Tom Cole: Join with President Obama on quick deal
Republican Rep. Tom Cole urged colleagues in a private session Tuesday to vote to extend the Bush tax rates for all but the highest earners before the end of the year — and to battle over the rest later.
The Oklahoma Republican said in an interview with POLITICO that he believes such a vote would not violate Grover Norquist’s anti-tax pledge and that he’s not alone within Republican circles.
Continue ReadingAt a meeting of the House GOP whip team earlier in the day, he made the case that Republicans would strengthen their position by joining hands with President Barack Obama now to give most taxpayers what he calls “an early Christmas present” of ensuring their taxes don’t go up on Jan. 1.
Cole’s position is striking because he’s hardly a “squish” — Norquist’s term for a weak-kneed lawmaker — when it comes to Republican orthodoxy. Cole served as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee and in other official posts within the party.
He might also provide cover for other Republicans looking to make an agreement to avoid a sharp fall off the so-called fiscal cliff.
“I think we ought to take the 98 percent deal right now,” he said of freezing income tax rates for all but the top 2 percent of earners. “It doesn’t mean I agree with raising the top 2. I don’t.”
Instead, he told POLITICO, Republicans should fight the president over tax rates for the top earners after everyone else is taken care of. That would rob the president of the argument that Republicans are holding up tax cuts for all but the top earners, Cole said.
“Some people think that’s our leverage in the debate. It’s the Democrats’ leverage in the debate,” he said.
Cole said he’s likely to end up supporting his leadership when a package is put on the floor, but he also said there are other lawmakers in his camp, as well as still others who have been willing to listen.
He was also adamant that his tack would not run afoul of the Norquist pledge, which binds signers not to join any effort to raise income tax rates, among other things. Rather than raising taxes, he said, Republicans would be voting to lower them for most folks and do nothing — which would result in an increase — for the rest.
“I don’t see that as a violation of my pledge,” he said.
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Nov. 27, 2012 - 9:18 PM EST
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Read all 53 comments in our forumEveryone who supports the President's spending plans should pay for it. Reid, Pelosi and Obama have no plan on reducing spending, so are already over the cliff.
I think it will be interesting for every American to see how much we ALL have to pay in taxes to pay for Obamacare and the other Democrat programs.
If the democrats won't cut spending everyones taxes must go up to pay for it. The time has come to pay the piper. EVERYONE should do pay even Sandra Fluck and her friends at Georgetown.
Everyone who supports the President's spending plans should pay for it. Reid, Pelosi and Obama have no plan on reducing spending, so are already over the cliff.
I think it will be interesting for every American to see how much we ALL have to pay in taxes to pay for Obamacare and the other Democrat programs.
If the democrats won't cut spending everyones taxes must go up to pay for it. The time has come to pay the piper. EVERYONE should do pay even Sandra Fluck and her friends at Georgetown.
Hah. Good luck with the party that impeached Clinton. Fox News has destroyed the GOP. The Republicans will take this country over a cliff in January.
What really grabbed me about this article is that Congressman Cole still seems to be all too concerned about what Grover Norquist might think of his position. No one ever elected Mr. Norquist to office. It's the American people who need the Congressman's concern. Not his party. Not Grover Norquist.
Too little too late... more smoke and mirrors.. we are history... have fun paying for the Obama welfare/healthcare bunch of losers.
"we are history"
This is the style of hopeless negativity that Conservatives bring to washington.
I'm glad this guy is standing up to Norquist. Maybe some Republicans are finally learning that they can't continue to blatantly serve the super rich. Romney Ryan was only the tip of the iceberg.
More competence from Obama + changing demograpics in the South over the next 4 years = the end of the Republican Party
Republicans, this is still a democracy so stop serving only the super rich.
There are just enough baggers though to make sure that the reputation of the party remains sullied.
It's a win-win for Democrats, no matter how it plays out.
Tic Tock...Tic Tock...Tic..Tock..Time is running out for the Republicans. Norquist is a serious dark cloud hanging over their head and they are not sure how to deal with it. Some are very nervous fearing they will be blame for the taxes going up January 1, 2013.
You do know the United States isn not a democracy right? The United states is a republic. In a democracy 51% can vote to enslave 49% or it can easily turn in to a tyranny of the majority that is much more difficult in a republic.
Goulish One - Yes, we are a democratic republic. Thank you.
A lot is said by Republicans that Healthcare will bankrupt America. The same was said by Republicans about Medicare and Social Security. We're still not bankrupt even after 8 years of 'Nuculur' Bush, and no one since Hoover has busted America's economy ... but Republicans keep trying to do it. What's in it for the GOP who want to go backwards? I ran into several Tea Party women at Starbucks, and they said they'd like to go back to the original constitution. Well, I told them that I too was for that. Especially the part about women not having the right to vote.
Time for the 47% who don't pay income tax to get some skin in the game.
@grabski - yes, we must make the poor pay
I salute Representative Cole. Here's a Republican who's taken the high road, a statesman looking out for the best interests of the nation. He's correct. Republicans would get credit for doing their jobs instead of obstructing. If you don't believe it, then look at Governor Christie's stunning approval numbers.
rep cole suggesting his house conference do the right thing... standby for the beat down congressman.
Yes, the interesting thing is that Uncle Sam heavily subsidizes the lifestyle of the median income level. When you factor in the child tax credit, SS, Medicare, and now subsidies written into health reform families under 80K of household income (the majority) collect more in benefits and services than they pay in taxes.
Something Republicans and small government types chose to ignore.
The average family would see an increase of about $2K if all the Bush tax cuts expire which would is less than half of what ACA will provide in tax credits for healthcare.
For most Americans the projected increase in payroll taxes will have a bigger impact to their wallet than the return to Clinton's tax rates.
... some people will do anything to get on Morning Joe.
If the Repressive Regressives actually believe that their behavior over the last 4 years, coupled with their attempts to suppress voting, their attacks on womens' free choice, and their being lead by the nose by a lobbyist Grover Norquist, they've got another think coming.
American DO remember offenses made against them.
Their whacko candidate, Romney, offended nearly half the population.
He embraced the 1-2% rich as if they are royalty. He ignored the African Americans, the Hispanics, and especially the Asians.
No, Americans don't forget W. Bush's rushing our economy into the ground, making war in Iraq which killed over 4000 American sons and daughters, based on wanting Daddy to like him better.
We won't forget Romney and his elitist snobbery-- And his bought and paid for Congressional buddy-buddies.
Ever.
... "skin in the game" as mentioned above and elsewhere, is one way to put it.
No denying it ...
If you don't have to contribute something, anything, then you don't much care how much they take from anybody else to make sure it stays that way for you.
Not to mention how it helps to destroy your ambition.
But on the plus side, it makes you easy and willing prey for those who can then depend on you for continued support. The Democrat Party thanks you for your personal passivity.
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