President Obama says he's not caving on tax cuts

[cal04]

Source: CNN

President Obama declared Friday that his "No. 1 priority" is preserving tax cuts for the middle class, and sharply denied that comments by his senior adviser David Axelrod suggest that his administration is about to cave in to Republicans who also want to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy.

"That is the wrong interpretation because I haven't had a conversation with Democratic and Republican leaders," Obama said of a Huffington Post article suggesting that in advance of negotiations with lawmakers next week, the White House has calculated that giving in on tax cuts for the rich is the only way to get the middle class cuts extended too.

"Here's the right interpretation -- I want to make sure that taxes don't go up for middle class families starting on January 1," Obama said at a news conference at the conclusion of the G-20 Summit in South Korea. "That is my No. 1 priority for those families and for our economy. I also believe that it would be fiscally irresponsible for us to permanently extend the high income tax cuts.

"I think that would be a mistake, particularly when we've got our Republican friends saying that their No. 1 priority is making sure that we are dealing with our debt and our deficit," he said.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/11/12/obama.tax.cuts/?hpt=T1

---

video at link

[deminks]

1. No, Mr. President, our republican 'friends' #1 priority is making you fail.

They don't give a rat's ass about deficits or debt or jobs or fiscal responsibility. I hope you are prepared to stand up to them and don't give away the farm again.

[GOTV]

19. It's like Obama hears what he wants to hear.

[saigon68]

32. Its whatever

Book mark this page

Boner will get his way!!!!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

92. I agree 80%.

You'd have to be blind not to see the trial balloon.

[SammyWinstonJack]

35. Selective hearing.

:evilgrin:

[LawnLover]

38. Of course they don't

but he can't say that without getting more flak than he's already getting.

Whether we like it or not, he has to deal with these people. If he comes out swinging, they will swing back harder and NOTHING will ever get done.

I'm amazed at how naive people here often are.

[pattmarty]

48. I am STILL waiting for him to "comes out swinging" as are a lot of.............

.........Americans. Personally, I don't think he knows how to fight, just bend over and drop his shorts, because that is pretty much all he has done so far. Me and a lot of other people are still waiting for the "FDR Obama" to show himself.

[LawnLover]

51. Why?

Why do you think he needs to come out swinging? To satisfy some need for revenge?

What I want is for him to get THINGS DONE. And he has managed to do A LOT OF THAT in the last two years, despite the blockades from both the Republicans and people in his own party. And he did that without swinging.

I understand the emotional need for Obama to kick some ass, but honestly, it would likely do more harm than good.

[pattmarty]

54. "A LOT OF THAT in the last two years". Yeah, name me some............

...........of those things. Healthcare, no. Financial reform, no. There are some things that were passed that are decent, but nothing overwhelming. As a "liberal" he has failed. As a "moderate" Dem (like Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter) maybe he rates a "four". A FDR or LBJ he DEFINITELY is not. Some things he actually blows at: DADT, increasing the war in Afghanistan, he is actually on the homeland security shit, the BP gulf spill, he is a fucking weak President.

[LawnLover]

61. A) When did Obama ever claim to be a liberal? and B)

Are you suggesting that passing more positive legislation than five presidents combined -- despite a screwed-up Senate and constant blockades -- is merely "decent?"

FDR also put American citizens in prison camps because of their race, so I wouldn't be using him as a shining example of progressive values. If Obama had done something like that, you'd be calling for his head.

You might want to check this out:

http://whattheheckhasobamadonesofar.com/

[pattmarty]

72. I'm suggesting he is a weak President and no FDR or LBJ.............

.......It ain't the quantity, it's the quality and in that respect it blows. FDR I guess in your eyes was a failure, so that tells me all I need to know about your "opinions".

[LawnLover]

79. Don't equate pragmatism with weakness

A weak president gets nothing done. He isn't weak. He just isn't the ass-kicker you were hoping for, but then he never presented himself that way, so I'm not sure what you were expecting.

He promised change and he is making change. Gradually. Just as he said it would happen.

I'll never understand why people complain about a man doing largely what he said he would do, in the time frame he said it would take to do it. I think too many of you were blinded by your own hopes and not listening attentively when he spoke.

[pattmarty]

80. I will admit I heard what I wanted (or hoped) like many, many others......................

...........I will say, one mans pragmatism is another mans weakness or maybe just indecisive would be a better word. Ie, Afghanistan, Gen Petraeus, Gen McChryhstal, dealing with Israel and letting Netanyahu disrespect the Vice President AND the US, dealing with Phrma, insurance companies and Wall st, DADT..........

[LawnLover]

83. I also wouldn't equate deliberation with indecisiveness

I'd rather Obama look at things carefully, weigh all of the available options, then decide in a way that's most effective given the cards he's been dealt. I think so far he is doing that. Yes, I disagree with him on a number of points, but I'm not sitting in that chair faced with the realities of a given situation. He's dealing with more factors on a minute to minute basis than most of us see in a lifetime. Anyone who assumes that he can wave a wand and make all of things right is living in a fantasy world.

And whether we like it or not, politics is a large part of the equation and he can't simply say, fuck everyone, I'm doing what I want to do. He may make his base happy by doing that, but he needs more than his base to keep the Democrats in power in 2012.

[panzerfaust]

94. "I'm not sure what you were expecting."

CHANGE I guess.

Change from the course of relentless erosion of our civil liberties, Change from the prosecution of immoral wars, Change from the support of business interests over those of the common citizen, Change in the lack of access to health-care in this country ... in short: CHANGE

THIS is what we were EXPECTING



THIS is what we GOT




Sorry if the truth is not welcome. Even more sorry that it is the truth that the president we got is not the candidate we elected.

[drm604]

2. Well, that's not ambiguous. :sarcasm:

What I think he's saying is that he wants to temporarily (as opposed to permanently) extend the cuts for everyone, but he's not being very clear about it.

[Zhade]

77. Considering he campaigned on ENDING the b*s* tax cuts, he's now LYING TO OUR FACES. Again.

Just like he did when he said he "never ran on a public option", despite the written and video evidence that he did in fact run on a public option.

WAKE UP, PEOPLE. He is lying to us when he says he is not caving in. Going from "I will end them" to "well, maybe I'll extend them for a while" and saying those two positions are the same is LYING.

[handmade34]

3. key word: permanently?

I believe it to be a huge mistake to compromise in any way, shape or form with the Republicans on this one... we must end tax cuts, even if it is all of them!

[NorthCarolina]

15. You Betcha'. nt

[Cosmocat]

56. YEP !

He is clearly leaving the door open for an extension on them, which would be a HUGE mistake ...

When you have your mortal enemy laying in front of an ongoing train, you don't help them up and say you will get them on the tracks some other time ... You let them get run over ...

Flat out, an extension only gives the Rs more room to manuever to make them permanent ... you LET THEM EXPIRE, very rarely do you get to have a bad idea JUST GO AWAY on its own ...

AND, it is B A D politics cause it hurts him VERY, VERY badly with the moderate democrats ...

[GOTV]

70. Also, it lets you talk about tax cuts all over again at the next election.

He needs to deal with them now and permanently.

[StarsInHerHair]

85. I hope he's just seeming to waver in order to keep the Con's

slightly less than totally foaming-at-the-mouth, & he'll let the wealthy cuts expire. I hope he's switched to poker & this is his poker face. Thoughts?

[Cosmocat]

100. I just don't know ...

I get BO more than a lot seem to, I get the zen like thing, and I see A LOT of toughness that people want to see weakness in ...

But, this situation seems to scream, on every level, for a pretty clear position ...

[spotbird]

63. It so annoying

All he did was reiterate the same position. Temporary tax cuts are under consideration.

It absolutely does not earn them support when they pretend the outcome is not predetermined. It makes people more angry than they would otherwise be.

[GOTV]

71. Temporary tax cuts are a TERRIBLE idea and the GOP would LOVE it ...

... because then they have the tax cut issue for the presidential election.

[SemperEadem]

4. didn't he say that same thing about the public option

and yet, it's the first thing he chopped out of HCR.

so... why should we believe that that is the case this time around?

[mzmolly]

75. Yeah, and Lieberman made sure we didn't

have one. So much for that super majority.

I hope the President finds his magic wand soon!

[readmoreoften]

91. Maybe he can find his magic wand in Bush's desk drawer. Right next to Bush's playbook.

[mzmolly]

98. Perhaps it's sitting next to the "how to form a right wing cult"

manual?

[2Design]

5. yeah we heard the same thing with health care - bs

[Loki]

6. Right Mr. President

been down this road before.

[The Uncola]

7. We aren't naive Mr President.

Quit insulting our intelligence by treating us as if we are. Parsing words won't cut it anymore.

[bowens43]

8. Basically, he is saying that he is caving in on taxers for the rich.

He obviously is going to allow an extension of the tax cits for the wealthy, he just won't use the word permanent.

a typical politician, mislead to the point that it can't actually be called a lie.

[Occulus]

9. Public option.

Bitten, shy, etc.

[Occulus]

10. Oh Jesus TAPDANCING CHRIST

"our Republican friends"

:banghead:

[Imagevision]

11. Republican friends disagree with you calling the sky blue, get real Obama!

[Ganja Ninja]

12. Weasel words of the day - "permanently extend".

Expect at least another two year extension.

[GOTV]

18. Which would make Republicans happier than making the cuts permanent ...

... because they can start talking about tax increases again in time for the 2012 election.

[Thor_MN]

13. The sunset of Bush tax cuts is GOP set policy, GOP wants to extend them. Flip Flop.

The damn GOP can't even compromise with itself, they are are taking diametrically opposed positions.

I say, let's all compromise, at 95% of what they want, 5% of what they wanted and what the majority of people currently want, extend the cuts for all but the top 5%.

The GOP like to bandy about the word small business. They don't give a damn about small businesses, they only care about major corporations and the richest of the rich individuals. Whenever they say "small business" subsititute the words "rich assholes" and you will be closer to their true message.

We simply can not afford the "job creation" cost of the Bush tax cuts, we have been living under them for 10 years, where's the beef?

[grahamhgreen]

14. Translation: I will preserve the Bush tax cuts for the rich at all costs!

[yodermon]

16. #1 priority SHOULD be to raise taxes on the rich

that has a more stimulative effect on the economy than tax CUTS for the middle class.

The CW, however, believes the exact opposite thanx to trickle down voodoo raygun bullshit economics that's permanently etched into the public consciousness.

[BlueJac]

17. The word permanent is the key .......

he will extend the tax cuts for the rich! He will cave in to the Republicans like always.

[Imagevision]

20. Obama opposes permanent extension of tax cuts for rich

Source: Reuters

Obama has insisted tax cuts for the wealthiest should not become permanent because of a potential $700 billion impact on the deficit over the next decade. He has left the door open to a temporary extension for higher income levels.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AA4ZE20101112?type=smallBusinessNews

---

The key word here is "TEMPORARY" as in "TEMPORARY" again in 2012 election... Again Obama breaks/manipulates campaign promises.

[midnight]

21. End the millionairs give away and put it into a account to heal this country....

[StarsInHerHair]

86. that's a really good way to put it-did you tell Move-On?

they had a site saying tell us what you think of the richest cuts getting extended or cut. I put in my 2 cents.......

[SpiralHawk]

22. "More more more tax cuts for rich republicons." - Rush DraftDodger Limbaugh (R)

"We demand more more more more more more."

- Rush DraftDodger Limbaugh (R - $40-million-a-year propagandist)

[Bandit]

23. Yep we are all Fools over here in Left ville

He harps for years about how those tax cuts are destroying our economy and putting the USA in extreme peril and then he capitulates and allows them to remain.. Has there ever been a President that does the other sides bidding at the drop of a hat? My love for Obama is beginning to become the exact opposite..He is a danger to this country.. He gives in to the enemy at every opportunity and even creates the opportunities for them..No sense in voting for that man as it is the same as voting for whatever the Republicans want..

[dkf]

24. None of the Bush cuts should be permanent.

[doc03]

25. Oh really?

[Imagevision]

26. Obama should care about seniors as much as he does about million/billionaires

[bloomington-lib]

27. I oppose a temporary extension too.

[vi5]

28. Oh yeah, because in an election year....

He's going to be so much bolder than he is now and so much less risk averse.

[BeyondGeography]

29. Barack, I love you, but you're blowing it

Stop leaving the door open to bad policy and bad politics.

If you don't take a stand on this issue, you might not even have a chance to take a stand on another one.

[BlueJac]

30. My money is on Obama caving in as usual!

[mzmolly]

74. How do you suggest he handle having a Republican majority

in the house? Does he let the tax cuts expire for everyone? And, if he does, what should his strategy be when he's beaten over the head with his broken "I will not raise taxes on the middle class" promise?

[Zhade]

78. Easy. Decouple the two -- offer up a middle-class-only bill.

Make the Republicans try to vote THAT one down, and don't even bring more ill-gotten money for rich fucks into the equation.

Win-win.

[mzmolly]

84. I still think they'd push the "Obama raised taxes" meme. I suppose

if we could firmly put the ball in their court, what you and others suggest might work. I've said as much myself, but I heard the "broken promise" meme floated and paused a bit.

[panzerfaust]

97. His failure of principles is the REASON there will be a Repub majority

The independents swung the vote for Obama. They voted for him because of the promises he made: "CHANGE" to sum it up.

He did not deliver on change.

Now the independents have swung to the latest (if completely unbelievable) candidates who promise "CHANGE"

Wake up: The country wants CHANGE, not more unaccountable "leaders" beholding only to the rich.

So, I predict that he will deal with the Repub lower-house majority, the same way he dealt with having control of the executive and both houses of congress: By abandonment of any and all progressive ideals.

He should do the right thing, as LBJ did, and announce that he will not be running for re-election. That way, we may have a chance. Otherwise, we will be in the same position of the British Labour party - which had absolutely NO chance of winning without replacing Gordy - which they did not do & are now "the loyal opposition"

The Repubs, astoundingly, have said their major priority is to make Obama a one-term president. One would think that they might have other priories: such as restoring the American economy (which they wrecked), ending the steady bleeding of our anti-Muslim "Crusades" (which they started), or reestablishment of the rule of law in our country (which they eviscerated) ... or at least one would expect them to PRETEND to have such priorities.

But such crass, blind, vengeful partisanship could be used against them by someone with the courage to do so. I predict that such courage will not be found by president Obama.

[mzmolly]

99. He didn't deliver on what change?

I thought he was a socialist and stuff? ;)

The problem isn't so much with Obama as it is with the Party in general. We're afraid to form a lasting moral narrative. I think we need to. But as you've noted, it's difficult given Obama ran on the dream of a post partisan nation. All the R's have to do, is prevent THAT from happening (by continuing obstruction) and they've won to an extent. We agree however that Obama has to pivot somehow from the post partisan ideal. I wish he'd done so, prior to the last election.

2012 is a long time away. I think Obama will be able to turn things around by then. At least, I hope.

:hi:

[Little Star]

31. Fool me once....

[onehandle]

33. Politics-speak. nt

[bowens43]

34. so , he's going to had the republicans a HUGE win

and virtually assure that they will win the senate and the oval office in 2012.


this guy is pathetic

[COLGATE4]

36. I also believe that it would be fiscally irresponsible for us to permanently extend the high income

This is all I have to hear. As the Italians say, "nothing is so permenant as something temporary". Clear signal that he's going to agree to a 'temporary' extension of tax cuts for the millionaires and billionaires (which will promptly be made permanent by the Rethug Congress) in exchange for not letting the middle-class tax cuts expire. Once again Obama has negotiated against himself and once again he has lost.

[anachro1]

37. Or so he says....

Watch the position change in the next 24 hours.

Our president is a polite and well behaved spineless coward.

[fascisthunter]

39. whatever you say

[Roy Rolling]

40. He's learning

I guess he learned there is fire in Progressives from the feedback over Keith Olberman. "no more Mr. Nice guy"

[alberg]

41. The single most important thing that the Democrats can do

is to let ALL the Bush Tax Cuts expire.

Let’s call their bluff.

They’ve been telling us for the past year that the most critical issue we face is the large Federal Deficit – OK – letting the tax cuts expire will cut the deficit IN HALF ! There is no other action that either party could take that has as powerful an effect on one of the core issues driving our politics.

As a patriotic American I’m happy to give my $300.00 a year tax break back to our government to balance the budget and make our country stronger. I’m sure all the Billionaires out there are willing to do the same.

We control the Senate so all that is needed to make this happen is to DO NOTHING! The tax cuts expire on December 31.

Most economists agree that the tax cuts were a Republican shame that damaged the economy and the letting them expire will, if coupled with an aggressive jobs creation program, be a big step towards getting us out of this mess.

So, what do you say – are you with me?

Call your Senators and the White House and tell them: Let all the Bush Tax Cuts expire!

[LynnTTT]

42. The hidden word is "permanent"

He'll go along and extend the cuts for everyone for two years, putting the "over $250,000" issue front and center just in time for the next election cycle. When the GOP will use it as their biggest reason not to vote Democratic and then the GOP wins the presidency in 2012. Fight the battle now, the economy is getting better anyway. People have very short memories, as seen by the mid-terms. By the next election cycle, the deficit should be/could be less, and the Dems will be in a better position.

[KeyserSoze87]

43. Obama needs to raise taxes on the rich.

Clinton did it, and as a result, the national debt had little to know growth at all, and we had a budget surplus.

[Jackpine Radical]

44. Why has he even gotten himself into the position

of having to deny it?

Watch what he does, not what he says.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

45. "Permanent" being the key word. What a load of bullshit. nt

[ctwayne]

46. Of Course the Wealthy Will Get Their Tax Breaks

But the real question will be how to pay for the tax breaks for the rich. I expect Obama and the more Republican Congress to finance this giveaway by stealing money from grandma's Social Security check. That's what the Simpson-Bowles Catfood Commission is calling for.

[truth2power]

47. "to permantly extend"...

Behold! The loophole. :rofl:



ETA> I see that some other posters have picked up on this. We're getting quite proficient at parsing Mr. Obama's utterances, aren't we? :eyes:

[Hubert Flottz]

49. SOB

Same Old BipartisanShit!

[Scurrilous]

60. Clever!!1!

:thumbsup:

[AC_Mem]

50. Geez - give him a chance to get back to America!

Americans have ZERO patience. If President Obama isn't here to immediately deal with everything (because he is on an international presidential trip overseas, where apparently he is much more appreciated than he is here), then people will just assume what he *might* say and go with that.

Good grief.

[Used2BNjock]

52. I'll believe him ONE MORE TIME

If he can't win on this issue when both a majority of dem and repuke voters agree........... you all know the rest of this sentence.

[PADemD]

I want to hear him say

I also believe that it would be fiscally irresponsible for us to extend ANY high income tax cuts.

[tavalon]

53. Gee, that little test balloon blew up in your face, didn't it, Mr. President?

Splat! All gone. Never mind. And poor Axelrod has whiplash. I'm fairly sure Huffington Post is pretty pissed about being used in that way, as well.

[elleng]

55. Thanks for the post, cal. Can't stand all the b.s. here. Going elsewhere!

[PinkFloyd]

57. He will SO cave on this...

Just like he caved on HC reform or like he caved on Wall Street reform. He's already went from NO COMPROMISE to supporting an extension. I don't like paying taxes as much as the next guy but how in fuck-sake can you talk about the deficit with a straight face and advocate extending this I'll never know.

[jtuck004]

58. Well, jobs should be the #1 priority anytime now. Two weeks ago

it was foreclosures. Over 30 million people are paying no taxes or not enough, BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY, OR NOT ENOUGH,
INCOME.

The way to get our deficit down is to get them back to work.

[JustAnotherGen]

59. What if he stalls

And just completely let's them expire? What if the outgoing Democratic Congressional Majority goes balls to the walls and passes a permanent tax cut for the middle class and the poor.


If we really wanted to - our Congress could get it done and get him to sign off on it. I also think that those Democratic Senators that are feeling like they are targets in 2012 should admit it - own it - and do the right thing. If you aren't coming back in 2013 - then you've got nothing to lose by going out with a bang and giving a permanent tax cut to the middle class AND the poor.

[JJW]

62. Hoodwinkle

If Obama was going to fight for rescinding Bush tax cuts for the filthy rich, he would have done so before the election because the vast majority want this ended. It is therefore so blatantly obvious that Obama will cave to the rich. Pathetic hoodwink! The election results indicate Obama isn't fooling very many voters any more. So Wall St & K St will drop him like a worn out rag.

[sofa king]

64. This time is not like the last time.

The health care debate was creating new legislation out of whole cloth. The Republicans in the Senate were able to block it at every turn. This time, the Republicans have wandered into a trap of our creation that is going to hurt them for the next decade.

This issue surrounds a countdown timer that cannot be adjusted without new legislation to extend the tax cuts. If the countdown reaches zero, we win. The GOP-controlled media, however, is casting the issue as an urgent problem that can only be solved if rich people get their handout. It's not going to work, but the Republicans have to try because that's what their masters are telling them to do.

If the Republicans somehow get an extension passed in the House but not the Senate (which they won't because we still control both houses until January), we win. If the legislation somehow passes both houses of Congress, President Obama has just signaled that he will veto it, and we win. If nobody does anything at all, which is what Congress does best, we win.

What that means is that in two short months the Bush tax cuts will be dead and the Republicans, being the assholes they are, will continue to try to hold a new middle-class tax cut plan hostage in hopes of wedging the rich people aboard. Democrats will be sure to split the issue so that Republicans have to go on record voting against middle-class tax cuts.

That means is that in two years, Democrats will be able to run against every single Republican in Congress on the issue of denying tax cuts to the middle class.

And we will kick their asses for that! This is the issue that could finally put the GOP back under the rock for years, and they're walking right into it.

[NeoConsSuck]

81. Your post was satire, right?

where have you been since 2008?

[sofa king]

96. Any American politician will take doing nothing straight to the bank.

Our Democrats are stupid, but they are not so stupid as to cave in on an issue they don't even have to vote on.

And they're plenty smart enough to let all Republicans damage their careers forever by having them vote against a middle class tax cut in the first 90 days of the next Congress, which they will.

That's not satire, it's common sense.

I'm telling you, the "urgency" surrounding this issue is created by the seven-figure owners and employees of Fox News and CNN. They'll happily drag the party they control straight into the shitter over this one, because it's the one issue--money--that they give a damn about. That's where the comedy is.

[valerief]

65. Republican deficit hawks' first order of business--INCREASE THE DEFICIT!

"Mr. Boehner, where are the jobs??????"

[mvd]

66. Good to hear

I guess we'll have to see, though, because if preserving middle class tax cuts is the #1 priority, then that might signal that there's flexibility with the tax cuts for the rich. "I believe" sounds less firm than "#1 priority." I certainly hope he holds firm to both, because it would make the Repukes look like such hypocrites. It would also be an early signal to the Repukes that he's not going to roll over. We could always propose middle tax cuts later, and if they are voted down because of the other Party, voters will blame the Repukes.

[AlbertCat]

67. So... which is it????

One day it's

"He's caving"

then by noon it's

"He standing firm"

then the next day it's

"he's considering a compromise"


Of course, there should be no doubt that he is gonna stand firm. That's what SHOULD be the message. But I can't tell whether it's the news people or Obama's people who keep muddying the waters.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

68. I'm becoming increasingly annoyed with that hesitancy in

his voice when he speaks. I use to think he was merely being thoughtful, but now
it seems he's being very careful not to say anything definitive. Everything
he says can be left open to interpretation.

If tax cuts for the wealthy are not allowed to expire, THEY WILL have an impact on the
middle class. The middle class ultimately is impacted by every economic decision.

[brentspeak]

69. "I may or may not be ambiguous."

"And you can take that to the bank."

[mzmolly]

73. "fiscally irresponsible"

Hammer that point home Mr. President. :toast:

[rustyd55]

76. cut

how can republicans say they are for the people how do they get away with it billionaires need tax cuts

[StarsInHerHair]

82. aha-he's gone & done it, the sneaky wording to put it right

back onto the Con's backs. kicked & recc'd

[sendero]

87. Geez...

... that's not the test. The test is letting them expire on those who have not been paying their share for 8 years.

Way to move the bar.

[True_Blue]

88. He won't *Permanently* extend the tax cuts.

They are going to "temporally" extend the Bu$h tax cuts, and they will pay for it by making cuts to SS, UI and social programs for the poor. So the economy will continue to rapidly decline like it has over the last 10 yrs,and if they cut social programs too, it will be such a mess by 2012 that the Democratic party won't stand a chance. Then the Republicans will take control and permanently pass the tax cuts. I just don't get it...the Repubs only control one of the three branches of gov, yet we can't stop them or even put up a fight.

[tomp]

89. who has republican "friends"? not me. nt

[readmoreoften]

90. Sorry. Never heard of this "Republican Friend" situation you mentioned.

[24601]

93. Get ready for the fine print. "It's not really caving if I secretly

wanted them all along."

[dEm82]

95. good, I hope the republicans cave