(CNN) - Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod is clarifying comments made Wednesday to the Huffington Post where he seemed to signal a willingness to negotiate on extending the Bush-era tax cuts.
Axelrod told Gloria Borger, CNN senior political analyst, he simply reiterated what the president said previously.
"I simply said what we've said before – middle class tax cut should be extended permanently but we can't afford to borrow another 700 billion to permanently extend cuts to the wealthiest," Axelrod said. "But we're willing to sit down when Congress returns and figure out a way forward that makes sense."
Like any story, this was overblown. Some white house advisors should learn to keep their mouths shut when around the press. Journalists need to show some responsiblity also. One might think Ms. Borger works for the tea party.
...but Axelrod is still correct. Obama has already indicated that he will support at least temporarily maintaining the full Bush tax cuts. This would be in his best interest. I think he figured out on election night that the far left alone will do him no good on election night 2012. The unemployment numbers need to come down and I could see by the look on his face that he will start taking the unemployment level seriously now.
No compromise with the GOP! None! They want to paly hardball, you play hardball. Holding middle class America hostage to get tax breaks for the rich is insane. The GOP hates America, especially the working class that built this country.
/well, I'm an Obama supporter, but that's backtracking if I must say so myself. Get with the middle class guys and quit kowtowing to the conservatives. And get rid of Tim Geitner.
That's not what you said...shut your mouth if you don't know what you are talking about. The White House needs to grow a pair and stand up for the people who put them office.
Republicans have two plans, #1 get rid of President Obama, #2) get rid of President Obama. There will be no compromise.
It will be a tragedy if the White House backs down on this. Even before the Bush era giveaways the wealth demographic paid far too little. If those allegedly temporary cuts are nailed down now it will be impossible for any future administration to legislate fiscal responsibility. I will never understand how it is that the Republicans and their media mouthpieces have managed to superspin this issue into some kind of attack on the livelihoods of the majority of ordinary Americans.
Reiterate – I think that was a good move because more than HALF of the country – the 98% that represents MORE than half of the country – almost DIED CHOKING!!!
Please get it STRAIGHT!!
T'sah is OUT of Campaign MODE – N2 Moving America Forward with President Obama as our LEADER!!!
For all their outcry about a balaced bdget and government living within its means, the tax break for the rich has become a sacred cow for the GOP'ers and they as well as their "journalist" lapdogs will go to any length to preserve the infamous give away to those who need it least.
Obama be a man of yourself. During the compagne you were so much against the Bush tax cut maybe that is why you won the election in 2008. If you break down on this, I promise you, people will not give you a chance again. This what I mean, DON'T EXTEND THE BUSH TAX CUT plain and simple.
Here's a thought, how's about CNN do their job and report that the majority of americans DON'T WANT tax cuts for the rich, and that the GOP are forcing tax cuts for their buddies down everyone's throat?
I don't suppose that's going to happen is it?
So much for journalistic integrity, still, anything to get your hands on some of that tax cut action, eh?
You guys aren't fooling anyone.
That's the modern media, just like all other big corporations, there's not a bit of difference between the lot of you.
DorisV, Borger is not only working for the TEAparty, she is a member of the teaparty herself
from what i see that's going on is people are making statements and comments about issues out of their mouths,the news reporters trying to tell the president what to say how to act,making a judgement an be-grudging him all at the same time.where was you people when george bush was messing up our country.i see this whole nation of people even the news as a bunch of brain-wash asses,conceding to corruption thats constantly happening on wall street,banks rich people that made money off the backs of american workers-back-stabbed them and move jobs overseas where they dont have to pay taxes.obama is trying to save our asses.let him speak and do and congress pass the dam policies an bills.
Welcome to the 24 hour media maddness. If we would of had this media back in the days slavery would never had ended. We are now seeing the ills of our media. We can sit down to solve big problems because everyone want to spin and that makes them a star. Start watching BBC and you see real journalism. No, spin just facts.
Tax cut for the rich right now will be disssterous. Tax cut have been in place now for ten years how many more years do we have to see it's a total failure. We need revenue in our government to make sure the people have demand power in our economy with demand these businesses will
Find it. We need to pay on our dept now because the longer we wait the more interest. Is going to build then the more trouble we going to be in. I don't care if we raise tax now and bring it back down later but we need to pay on our dept before interest rates get us in a bind.
The "CONSERVATIVES" want to keep the tax cuts for the rich, knowing the extra money would help pay down the deficit....they are all hypocrites!!!!
Shouldn't the president actually be IN the country before such assertions are made?
Im broke. But I would give up my middle class tax cut so that the President wouldnt have to compromise.. Sure it would hurt. Im flinching just thinking about it but, Id give it up Barack if you would just show some backbone. Do not extend the tax cut to these greedy sociopaths.
This moron is just another hypocritical liar and flip-flopper. Just like his boss, the Liar-in-Chief and Flip-Flopper-in-Chief, among other titles.
Spin, Spin, Spin, Spin. A lying corrupt servant of the most inept, incompetent, corrupt, lying, union toady president in the history of the world.
Lets see what the repos want to do with the suggestions to cut military spending. They still have no ideas of their own
We seriously need to consider what the reason for the taxes are for at this point. We need to understand that there is no more free lunch. The tax rates need to go up for everyone. I don't like the idea of it, but it must be done now to avoid future problem (or making the current one huge)! We can't afford to kick this can any further down the road. Spend less and tax more; that will start to fix our problem.