This deal could of been way, way, worse. BUT, we must win in 2012. Overwhelmigly.

One redeeming thing about this deal - the Democrats are getting our Bush tax cuts repealed if we win the next election. In exchange, we kept social security and medicare from being annihilated, and got deep defense spending cuts.

They need our help, lets make sure to SHOW UP.

Imagine if the republicans win in 2012, Tax cuts forever -> Hyper-right wing supreme court, there is way to much on the line.

Obama's alienated progressives, including unions, that could help him get elected in 2012.

Obama's showing himself to be a weak president, not a good showing to Independents

Obama's caving in to right wing policies that further weaken the economy, which will only hurt him in 2012.

Obama's going into 2012 with a weak economy as a result.

In addition, Republicans are doing as much as they can in the Midwest to make sure the Midwest doesn't come out for Obama in 2012. Obama chose not to support Wisconsinites in their fight with Governor Walker, otherwise the Republican's Plot may have been exposed.


If Obama doesn't get reelected, it will be his fault and not ours.

Dems allowed this to happen by not going to the polls in 2010

People wanted a change in cynical politics as usual. Remember Hope and Change? And Yes We Can?

Realistic strategy is a lot different from cynical political gamesmanship.

And to make matters worse, Team Obama is looking like they are not even very good at cynical politics as usual. Two years in and people are more cynical and alienated about politics than ever.

How so? A tax increase on the working class perhaps? Oh wait, the payroll tax cut will expire in this deal so in effect that is a 2% increase in taxes for the working class. And the idle rich get NO new taxes. And NO more extended unemployment benefits because we know the recovery is just around the corner.

I guess Obama could have agreed to gutting Social Security and Medicare but it's still on the chopping block so that's not much of an improvement to the current situation. And we get more spending cuts to programs for the working class. More austerity for the working class and luxury for the idle rich.

So we get a tax increase on the working class, Social Security is still on the table to be decimated, the idle rich, monopolies and corporations still are NOT paying their fair share. I guess anything no matter how awful could be worse.

there goes your one redeeming thing.

nothing in this deal prevents the same thing happening in 2012 that happened in 2010.

the other side if you're going to get the thing anyway? The tax cuts are set to automatically expire. Why on earth would a negotiator risk making any deal by insisting on raising taxes now? That's just stupid negotiating. Picking a reason not to settle is what that would have done.
Am I'm sure there's a lot of disappointed people on both sides because they were actually looking forward to a default. I don't know why. but there are people who wanted to see a default.

Democrats?