On "fiscal cliff" deal, House GOP appears poised to back Boehner

House Speaker John Boehner.

As the clock ticks for Democrats and Republicans to come to a deal for averting the so-called "fiscal cliff," evidence suggests strong support for House Speaker John Boehner from the members of his caucus, even as an increasing number of Republicans suggest a willingness to include tax hikes on the wealthiest Americans as part of the ultimate deal.

Boehner remains locked in tough negotiations with President Obama over averting the so-called "cliff," a series of tax hikes and spending cuts set to go into effect next year. But unlike in recent similar debates, in which Boehner at times struggled to rein in some of the more vocally conservative members of his caucus, House GOP members have as yet signaled no outward signs of mutiny.

The president insists he will not sign off on a proposal that does not increase tax rates for households earning $250,000 or more per year, while Republicans have repeatedly reiterated their refusal to raise tax rates. Both parties have recently offered up plans reflective of these ideologies, and both were quick to reject the other side's plan.

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In recent days, however, some Republicans have signaled openness to the possibility of some degree of increased tax rates - and many now believe that, if the two sides are able to strike a deal, Boehner will be able to wrangle his members.

According to the New York Times, the speaker received widespread support from his caucus during a private meeting with House Republicans yesterday, and some suggested that they'd accept a deal that would have been Republican anathema a few months ago.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., who split from Boehner in March 2011 budget negotiations, has supported the speaker's proposed deal to the White House, which included $800 billion worth of revenue increases.

Meanwhile, there are indications that the president and Boehner have resumed negotiations after days of stalemate: Yesterday, Mr. Obama called Boehner for a relatively brief but seemingly cordial conversation, the details of which have not been revealed.

The Obama administration reiterated yesterday that it is willing to go over the "cliff" in the event that Republicans refuse to let the Bush-era tax cuts for the top 2 percent of Americans expire.

According to a new poll by the Associated Press-GfK, Americans prefer that idea over the GOP alternate: 48 percent of respondents said tax cuts should expire on earnings over $250,000 but continue for lower incomes; 32 percent said the cuts should continue for everyone.

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What's at stake in the "fiscal cliff" battle?

Despite longstanding opposition to raising any tax rates whatsoever, many on the right seem to have come to the conclusion that doing so is an inevitable part of the process - and are suggesting that the earlier the GOP goes to the table agreeing to some rate hikes, the more they can get out of the deal in the long run.

"Personally, I know we have to raise revenue. I don't really care which way we do it. Actually, I would rather see the rates go up than do it the other way, because it gives us a greater chance to reform the tax code and broaden the base in the future," said Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., yesterday on MSNBC.

Rep. Jeb Hensarling, a conservative Republican from Texas, appeared to be on the same wavelength.

"The president is going to get some form or fashion of revenue. That's baked into current law," he said, according to the Washington Post. "I didn't vote for it. I don't want it. But I recognize it, and House Republicans will work to minimize the damage to the economy."

But not all of the House GOP members are getting on board with the possibility of increased rates: In an op-ed this morning for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., stood by the traditional Republican position.

"While promising to take a "balanced approach" to address the fiscal cliff, President Obama and his Democrat colleagues have yet to offer any meaningful solutions, including spending reductions. It is clear that this administration, which has presided over budgetary deficits exceeding $1 trillion all four years in office, remains remarkably unconcerned with our nation's spending-driven crisis," Price wrote. "Instead, they have insisted on raising tax rates on small businesses, despite knowing this would only generate enough revenue to fund the government for eight days. It is not a real solution at a time when we face very serious challenges."

[TJphoto]

UNDERLYING MESSAGE....Fall in line or there will be no pork for you to tell the voters what a wonderful job you're doing.

[Verascity]

It's interesting that a return to pre-W tax rates for the rich is considered a tax hike. Interesting that the GOP considered this temporary special deal for Bush cronies as their right in perpetuity.

For you TPers, I'll add a definition of perpetuity in this context: "Time without end; eternity."
And the definition of temporary: "lasting, existing, serving, or effective for a time only; not permanent"

The GOP seems a little confused about the difference.

[TimeToEvolve]

The secessionists would have to give back all the US currency they have. However they could save money because they would not need any military since they all have the guns they need. Heck, they could go back to farming tobacco and cotton. They could see how it is to actually work instead of taking federal funding from the rest of us. Perfect.

[democracy8]

The top 2% pay a mere pittance of their DISCRETIONARY income while the rest of us pay through the nose of the bit that we're able to keep after paying for the necessities.

"Class warfare"? Who decides how much someone earns and for what? Think it's determined equitably? Not necessarily, bucko...

Is a CEO in the US REALLY worth 470 times that of the average worker? Most likely NOT--and some of those paid like that have tanked their companies (many examples)--and they STILL get their Golden Parachutes. Who do YOU know that gets a deal like that?

[TimeToEvolve]

These are just the facts and reality, plain and simple.

[fiberglass3]

Advice to Republican'ts : Never try to negotiate from a position of weakness.

[nancy_naive]

Irony -- Love it or leave it.
Secession is their only hope.
They can't emigrate; most secessionists won't qualify for citizenship to other industrialize nations because of a lack of skills or education.
If they do have the skills and education to be desirable enough for entry visas, they wouldn't want to emigrate to any industrialized nation because they all have higher tax rates and socialize medicine.
That leaves the 3rd World, where their lily-white arses would be in the minority.
HAHAHAHA!

[TimeToEvolve]

Again Houston just can't be bothered with the historical facts that borrowing and spending is vastly higher under Republicons. I am getting the feeling that this is another Fox Keeps You Stupid Channel watcher. Because people who watch that have no idea of truth, reality or facts. It is whatever they think is right. Scary, scary stuff.

[bacusa13]

It is a sad day that a major political party-the republicans- are willing to sacrifice the financial well being for 98% of all Americans because they have pledged their loyalty to one man-Grover Norquist- and the other 2% of the wealthiest jackasses (Koch Brother etc..)in the USA. What has the GOP come to? They don't care about Americans they just care about the 2% of US population who finance their elections.

[TimeToEvolve]

Of course the actual facts are that the Republicons under the Bush Cheney Crime Family spend us into oblivion. In fact they taught the drunken sailors how to spend. Notice the Republicons were not squawking until a Democrat was elected.

Historically this is how is has gone. When Republicons are in power they borrow and spend so they can blame it on the next administration. Reagan did it and so did both Bushoccios.

And there is no comparison between the bribery and corruption of Republicons by Wall Street and MANY Dems. Some of the Dems are actually Repubicons so that is expected that they would be bribed.

[Think4times]

Do you really think your point gets across better by using all caps?

I'm willing to wager that it's less likely to be read for that very reason.

[TimeToEvolve]

Not surprising since the entire Republicon Party seems to have been puppetized and had their brains empties out by their Wall Street corporate masters. They will do anything they are paid to do.