The latest Gallup poll has two interesting, and seemingly contradictory, findings:
President Barack Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner met at the White House on Sunday, but there has yet been no announcement of a negotiated agreement to avoid the mandated sequestration of government funds for defense and other federal spending, and the increase in tax rates for most taxpayers.
Seventy-three percent of Democrats want their leaders to compromise, little changed from 71% last week. But Republicans and independents express more widespread interest in compromise than they did last week — with Republicans moving from 55% to 67% in favor of compromise, while independents moved from 61% to 70%.
So Americans seem to want compromise — in theory. In reality, President Obama is still getting much higher approval ratings than Republican leaders in congress in the same Gallup poll (48 percent compared to 26 percent), even though he has been the party most unwilling to compromise.
It shows you what the GOP is up against here. Even though House Republican leadership has been open to concessions on tax revenue, it still can’t shake the “obstructionist” label. And even though President Obama has refused to take any step toward the GOP position, he’s still viewed as more willing to compromise. Republicans are dealing with more than just a political problem — they’re dealing with a deep-seated image problem, created largely by the media. Before they can persuade the public that they’re right about taxes, they’re going to have to tackle their public image issues.
Many Americans have always wanted contradictory things, like less government and more benefits. That's one reason why we're in this mess.
I heard a Washington Post reporter on the radio yesterday. She acknowledged (in an answer to a question) that Boehner has moved his position but that the President has refused to budge. n nMaybe one problem is calling the talks "fiscal cliff" talks. That suggests that a failure to reach agreement leads to disastrous consequences and adds a sense of urgency. Maybe Republicans should call them "fiscal restraint" or "entitlement reform" talks so that the failure to compromise will be a failure to meet their goals.
These poll responses are nothing more than what almost always happens: a president has the clear advantage of the "bully pulpit." This doesn't mean Boehner should not compromise—in my opinion he should on taxes for the very wealthy—but neither does it mean the public doesn't want major cuts in spending.
Compromise, smompromise. I just want the government to stop spend my children’s money, and my grandchildren’s money before they even get a chance to vote. n nIf “Progs” go on and on about the greed of the rich; but the greed of the rich is nonexistent compared to the greed of the Progs. n
Obama will allow the tax rates for all Americans to go up by allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire. By doing this he will achieve two significant goals: (1) he will blame the Republicans for tax hikes on the 'middle class', and (2) he will get closer to the $1.2 trillion in revenues he wanted in the first place. 'Check and Mate' on John Boehner and the Republicans yet again. Boehner needs to go back to tending bar and the Republicans might as well go home for Christmas after giving Obama his Christmas present and never return to Washington. We don't need feckless, stupid cowards incapable of representing us. Let's at least save some money by not paying them.