After reading all the diaries and comments concerning the upcoming battle over the expiring Bush Taxcuts, I have come to a conclusion.
If Obama plays his cards right, and stands firm on no billionaire taxcuts, I think the result would be a turning point in his presidency.
For me, the biggest disappointment of the last 2 years, has been the failure of Obama to take the lead on an issue and draw a line in the sand.
He has accomplished alot in the first 18 months. Considering the state of the union when it was handed off to him, in many ways, it is amazing.
But at the same time, he has created the perception, that when push comes
to shove, he will cave to the other side's demands, in the name of pragmatism. Watching the making of the healthcare bill, was not good for me, or the country, IMHO. It is where the dems and Obama lost a lot of goodwill.
Which brings us back to taxcuts.
Obama should announce he wants the Bush Taxcuts to expire.
Get them off the table.
There should be no extensions of the "Bush Taxcuts".
Politically, it is bad for Obama to give credit to the republicans for the taxcuts, as they will permanently be named the Bush Taxcuts.
One of the problems with the election was 98% of Americans didn't know the had gotten a taxcut in the stimulus package.
Amazingly bad PR, Mr President.
In order to correct that problem, the dems will offer up the Obama Taxcut, during the lame duck session.
Pelosi has signaled she is willing to present a taxbill.
The Obama taxcut will be on the first $1 million everyone makes in 2011.
That reduces to the first $500,000 for 2012, and becomes permanent for the first $250,000 in 2013 and thereafter.
This will keep money coming in to the treasury, blunt republican talking points, and make Obama look like a strong leader in the eyes of waffling dems and independents.
This should not be hard to pass.
Any obstruction should be met with ridicule.
A vote must be scheduled and taken.
Forcing a vote is key. All members of congress should be forced to vote on this.
That is where the rubber meets the road.
I can see this passing with alot of republicans voting aye.
If fillibustering is threatened in the senate. Make them fillibuster.
The president will look bi-partisan, in favor of deficit reduction, and be giving cuts taxes, all while standing his ground and not giving an inch.
The major point is he needs to put this out as his plan first.
Put it out there and say this where he is at and stick with it.
Otherwise, he will be seen as acquiescing to someone else's plan.
The taxcut issue is one the dems are clearly on the right side of.
Obama can take this moment and make it his.
Coming back with a solid win within a couple of weeks of the republican big win, will re-set the table.
Even if, for some reason, the taxcut does not pass, Obama should stand firm in January and veto any millionaire taxcuts. Force their hand. He will still be perceived as strong and a winner, just for not caving.
Taxcuts are a win-win for the dems and the President, if they play their cards right.
Obama can make this a turning point, and win back my heart (and my vote)
All he has to do, is DO IT.