Obama, Boehner, and Bush Tax Cuts

Greta Van Susteren makes a great point about the Obama White House reaction to John Boehner's comment that he may vote for a partial extension of the Bush tax cuts.

Van Susteren writes:

What is wrong with President Obama and his staff? He gets what he wants and then the first thing he (and / or his staff) does is insult. Go figure. Bully? or Leader? Is that really the way to govern?

Republican Leader Boehner says he may vote for extension of the Bush tax cuts that exclude the wealthy (which is what President Obama wants) and what does the White House do? The FIRST THING the White House does in response to this news is go on attack.

I thought President Obama was looking for help for his policies and seeking bipartisanship -- instead he is escalating the war with the Republicans. This was so dumb to do. He should have embraced the opportunity for agreement. Is this about leading or winning?

When will President Obama learn that leadership is different from campaigning?

From the New York Times:

The Bush-era tax cuts are due to expire on Dec. 31 and have become a major issue in a midterm campaign dominated by voter anger over the weak economy and concerns about the nation’s rising debt.

Policymakers face a difficult choice: to continue the tax cuts in a bid to appease constituents and perhaps spur economic growth, or let the rates expire as a way to raise revenue and help reduce the deficit. Mr. Obama insists the nation can no longer afford tax breaks for the wealthy, while Republicans say any tax increase is a grave mistake.

If Democrats prevail, it would be a major policy victory, allowing Mr. Obama to boast that he had fulfilled yet another signature campaign promise. The White House moved quickly to portray Mr. Boehner as caving in to pressure, including direct criticism by the president in a speech in the Republican leader’s home state, Ohio, last week.

Van Susteren is so right on her assessment of the White House and Obama's "leadership."

Why attack Boehner when he could be an ally? Why alienate him?

This is very slimy, flat-out stupid, community organizer-style stuff.