Shocking, but not entirely surprising really.
(CNN) – Defying President Obama, House Democrats voted Thursday not to bring up the tax package that he negotiated with Republicans in its current form.
“This message today is very simple: That in the form that it was negotiated, it is not acceptable to the House Democratic caucus. It’s as simple as that,” said Democratic Congressman Chris Van Hollen.
“We will continue to try and work with the White House and our Republican colleagues to try and make sure we do something right for the economy and right for jobs, and a balanced package as we go forward,” he said.
The vote comes a day after Vice President Biden made clear to House Democrats behind closed doors that the deal would unravel if any changes were made.
“Wow did the [White House] mishandle this,” a senior House Democratic Source told CNN. “Breathtaking. Members have major substantive concerns and they should have gently guided people to the finish line.”
Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon said: “They said take it or leave it. We left it.”
via House Democrats defy Obama on tax cut bill – CNN Political Ticker – CNN.com Blogs.
Naturally, it is the Democrats of the far left stripe who want to play politics with a bill that will actually help the middle class:
Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly said that “this means we will not bring this [agreement] to the floor as is. It has to be changed.”
Daly would not outline what revisions House Democrats specifically are seeking, but he did say that Pelosi would stand by today’s caucus resolution…
Asked whether Pelosi would bring up the package over the objections of her Democratic colleagues, Miller suggested that wouldn’t happen without further consultions with rank-and-file lawmakers.
Also, it gets even crazier:
Senior Dem adviser to WH tells me strategy now: Sen Dems use another bill already passed by House, add new tax deal, send back to House
Dem adviser says then WH would try to “jam the House” and have Pelosi vote on updated bill — but will Pelosi be jammed?
Barney Frank says, “Not so fast…”
“I still think it’s going to go through—why do you think it isn’t?” Frank said in a Thursday interview outside the caucus meeting. “I always knew a majority of Democrats would be against it. I still think they have the votes for it, yeah.” He added that House Democrats simply lacked the ability to have a major impact on the legislation: “I think the notion that the caucus controls legislation is not a good one.”
Frank emphasized that he still opposed the tax-cut bargain but nevertheless thought a vote should be held on the tax package as it currently stands. Speaker Nancy Pelosi will have to decide herself whether to bring the legislation to a vote on the House floor—a decision that many House Dems at the caucus meeting suggested was up in the air. But Frank was convinced that Pelosi would bring the president’s tax deal forward: “I think she will have to, yeah.”
So, at this point, I do not know what is going to happen, nor do I believe the Democrats know either. One thing I will say is this; if the Democrats decide to play partisan politics with this bill and let it and DREAM act bill die — over stupid stuff like ideological purity, the American people, especially the middle class —- like my parents, are going to be very highly ticked at Congress and basically the Democrats will be sealing their own fates come 2012.
Americans, not matter what their political leanings, understand one thing very well. Paying taxes, means losing their own money to the Government. Which in turn means less money of their own to spend, and that makes for a very unhappy constituency. Doing this sort of a bill, over something as idiotic as political ideology or purity is a suicide pact.
Honestly, I am ashamed of the Democrats at his point. They are doing the same damned thing that the Republicans did with George W. Bush back in 2006. They are following him to the edge of the cliff and jumping off with him, without regard for the Country or the well being of the American people. Not to mention for the well-being of their Party. At this point it is all about egos and ambition. It is insanity and will cost the Democrats for a very long time to come. The President of the United States gave them the best damned compromise that he could get and they are acting like spoiled brats. I am not trying to defending anyone or anybody, least of all the President. However, when I see that polls show that people actually like this Bill, right and left, I just have to wonder, who are these idiots on the hill looking out for?
I think we all know the answer to that one. 🙄
