Remember John Kerry's most famous flip flop? In October 2003, the year after voting to support the use of force in Iraq, Kerry voted against a supplemental funding bill for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. “I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it.”
It looks like House Democrats now are going to take an "I voted for it before I voted against it" stance on the extension of the Bush tax cuts.
(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."
Conventional wisdom has it that the Democrats will not force a 50% tax increase on the lowest income tax bracket, so look at this as mere empty posturing...what once was called "boob bait for the bubbas", to try to appease their base before voting before the end of the year to make a deal and extend the "Bush Tax Cuts", rather than to be blamed for the Obama Tax Increases".
Their campaign ads will say they all voted against it. (The first time.) The few who are allowed to vote against the final bill, will be those in tight races whom House Democrat leadership believe may have a prayer of surviving in 2012.
H/T Memeorandum
Cross posted at LCR, Say Anything.
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