Oh, well, this is nice. "Annual White House holiday party follows tax deal announcement" [View All]

[Bluebear]

Pop the champagne, everyone!

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Washington (CNN) -- The annual White House holiday party for members of Congress fell on the same evening that President Obama announced a "framework" deal on the Bush-era tax cuts.

Based on the optimistic tone from Obama's usual critics, it appears Republicans are getting better gifts under the tree than the president's fellow Democrats.

Arriving for a night of festivities at the southeast entrance to the White House, outgoing Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Connecticut, said he would reserve judgment until he could review the agreement more carefully on Tuesday, but he expressed some disappointment. "I regret that we are going to have to compromise on it because I think it's terrible we are not basically limiting the tax cut to those who really need it. That's the sad part," he said.

Republicans, like incoming House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell put out statements applauding the efforts of the White House to forge a bipartisan plan to prevent a tax hike.

However, some Democrats aren't pleased with a deal that they believe rewards millionaires and billionaires with tax breaks they say the country simply can't afford.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/06/white.house.party/