As Republicans’ Power Grows, So Do Rifts in Party

[ProSense]

As Republicans’ Power Grows, So Do Rifts in Party

By MICHAEL D. SHEAR

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All three have been on display as lawmakers have debated the tax compromise worked out by Mr. Obama and congressional Republicans. What began as an story about divisions inside the Democratic party has quickly become a vehicle for revealing the differences in political philosophy inside the Republican party.

On the floor of the Senate Tuesday, Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota, a possible candidate for president, used the tax deal to take a not-so-subtle shot at one of his potential rivals.

“It’s easy to stand on the sidelines and criticize this proposal,” Mr. Thune said in remarks first reported by ABC News. “And it’s perhaps even politically expedient to stand on the sidelines and criticize this proposal. But let me make one thing very clear Mr. President, advocating against this tax proposal is to advocate for a tax increase.”

Mr. Thune might have been referring to Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor, who opposes the tax compromise. But he may also have been sending a message to Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts and a likely candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. Mr. Romney had staked out his opposition to the tax deal in an article in USA Today on Tuesday.

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[theaocp]

1. Let the puke civil war bloodbath begin! n/t

[Supersedeas]

2. we shall see how the Beltway Media frames the issue of compromise going forward