http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/axelrod-to-tpm-its-the-gops-fault-dems-punted-on-tax-cuts-vote.php?ref=fpblgPresident Obama's senior adviser David Axelrod today dismissed the political "symbolism" of holding a vote to extend tax cuts for the middle class, telling TPM the Democrats' decision to punt on putting the matter to a vote before the election was the Republicans' fault.
"Our goal is to get these tax cuts passed. If we can't get it done before the election we're going to insist on it after," Axelrod said in response to a TPM question on a White House call arranged for reporters, bloggers and progressive political activists.
As the reporters on the call pressured him further, Axelrod didn't let up or lay any blame on Democratic leaders who bowed to concerns from members in tough reelection fights.
"I don't think anybody in America at this point doubts where the president is, where we are, and where the Republican party is. We'll repeat it every day," Axelrod said on the call. "The Republican Party is holding hostage tax cuts for the middle class."
(snip)
But Axelrod said Obama won't let up, even without a vote, citing GOP obstructionism on even minor issues since the president took office. "We're going to make it clear every day that those aren't passed who is blocking them and why," Axelrod said.
He added, "I don't think there is going to be any ambiguity about where we stand and where they stand and I am very very confident we will ultimately win this fight because I don't think American people are going to sit still and allow the Republicans to inflict a tax increase on them in order to facilitate additional tax relief for millionaires and billionaires."