To tax or not to tax
Sep-14-2010

Did John Boehner cave on the issue of the so-called Bush tax cuts?

On CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday, the House GOP leader suggested he would support a tax package that does not include an extension of cuts aimed at the wealthiest Americans if that were the only option on the table.

"I want to do something for all Americans who pay taxes," Boehner said. "If the only option I have is to vote for some of those tax reductions, I'll vote for it ... if that's what we can get done, but I think that's bad policy. I don't think that's going to help our economy."

That's a change from the all-or-nothing approach advocated by House and Senate Republicans for weeks. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said last month that he wouldn't support a tax cut package unless it included breaks for all Americans - a position that has been attacked by President Obama, who says the nation can't afford to give tax breaks to people who don't need it.

In a statement to reporters, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the administration welcomed "John Boehner's change in position ... but time will tell if his actions will be anything but continued support for the failed policies that got us into this mess."

The danger for Boehner is that his perceived cave could dampen enthusiasm among conservatives ahead of this November's crucial midterms. But with polls showing that voters across party lines are frustrated with the political deadlock in Washington, Boehner could win credit for appearing to compromise on one of the top issues driving the campaign. That's not great news for the Obama and the Democrats, who have attacked Boehner and the GOP as the "party of no."

Posted by jc at 1:14 AM - Link to this entry  |  Share this entry  |  Print