Dem likens working with GOP on taxes to negotiating with 'terrorists'
(CNN) - Sen. Robert Menendez said Friday that if the Democratic-controlled Senate agrees to extend all of the Bush-era tax cuts it could be akin to acceding to terrorist demands. Republicans immediately blasted the New Jersey Democrat for his comparison.
Menendez asked at a news conference, "Does the majority not only have a responsibility to get something done but to get something done that makes sense for the country?"
"Do you allow yourself to be held hostage and get something done for the sake of getting something done, when in fact it might be perverse to the ultimate results? It's almost like the question of do you negotiate with terrorists?"
In a statement titled, "Menendez Compares GOP to Terrorists," the office of House Republican Whip Eric Cantor responded, " Um…No Senator, it is not. Not at all."
An aide to Menendez said the senator was talking about how the negotiations are proceeding, not about the Republicans personally.
"It's not surprising that some are eager to take a comment out of context in order to change the subject from the Republican millionaires-first plan," said spokesman Afshin Mohamadi. "The critical point for middle class Americans remains that Republicans have chosen to jeopardize tax cuts for every middle class family in order to guarantee an average tax cut of $104,000 for each millionaire."
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and he's totally right
Well, when it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and when reason, logic and fairness rolls off their backs like so much water, they MIGHT BE TERRORISTS!
And negotiating with folks like Menendez is akin to negotiating with small children; they whine and blame the other guy. When will the Dems get off this idea that the GOP is proposing tax "cuts"? It's just an extension, folks, not new cuts. Now is not the time to jack up taxes on those who generate most new jobs; i.e., small business, and that's precisely who would get caught in the proposed Obama income limits.
He's right in so many aspects. The RepubliCAN'Ts are DEMANDING to get what they want and REFUSE to pass anything else until they get their way. They want to continue to allow the RICH to get RICHER with TAX CUTS and in the meantime, UNEMPLOYED are not getting benefits!!! SHAME ON THEM!!!
Republican want to keep the tax cuts for everyone. Period. They want to bring the economy back to life in part by lowering the cost of the Federal Government and getting this huge expensive drag on the economy under control.
Democrats just want to spend more. It's more fun that way! The funny thing is the slick way they have of duping people into believing that the billionaires are the only ones that have to pay for it. I have to give them an A for effort!
finaly!!! there is a democrat with back bone...
His comment was right on!
you need to take another look at what is coming out of your idiotic mouth, terroist use fear as a tool and that all we hear from the democrats and terroist attack and destroy and that all the democrats and husseni obama has done to America, so take your ass back to your own country you illegal alien and leave America alone. You dems are like pimples on someones ass that need to be popped and then destroyed. The democrats and husseni obama need to be stopped and stopped NOW!!
Can we just escort out any representative who uses an absurd analogy like this from here on out. How ridiculous. Shame on him for trying to ruffle feathers in such a disgusting way.
Seems accurate to me.
Just this week one Republican compared Obama to Hitler. The other Dems seemed to just roll their eyes at that nimrod. Appropriate.
Stupid Republicans.
While I find the comparrison humorous, Even the Democrats need to stop name calling. These are supposed to be the leader of our country. Name calling has no place in a civilized discussion.
the orange dude has forgotten that one senator can stop anything with out reason the President has a basket full of VETO pens and it takes 2/3 of the house to overide a veto.The GOP will have plenty of time to sit around and Drink while waiting for cooperation from the Demos. That had good tutors in the last session of the congress. Keep mouthing off your mouth is biting off more than your butt can handle.
They ARE terrorists. They lie, spread hate and fear, and are holding the entire US hostage to their whims for the wealthy.
They are not terrorists, but they are obstructionist. They are also putting political gain ahead of what's good for the country (certainly that's true with the START treaty). Also, somebody needs to remind Mitch McConnell that they are the MINORITY party in the Senate, and will be next year as well.
Truth spoken, I would even go so far as to call them the American version of the Taliban.
Dems are such a bunch of children. Luckily many of them will be gone in a month
Before Republicans cry foul; think for a minute who blew their patriotic trumpets, while accusing Democrats and those opposed to the Bush/GOP doctine of being traitors and committed mass genocide based on a lie?
Republicans, that’s who.
Glad to see Democrats are growing a pair, albeit much belatedly. How many time to you have to be hit below the belt before you take off the kid gloves? Republicans have been holding the economy hostage to their political posturing for the better part of two years while they have elevated the filibuster from a seldom used tool to a standard tactic of obstruction, and now they want to be treated with respect?
Pretty fair assesmentid say. However- it's more like trying to reason with fat, ignorant, greedy children than terrorists.
I agree; maybe even worse given they aren't doing what's right for the majority of Americans who are struggling.
Soooooo Goooood!
Thats funny!
Something tells me that after the buttkicking the Dems got in this years election cycle,
theyre gonna come out swinging a bit more this time around. And whats even funnier is the Republicans are giving them more and more ammo to do so.
Vote to give tax breaks for the rich while lashing out about the unemployment rates in the same breath, Republicans? Really?
Please keep it up till 2012 so my guy Barry can keep his office oval shaped for another 4 years!
The Republicans have terrorized America and beyond for the past ten years so whats the big deal the comparison.
Repulsive Republicans are domestic terrorists. They have already said they would hold all legislation hostage until the bush tax cuts were extended to event he millionaires and billionaires! Domestic Terrorists! They disgust me and I would hope all Americans? Obviously not! You sent us more of these nut cases come the beginning of the year!
Republicans have said, loudly and clearly that they WILL hold everyone hostage unless they can get concessions for the richest of the rich.
Holding people hostage, isn't that one of the things that terrorists do?
America middle class being held hostage.