In praise of Boehner, although I don´t really trust the man to do what is right for the country. Very sad for America.

It was a wise move by Boehner, telling BHO it was his moment and time to lead. BHO isn´t comfortable being in that position, because he´s not good at it. Good place to put him, then.

Counter intuitive but probably right. I also question why Republicans should fall on a hand grenade to protect the rich from taxes when 10 of the 12 richest counties went for Obama. The rich and poor vote Democrat. We are the party of the middle class.

It is a losing proposition in Washington for Republicans to offer ideas. They get pasted by both Democrats and the LSM even though there are never any alternatives offered by those opponents.

By making Obama lead, he is exposing the Democrats´ lack of effective ideas. The LSM will try to say something about Republican opposition and gridlock, but the question will be "opposition to what?" The Democrats will probably get their way in a lot of areas (mostly executive branch regulations) and the Republicans will be unable to stop them. In 2 and 4 years, there will be a record of what worked and (bigger list) of what didn´t.

Oh, truly brilliant to draw a line in the sand for the billionaires over a 2% rate. Now no matter what happens all Republicans everywhere will continue to be smeared as only for the 1%. Meanwhile any income maker at any level will be nailed anyway.

He continues to work inside the beltway while the rest of the country implodes. This strategy failed in the face of the most blatant power grabs by the worst President ever.

Re: #3: So "rich" is now defined by conservatives as income of greater than $250k/yr? Is there no consideration given to the taxes already paid by couples and small businesses with that income? Income is not wealth. Increasing taxes is a sure way to get less of that which you are taxing. I would respectfully suggest you google Ronald Reagan´s speeches on tax policy and fiscal outcome.

Good article. I have to agree - now it is President Obama´s mantra. He now needs to lead. His main argument pre-election was tax the rich. That´s where his supporters want him to go. Mark my words - there will be concessions on both sides. Hard core supporters of his will not be happy if the taxing of the rich doesn´t come out consistent with his campaigning. Just read an article b Douglas Schoen - very point on - the only thing I would add - it isn´t just the defiant President and the House Republicans who won´t budge - add Harry Reid and the hard core Senate.

Some good thoughts here. But the before comparing Obama to Reagan, remember, Obama just told his supporters to vote for revenge!

Don´t expect any dignity from a failed Obama. Don´t expect any demands for accountability from his supporters.

"He Who Must Not Be Blamed" will never take responsibility.

First off, Obama does not know how to negotiate. He has one position and will not leave it. Second, the Republicans will try to prevent damage the economy that will result if Obama gets his way.

Criticize Boehner, but Repubs are better off having him negotiating. Obama´s plan to make the rich pay more has nothing to do with economic growth. Rather he wants to punish people like himself - multi-millionaire high income individuals.Why not just go back to Clinton´s tax rates and Clinton´s budget. The ignorant believe if we raise the rates on couples making more than $250K all our budget problems will be solved. No thinking person is that, how do you say, stupid. Or is it dumb? Same result.

The tax code has been used over the years to encourage behavior. Obama´s plan does none of that. To him it is a zero sum game. The effects of changing tax rates are dynamic, not static. Watch and learn if Obama gets his way.

It is interesting that he blames the budget deficits largely on Bush tax cuts, but wants to retain the vast majority of them. Stupid is as stupid does.

I say let´s confiscate all the income and assets from the entertainment industry and professional sports. They can all make more. Jay-Z and Beyonce will give it all up for Obama. Same for Lebron. And Harvey Weinstein and George Clooney. At least that would be a start.

Mr Speaker: please stall and obfuscate all the Obamunists´ wasteful rob-from-us-and give-to-the-bums programs by tying up the budget in knots and gridlock for the next 47 months.
Don´t worry- no matter how many times Obama puts his arm around your shoulders, he is never going to be your friend. He is only looking to make a sap out of you.

Socialism is cancer. Starve the Obamunist tumor, Mr. Speaker.
Cut off the blood supply-money.
Only you can do it for us.
Do it and the more Blessed Hussein whines, you will know you are doing the right thing.
Until we get our country back from these new dark ages.

How is the strategy espoused in this article any different than what´s been going on in Congress already? Haven´t we "let the President lead" when it comes to a budget? He submits budgets that are nothing but toilet paper; the Dems being allowed to "lead" have not even submitted a budget for years; yet the Republicans curl up and let themselves get kicked again and again as the party of the rich and extremists and the ones taking the country over a fiscal cliff. THIS is strategy of Boehner -- let THEM lead? Wake me up when this nightmare is over.

With Boehner watching my back, why am I twitchey?

Why doesn´t Boehner just propose to continue the Bush tax cuts (the existing tax structure) for another 4 years, and be done with it? That is all that I would do. Caving in and letting Obama set the tax rates and spending levels will just result in the disintegration of the Republican Party. Of course, that is exactly what is going to happen.

I hope he knows what he is doing. I´ve been inclined to sit back and tell 0bama to go for it.

Boehner needs to learn how to play the game. Start throwing out instances of waste and overspending. All the time. Repeat. Repeat. There are lots of them. Help people understand and get enraged about federal overspending.

Communicate!!!

The won can only lead from behind so sit tight and wait and wait for at least 2 more years as nothing will be put on the table. This time Nancy isn´t the speaker passing all her bills for obe.
Just put his golf clubs in his hand and give him enough fuel to run his motorcades to nowhere. encourage the mrs to create a permanent white house in Hawaii and strand her there.

No thanks, this man deserves no praise, no headlines, he´s just a democrat tool. He has no fear of the people because he runs unopposed in his district in Ohio. Just a few days ago he gave a big story to the NY Times about the conference call he made to subdued Republicans who were somber and quiet, no more spunk, they all agreed with Boehner that Obama won and we must do what he wants. This isn´t new from him, he has constantly said the House can´t do anything because it´s only one third. Other Republicans are saying the same thing now, ie Obama won, such as Fla. Gov. Rick Scott. The only reason this so-called financial negotiation is coming up is because the GOP and Boehner caved to Obama the last time it came up, made sure it would come after the election so Obama would have no trouble getting re-elected. Democrats have the media, Hollywood, the SEIU, more voters, and the GOP.

With all the "new" ideas being offered about how to remake the republican party (raise the taxes, increase spending, go pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-drugs, ignore white people in favor of whatever color or brand is popular), yesterday I quit the republican party. Been a lifelong member and thought about this before, but decided I would never vote for a dem so why bother changing my registration. Now that the republicans have announced THEY will become dems, I quit. They have NOTHING to offer me.