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Former Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-DE) on why he believes the U.S. government will go over the fiscal cliff, but resolve the budget early in 2013.
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-- -- -- -- -- Growing pessimism when it comes of the -- 50% of Americans now say.
That will get a deal done but that's down from 57%.
Last week according to a new Gallup Paul.
With more let's -- and Ted Kaufman former democratic senator from the very beautiful state of Delaware he is joining us from Wilmington.
Delaware today senator really good to see you.
All the -- could potentially.
Then why don't tell me if we go over the -- Well I think I think I've been predicting for awhile there we will go over the cliff and the reason is that that Republican members in the house of made it pretty clear -- -- not gonna vote for tax increase.
And this is not -- this is not something new this has been around like thirty years.
They're bit hide things -- that -- Republicans voted for tax increase.
So simplest answer this is what I predicted would happen and that is after the after the 31 the bush tax cuts will expire.
And then they'll be a bill in order to institute reinstate that they -- -- the taxes.
For the everyone below the -- -- 2% and the Republicans will be able to vote for that and then never having voted for a tax increase I think that's what's gonna take to.
To make this happen.
Are you disgusted though with the way that Washington has conducted its business -- so long.
To take care of this I know that we had a presidential election.
But when these tax cuts were written senator they work -- never expected to sunset and then they were extended her for two years.
But you wait until the last minute and it's.
It political gamesmanship but you leave every business -- every American and on the -- and on the edge of our states.
What they you know I don't mean to be partisan I'm not runner for anything I've retired from the senate but this is that the pacing -- -- basic question.
That you could start on this.
Ten years ago and that is will the Republican on the house vote for a tax increase -- any kind.
And I think the plan B.
That that that's speaker -- put forward is a clear indication they will not she did this is not about planning this is a very simple.
I think that has to happen and that's at some point.
They're Republicans have to say I will vote for tax increase even -- only a very small and just -- -- you tax increase.
And they made a pre -- won't.
But you all of -- -- that solving our financial troubles is not going to.
Begin and end with just additional revenue however you wanna come up with that whether you're talking about tax -- no raises our -- our right warmed over but.
Now you have -- you have the Democrats on the other side digging in their heels about making slight tweaks.
To help benefits are calculated -- -- security you can argued that the Reagan vision just as much.
In chart -- basically no lack of limit on the Democrats had.
Now you can't -- you just can't why am I don't hear that you know that -- for the Democrats into 124 right.
Yeah yeah but they -- the Democrats in fact have -- for cutting these programs remember we just went through a presidential campaign.
What was it -- number one charge of of the vice president's government.
-- It was the Democrats we're gonna decrease Medicare -- -- sixteen billion dollars remember that's at 916 billion dollar number.
Which was in the buying Packwood was in the Obama tax -- does this.
This is not -- anymore you can't make that -- him anymore not after.
Time and time and time again Republicans will vote for no revenue increased -- the beginning with you since the beginning is the beginning is.
When the Republican side and I will vote for tax increase in some time I guarantee you.
Guarantee you the Democrats will vote for that for for a change in Medicare and the rest of it.
But they have to say look this is a bit both revenues and expenses have really on the table goes back the president HW bush George H.
W.
Bush and what -- did in 1990.
And -- -- -- ballot Democrats is that revenues on the on the table everything went smoothly after that and remember what happened HW bush he lost the presidency because he did that.
Sizzle and -- you know it's very difficult for elected officials to vote for something when they think it's gonna be end of their career and that's what I think most Republicans in the house feel right now.
The senator that was.
Well it terrific conversation thank you so much as good -- could just say you.
Enjoy your -- here we don't see you me -- them.
And I -- I won't issue that -- -- -- look if -- republic let's move on taxes than the Democrats on live on entitlements ago.
I'm home to zero -- Clinton cabinet but I can think of senator Kaufman they well thank you.
And now on to something just.
