President Obama to speak on ‘cliff’ (1:30)

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18. Pres.Obama: Deal ‘Within Sight’ But ‘Not Done’

President Obama said in a White House a fiscal cliff deal was getting closer, but not agreed to yet.

"Now today it appears that an agreement to prevent this New Years tax hike is within sight," he said. "But it's not done. There are still issues left to resolve but we're hopeful that Congress can get it done. But it's not done."
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-deal-within-sight-but-not-done

Obama Would Prefer ‘Grand Bargain’ Over Emerging Stopgap Deal
President Obama said a deal is close on preventing tax hikes set to go in effect on January 1, but that it will be a modest agreement that does not include sweeping spending or revenue changes. While Obama said he would prefer a "grand bargain" that included these components, “It was obviously too much to hope for at this time."

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-would-prefer-grand-bargain-over-emerging-stopgap
Obama: a fiscal cliff deal "in sight" "..preventing that tax hike has been my top priority." Talking about rates, not payroll tax.
https://twitter.com/lynnsweet/status/285819444217905152/?utm_hp_ref=homepage&ir=homepage

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/31/breaking-obama-says-deal-within-sight-but-not-done/

President Barack Obama said Monday "it appears that an agreement to prevent" the fiscal cliff tax hike for Americans "is within sight, but it's not done."

The agreement would extend tax credits for families with children, for tuition, and for clean energy companies, the president said at a White House event, adding that it would also extend unemployment insurance.

The fiscal cliff deal being discussed will ask the wealthiest 2% of Americans to pay higher taxes for the first time in two decades, Obama said.