Testy Obama fires back at Democrats over tax deal

Reuters on Yahoo ^ | 12/7/10 | Steve Holland and Patricia Zengerle

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A testy President Barack Obama on Tuesday expressed frustration at his own Democrats for attacking him over his tax-cut deal with Republicans, who he called uncompromising "hostage takers."

Obama found himself in an unusual position a day after sealing a major tax-cut agreement -- praised by Republican opponents and denounced by liberal Democrats who felt he violated a pledge that helped get him elected in 2008.

Liberals accused him of caving to Republican demands by agreeing to extend all the Bush-era tax cuts, even those for wealthier Americans, instead of their preference for limiting the tax cuts to families making less than $250,000 a year.

Obama's tax-cut deal could be seen as a move toward the political center after November 2 elections in which Democrats suffered huge losses.

He said he could have spent months arguing the Democrats' position but that it would have risked further damage to the economy.

Obama leveled some of his toughest criticism to date at the left wing of the Democratic Party, saying his critics were taking a "sanctimonious" position that would not have helped solve problems.

His voice rose and he sounded exasperated when he said if he had refused to compromise, "People will have the satisfaction of having a purist position and no victories for the American people."

The country was founded on the principle of compromise, Obama said, and he singled out one leading critic, The New York Times editorial page, saying "The New York Times editorial page does not permeate across all of America. Neither does the Wall Street Journal editorial page."

[GreenHornet]

Somewhere, the denizens of a secret Clinton War Room are feeling very encouraged tonight.

[tanknetter]

What he’s actually done is engage, for the first time of his presidency, in the kind of “post-partisan” negotiation and compromise that he advocated so strongly for.

Yes, he was forced into it and has no other choice. But it’s still ironic, therefore, that the real flak and damage here is coming from his own party rather than the GOP. Clearly shows who the reasonable ones are.

[screaminsunshine]

This is like Wrestling. It is all a Hoax.

[FreedBird]

During his press conference he blamed the GOP and repeated over and over “The Republicans want a tax break for the rich.” He is trying to convince people he is the great savior for the middle class tax cuts. I thought the GOP were pushing for tax cuts for everyone. Obama is spinning this hatred for the rich. He loves to divide people.

[Sacajaweau]

What is with the name calling?? That’s what children do....and losers, too.

[Sacajaweau]

Excellent analogy.

[freedomlover]

[CodeToad]

“This is like Wrestling. It is all a Hoax.”

I have no doubt it is. The staff of Senator Harry Reid(D) and Congresscritter Nancy Pelosi(D) have stated that they both have been constantly in the Whitehouse for the past several weeks, yet, both of these liars claim they knew nothing.

[Terry Mross]

The media has a real dilema. Turn on it’s viewers or turn on it’s master.

[nolongerademocrat]

Public meltdown in sight

[BobP]

When you vote someone into the presidency without the experience of a hot-dog stand manager, you get turd-in-the-punchbowl results.

Let him crack up. Give him a medical discharge! But, one way or another, it's time to end the experiment brought on by the piss-steam media and the Bush derangement crowd.

[sleddogs]

The RATS are in full melt down

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9704518

Oh, the angst & gnashing of teeth.

I love it!!!

[purplelobster]

“Testy Obama fires back at Democrats”

Testy Obama must be an affectionate new nickname given to Barry by sycophantic journalists.

[jersey117]

Hostage takers? Last time I checked, he still had the house and senate. He just couldn’t get all of his rats on board this time around.

[Republican Wildcat]

I thought the GOP were pushing for tax cuts for everyone

There's no discussion about cutting taxes at all. It's just keeping the rates the same for everyone.

[newbie 10-21-00]

Congrats! Any old body can spell “lose” “loose”, I’ve seen it a thousand times on this board, but this is the first time I saw “loose” spelled “lose”. Post-o-the-day!!

[redhead]

(snickering like Muttley...)

[hinckley buzzard]

Obammy is discovering to his dismay that governing is a bit more challenging than being an outside agitator. As Sarah Palin said, "I guess being mayor is like being a community organizer--only with real responsibility!"

[hinckley buzzard]

Agreed. If obama continues to perform at this level of ineffectiveness, Hillary is in for a dollar.

[hinckley buzzard]

Well, you know that all that talk of "postpartisanship" was strictly for public consumption. The 'rats never for a nanosecond intended to be anything but lethally partisan.