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Even before voters finished casting ballots in House races across the country, the Republican leadership in the chamber began girding for a major battle over taxes and spending in the weeks after the election.
Confident that Republicans would retain their majority in the House, Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told POLITICO that GOP lawmakers would reject any new taxes on households in the highest income tax bracket.
"We’re not raising taxes on small-business people," Boehner said. "Our majority is going to get re-elected ... We’ll have as much of a mandate as he will — if that happens — to not raise taxes."
Al Behrman / AP
Speaker John Boehner talks with reporters outside Ronald Reagan Lodge after voting, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in West Chester, Ohio.
Consider Boehner's comments the first public salvo in a coming battle over how to best address the so-called "fiscal cliff," the mixture of automatic tax hikes and spending cuts set to take effect at the beginning of 2013.
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The fiscal cliff involves the expiration of the 2001 Bush tax cuts for all tax brackets and a two-year payroll tax cut, both of which are scheduled to sunset at the end of this year, barring action by Congress. Also set to take effect are the automatic spending cuts set forth in the 2011 debt ceiling deal, which were designed to be so distasteful that lawmakers would reach a compromise on how to best address mounting U.S. debt.
A standoff between the Obama administration, a Democratic Senate and a conservative Republican House of Representatives yielded no deal, leaving the fiscal cliff in its stead. Economists have warned that, if nothing happens to change those deadlines, any economic recovery would be imperiled. Moreover, the cuts fall heavily upon the defense budget, a cut which military leaders have warned could endanger American security.
GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan votes at the Hedberg Public Library in Janesville, Wisconsin.
This gridlock might dissipate if voters elect Romney as president on Tuesday. But if Obama wins a second term and the Senate stays in Democratic hands, the stalemate that helped produce so much disillusionment and nastiness this election could rear its head again in the coming weeks.
"You have to do something, and the best way to do it is by growing the economy," California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the Republicans' whip in the House, said Tuesday on MSNBC. "Now, we are going to have a fiscal cliff between now and the end of the year -- from the debt limit to the looming tax increases to sequestration. But all those ideas have been passed by the House to solve those. It's the Senate that has not acted."
That rhetoric might sound familiar to any reader who has tracked the incessant bickering between the Obama administration and Congress over the past two years.
But amid the bluster that has begun to emerge from Capitol Hill, President Barack Obama's team seemed more upbeat.
Before the president made his way home to Chicago, he made one final campaign stop where his journey to the Oval Office began – in Iowa. Obama Senior Adviser Robert Gibbs discusses.
"This election, when the president's re-elected, should break this fever of Washington gridlock," Obama adviser Robert Gibbs, the former White House press secretary, said on MSNBC. "It's time that Republicans come to the table and understand that we've got to get something done on the big pressing issues of our time."
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Analogy--> What happens when there are more people in the the wagon than people pulling it ?
A series of major polls released on Sunday showed President Obama ahead nationally and in key states, making him the favorite to win on Tuesday.
A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey showed Obama at 48 percent of the vote, while Mitt Romney had 47 percent. The Pew Research Center put the president at 50 percent, while Romney had 47. The Washington Post-ABC News poll showed Obama at 49, Romney 48. Surveys released by Rasmussen and Politico showed the race tied.
All of the polls are within the margin of error, but the group of findings, in which Romney did not lead in any of the surveys, suggests a narrow Obama lead. The president also led 50 percent to 48 percent in a Columbus Dispatch poll of Ohio, the state both campaigns are aggressively contesting. The Des Moines Register showed the president ahead 47 to 42 in Iowa, a must-win state for Obama. In Florida, a must-win for Romney, one major poll put Obama ahead by two
Well let the games begin......as long as democrats let them know they will hold the line on raising taxes on the middle class, or cutting benefits to seniors, vets, the disabled, and the working poor...that we will fund education and rebuild our infrastructure then by all means....and PS the American people are tired of this nonsense...get it done or get out.....and defense spending is no longer the sacred cow....sorry but we have hard realities and we need serious people in Washington....
The cryin man needs to get a clue. If we vote out the ME Party in the House, the economy is as good as fixed.
I'll type real slow so you democraps can read: Harry Reid has already stated that he will not work with a President Romney on any legislation, so don't just attack the Speaker of the House for what he said!
Second, the top 10% of wage earners already pay 70% of the taxes collected. Define "not paying their fair share". Remember the bottom 47% pay nothing! What is their fair share?
Yes, moron. But they have 90% or the income. DUHHHH!
The top 10% owns 85% of the privately held financial wealth of the United States.
SEE: "Who Rules America"
Not true about their total contribution. The middle class pay 92% of the tax revenue per capita
Yea...Take all their money and string em up.
Then what? Idiots..........
Oh my. Typing slow or fast has no relation to how fast the reader reads the words...
You might be thinking of "speaking".
How about take 75% and let them be filthy rich rather than fantastically wealthy. The bottom 47% pay taxes, Social Security, medicare, sales taxes, property taxes, just not income taxes. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer (that's you Rj) unless government redistributes wealth. That's not an opinion, that is a historical fact of reality. In addition, those who stand to lose the most if the nation collapses should pay the most to keep the system intact. Stop defending people who are purposefully and intentionally making themselves rich by making you poor. If it weren't for simpletons like you and godless Ayn Rand, they could not get away with it.
BS.... the bottom may not pay fed income taxes... but you can bet your bipped that they play FICA and Medicare..... but you don't see to realize that.... to much FAX news.... I can hardly wait till tonight when they get their pundits saying... "he wasn't conservative enough"..... if he had not come back to the middle we would not even be talking about a close contest....
Re-read the article. Even The Boehner doesn't believe Romney will get elected.
Kevin, You say the 47% pay FICA and medicare, those were trust funds that were supposed to be let go when the person reaches a certain age. It is not a tax, but the government (both sides) could not keep their hands out of that cookie jar. You want to give them more money?
When Obama wins tonight and takes the podium to address the nation, I'd love to hear him publicly put Boehner and the rest of the GOP Taliban on notice. BO needs to show his fortitude by informing the nation forthright what Boehner said today, then ask Americans to come together for common cause by contributing to political funds intent on defeating the likes of Boehner, Cantor, McConnell, etc. Just come right out and squarely pin the target on their backs. Going forward, BO needs to keep the spotlight on them by often reminding citizens whenever he steps in front of the microphone. Game on.
Plenty of time for that.
Just like usual, even before the election is over, the Republicans are already demonstrating why they are the party of NO: No to cooperation, No to compromise, No to new ideas and No to solving the problems. But, Yes to confrontation, Yes to Grover Norquist's pledge, Yes to obstruction, and Yes to more gridlock and deadlock.
May not have a choice Johnny. People want fairness. Forcing middle class and poor people to support the rich is not America!
"Obama Wins Obama Wins 4 more for 44" ......Boner and you teaparty = American Taliban if you dont do what is needed for this country your A$$es will be fired in 2014. WE ARE TIRED OF THE RICH NOT PAYING THERE SHARE..............
The top 5% already pay 70% of all revenue..how much more would you like? If you feel so strongly...open your check book...stroke a check...done. I forgot, you like spending "others" money...sorry
Boehner throwing Romney under the bus this early in the election day shows the confidence Boehner has in his candidate. You can bet Romney was throwing stuff at the tv screaming for Boehner to keep his trap shut. Most people havent even gotten out of work yet and Boehner is telling them they might as well stay home. What a moron.
McConnell, Boehner, Cantor and the rest of the Wingnuts need to go!
Gibbs can go to hell.
Why don't these Republican @!$%#s just come out and say that they want the country to go down the tubes because Grover Norquist has them by the balls. Or something because they don't have balls. They are ball-less.
They don't come out and say it because I got them by the ballz and I can squeeze them. Your just mad and angry because my voice is listened to more then yours, you want to know why. Because they love the money and that's the name of the game. The GOLDEN RULE. Just ask Jack Abramoff.
I agree. Great comment.
Folks, you need to realize that this IS A THREAT from the GOP. They are saying "You better vote for our guy, or we will make you suffer". Where I grew up, In Philly, I was taught to knock people like Bone-head's teeth right down his throat. Shame he gets to hide behind bodyguards while he threatens my family.
Boehner is from Ohio, he knows whats going on there and its not good for the GOP team. Throwing your candidate under the bus so early in the day means its over and he wants to move on.
I hope it's not too late for this to work against the Republicans in this election, as it should.
I used to give him the benefit of the doubt, but after this statement on election day, I now believe John Boehner is pure evil.
Funny I voted for Obama today based on 1 simple fact. Boenher, He uncompromising tactics demonstrate what is the biggest issue with politics today which is some people belief of their ideology over what is better for the masses. This guy does nothing but push an ideology which i might add he had no clue if it is even correct. You could have every rich person in the country tell him they would pay more taxes and he still would not raise taxes on them. You know why, it isn't about raising taxes, it is about agendas and ideology. Oh, I also voted locally against the candidate that he came here to support. Boenher needs to go, or else the Republican party will be lost for a decade.
What scares Republicans is that have spent the last 25 years proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is literally no downside to taxing wealth.
So, the GOP is giving the American people their middle finger...what a shame.
@#$%^%$# y@@.
Boehner made it quite clear that he and his party care far more about the top 1% than the rest of us. They would sooner see the country go to Hell than ask the super wealthy to pay 3% more.
The "Gross Odd People" (GOP), and the "Really Not Competent" (RNC) should not be drawing lines anywhere yet. The GOP/TeaBeggers need to be voted out in both Houses of Congress. The "Bonehead Boehner," and "Crazy Cantor's Cronies" are still in their obstructionist mode, and they all must be voted out America. The GOP/RNC "Hoodlum's On The Hill" have disrespected, dishonored, and have tried to disgrace this President. Now in the US Senate they have the "Mickey Mouse Mitch McConnell Club of Crazy Conservatives." In 2009 "Mickey Mouse Mitch McConnell" made it very clear that the only goal of the GOP?RNC is to destroy an American President. Hey America! Have you heard about the "Caucus Conspiracy" of 2009 yet?? Robert Draper wrote a book called."Do Not Ask What Good We Do." It goes into the workings of the GOP/RNC House Of Representatives. It is a must read. On Janruary 20, 2009 the Tea Beggers or the "Fourteen Felon's." "Conspired together to destroy the US Economy at all costs. At the Caucus Steakhouse Restaurant in Washington D.C the Tea Beggers 'conspired' to bankrupt the US Economy, and kill all Jobs Bills presented by the President. The GOP conspired to lie about the President at all costs. Make up anything that one can to discredit, dishonor, and disrupt everything that the President is trying to do. Who was at the "Caucus Conspiracy?" Well little "Richie Rich" Ryan was there, and so was "Crazy Cantor. They had every GOP "Felon" take a "Blood Oath" to seek thier revenge on the American People, and the Office of the Presidency. Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! The Party of NO has got to do.
I guess Boehner and the TPGOP are shooting for another downgrade in our Debt rating.
And they are telling the rating agencies in advance. Grover told him what he had to say.
This is pretty scary. If I were Obama, I don't think I would run again, since if he wins it will only be 4 more years of crapola.
I thought Obama would be a shoe in for re-election, given the people the Repubs have put up. But nooo, the Super-Pacs appear to have re-created what we will had for the last 2 years: a do nothing Congress. I still can't believe that article on Super-Pacs and how it had not changed things like people feared. It has, it has made ridiculous races into competitive races. This is because much of America gets taken in by repetitive mis-information based upon so called experts opinions, opinions bought and paid for by the super-rich.
I really can't understand how rank and file people in middle class jobs can even think that right wing Republicans have their best interest at heart, but they do. But this is because they have bought into the propaganda of the right wing Pac Machine.
I do no think Democrats are perfect by any means and in fact did vote for some Republicans. However, these are moderate Republicans, not insane right wingers. I also can't understand why people can't understand that it is people like Boehner, people that are incapable of compromising that are really screwing things up. Unfortunately it is these people that are best at pointing the finger at other people and somehow diverting how they are actually hurting America. The Right Wingers caused a decrease in America's credit status, costing us billions of dollars. Were people asleep whent his happened? Are people still asleep?
It seems the big orange Boner has accepted the fact that Obama will win, and Mittens will crawl back into his hole.
It's been clear for a very long time that the Republicans in Congress prefer seeing the country go down rather than stop the payments they've been getting from the big corporations. They should be ashamed, but the voters who continue to elect them are the ones who should be ashamed to even show their faces, either because they have such very bad judgment or because they are so incredibly stupid that they don't see what's happened in this country.