Posted on 12/24/2011 12:51:06 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Democrats believe their chances of recapturing the House have improved significantly after what was widely seen as a GOP meltdown in the payroll tax debate.
Democrats believe the messy fight has helped narrow the advantage Republicans have traditionally held on tax policy.
Democrats have long espoused populist tax policy, with mixed results in recent years. Democratic strategists think that is about to change as high unemployment rates have given new traction to their proposals, which Republicans dismiss as class warfare.
Tad Devine, a Democratic strategist, said he believes Democrats can recapture the House in part because of growing public resentment over wealth disparity. “The issue is really starting to be clarified for middle-class voters. It’s emerging as the biggest issue of the campaign, the fundamental unfairness of society where the wealthy are getting very wealthy and the middle class are falling behind,” Devine said.
He said House Republicans hurt themselves by taking a stand against a short-term extension of the payroll tax cut only to fold and pass it a few days later.
“The Republicans have shot themselves in both feet,” Devine said.
Minutes after the Senate passed a two-month extension of the payroll tax holiday Friday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) signaled Democrats would press their advantage by bringing the millionaires’ surtax back to the table.
Rodell Mollineau, former senior aide to Reid and president of American Bridge 21stCentury, a Democratic super PAC, said Democrats feel emboldened by the tax fight.
“Holding firm on any big issue gives you momentum heading into the next big issue. The stars are aligned that people are ready to hear this message,” Mollineau said.
Senate Democrats stood their ground by refusing to negotiate with House Republicans, daring House Speaker John Boehner to kill a Senate-passed short-term extension of the payroll tax holiday.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
>> Taxes? I thought those $$$$ were contributions - to the lock box.
That’s right, and the GOP should be making that a point.
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