President Obama Predicts GOP Will Cave on Taxes

ABC News ^ | Dec. 11, 2012 | Devin Dwyer

[Free ThinkerNY]

As the clock ticks toward a tax hike on all Americans in 20 days, President Obama predicted Republicans would join Democrats to extend current rates for 98 percent of earners before the end of the year.

"I'm pretty confident that Republicans would not hold middle class taxes hostage to trying to protect tax cuts for high-income individuals," Obama said today in an exclusive interview with ABC News' Barbara Walters.

"I don't think they'll do that," he said of Republicans forcing tax-rate increases for families earning $250,000 a year or less.

The sign of optimism follows weeks of tense negotiations and public posturing to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff," an economically toxic package of $6 trillion in across-the-board tax hikes and $1.2 trillion in deep spending cuts that could begin in early 2013.

[jivin gene]

“Pass a bill in the republican house to make the current rates permanent for everyone then if the democrats vote it down or the president vetoes it THEY own it.”

That’s called fighting back. Not in this lifetime.

[American in Israel]

If they taxed 100%, everybody would starve living in caves next year, yet Congress would still run out of money before the next election.

I suspect that taxation talk is just smoke and mirrors while they buy time to print more money to buy mansions in the Bahamas before the world wakes up to what is really going on.

[JoeFromSidney]

It's interesting that when the Bush tax cuts were passed, they were "tax cuts for the rich." Now that they're about to expire, everyone is crying over how the higher taxes will hit the middle class. Well, which was it? Tax cuts for the rich, or tax cuts for everyone?

[skeeter]

As this communique torn by media puppet ABC News verbatim from the DNC's ticker suggests, the GOP will cave.

And the country's descent down the commode will accelerate.

Tomorrow this media puppet will continue to report, again using DNC talking points, that past GOP tax cuts are to blame.

Call me clairvoyant.

[what's up]

No doubt the GOP has already caved, which is why he can make that prediction.

No, it's part of the Alinsky "inevitably strategy" which means you get everybody all hyped up that something's going to happen so when it doesn't the other party gets blamed.

That's what's going on this week.

[plain talk]

Pass a bill in the republican house to make the current rates permanent for everyone then if the democrats vote it down or the president vetoes it THEY own it.

What ticks me off is why haven't they done this already?

[jersey117]

Whatever. I’m so sick of hearing about it. At this point I’m ready to sit back and let Obama be known as the lying fraud who raised taxes and wrecked the economy. Whatever we do, this ship is going down.

[wita]

A moron could make the same prediction and be right, and while we are at it, lets predict they will cave on the debt ceiling, spending cuts, Obama care, death panels, ever increasing taxes, homosexual marriage, auditing the Fed, entitlement reform, name it. Obama has a mandate, after all he won, no one is bragging about how much he won by or how many states went for him.

[Tenacious 1]

Speaker of Spelunkers? Go caving? Naaaah....Really?

I can’t believe it.

Next you’ll tell me the Pope is Catholic and Bears $hit in the woods.

[newzjunkey]

Republicans would not hold middle class taxes hostage

Remember the "new tone" and "civility" and all that Obama and his party were pushing after the Tucson shooting in 2011?

Preserving existing tax rates, adding to future grown... that's now a HOSTAGE taker.

[Gator113]

When Obama and Boehner are alone together in a room, does Boehner cry?

Does Boehner squeal like a piggy? “Weeeeeeee!”

[TWhiteBear]

Obviously, Mr. Boehner caved immediately after the elections.
This is not about the weakness and cowardice of Mr. Boehner, it is about the worthless GOPe and their foreign masters that support and empower Mr. Boehner and his fellow Mainstream Republican GOPe’s
Mr. Boehner does not want Ms. Clinton to release his FBI files and will grab his ankles whenever necessary.
Mr. Obama is an ignorant, quota black, who is led by other , much smarter, entities.
Mr. Obama should lay back and puff a Camel, chain smoker that he is, and watch the puppet media foist his position on the nation.
TWB

[Gator113]

THAT, should have already been done.

THAT, is too easy.

THAT, assumes they are even on our side. Frankly, I am not so sure anymore.

[Cyclone59]

They'll rattle sabers and build the tension until the 11th hour, then ink a deal in the dark of night (unread and undebated). They'll congratulate themselves for their hard work and then adjourn until the coast is clear.

yep, I bet it will get done by the 17, 'cause that is when ZERO is supposed to go to Hawaii for his two week vacation in that $34mm mansion.....

[silverleaf]

apparently the sniveling hypocrite democrats are desperate to keep: THE BUSH TAX CUTS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS

so if your taxes DON’T go up, BLAME BUSH

[Georgia Girl 2]

“President Obama predicted Republicans would join Democrats to extend current rates for 98 percent of earners before the end of the year.”

When you are right you are right.

[elkfersupper]

And I predict the sun will light up the eastern seaboard and the rest of the country shortly thereafter tomorrow.

[Reverend Wright]

“It’s interesting that when the Bush tax cuts were passed, they were “tax cuts for the rich.” Now that they’re about to expire, everyone is crying over how the higher taxes will hit the middle class. “

Joe, good point. The democrats never wanted taxes cut for anyone, but now they have to pretend that they only want to raise taxes on the rich.

i’m contrarian here. I don’t think the repubicans will cave. Boehner and McConnell know what happened to Bush41 when he caved on taxes.

There is a big political difference between voting for a tax increase, and not being able to stop one from happening.

Obama’s primary goal here seems to be to raise taxes on the top 2%. He is willing to raise taxes on everyone to do it. Republicans can’t stop him but they should not enable him by “compromising” and voting for higher taxes for anyone.

In bizarre way, going over the fiscal cliff is win-win politically. Obama gets his tax increase, the republicans don’t have to vote for one... that’s why i think it’s going to happen. and after that, anything is possible...

[mike_9958]

I’m an optimist.... or a fool.

I’m hoping the GOP is smarter than this.

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

I think they are indeed dumb enough to do this — cave in. But I also predict that if they do, it will be one of their last actions before becoming the Whigs of the 21st Century.

Reform Party here we come!