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Nicholas Ballasy, senior video reporter for The Daily Caller, on why he believes Republicans missed an opportunity to extend Bush-era tax cuts.
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And what about Nancy Pelosi is pledge in made to raise rates only on millionaires and about joining us now.
Is -- -- he is from the daily caller so addicted Republicans visible here.
I think they miss an opportunity if you go back to 2010 when they sweep.
-- the house.
And had the president in a position where he could support.
-- a permanent extension.
Of the bush tax cuts and they only went for -- the the extension for two years why is that why -- they only go for many years as opposed to a major change in the tax code.
Maybe they were -- that they would win the presidential election and 2012 and they would have an upper hand.
Then but you know they didn't go for the permanent.
Rates.
The bush era tax rates when and they had a -- in 2010.
And the sequester in the automatic spending cuts that are getting loss in the conversation.
2011.
-- specifically is an opportunity by the way -- about that millionaire cut off figure is of course now the president says he compromise going up to 400000.
I here's a Pelosi said in May -- 2012 to speaker John Boehner Democrats believe the tax cuts for those earning.
Over a million dollars a year should expire and that we should use the resulting revenues to pay down.
The deficit has anybody called her on that and said hey look you were if you were for only.
Raising rates for millionaires and -- before now -- into the 400000 dollar level.
I called her on it last week it she avoided the question I didn't answer it directly she said.
We were trying to smoke out that was -- quote smoke out Republicans.
And instead -- lawyer himself mentioned that it was a -- So I think they were trying to get Republicans.
To agree to the millionaire.
Tax increase and then see how far they'll move.
I even more do you get it gets its politics David.
Now the other -- I really an air attack and he really you know -- -- basically raise money that.
Cover eight -- that government -- it but you know we've hit the Internet in -- we have the letter from Nancy Pelosi do you really believe this.
That it was a ploy to smoke out other Republicans because Nancy Pelosi in her letter its equating millionaires to big oil special interests and corporations.
And why did you why didn't you -- capitalize on that there really -- middle class tax hikes.
When they're talking about raising taxes -- the 250000.
Plus crowd.
Well I think speaker Boehner and the Republicans income and the house would be able to get some Democrats support for the a millionaire a tax increase which I don't think they did enough finance the cost that vote is we don't know on that that plan.
But some Democrats would support something like that but we're talking here about the leadership.
A speaker.
Minority leader Pelosi and she you know she -- because now -- Republicans proposing it.
Now they seem to be backing away but they let -- give -- -- get some more conservative -- Democrats -- moderate Democrats to support something like that.
And the president as you know the White House has has signalled that they would even take 400000.
Increases -- here today and here's what gets me about the president I grew up in watches some a little cynical if you'll excuse me about this whole process I'm I'm familiar with politicians break -- promises but.
They were so concrete here's what the president said just a year ago when he was talking about changes in tax rates whether that would be suggested there wouldn't be any.
Need for changes in tax rates even of millionaires let's let's play the tape.
What we said was.
Give us one point two -- in additional revenues.
Which could be accomplished without.
Hiking taxes tax rates but could simply be accomplished by eliminating loopholes.
Eliminating some deductions.
And engaging in a tax reform process that could have -- rates generally.
While broadening the base.
All right now that was in July of 2011 then then a couple of -- a couple of months later he said he came out with his budget saying the tax system should be simplified.
And work for all Americans would lower individual and corporate rates and -- were bracket so.
I did the president has come out time and again saying that we shouldn't raise any kind of rates as anybody calling him on that.
A lot of Republicans are wondering what's different now we still have a sluggish economy.
Why the change of position but the president was out on the campaign trail time and time again saying.
Individuals or family and families specifically made over 250000.
Dollars a year should be -- should get tax increases so he's sticking to that position.
But like I mentioned before the White House seems to be signaling that they would move in the direction of the 400000.
Those making a -- -- thousand.
Increases there which may be something that congress that it could agree on and get through.
But again we're gonna have the conservative wave in the in the Republican House.
I saying no increases so Boehner is gonna be in a position -- do I have to do I get democratic votes and risk yeah speakership.
I think there's a lot of visibility and rock and a hard place there's no doubt make -- balascak good to see if from the daily caller appreciate you coming on nice to see you thank you very much you government subsidies.
They're supposed to make something more affordable for consumers if -- work right but that's not the case.
Especially for so called green energy and wind power now the taxpayer -- could be out.
Billions more find out by how much.
And when at the top of the hour.
Meanwhile back -- called Netflix is blaming Amazon for outages that hit the streaming video service.
