Here's something that's funny, to me, about the tax deal spat

[Recursion]

I've seen quite a few OP's saying Reid should have just held the vote on the tax cuts for the middle class alone, because that would pressure the Republicans, and their constituents wouldn't stand for their obstructionism.

Its funny because...

... on Saturday, December 4th, Reid did hold two such votes in an extraordinary session (that's just what it's called; not saying it was "extraordinary" in the casual sense), and the Republicans voted "no" and prevented cloture. And it made all the papers, and the network and cable news, and was perfectly timed for the Sunday talk shows, where it was talked about by all.

But somehow, the Republican Senators' constituents (who are in aggregate definitely more likely to be sympathetic to the Senator than any DU poster) are supposed to notice this and be appalled, when even here on a liberal political discussion board, people can't seem to remember that it happened, less than a week after it happened.

[TwilightGardener]

1. It never plays out that way. That's pure fantasy. The only media story now

is the Democrats dividing over the tax issue, because they didn't resolve this before the elections. There will never be pressure on the Republicans, everyone accepts that they're bastards.

[Recursion]

6. OTOH Americans seem to like divided government

And, hell, they may have a point; the new Congress hasn't even been sworn in yet and the momentum from the election has made this Congress do more in the lame duck than in the preceding year.

[bushisanidiot]

2. The left expects the President for man handle the repukes and force

everything through himself, like he's superman or something. STUPID!

The blame lies 100% with the republicans. They are the ones that have blocked everything. Not the dems. Not President Obama.


THE REPUBLICANS ARE TO BLAME!!

[emulatorloo]

3. Republicans are basically Robotic Slaves these days to the party. They are programmed to

- Destroy Democrats and Consolidate Power for themselves, so that they can give the country over to the top 2%.

I remember the days when some Republicans would actually examine an issue and vote for solutions, even if it didn't follow the GOP party line. Not anymore.

[bushisanidiot]

4. Yep. They want to destroy the black president and the democratic party.

they won't give harry reid anything to sign that is good for the american people come january.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. That pretty much sums it up nicely

"more machine now than man, twisted and evil"

[MH1]

7. But, tell me again why this wasn't done before the election?

or was it, and I forgot?

(please notice that I'm not one of the ones screaming about 'the deal'. It makes me very uncomfortable but the realist in me is putting up a good fight against the idealist in me.)

[Recursion]

8. I am 100% with you there

I have no idea why they waited so long rather than running the midterms on this.