I fear TPM Reader RC may be on to something …
I think it was a mistake for the administration not to make more noise about the expiration of the payroll tax cut.
People are noticing a tax increase in their checks and it’s hurting the messaging that said only high income people would be affected by the fiscal cliff deal. The average joe doesn’t see the distinction between income tax and payroll tax and doesn’t understand the back and forth history of the payroll tax cut the last couple years. People will reflexively blame President Obama for any tax increase and it adds to the trust gap on tax policy Democrats have only recently begun making headway on the last few years.
