Washington Post: The president extends an olive branch to GOP

[Better Believe It]

The president extends an olive branch to GOP
By Scott Wilson
Washington Post Staff Writer
December 7, 2010

Although his liberal supporters are furious about the decision, President Obama's willingness to extend all of the George W. Bush-era tax cuts is part of what White House officials say is a deliberate strategy: to demonstrate his ability to compromise with Republicans and portray the president as the last reasonable man in a sharply partisan Washington.

Administration officials now say that restoring the president's image as a post-partisan leader is more important for the next two years of his term and for his reelection effort.

That is likely to require even more compromise with Republicans in the coming months, forgoing a class-tinged debate that much of his party's base is itching to have.

Adam Green, co-founder of the liberal Progressive Change Campaign Committee, said that "ending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy is not an issue that pits the party's base against independent voters," citing poll numbers showing that both groups oppose their continuation.

"We've seen so much political malpractice and negotiating incompetence from this White House," Green said. "They consistently cede ground they do not need to cede, and give up on fights they wouldn't lose."



Read the full article at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/06/AR2010120607353.html