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FNC political analyst Juan Williams on the politics behind the efforts to extend the payroll tax cut.
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For more now on the payroll tax extension battle land the political battle that has been joined throughout Washington DC tonight.
Joined now by Fox -- political analyst Juan Williams author of the book muzzled the assault on honest debate.
Well I don't know how honest the debate his then there in in Washington -- this is this is his extraordinary stop is that.
It's really extraordinary -- is to the point where everyone's talking in terms of brinksmanship yet again I think this would be the third time this year we're pushing to the point.
Where if something isn't done by at midnight deadline in this case by the 31.
Then the American people will pay on average a family will pay on average of thousand dollars more in taxes and 2012.
And what is unclear at this point is the degree to which ended.
-- with any certainty.
The John Boehner had signed off on what his counterpart in the senate agreed to.
With.
Senator Reid Mitch McConnell we're not hearing a lot from him.
You know what's going on here.
OK so this is fascinating.
I'm glad -- -- that was worried that you would think it was in the weeds but this to me is just the heart and soul of it.
Mitch McConnell had according to Mitch McConnell remember.
-- had Boehner on the up bonehead Boehner in person say if you get a deal in the senate I will get support for it in the house.
Now -- troops have indicated Boehner is leadership guys that indicate to me they didn't see any signal -- from the rank and file of opposition to this.
But that opposition has emerged over the weekend in specific thing.
Two months is not enough time -- a little time I should say it doesn't allow for predicted Billy doesn't allow for people to make any decisions because.
Big companies will say well or individuals for that matter might say in too -- this tax.
Cut might go away so.
They are also an opposition the idea of allowing the Keystone Pipeline deal 660 days and the president might still say no.
Them people in the senate including senate Republicans thought that they've put the president on the hot spot.
That the president turns down Keystone Pipeline after sixty days they could say this president is -- jobs killing president.
They thought it was to their advantage at the moment Boehner is trying to make the case -- his rank and file.
That if they allow the tax cut that the -- payroll tax got to expire.
But it's all -- -- benefit of Democrats and the president and that they have walked into a trap blue.
-- -- -- -- It could be it seems to be reasonably argue that argued that they constructed themselves.
What is the relationship in all of this.
Amongst those tea parties -- one of a better expression Tea Party congressman.
Eric Cantor the majority leader in the house and then speaker Boehner.
Because there -- -- to be at least from.
From where I -- utter disarray.
Yeah and it's Shakespearean from where you sit I wonder if you see the possibility of someone getting stabbed in the back here and that Boehner.
Is having to watch his back because Kantor has the rank and file really behind him at the moment in terms of rejecting this deal coming from the senate.
And it's coming with a lot of personal resentment towards Republicans in the senate from Republicans in the house why you guys off on vacation you should be here working the deal you should be putting the pressure on President Obama you should be making it clear that its President Obama let's put this economy and data all the rest.
They don't like it.
And yet Boehner is trying to persuade them that politically it's to their advantage to get something done even in the short term.
Boehner does not have the support of apparently.
His majority leader the second ranking Republican in the house Eric Cantor.
And and and in -- and in all of this.
In which it does appear.
At least at this early stage we'll -- how these votes go the same -- But it does appear that the Republicans are who -- the as the -- old -- goes snatching defeat from the jaws of victory here.
Yeah I think they were it will and -- that that the part the hard part is that you're pitting Republicans against Republicans.
Obvious to everybody.
That what you -- here the situation now where the president and Democrats will be able.
Technique not Republicans about the head and -- -- you guys are just protecting the millionaires are allowing taxes to go up on the hard working.
People of the United States.
And Euro allowing the doc fix to go away so that seniors are gonna have to worry -- -- whether or not they're they're doctor will see them.
All of this is now back -- play and it's on the republicans' backs.
And yet they -- can't get control of it and look and you what you're seeing from cantor and some of these young freshman is that they're not want to play along.
-- Williams as always we appreciate your insight thanks for being with us for.
