Tax Cuts A Tough Sell

The rolling countryside of central Virginia is Republican territory, with family farms and family values. Congressman Tom Bliley is bringing his party's $792 billion dollar tax cut plan home to sell to his neighbors, CBS News' Sharyl Attkisson reports.

In a steamy library they listened politely as Bliley brought out his props.

"You may wonder why this wedding cake is here," he begins.

Bliley uses the cake to introduce discussion about the marriage penalty tax. He points to charts to show why Democrats are all wrong when they insist the tax cut is far too big.

"That's the problem! If you leave the money in Washington, they gonna spend it!" says Bliley.

But with polls across the country showing only a lukewarm reception to tax cuts, these Virginians have other issues on their minds.

"The last thing we need is more gun control laws," says one man.

"I have a heavy student loan debt," says a young woman.

There's deep concern about the impact of a tax cut on Medicare and social security.

"I'd like to know why we're not getting exactly what we're supposed to be getting," says an older woman.

Many do support the idea of tax cuts, but are skeptical of the size of this one.

"I would like to see the surpluses that materialize be used to reduce the federal debt," says one man.

Another remembers what happened the last time Republicans cut taxes.

"The Reagan administration ended up being associated with the largest deficits in American history. That happened on our watch," says the man.

Still, at meeting's end Bliley remained convinced that voters will, in the end, back the tax cut, and Democrats will be forced to give in.

"In politics, as long as I've been in it, I know you never get 100% of what you want. If you get 85% you declare victory and you go home," says Bliley.

And then he was off, to the next town meeting.