President Obama once again took his argument for increased taxes on the wealthy (and investment in new programs) directly to the people Monday, hosting a Twitter Q & A about the so-called fiscal cliff and why he’s stood firm on raising tax rates so far.
While much of the session was a rehash for close followers of the fiscal cliff negotiations and Obama’s plan for the federal budget, the Twitter session gave the president a chance to make his case for increased government investment directly to voters confused as to why Washington can’t reach a deal.
“As a recent college grad w/o a full time job, these cuts wouldn’t help me, would they?” asked one user from West Virginia who had an Obama presidential campaign logo on her Twitter avatar.
“[C]uts w/out revenue=reductions in student loans; work/study & college tax credits expire. Bad for growth,” Obama replied to the user, who’s Twitter photo shows purple hair. “[L]ike your hair!” Obama wrote.
Riding high after his election win last month, Obama has negotiated with Republicans during this round of deficit negotiations by going back to the voters who just reelected him.
Last week the president traveled to Pennsylvania to push for a middle class tax cut extension with voters gathered at a toy factory there. The White House has also sent out campaign-style emails to fire up support for Obama’s position. Monday’s Twitter event was another example of the president pressuring Congress by leveraging the support he has among the public at the moment.
Here’s the full Q & A:
