First cracks in GOP resolve on tax rates

AP via Yahoo news ^ | November 28, 2012 | Andrew Taylor

[John W]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first cracks are developing among Republicans over whether to accept a quick deal with President Barack Obama on allowing the top two income tax rates to expire.

Conservative Oklahoma GOP Rep. Tom Cole told GOP colleagues in a private meeting on Tuesday that it's better to make sure that tax cuts for the 98 percent of taxpayers who make less than $200,000 or $250,000 a year are extended than to battle it out with Obama and risk increasing taxes on everyone.

Cole's remarks are noteworthy because he's a longtime GOP loyalist and a confidant of House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. They were made in a meeting of the House GOP Republican whip team, which is a sounding board for GOP leaders.

"If we don't believe taxes should go up on anybody, why can't we accept a deal that takes 98 percent out and still leaves us free to fight on the other grounds," Cole said in an interview on Wednesday. "I'm not for using the American people for leverage or as a hostage."

[apillar]

And the Democrats will gleefully do exactly what they did to George Bush Sr.. Smile and pat the Republicans on the back while praising them for being “bipartisan” and passing tax increases, then turn right around next election and beat them over the head mercilessly as untrustworthy liars for breaking their “no new taxes” pledge. Ask Bush Sr. what compromise with democrats will get you....

[DH]

As I was walking past the TV (Fox news) I heard that Obama is trying to get the Republicans to agree to a tax increase now and a spending cut later.

I bet they go for it “hook, line and sinker!”