No surprise that the Rs voted as one ~ and deeply disappointed but not surprised at the Ds [and of course Joe Lieberman] who voted with them ~ but I'm thinking that a 'nay' vote on Schumer's compromise [which is expected] will be much harder to rationalize ~ keep in mind that whatever tax breaks are continued continue for the wealthy as well up to whatever threshold is applied ~ Sooz

WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS.... The plan from the Senate Democratic leadership seemed like a good one, at least in terms of political strategy. Following up on House Democrats approving the middle-class-first tax plan -- crafted by the Obama White House, and endorsed by most of the country -- Senate Dems gathered this morning to force Republicans into a similar situation.

Would the GOP block permanent tax breaks for those making less than $250,000 a year, in order to protect lower top rates for the wealthiest Americans? Not surprisingly, we saw this morning that the answer is "yes." The problem was that a few Dems decided to give Republicans a hand.

Just to clarify, a Senate majority supported the measure. But because the institution is so often ridiculous, when the margin is 53 votes to 36 votes, the 36 win.

The hope among many Dems was that it would offer a stark partisan contrast -- Democrats fighting for the middle class, Republicans holding middle-class cuts hostage to protect the wealthy -- but it didn't quite work out that way, because Senate Dems were divided. Most of the party backed the middle-class-first approach, but five broke ranks and sided with the GOP. Four agreed with the Republican position -- Joe Lieberman, Joe Manchin, Ben Nelson, and Jim Webb -- while the fifth, Russ Feingold, opposed the Democratic proposal because he wants to see all of the Bush-era rates expire, including on those under $250k.

Be prepared for the new #1 Republican talking point: there's "bipartisan opposition" to the tax policy crafted by the president and endorsed by most of the country.

One of the developments that has given Republicans leverage in the tax policy debate is the divisions among Democrats, a reality bolstered by this vote. When folks marvel at the White House feeling forced to "cave" on this, it's worth remembering that the president and his team had hoped to see a united Democratic caucus backing them up.

What's more, this should go without saying, but in case there were any doubts, every Republican who voted this morning opposed the popular tax plan.

So, what happens now? The Senate will soon vote on Sen. Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) other compromise, which would limit a higher tax rate to millionaires and billionaires exclusively, but it is also expected to fall victim to a GOP filibuster.

At that point, negotiations will continue through the administration's working group, led by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and White House budget director Jack Lew, which is tasked with striking some kind of deal with congressional leaders.

According to the Senate Republicans' hostage plan unveiled Wednesday, the Senate will not be able to consider literally any other legislation until the GOP is satisfied with the resolution of the tax issue.

—[url=mailto:sbenen@washingtonmonthly.com]Steve Benen[/url] 11:25 AM December 4, 2010

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archiv ... 026924.php

all Obama has to say is that he will veto any proposal that extends the tax cuts to the wealthy.

they can either take the middle class tax cut, or they can see taxes for everyone increased.

nuclear option?

As expected, the 2d vote failed too ~ Sooz

Democratic procedural votes on extending Bush tax cuts fail in Senate