[gridlock]

Agreed. That is a real plan. The Reps vote to extend the tax cuts (and make them permanent) and then go home. The Dems cannot blame the Reps for increasing taxes on the middle class and the Dems will then be placed in the position of preventing tax cuts for the middle class because they want to hold tax increases for the “rich” hostage at the expense of the middle class. The ball is then in their court.

Simple. Vote for what you want to do. Let the Democrats raise the taxes.

And anybody who votes "Present" on such a vital issue should be run out of town on a rail.

[kabar]

And anybody who votes "Present" on such a vital issue should be run out of town on a rail.

As Dalereed observed in post #38, voting present is voting FOR a tax increase--pure and simple. We have a majority in the House and would essentially be giving that up to let the Dems have their way.

The main reason that Obama is pushing for tax increases (marginal rates) on the "rich" is to split and destroy the GOP. Voting present would effectively accomplish that objective.