With as much right-wing propaganda as has been pumped into our system, I’m a bit surprised at these CNN poll results, but I’m also quite pleased. Will the President get this message? Greg Sargent: A new CNN poll finds the public doesn’t agree with the GOP on two major lame duck session issues: Only a third want all the Bush tax cuts to be extended, while less than a third oppose repealing DADT. I saw Andrea Michell get pissed off at John McCain for blocking DADT repeal when she had on Lieberman earlier this week. Her comments come at about the 4:09 mark. Mitchell: With all due respect, I was kind of stunned because, what about Mike Mullen? Admiral Mullen is the Chairman of the joint Chiefs. They report to him. If it’s good enough for him and for Robert Gates and if this is what the survey says that we understand is coming out in December, then why isn’t it good enough for John McCain? Even Joe agreed with her. Reality doesn’t matter with the GOP. And much to the chagrin of Village elites, John McCain is part of that un-reality. Here’s another pretty surprising result. Fifty percent of Republicans think the tax cuts should be extended regardless of income.” I believe it signals that middle class Republicans (yes, they do exist) understand that the Bush tax cuts are not benefiting our society and by the cover of an anonymous poll were willing to give an honest response. You’d figure that at least 80% of Republicans would be for extending the Bush tax cuts. It’s too bad they still won’t vote with what would work to improve their lives instead of buying into the propaganda totally. Too much capital has been spent on destroying the progressive message. I think the religious right has a lot to do with this. The big question is: Will the Obama administration push back? Dianne Feinstein has now come out to join Senator Merkley and asked that a vote be taken to extend the middle class tax cuts. “I don’t see the logic in delaying tax cuts for middle class Americans as part of an effort to make sure that the rich get richer. I would caution my Republican colleagues against holding middle-class tax cuts hostage for the benefit of the two percent of Americans who have the privilege to be wealthy.” I understand getting something done is much different than moving forward, but at least they can hone their message accordingly and force the Republicans to either vote or obstruct. I’ve received many emails from C&L readers that have said they are even willing to lose their middle class tax cuts if the Bush tax cuts are not extended, and I think that’s a powerful message. Email from C&Ler Steve: I am one of those caught in the middle class… Obama’s tax cuts nets me about $50 a month… Not an insignificant amount BUT… I would GLADLY give it up if that means the million/billionaires get taxed at the 2001 levels… I think there should be a demonstration to Pay More Taxes… As everyone knows, the Bush tax cuts for the rich people has hurt this country more than just about anything… All the lying republicans want to do is repel the Bush tax cuts… Let’s get a survey going and see how many of us progressives in the middle class would give up our meager tax cuts in order to get the millionaire/billionaires paying their fair share… This is a courageous stance to take and I know many more who feel this way. This would be an interesting poll question to ask, and I bet the Beltway Village would not enjoy the responses because it would destroy the comfy right-wing-elite narrative that they have been conditioned to expect from the American people. Who’s really willing to give up what for the benefit of our country?
Will the Obama Administration finally get the message on the Bush tax cuts?