Steve Benen: How to Capitalize on GOP Tax Policy Obstinacy

November 17, 2010

HOW TO CAPITALIZE ON GOP TAX POLICY OBSTINACY.... As far as Republican leaders on the Hill are concerned, a permanent tax break for the middle class is simply out of the question unless Dems agree to help millionaires and billionaires.

The Republicans' top tax guy in the House threatened in the clearest possible terms today that he and the rest of the GOP would vote to block any tax cut for the middle class during the lame duck session unless tax cuts for the wealthy are extended for the same period of time.

In a policy speech at the business-friendly Tax Council today, incoming Ways and Means Committee chairman David Camp called the Democratic plan for tax cuts -- a permanent tax cut extension for all income up to $200,000, and a temporary extension for income above that level -- "a terrible idea and a total nonstarter."

In other words, nothing has changed. Dems wanted permanent breaks for the middle class, and Republicans are holding them hostage -- give us breaks for the wealthy, they say, or we'll kill the whole deal.

The more obstinacy from Republicans, the better this should be for Democrats. We're talking about aggressive, unyielding GOP opposition to middle-class tax cuts. If Republicans are intent on killing them, why on earth would Dems try to stop them?

—Steve Benen

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