking in the USA.

[Give Schumer his chance]

Biden has a nice future behind him. Obama needs a guy who has the cajones to
put him straight and some potential to replace him.Who wants a president Biden?

[Howard Dean for VP]

Dean could be trusted to represent the militant liberal wing of the party in the
present context of Obama's far right policys.

[Will Ralph Nader ''Gore'' Obama ?]

Nader is very upset with Obama's turn towards the right,sufficiently to call for
Obama's excomunication from the democrat party.Despite his 76 years,Nader
could mount a credible alternative for the the true believers who just 2 short
years ago mistook Obama for God's gift to their lefty agenda.The liberal wrath
against Obama's mascarade is growing by leaps and bounds and Bill Clinton
would be well advised to keep his distance from this monumental train wreck.
Biden is beeing played for the gullible ''valet de pied''that he has never ceased
to incarnate.

[Obama's albatros]

Biden is just one heartbeat away from the presidency....Hello???Is anybody
home ?

[Forrest M. Turner]

Once again we see Government usurping the will of the people by writing laws that they hope no one will challenge. This Health Care Bill should be declared
unconstitutional and null and void in its entirety.