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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obama makes more modest ‘cliff’ plea

Principal negotiators returning to Washington after Christmas

Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, joined by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., left, speaks to reporters about the “fiscal cliff” negotiations at the Capitol in Washington on Friday. (Associated Press)
Lisa Mascaro McClatchy-Tribune

WASHINGTON – With the sudden collapse of House Speaker John Boehner’s “Plan B” to avert most year-end tax increases, President Barack Obama and congressional leaders face a daunting choice: Compromise in the few days remaining before tax hikes and spending cuts kick in, or call it quits and soar off the “fiscal cliff.”

Obama appeared in the White House briefing room late Friday to urge congressional leaders to at least prevent income tax hikes on household income of less than $250,000, continue long-term unemployment benefits and delay the mandatory spending cuts set to begin in January.

“Call me a hopeless optimist, but I actually still think we can get it done,” Obama said before leaving with his family to spend Christmas in Hawaii.

The president’s plea was a retreat from the much broader deal he had sought during private talks with Boehner, which fell apart this week as the Ohio Republican pursued a separate course.

Obama talked with Boehner by telephone before he spoke and met at the White House with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. – a trusted partner who could help craft a deal in the Senate. All sides expect to return to Washington next week.

“Everybody can cool off; everybody can drink some eggnog, have some Christmas cookies, sing some Christmas carols, enjoy the company of loved ones,” the president said. “Think about the obligations we have to the people who sent us here.”

Even this more modest request will likely run into opposition from Republicans as they weigh whether to seek a better agreement or stomach the tax hikes that will happen Jan. 1 if nothing is done.

The options carry political and practical calculations for all sides – and could determine not only whether every American sees a bigger tax bill, but also whether Obama’s second term will be consumed by more chaotic budget debates.

Although Boehner’s stature appears diminished by his failure to persuade GOP colleagues to support his tax plan – which would have raised taxes on millionaires – Republican support, or at least acquiescence, will be required for congressional action.

That includes Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate minority leader. Obama will face continued pressure to sweeten his budget plan so McConnell does not put up a filibuster fight.

McConnell is a close-to-the-vest operator eyeing his own run for re-election in two years.

Boehner dealt himself a blow – and strengthened the Democrats’ hand – with his “Plan B,” which GOP conservatives rejected as a tax increase. The proposal would have kept most tax rates the same, but allowed the scheduled increase on incomes above $1 million to take effect. The rate would have risen from 35 percent to 39.6 percent.

Despite the setback, Boehner reasserted himself Friday, flanked by his sometime-rival, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia, in a public display of solidarity.

As for a deal, the speaker said, “How we get there, God only knows.”

Obama must decide if he is willing to make concessions to Republicans to achieve a broader budget deal. Many Republicans have signaled publicly, and privately, that they are willing to raise taxes as part of a deal to cut spending.

In negotiations with Boehner, Obama proposed raising taxes only on household income above $400,000 and cutting the inflation adjustment for Social Security and other government benefits.

The president had campaigned for re-election on keeping tax rates the same for the first $250,000 of income for families and $200,000 for individuals, but raising rates on income above that level. He returned to that stance Friday, when he made a pitch to Republicans to help enact a few stopgap measures. His party’s left flank is unlikely to cheer another overture to the GOP.

“The slate is clean,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in a statement, noting that Obama has “no obligation to radical Republicans.”