Obama: 80% of Americans want higher taxes (You Lie!)

The Hill ^

[quesney]

President Obama on Friday kept up the pressure on Republicans to agree to revenue increases in a deal to raise the debt ceiling, claiming 80 percent of the public supports Democrats' demand for tax increases.

"The American people are sold," Obama said. "The problem is members of Congress are dug in ideologically."

Throughout the press conference, Obama blasted Republicans for ignoring what he said is the will of the American people by rejecting tax increases that would balance out spending cuts in a debt package.

"This is not an issue of salesmanship to the American people," Obama said. "I hope [Republicans are] not just listening to lobbyists and special interests ... I hope they're listening to the American people as well," Obama said, citing "poll after poll" showing Republican voters, as well as Democrats, believe in taking "a balanced approach" — including both increased revenues and spending cuts in a plan to cut the deficit.

Obama repeated his warning that the country is "running out of time" to avert a financial “Armageddon.”

"We should not even be this close on a deadline," Obama said. "This is something we should have accomplished earlier."

[StAnDeliver]

"We will just have to take a timeout like Russia and live within our means for a few years."

I agree (and another FReeper brilliantly outlined this strategy last night), but it would never work here -- Russia is almost entirely homogenous, has no compunction about tapping its energy reserves by any means necessary, and their comprehensive black market is a viable economic substitute for our welfare state.

[Scanian]

I find that he polls better on weekend nights when Republicans are out doing family activities. Weekends have been consistently stronger for Democrats since Rasmussen got started 12 or so years ago.

I think Hussein’s posing the last week helped him a bit with slippery parts of his base as well as wishy-washy independents. Some melon heads out there are happy just to see the supposed president demonstrating “leadership” even if it is of the piss poor variety.

[Pikachu_Dad]

So since only 20% want to do it solely with tax cuts, he is correct that 80% of Americans want a tax hike. Ugh.

Liberal asshole logic.

[bcsco]

Kampfschwimmer’s riding his pyre alright, but Valhalla isn’t where he’s going for sure. I’m glad we ‘barged’ into his little worthless world...

[chessplayer]

There are a gazillion polling outfits. There is probably one that says what obama said.

[DejaJude]

I’d love to know where he pulled that figure from...other than the obvious orafice.

Me too. 80% of what Americans? Were 80% of all Americans polled? Not possible. Was it 80% of those who don't pay taxes? 80% of unions? 80% of Dems? 80% of a combination of these? Show me the money!

[tanknetter]

I’d love to know where he pulled that figure from...other than the obvious orafice.

I hate to have to say it, but I think the number is probably accurate.

Look at it this way. First, only 50% of the public actually votes (and that's in Presidential years - much less turnout in other cycles) - which shows they don't have much of a stake in whats happening. There's a pretty good chance they're going to say "sure, raise taxes" ... so long as they're on SOMEONE ELSE.

THEN figure that of the 50% that do vote, 50% vote GOP, the other 50% Dem. Applied against the public total, that's a 25% GOP, 25% Dem split. And we know Dems support tax increases (so long as they're on on SOMEONE ELSE)

Then figure that out of the 25% that vote Republican, 1/4 to 1/5 are RINOS. Who also believe in raising taxes (so long as they're on on SOMEONE ELSE) That drops the total against tax increases down to about 20%.

Now the really significant thing is the "SOMEONE ELSE" factor. Its been pretty clear to me for a long time now that the Dems have been wildly successful with their class warfare rhetoric and related tactics. Tactics that include keeping the public completely ignorant of the fact that higher taxes constrain the economy by hurting business owners/entrepreneurs AND consumers ... pain that is passed along to working Americans either in the form of lower salaries or a lack of available jobs.

So, yes, I actually believe the President when he throws out that 80% figure. But it doesn't represent the right thing to do ... it just shows that the American public really gets the government and leadership it deserves.

[stephenjohnbanker]

You DID it!!

LOL!!

[homemom]

1. Shouldn’t we ALL be “dug in” about our ideals/values??? I see my values as something that defines me, something that I WILL be “dug in” about even if others don’t agree.

2. We shouldn’t “want” a measure we’re not willing to take part in, right? (as in, if we want, say, a lower speed limit, we should be willing to abide by it as well.) If it’s true that 80% of people believe in higher taxes, that means 80% of people should just start handing over money, right now, before higher taxes are imposed. And if Obama has so much money he doesn’t need/feel entitled to (something I heard him say yesterday) then why isn’t HE giving it to others he feels “deserve” it more?

[stephenjohnbanker]

” When messages are floating around like the limit doesnt have to be raised at all, or that the average voter wants a shutdown, that makes it harder to stay focused on getting Obama the blame so he caves. Then you got individual congress members boasting on TV that they will not vote for any extension, playing right into Dems plan to convince they public who wants the shutdown.”

Stuck on stupid

[oiler]

Hey House Republicans,

Pass the Ryan Budget..... again. Send it over to the Senate. Say, “The Bambster wanted a bold plan. Now, eat your peas.”

“Senate, that’s our plan. Where is yours?”

[screaminsunshine]

Prediction...VAT tax. That is what they do when all else fails.

[Arrowhead1952]

Looks like Kampfschwimmer got the super ZOT.

[PaleoBob]

I’d love to know where he pulled that figure from...other than the obvious orafice.

---

Well, 30 percent want tax hikes for a debt increase, and 50 percent want spending cuts for a debt increase, so 30+ 50 = 80.

It’s math prowess adjusted to meet affirmative action goals as part of the No Nitwit Left Behind Act.

[glock rocks]

Naw, it was CSM who called the troll out... Hat tip to CSM. Good job.

[SideoutFred]

I’m guessing there is an 80% figure who want taxes raised on Millionaires or something like that. Clearly, 80% do not want their taxes raised. I think the number is like 34%, but I’m guessing the number goes way up if they start playing SOAK THE RICH garbage that the liberals like to play.

This guy is such a disaster it’s incredible.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

Democrat are much more focused than Republicans from day 1 and every day on the goal:”Make Republicans own the shutdown so they get crushed”. Republicans are all over the place.

Right, to succeed they have to work as a team, with a leader who has an effective plan. I can admire conservatives voting their conscience, and maybe by virtue of their campaign promises they don't have any choice. But if that results in Pelosi being speaker in 2013 I am going to throw up.

[Mom MD]

They want their taxes to be higher or my taxes to be higher? No wait, let me guess.....

[bjc]

Pikachu_Dad:
Not quite. The data says that 20% believe it should be done only through spending cuts, ergo 80% see a need for some mix of spending cuts and/or tax increases. This is truly putting a spin on the data. The same data suggests that 93% want a cut in spending!!

[Randy Larsen]

Obama: 80% of Americans want higher taxes

Are these true voting Americans or just the dregs he calls his base?