The House will vote in a bit on a motion to “disagree with the Senate” on the payroll tax cut. Why is that? Because then House Republicans can spin and lie saying they didn’t vote against the tax cut. It’s one of the most cowardly moves by a leader playing whore to the extremists in his party.
In 11 days the tax burden for the middle and lower class will go up an estimated $1,000 per year. The radical right, dominated by the hatred fueled Tea Party, care nothing about this. They only care about trying to make President Obama look bad.
Luckily though this just may backfire. What has happened the past few days with the payroll tax cut shows a House Republican Leadership who has no control. They are letting a minority of their caucus rule the entire side of the aisle. Senate Republicans are seeing this and the divide is carrying over into the public stage now.
Democrats have an excellent position here. All they have to do is say “it’s this bill or nothing”. That can be backed up by the huge Republican support the bill saw in the Senate, coupled with John Boehner saying his people supported it only a few days ago. The Democrats can then turn this into a “party above country” attack against the GOP.
Right now we need Democrats to stand tough and refuse to cave any further on this legislation. They have already surrendered far more than they wanted, while the GOP has given none. The Democrats need to get out there and start controlling the message on this issue and I think a perfect way would be for President Obama to address the nation and tell them “Merry Christmas. Come January 1 you will be paying more in taxes thanks to John Boehner and the House GOP”, then at the same time he can go on to actually thank the Senate GOP for working to get something passed.
Get John Boehner on the ropes over this issue and you will see him shed a lot more tears.