It's time for Obama to do what he should have done last December,

[MadHound]

Stand up tall. be strong, and dare the 'Pugs to not raise the debt ceiling.

He should have done this last December, but he caved. He should have done this in April, but he caved. If Obama had stood up to these bullies back then, we wouldn't be in the position we're at now.

But here we are, and once again it is time for Obama to stand strong. Again, if he caves, the 'Pugs will continue to use this tactic of high stakes chicken to push through atrocious legislation. If he stands tall, and puts the burden of the blame on the 'Pugs, they will back down and we will not see any more of this strategy of playing chicken.

He should have done this in December, or April. He needs to do this now.

Hopefully he realizes what needs to be done. And hopefully he stands strong. Otherwise we're going to be even more screwed than we are now.

[KharmaTrain]

1. For Those Who Still Have Unemployment Don't Think He Caved...

...or those who who wanted to see DADT repealed (even though it seems nothing this President does will be enough). Seems like it's a zero sum game here...if you don't get 100% of what people here want he's obviously weak or "caved" instead of negotiating and governing. No, I didn't favor extending the booooosh tax giveaway to the rich and still don't. I hope he does stand strong in the budget battle and eliminates some if not all of the cuts (leave those under $150k a year alone) but I expect that there will be cuts to social programs. As has been said by many economists is how this problem won't be solved without a combination of budget cuts and tax increases. In the end I expect we'll see some kind of deal that nobody will like...sucks to be the one who has to decide.

[JoePhilly]

3. The screames always forget that Obama also promised to not

raise taxes on those making under 250k. And if he let all of the Bush tax cuts expire, he would have broken THAT promise.

And the media, and I bet many of the screamers on DU, would have crucified him for that.

The media would be pointing out that he raised taxes on 95% of all Americans. And running clips of Bush #1 saying "read my lips".

And the screamers on DU would be screaming that he raised taxes on the middle class during a very fragile economy, just when those people needed that money. They point out that a tax cut for the middle class is stimulative because the middle class spends the money. And then they'd be screaming that he let the unemployment insurance expire, because he hates the unemployed.

Lose Lose no matter what he does.

[MadHound]

5. Screamers, eh,

Aren't you just being too cute with your little insults.

And yet you have nothing of substance to back it up with. How sad, how typical.

Oh, and for your information, I wouldn't have cared one whit if he let all tax cuts expire. It would, in the end, have been better for the economy.

But Obama caved, has caved time and again, that is the truth, plain and simple.

[frylock]

6. the republicans would've extended the unemployment benes..

it would have been political suicide to not extend them. obama should have called their bluff. but it will be different in 2012, right? it will be soooooooo much easier during an election year to kill the bush/obama tax cuts for the upper class.

[Marr]

2. They're his political cover. Why would he call them out?

This is just another unconvincing game of Good Cop, Bad Cop, with the Republicans playing their usual role. The debt ceiling will be raised because big business demands it. This is a repeat of the bank bailouts; just a bunch of fearmongering to provide a bit of cover for taking more away from you and handing it directly to the super wealthy-- and both parties are in on it.

[izquierdista]

4. Should have, should have

I think we've got a title for Obama's memoirs.