During ABC interview President Obama won't say he'll veto a tax cut for rich if Congress extends it

[Better Believe It]

George's Bottom Line
Reporting and Analysis from Anchor of Good Morning America and ABC News Chief Political Correspondent
George Stephanopoulos interview with President Obama
September 9, 2010


STEPHANOPOULOS: How deep is your commitment to this fight? Are you saying that if Congress passes a short term extension of all the tax cuts, you're gonna veto it?

OBAMA: George, here's what … I'm saying is that we've got a fundamental choice about this economy. You can't have Republicans running on fiscal discipline that we're gonna reduce our deficit, that the debt's out of control, and then borrow tens, hundreds of billions of dollars to give tax cuts to people who don't need them. (crosstalk)

STEPHANOPOULOS: Does that mean you will veto an extension of tax cuts to the wealthy?

OBAMA: What I am saying is that if we are going to add to our deficit by $35 billion, $95 billion, $100 billion, $700 billion, if that's the Republican agenda, then I've got a whole bunch of better ways to spend that money.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But you're not saying you're gonna veto it.

OBAMA: I, there are a whole bunch better ways to spend the money.

STEPHANOPOULOS: How come you don't want to say veto?

OBAMA: There are a whole bunch better ways to spend the money.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/george/2010/09/president-obama-to-pastor-jones-stunt-endangers-troops-full-transcript-of-exclusive-interview.html#tp

[FiveGoodMen]

1. Another shoe dropping.

[NJmaverick]

3. how so?

[NJmaverick]

2. The President would be foolish to play his cards before he needs to

so kudos to President Obama for being shrewd enough not to fall into Stephanopolusus' trap

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

7. Yes! kudos to a politician leaving himself PLENTY of room to flip-flop on an issue.

Oh wait... that's standard operating practice for all politicians. :puke:

Why does he get kudos again? :shrug:

[NJmaverick]

8. "flip flop" is a republican talking point

Having room to maneuver and negotiate and threaten is simply being smart.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

10. Please - lol. The "repub talking point card" is merely a weak form of dismissal.

Sure, it's never great to paint yourself into a corner but you can give direction without committing yourself to a course of action. Being vauge and obscure on an issue is just that... unclear. The only two exceuses for that behavior is truly not knowing your future course of action or purposefully trying to obscure your intent for future actions. I would like to hope that the president both KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING and does not engage in serruptitious behaviour.

Politicians flip-flop and double-speak all the time and it's not merely a "republican talking point"... it's annoying. It seems very few people in politics can address the people anymore without showering them in a pile of bullshit. I'd rather Obama just be honest and say he's not going to answer that question. At least that's being honest.

[NJmaverick]

12. You're right taking a virtue like open mindedness and willingness to be flexible

and calling it "flip flop" is a weak form of dismissal and best left to the GOP

[Jim Sagle]

24. There's no good reason to be "open to" tax cuts for the rich.

They've been tried, and have failed, for the last ten years. It's great to have an open mind - but not so open that your brains fall out.

[JonLP24]

23. "Flip flop" is a Republican talking point?

Someone needs to tell Rodney Glassman. His campaign website features the Daily McCain Flip Flop.

http://www.rodneyglassman.com/

[Hekate]

26. How soon we forget. The Repubs skewered and bbq'd John Kerry for supposed flip-flops

They send their minions out to his rallies to wave rubber slippers around.

The fact that someone would try to turn the tables on the Repubs by calling out McCain doesn't erase that history.

Hekate

[JonLP24]

28. Pretty much both parties

accuse each other of flip flopping. I was disputing that it was a Republican talking point when both parties say "flip flop".

[Hekate]

34. When the Republicans project onto Dems something they do themselves & then hammer it into the ground

... it becomes their propaganda, their talking point, their meme. They have taken ownership of it for at least that election cycle and often beyond, and unless we fight back hard, we have lost that round in the public eye.

It is not incumbent upon Democrats to then weakly say that "Everyone does it," because that is not a defense of our candidate (in this case, Kerry), and it allows a lie to stand. Everything that Kerry did was taken out of context, twisted, and ultimately lied about. His honorable and even heroic service record commanding Swift Boats was turned into a lie, and now "to be Swiftboated" means to have succumbed to an overwhelming campaign of lies.

I understand that -- belatedly -- a Dem is finally turning the tables on McCain. Well, good. About time. But don't be using that originally Repub talking point to then say "everybody does it," because that is not the point.

Hekate

[spanone]

11. i agree

[chimpymustgo]

15. Dupe. (edit)

[chimpymustgo]

16. HA! We know how this card game ends. Just like the chess matches.

[m00nbeam]

20. We shall see how shrewd you think he is when he doesn't veto the tax cut extensions

[vi5]

4. O.K....prime example right here....

This is what a lot of us on here have an issue with.

The heavy negotiations and battles on this haven't even started. And already it's been signalled "Well, maybe I'll give in on this..."

So why wouldn't the Nelsons and the Republicans smell blood in the water on this, and say "Well if he's not going to veto it, then we'll push it through our way!!!!"

The fact is most people don't support extending them for the wealthy. All Obama would have to say is "I support extending all but for the wealthiest and will veto anything that includes an extension of those cuts!!!" and dare the right and the conservadems to fight him on it and point out to the country when they do?

I'm not saying he'd definitely win it or that he'd lose the battle and win the war.....but jesus, for once can't he not concede before the heavy fighting begins?

No, this doesn't mean I think he's as bad as Bush.
No, this doesn't mean I'm not still going to vote for Dems.
No, this doesn't mean there hasn't been some good stuff done since he's been in office.

So o.k.? I acknowledge those things. So now am I allowed say that this is why so many of us are dissapointed and why so many of us think it's not just a matter of "Well, it's all the Senate's fault. There's just nothing our poor beleagured President can do in the face of all this."

And by all means please bookmark my post here if you think I'll be wrong and we'll win this fight and he will veto it and when that happens call me on it loudly. I will be more than happy to admit I'm wrong. I just think that this stands as a prime example of what is so frustrating to many of us, and for which any mention gets us labeled as "Obama haters" who want the republicans to win.

[Better Believe It]

5. President Obama could say "all options are on the table, including a veto".

He had no problem saying that in regard to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid cuts that will be considered by the deficit commission.

Or President Obama could just say "a veto is one option I'll consider" or "I haven't ruled out a veto".

Why the timidity?

But, he won't do that.

[vi5]

6. Exactly.....

Hell, I'd even be happy with him just pointing out the complete hypocricy of the defecit peacocks. Hell he could say he'll veto it because it will add too much to the federal deficit and be attacking them on their own turf.

[m00nbeam]

21. YES! Wish I could recommend individual replies

[global1]

9. I Completely Agree With You On This......

I was looking for some strong language on this out of Obama today at his news conference and it looks like he is in a caving mode on this. And in the analysis after the conference - that was the first thing that the talking heads on the cable shows honed in on.

[Individualist]

13. Your example is also an example of standard operating procedure for DLC/NDC.

[Marr]

14. Because he does not want to let the billionaires' tax cuts end.

He's not "caving in", or "backing down"... he's advancing his agenda. They're setting up their political cover, of course-- as usual.

Our political establishment is going to continue the tax cuts for the wealthy, and do it on the backs of regular people by making cuts to Social Security. Party doesn't mean jack shit-- all this phony drama and maneuvering has a lot in common with pro wrestling.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

17. If you pay close attention...

you'll notice he doesn't say whether or not he'll bomb New Zealand.

[Better Believe It]

18. That's just plain silly! :) Do you think President Obama should indicate he might veto a bill

that provides a tax cut for millionaires and billionaires?

I'm listening.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

19. Oh, so you support the senseless slaughter of millions of New Zealanders.

Yeah, I figured.

[Better Believe It]

25. Sorry. I thought you were just joking around. I think you need to find more credible sources for

your information.

I used a credible source for my information. It was President Obama speaking.

[blindpig]

27. Hey, cut him some slack....

It's hard work defending the indefensible.

[coti]

29. He avoided the question. nt

[Better Believe It]

36. He refused (some would say dodge) to answer the question.

[Nite Owl]

22. He won't say it because

if it endangers his beloved Blue Dogs and Conservadems he'll deal.

[Sheepshank]

30. Obama "should" leave the door w-i-d-e open

regarding tax breaks for the rich. Let any who dare, stroll tight up to it and walk through of they dare. How else are the voting public going to know who stands where on the issue?

Attempting to read the tea leaves into what this means regarding Obama's ultimate move on this, is folly IMHO.

[Fumesucker]

31. Those large campaign donation checks aren't going to write themselves you know..

Politics today runs on money and the best and richest vein of that ore comes from the mega-rich.

[jgraz]

32. I'm not worried

I'm certain the President remains fully committed to gay rights card check drug reimportation Dawn Johnsen the Public Option letting the Bush tax cuts expire.

[Richard Steele]

33. Obama has no intention of hindering ANYTHING that the Cheney Administration set into motion.

Frankly, I can't understand why you people haven't
realized that yet.
He's been rubbing our noses in it since he announced his 'Cabinet picks'.

Every move he's made has been a huge giveaway to the Ruling Class,
wrapped up in a bunch of populist rhetoric that dissolved faster
than cotton candy in a hurricane.

What's it gonna take?
Is he gonna have to come to your houses
and personally carve "PROPERTY of USA INC." into your
foreheads with a pen knife before you figure it out?

[Karmadillo]

35. Present!

nt