Will Democrats block Obama's 'millionaire's tax'?
It's a given that much of the GOP will oppose the president's plan to raise taxes — but it's possible that some centrist Democrats might balk, too

Unsurprisingly, Republicans in Congress are pretty uniformly opposed to President Obama's $3 trillion deficit-reduction plan, which features $1.5 trillion in new tax revenue over 10 years — raised primarily by increasing taxes on the wealthy. But even some centrist Democrats — especially those facing tough re-election battles next year — are "lukewarm" or noncommittal about various aspects of Obama's tax proposals, even the populist "millionaire's tax." Will opposition from his own party sink Obama's plan?
Yes. Obama failed to get his party in line: So much for Obama's attempt to "paint Republicans as obstructionists," says Ed Morrissey at Hot Air. Now that Democrats seem poised to block the president's plan themselves, it's pretty clear Team Obama "failed to do the kind of political grunt work necessary up front to develop a united front." Some political journalists think the Democrats can be "wooed back into the fold," but endangered red-state Blue Dogs won't back a tax hike if they want to keep their jobs.
"Centrist Dems backing away from Obama's class-warfare strategy?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Not necessarily. Most Dems are thrilled with Obama's new boldness: Sure, some Democrats have been quick to point out that the plan will be amended, or have quibbled with specific policy proposals, says Sam Stein at The Huffington Post. But after Obama unveiled his plan, "the predominant expression was one of relief," even elation, among Democrats of all stripes. Even centrist Democrats seem to welcome the lack of "preemptive concessions" in Obama's opening bid. The president's party is hardly disavowing his proposal.
"Obama debt reduction plan calms Democrats' concerns on and off Hill"
Plus, Obama can raise taxes even if some Dems defect: The new tax on millionaires is probably "just another bargaining chip" that's unlikely to become law, says John Healey in the Los Angeles Times. What Obama "most covets" is an overhaul of the entire tax code — something "conservatives could embrace too if they weren't so beholden to Grover Norquist." And remember, Obama's trump card is that he can raise taxes at the end of 2012 just by blocking an extension of the Bush tax cuts. For that, he'd only need enough congressional votes to sustain a veto — which means Obama could still get his way even if several Dems oppose him.
"President Obama's tax leverage"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Test driving the Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge
The Week Recommends We take the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever built for a spin in Barcelona
By Fergus Scholes Published
-
Tuberculosis is seeing a resurgence, and it's only going to get worse
Under the radar The spread of the deadly infection is buoyed by global unrest
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 3, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published