Actually, it will come up pre-election -- in Sept-Oct 2012. The then GOP House can insure that it does, recall.
Whereupon, the Democrat Senate and Obama will have their feet held to the fire on a further extension -- or permanence. What does the Democrat Senate do then?
And, if lame duck-to-be President Obama should veto the extension/permanent status of the tax cuts, would not the Democrat Senate override it? In the interest of survival?
Actually, the timing is perfect.
Most Americans: "Tax the rich but not me"
"The Quinnipiac University poll found that 60 percent of Americans among both major political parties think raising income taxes on households making more than $250,000 should be a main tenet of the government's efforts to tame the deficit. More than 70 percent, including a majority of Republicans, say those making more than $1 million should pay more.
CNN Poll: Only one-third favor tax cut extension for wealthy
Good answer. I hope you’re right.