Watch my live shot from The White House as I provide analysis on President Obama's tax cuts press conference.
Bottom line: The President is basically saying he will take the hit on not looking principled if it means getting the middle tax cuts through. I mean, my goodness, how many times did we hear today at the presser that he's doing this for the American people? Double digits for sure.
Politically, he has positioned himself as the "adult in the room." He chastised the GOP (calling them hostage takers) and basically told the Democrats to (to coin an 80s phrase) "take a chill pill."
Look, here's the deal. This compromise can be a good thing for the President. Positioning yourself against the liberal wing of your party is never a bad thing. Plus, this move gives him a moderate card to play in the 2012 race for president.
In addition, let's remember that by and large independents (unlike anti-Obama conservatives) want to see both parties working together.
However, the question with Independent voters is has too much damage been done already by President Obama in the first two years of his administration? (healthcare, stimulus, lack of bi-partisanship, etc) Can he get them back? Are they still listening?
One last point: President Obama said today that he hasn’t been able to persuade Mitch McConnell and John Boehner. But let's think about that. Why is that?
It's because the midterm elections gave the GOP a stronger hand to play, and you know what? The GOP might not have had a stronger hand to play today if it were not for the push it through at all costs policies by this administration in the first two years. That is what led to the landslide midterm elections and hence the strong GOP hand they can now play.