10-day trip through the region, President Barack Obama answered
questions from reporters, underlining he would consider, but is
unconvinced, about extending Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy.
A question asked by Dan Lothian of CNN and Obama's answer was the following:
LOTHIAN:
"After the midterm elections you said that you were open to compromise
on the Bush tax cuts. I’m wondering if you’re prepared today to say
that you’re willing to accept a temporary extension for the wealthiest
Americans? And then on an unrelated question, do you feel that the
election has weakened you on the global stage?"
THE
PRESIDENT: The answer to the second question is no. I think what we’ve
seen over the last several days as we’ve traveled through Asia is that
people are eager to work with America, eager to engage with America on
economic issues, on security issues, on a whole range of mutual
interests. And that’s especially true in Asia, where we see such
enormous potential. This is the fastest-growing part of the world. And
we’ve got to be here and we’ve got to work. And I’m absolutely
confident that my administration over the next two years is going to
continue to make progress in ensuring that the United States has a
presence here not just for the next couple of years but for decades to
come.
PRESIDENT: The answer to the second question is no. I think what we’ve
seen over the last several days as we’ve traveled through Asia is that
people are eager to work with America, eager to engage with America on
economic issues, on security issues, on a whole range of mutual
interests. And that’s especially true in Asia, where we see such
enormous potential. This is the fastest-growing part of the world. And
we’ve got to be here and we’ve got to work. And I’m absolutely
confident that my administration over the next two years is going to
continue to make progress in ensuring that the United States has a
presence here not just for the next couple of years but for decades to
come.
With
respect to the Bush tax cuts, what I’ve said is that I’m going to meet
with both the Republican and Democratic leaders late next week and we’re
going to sit down and discuss how we move forward. My number-one
priority is making sure that we make the middle-class tax cuts
permanent, that we give certainty to the 98 percent of Americans who are
affected by those tax breaks. I don’t want to see their income taxes
spike up -- not only because they need relief after having gone through a
horrendous recession, but also because it would be bad for the economy.
respect to the Bush tax cuts, what I’ve said is that I’m going to meet
with both the Republican and Democratic leaders late next week and we’re
going to sit down and discuss how we move forward. My number-one
priority is making sure that we make the middle-class tax cuts
permanent, that we give certainty to the 98 percent of Americans who are
affected by those tax breaks. I don’t want to see their income taxes
spike up -- not only because they need relief after having gone through a
horrendous recession, but also because it would be bad for the economy.
I continue to believe that extending permanently the upper-income tax
cuts would be a mistake and that we can’t afford it. And my hope is, is
that somewhere in between there we can find some sort of solution. But
I’m not going to negotiate here in Seoul. My job is to negotiate back
in Washington with Republican and Democratic leaders."
