(PHOTO CREDIT: AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
By making the tax cut deal with Republicans this week, President Obama may be sealing his own fate in 2012.
Some Democrats say that agreeing to extend all of the Bush-era tax cuts – even for the wealthiest Americans – will cripple the president's chances of being re-elected.
For starters, the president has angered the Democratic base. The left wing of the Democratic Party is furious that he's refused to fight the GOP. Some think it would have been better to let all of the tax cuts expire rather than to roll over for the Republicans.
And, many Democratic lawmakers say they're shocked at the size and price tag of this deal. Some estimates top $900 billion. So much for deficit reduction.
Plus, by agreeing to a two-year extension, it guarantees that the debate over the Bush tax cuts will be raging once again just in time for the 2012 presidential campaign.
If the economy improves, the Democrats will be in a better position to argue for ending the tax cuts for wealthy Americans. However, that's a big gamble.
Speaking of gambling, the Daily Beast has a piece called "Obama's Lousy Bluffing Skills," in which they examine the president's poker habits and how they may have predicted his negotiating style.
Obama's former poker buddies describe him as a "very cautious" and "conservative" player who rarely won, or lost, big.
They say the president wasn't much of a bluffer and didn't call opponents on a bluff unless he had a strong hand.
Interesting when you consider poker is all about reading people and showing strength in order to get a desired outcome.
Here’s my question to you: Did President Obama damage his reelection chances by making the tax cut deal with Republicans?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Carla writes:
It hurts his chances with this Democrat. Has anyone checked to see if the Republican Party contributed heavily to the Obama campaign? I have to ask because they're sure benefitting from his presidency. Obama would make a terrific Republican. He failed at the health care plan he promised. Now, he's helping the wealthy Republicans stay wealthy, while stomping on the poor and middle class he promised to help.
Joe writes:
No, he didn't. You know why? Because for a voter money talks, especially the money that won't be taken out for taxes after December. Let's be honest: the rich will always have money and that money will be used on tax attorneys to avoid paying taxes at full price anyway. He saved the middle class from having to pay more taxes. That will be his ace in the hole for the future.
Mar in Tampa, Florida writes:
He will never get my vote again. Hillary would have made a better president because she has more "stones" than Obama will ever have.
Cary writes:
It was a sucker bet. Don't do the deal and average Americans feel the pinch. Do the deal and the Republicans claim a victory and get to look good for their real base, the rich. Average Americans should be outraged that the Republicans were holding the tax breaks hostage until they extended to the rich but they aren't.
Dawn writes:
I hope so! Obviously, the president doesn't know anything about negotiation or compromise. Compromise is not backing down until the other side has even more than they originally wanted. Notice not one Republican is objecting to this deal? In a true compromise, some on both sides would be objecting. As a Democrat who voted for this man, I am very disappointed.
Steve writes:
If Palin wins the nomination, then I'll vote for Obama. If Romney is the candidate, then I, and many other Democrats, will stay home. Obama has minimal leadership skills. He should have stayed in the Senate and learned how politicians operate. Right now, he looks like a Class C rookie hitting against Sandy Koufax.
John writes:
I think that two years is a long time. His hands were tied on this one. What will matter for the president is the economy (jobs). I believe the American people need to "believe versus hope". In short, investments to create new jobs will come when corporations and businesses "believe" the economy is back on solid ground. Not a good idea to bet on "hope".
Eden writes:
I've been a big supporter of Obama, but now even I'm feeling exasperated with him. He needs to man up and stop being so willing to compromise. He's like the lawyer who settles every case so he won't ever have to go to trial.