Progressives: Vote only on middle class tax cuts

Three organizations that support Democrats are among those calling for the House to hold a vote on extending the middle class tax cuts only -- and not tax cuts for the rich -- before Republicans take over in January.

The AFL-CIO, Democracy for America and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee see mostly gain, little downside to putting Republicans on the spot. Voting down the middle class tax cuts on "principle" -- the principle that the rich need a tax cut more than average Joes -- could be perilous for the GOP.  Of course, this assumes they face an opponent that knows how to cash in their political chips  -- a very large assumption with Democrats.

Another pitfall: Republicans could counter with a procedure called a "motion to recommit," which could force  a vote on the upper-end tax cuts that just might pass, given the political incompetence referred to herein.

To prevent this, Democrats could use the "suspension process," which would require a two-thirds majority to pass. Given the stakes, the cowardly lions in the House just might find "the noive" to vote for it. Then there's the Senate, where good legislation goes to die. Republicans and Conservadems will threaten to filibuster, but, again, Dems should say: Dare 'ya.  See who blinks first. (Um, Democrats?) As Greg Sargent says:

Proponents of this argument point out that Republicans have struggled to respond in the past when faced with a possible vote on just the middle class cuts. Recall, for instance, that John Boehner signaled openness to supporting such a move, if it came to it, before quickly walking it back.

 It should come as no surprise that Nancy Pelosi may be the one behind this idea in the House.  That's why John Boner really really really hoped Wolf Blitzer and his Beltway conventionistas would spread the word that Pelosi was a washed-up loser who should take her ball and go home to gaytown.  But it looks like the only balls she'll be taking anywhere are Boner's, judging by this letter he sent her on Tuesday:

"Using the suspension process - which requires a two-third vote in the House to pass legislation instead of a simple majority vote - as the vehicle for a vote on legislation that would stop President Obama's tax hike on all tax-paying Americans would be an obvious attempt to circumvent the will of the House by denying Republican and many Democratic members their right to offer an alternative proposal."

Take a breath, boner.  That is rich, though:  "An obvious attempt to circumvent the will of the House." Pretty much describes the last two years of his life.

Hardball tactics like this are the reason Nancy Pelosi is the only woman for the job of minority leader, and why Republicans and Conservadems are fighting so hard to keep her from it.  But unlike most Democrats, including our president, Pelosi believes in standing and fighting.  And, though Boner/Blitzer - a new talk show on CNN? -- will never tell you this, she's the person most responsible for passing much of the 2008 Democratic agenda closest to it's original form. Or, if they did tell you, they'd say that's why she's no longer House speaker. But progressives know the real reason: The Senate bungled the ball she passed them, and Obama stood and watched.

Here's what DFA had to say about a vote on just the middle class tax cuts:

"It's hard to imagine a smarter fight for Democrats to pick at this moment than forcing every Republican to vote up-or-down on a clean middle-class tax cut that benefits 98% of Americans. Force them to vote, dare them to vote no, and the end result will be good policy and good politics for Democrats. Saying 'We don't have the votes' and never forcing people to show their cards is how leaders in Washington often avoid doing the will of the people. If Speaker Pelosi announced this strategy, it would change the entire debate and finally put Democrats on offense."

Meanwhile, more than 100,000 liberals have signed a petition at the PCCC asking -- begging! -- Obama not to extend the tax cuts for the rich.  It says:

"President Obama, ARE YOU KIDDING?  Democrats lost in 2010 because they caved instead of fighting on popular progressive issues. Americans strongly oppose more tax cuts for millionaires and nearly a trillion in new debt. If you don't fight on this issue, Democrats may lose even more seats in 2012 - and possibly even the White House."

That's right, hit him where he lives -- or won't, if he doesn't fight for the things he says he believes in.