Some historians believe that George Bush #41 lost his bid for re-election in 1992 when he went back on his promise not to raise taxes during his term. Buckling under pressure from congressional Democrats, Bush signed the largest tax increase in history at that time, encouraging Pat Buchanan to get into the race thus fatally weakening him for the general election.
That may or may not be true. There were certainly other factors that contributed to Bush's loss. But President Obama's cave in to the GOP on taxes seems to be having a similar effect on his base. They are rabidly opposed to the extension for top earners and are mad as hell that he compromised with the Republicans.
They should be mad. Byron York has a partial list of Obama promises on taxes:
"It's true that I want to roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans." Chester, Pennsylvania, October 28, 2008"We are going to roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans, those making more than $250,000 a year." Lake Worth, Florida, October 21, 2008
"Yes, I'm going to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the very wealthiest Americans." New Philadelphia, Ohio, September 3, 2008
"I think it is very important to roll back the Bush tax cuts on some of the wealthiest Americans." Chesapeake, Virginia, August 21, 2008
"We're going to have to roll back the Bush tax cuts on the top one percent." Fargo, North Dakota, July 3, 2008
"I'm going to roll back the Bush tax cuts back to the levels they were in the 1990s." Interview with Fox News Channel, June 26, 2008
"I will roll back the Bush tax cuts on people making over $250,000." Watertown, South Dakota, May 16, 2008
"We are going to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans." Raleigh, North Carolina, May 3, 2008
"It is true that I would roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans back to the level they were under Bill Clinton." Fox News Sunday, April 27, 2008
"We're going to roll back the Bush tax cuts on the top one percent." Lancaster, Pennsylvania, March 31, 2008
With a track record like that, it's no wonder the liberals are up in arms and seriously talking about finding a primary opponent for the president.
Hat Tip: Ed Lasky
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