Aw bless, Politico’s not happy 😥
House Republicans caved to President Barack Obama’s demand for a two-month payroll tax cut extension, ending an impasse that threatened to raise taxes on 160 million Americans.
The capitulation came fast Thursday afternoon as House Republicans found themselves increasingly isolated in insisting that a full one-year extension was the only solution to the year-end crisis. The end of this debate will also come quickly – the House and Senate are expected to clear the legislation on a voice vote Friday morning.
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😉
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President Obama:
“For the past several weeks, I’ve stated consistently that it was critical that Congress not go home without preventing a tax increase on 160 million working Americans. Today, I congratulate members of Congress for ending the partisan stalemate by reaching an agreement that meets that test.
“Because of this agreement, every working American will keep his or her tax cut – about $1,000 for the average family. That’s about $40 in every paycheck. Vital unemployment insurance will continue for millions of Americans who are looking for work. And when Congress returns, I urge them to keep working to reach an agreement that will extend this tax cut and unemployment insurance for all of 2012 without drama or delay.
“This is good news, just in time for the holidays. This is the right thing to do to strengthen our families, grow our economy, and create new jobs. This is real money that will make a real difference in people’s lives. And I want to thank every American who raised your voice to remind folks in this town what this debate was all about. It was about you. And today, your voices made all the difference.”
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Now, get yourself to Hawaii Mr President:
President Barack Obama plays golf at the Kaneohe Klipper Marine Golf Course in Oahu, Hawaii, Dec. 26, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The Obama Diary 
Once again, the President is the master of the moment. 🙂
Julie
But but but the Iowa Governor said…
Did you see him…. OMG….
He just has sad fee fees because Ron Paul is about to win Iowa.
Am I first? I am glad that a deal has been made PBO needs to go home relax and rest with his family.
Hiya everybody, I just want to say again, Pbo Is playing Chess, and he plays It ohhhh so well. I just love you President Obama, I can’t help but love ya’. What a great Christmas present that the Rethugs gave him. Obama/Biden 2012, and YES WE CAN 🙂 🙂
Thank you Mr. President! Have a safe and Happy Holiday with your family.
100% concur.
From Twitter:
LarrySabato Larry Sabato
Bachmann, Huntsman, Santorum fail to make Virginia GOP ballot (March 6).
31 minutes ago
I saw this. And these jokers believe they should run the country? What a joke, seriously.
Sweeeeeeeet!
Does that mean Newt got the signatures ? Darn !
Even if he did, Newt’s not going very far either. Check out this Gingrich rally in the same Virginia. Exciting isn’t it? NOT.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwmefofD6h1qarzawo1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJ6IHWSU3BX3X7X3Q&Expires=1324682731&Signature=HCES5VesVWkPTqMrVTUKdsWre1Y%3D
Mmmmm… you can just smell the Newtmentum.
“This picture from a “Virginians with Newt” rally in Richmond, which began 15 minutes late with “about 30 people in the crowd.”
Gingrich leads by 5 points in Virginia, according to the latest Quinnipiac poll — down from a 26-point lead in a PPP poll last week.”
http://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2011/12/richmonds-gingrich-faithful-108475.html
He leads in VA but no one wants to come out to hear him (I don’t blame them)but people wait in line the night before to see President Obama. They get turned away or there is over flow crowds. Where is Tweety to talk about who people line up for and who they DON’T!
President Obama had more people lined up on the street to see him in Virginia yesterday.
So true Theo!
And that’s a Rally? Really?? Where Is everybody???? 🙄
Oh my gosh! So funny/pathetic! The ” enthusiastic” crowd looks white, white, white and white.
I think a repost of the Quote O’ The Day is in order
Love this quote!
Thanks for the reminder of this very fitting quote PJ! Our President is not playing – it’s 2012 and not 2010. GOP, PL, PUMAS and MSM all better take note.
You nailed it today (as always), PJ! He crushed them.
So funny – the “tone” on cable news is now “the President can go join his family for Christmas” instead of mocking him for remaining in D.C. Americans are the most fickle people alive. Well, except for all of us here who are not gonna stray from our support of PBO!
And this:
That always cracks me up. Such a guy thing. Love how reporter says “Nice!” when the Prez nails the fly. My ex used to do that stuff too.
Julie
Terrorist fly gets whacked by President Barack Hussein Obama. !
Classic video President Obama even makes killing a fly look cool.
bada-bing bada-boom!
Here’s the video http://youtu.be/ZC8C_JH2eQc
Yep…Thanks zizi
Yeah, well Pbo crushed them, He’s backed them Into a corner, and he’s playing Chess, like you wouldn’t believe, and I think I like It 😀
DWS tweets:
Nice to see the word “cave” used in this manner. 😆
Now — Air Force One awaits. Woot! 😎
Hip, Hip Hooray!
I bet the RW blogs are furious and are calling for Boehner’s head. Almost like that scene in Braveheart.
Yes, I’m sure images of drawing and quartering and disembowelment are going through many RWNJ heads right now.
Please take Eric Cantor also. I love that look on his face. What a jerk.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
‘Bout bloody time too! Well Done, Mr. President, Aloha, have a joyfilled reunion with your family, and please get some rest!
Memories…
“Just under two years ago, House Republicans, including some of the party’s more conservative members, were arguing that a two-month payroll tax holiday would “effectively stimulate” the economy. […]
The January 2009 bill sponsored by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) and backed by 56 House Republicans, including current presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), is not identical to the one that is currently being considered. It called for a complete payroll tax holiday, meaning the tax rate would be reduced to zero. The current version, meanwhile, would keep the rate at 4.2 percent, rather than allow it to return to the pre-2010 level of 6.2 percent.
To be sure, those differences matter when it comes to tax policy, but they don’t detract from the larger point as it relates to the current, ongoing debate. Yesterday, House Republicans repeatedly stressed several specific points: (1) a two-month break creates economic “uncertainty”; (2) a two-month break wouldn’t make a significant enough economic difference; and (3) “governing in two-month increments” is inherently misguided.
But as recently as 2009 — not exactly ancient history — several dozen House Republicans believed the exact opposite. Indeed, they even believed a payroll tax break, even just a two-month break, would give the economy a significant boost.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_12/the_gop_used_to_want_a_2month034212.php
This flip-flopping, hypocritical behavior happens so often with the GOP that it is almost becoming tiresome to point it out. The conduct of Republicans in Washington makes me wonder why many of them attended school beyond kindergarten since they stay stuck there.
Well played Sir, well played. Now you can go to Hawaii and enjoy your beautiful family!
I just think it’s SO delicious how PBO (and Democrats under his leadership) have totally co-opted the issue of taxes. Along with foreign policy, taxes were Republican dominion. Quite amazing.
As I said in the previous thread, PBO isn’t playing the short game. He uses bipartisanship as a club with which to beat the GOP over the head, because he knows that the only bipartisans in DC are the Dems. All that he’s done over the past 3 years is to show that fact again and again, that the GOP doesn’t want to work in a bipartisan fashion for the good of all Americans, but only in its own narrow interests, to the point where that meme is gaining critical mass, and the common voter is seeing it through all the GOP spin and MSM enabling. He doesn’t actually want to work with the GOP; he wants to neuter it for a generation, until such time as it can be a responsible conservative party, or gets replaced by one that can.
Perfection.
#PRESSON #OutPerform1936
I’ve thought that too from the very beginning, Liberal Librarian. Thank you for your analysis!
And don’t think for a minute that they don’t see that, at least the smarter ones, which is where the desperation comes from. But, by the time desperation sets in, you’ve already lost.
Amen. The earth has shifted beneath their feet indeed.
Brilliant
Does Rusty realize his own irony when he describes “doing what’s right for the American people” as “even thought it’s what we want”?
In vino veritas?
Gaaaah, “even though it’s NOT what we want.”
Good thinking Brian !
HEY! I don’t think Bo can go to Hawaii. He has to be quarantined for 30 days, prior to him being loose on the Island.
Thus, me thinks he is staying behind in DC.
No quarantine required!
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13706744
Bo was such a cutie when he was a puppy. That Lei around his next totally rocks.
Money quote
Saneishi said Bo met the requirements and had the paperwork months ago. “I’m not sure when the date was, but they did start the process quite early.”
Meticulous planning. Always.s.
Phew!
That’s probably why he stayed behind with PBO. For company and to make sure everything is in order.
God bless our great President, Harry Reid, and the other Democrats that stood firm. Keep them safe as they travel to join their families. Give them rest, your true peace to recover, and bring them back strong to battle on.
Love Freddie Mercury, but, lord, that is one ugly leotard. (Not that there are any good looking leotards on guys.)
For Boehner it would be Queen’s ” Under Pressure ”
I miss Freddie
“Under Pressure” would not work. It’s a song about love and caring for your fellow humans. This GOP doesn’t possess those qualities.
We need ‘another one bites the dust’.
yeah, that’s what I’m talking about.
YES WE CAN. Thanks go out to the American people who responded for eloquently and so forcefully to this fiasco. And thanks to our POTUS who stands tall with compassion and conviction. BRAVO!!!!
What you said Meta.
THIS
gopolitico’s butthurt headlines
GOP caves to Obama on payroll tax
Loving it.
Happy HOLIDAYS, Mr President .
Bravo. The president really had this one. Now that is leadership.
Yes.
Rep. Eric Cantor And Sen. McCain Bash Obama For Christmas Shopping (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/12/22/rep-eric-cantor-and-sen-mccain-bash-obama-for-christmas-shopping-video/
Me here:
Cantor and McCain just want President Obama to go back to Kansas or Kenya just as much as they would send my brown husband back to “Mexico”. I am not as brown or “Mexican looking” so hopefully they will spare me from deportation so that I can go and fight to get my “brown-USMC-Vietnam-Vet” out jail or wherever the brown people are detained.
I am mad about this—–I was loving the good news that someone posted in last thread re. In. Sec. of State being removed from office because of voter fraud +, and the Dem candidate would assume the office, encouraging news for Obama to again win Indiana, no Repub shenanigans to deal with. And so I check on the Dem there—–looks to be a cool, accomplished AA guy, graduate of Carnegie Mellon, masters in architecture and urban planning from Columbia—Vop Osili, a hometown guy, successful career and active in community service. NOW I see they have sought an emergency stay—–seeking “relief” from the ruling today, which would mean that the corrupt Repub would stay in office while the legal case plays out.
http://electionlawblog.org/?p=26942
Well, that’s not too surprising. Corruption never leaves willingly.
Enter The Obama Attorney General….Eric Holden.
That’s Eric Holder 🙂
I don’t think Rusty will hit the bars. I think he’ll just go to his own well-stocked abode and drink until he’s comatose while watching a John Hughes flick from the 80s.
Chips, would you please bail me out of jail? Thank you in advance.
My post went MIA.
looks like I missed the fun, but we did it, guys!!! Thank you Dems and PBO!!!
Rev Al is hilarious!! He has the rightwing chorus!!! hgahahahahhahahahahha!!
I saw that – it was very funny! 😀
Rev. Al has a real sense of humor. I love this little chorus. 🙂
Yeah, Rev Al was off the chain, I loved It. Too funny 🙂
I’m happy for the people who taxes will not go up January 1st, and who will not be losing their unemployment benefits. That is what it was all about to President Obama, it was not about some politic victory. The debate will start up all over again in afew months, and I want our President to continue to stand up for the middle class and working poor. Last but not least, I hope the President will be on his way to Hawaii soon to be with his family for Christmas.
Yes! Now get yourself off to Hawai’i Mr President! Thanks Chips for all the News in such a beautifully crafted presentation!~
I am so glad that drunk John Boehnor looked like a punk in his press interview now that he had to bring the payroll tax cut up for a vote.
Speaker John Boehnor had to blink because Mitch McConnell, the one who said his main job was to “Make President Obama A Obama Term President”; told John Bone -Aire to. The RepubliCONs have become very transparent and very nervous.
Bad Karma is coming back to the RepubliCONS. Bad Karma is a b^%$# when it comes back around.
President Obama organized the hell out of America from coast to coast; so much so the tea party copied it and they still can’t touch him.
President Obama is standing strong like a tall warrior not conceding to another ridiculous hostage crisis the Republicans created .
That is what a leader looks like.
Maybe if Newt wore his man-kini he’d get bigger crowds? Just kidding…..
Happy that the President can now enjoy the Holidays with his family and close friends.
Before I could switch stations, Fineman came on Tweety and said the Teaparty gave PBO “arguably his biggest political victory…” WFT!!!!???????!!!!! ahhhhhh:
-Stimulus?
-ACA?
– Wall Street Reform
-Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
-Must I fucking go on?!!!!! Coward Fineman is the biggest fuck alive!!!
I don’t like him either…but maybe he meant the New TeaParty Republicans in the House ?
he meant that this win is probably PBO’s biggest victory in 3 years. That’s bullshit. ——- sorry for the language Linda. The aggression underlying it isn’t directed at you, but at that tool Coward.
I disagree with him but I can see Fineman’s point. When you have Karl Rove, Mitch McConnell and almost the entire Republican establishment begging Boehner to get this thing over with that’s huge. When’s the last time Republicans went on TV and admitted they were getting their clocks cleaned?
I agree lisalovesobama
Scott Brown sucking up on TeaNN
Do you mean he’s sucking up to Blitzer or he’s coming off as a douche?
Hiya people, new post here:
http://theobamadiary.com/2011/12/22/just-sayin-4/
This is victory is whole and total.
The fact that middle and working class Americans won’t see there taxes go up is the primary victory. This is also a victory in triumphant, pitch-perfect, sustained messaging by the President and the Democratic party.
Nobody who has been paying close or even intermittent attention can claim the White House has a messaging problem. May that meme rest in peace.
From calling Mitt out for saying the payroll tax cut was “just a band-aid,” to the countdown clocks showing when Americans taxes would go up courtesy of the House, to today’s presser of the President backed by ordinary Americans contrasting with John Boehner backed by no one, it is clear that the White House knows how to create a clear, succinct message (‘Tell Congress what $40 means to you.’) and stay on it relentlessly.
The evidence is out there to confirm this:
“Ford O’Connell, a Republican strategist, also expressed frustration that despite his party’s spending victories this year, they enter 2012 risking a voter backlash.
“The White House is winning the spin wars,” O’Connell said. “The White House message that Republicans are the party of Wall Street and the rich is gaining more ground than any message the Republicans have.
“I think it is going to be more difficult for the Republican Party than the Democratic Party next year because the spin coming out of the White House is that the Republicans are unwilling to compromise. If the Republicans don’t sharpen their message, they could suffer at the ballot box.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/21/us-usa-economy-republicans-idUSTRE7BK28C20111221
Re: Polling
“A Pew Research Center survey released last week found that by nearly a 2-to-1 ratio, 40 percent to 23 percent, voters said Republican leaders are more to blame that Democratic leaders for what the pollsters called the “do-nothing Congress.”
A Reuters-Ipsos poll this month found voters favor a generic Democratic candidate for Congress over a Republican one, 48 percent to 42 percent.”
Shorter, the White has got this.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/21/us-usa-economy-republicans-idUSTRE7BK28C20111221
This
This is also a victory in triumphant, pitch-perfect, sustained messaging by the President and the Democratic party.
Nobody who has been paying close or even intermittent attention can claim the White House has a messaging problem. May that meme rest in peace.
TIME TO ‘EXIT STAGE LEFT’ AND GO ON VACATION MR. PRESIDENT!…LEAVE THE DRAB AND DEPRESSING BEHIND!…THE ISLANDS ARE CALLING!
Oh yeah baby!!!!!!! GOP Caves!!!! 🙂
While all of the chit chatter among the MSM peons was going on and while people were blogging irrelevant, undereducated rants about the payroll tax issue, I was “whistling”… you know “that” whistle… in a tone that signifies that you ain’t worried about a damn thing. The Repugnantcans are simply ridiculous (emphasis on “simple”) and are only made significant by the 24-7 MSM anti-muckrakers and political neophytes who over dramatize and misinterpret every ignorant, care-less move they make. I’m so sick of the GOTP that I have to spray Pepto Bismol on my T.V. screen just to watch anything about their moronic, spite-filled behavioral modus operandi. What a SERIOUS waste of time AND space they are.
And how “some” people can continue to vote for them, which is essentially a vote against their own SELF interests defies logic, reason, and common sense. If ignorance “is” bliss, then the GOTP constituency SHOULD BE ecstatic.
So Happy Holidaze everyone. Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards All… even the right wing ding-a-lings. LOL
OBAMA / BIDEN / SUPER MAJORITY DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS / LIBERAL SUPREME COURT / 2012
HAWAII AWAITS! HAVE FUN MR. PRESIDENT!
Godspeed, Mr. President, Sir.
LL, my sentiments exactly…..What a shift it is! You cannot tell me that this intelligent, caring, brilliant President knew all along that there is no bipartisian government in Washington. The repugs had no intention of playing fair. But…….now, President Obama has made them look so ridiculously stupid they NEED to get out of town to rethink and regroup. So I guess the koch bros. will have another :scret” meeting on the “secret” moutain over the holidays to pump them up again by raising more billions of $$$$$. Because they still don’t get it. They are slaves to their privileged elite power. They are pathetic and losers.
It’s time for us to educate voters as our President has and is educating us. What a lesson! What a teacher!…….TEACH, TEACHER!
The republicans finally did something that was in the best interest of the people.