Fiscal Cliff, Meet Bully Pulpit

slate.com — During negotiations over raising the debt limit in summer 2011, President Obama got stroppy with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. “Don't call my bluff,” he said, according to Cantor. “I’m going to the American people with this.” During this season’s budget fight, the president is not waiting for talks to break down. He’s hitting the road early. On Friday, he will highlight the damage that will be done to the middle class if the country sails over the fiscal cliff on a visit to a manufacturing operation in Hatfield, Penn. The president believes he spent too much time in his first term engaged with members of Congress—even members of his own party. In the second term he's going to use his office to generate outside support that puts pressure on Republicans. In this case that means one thing: agreeing to raise tax rates on the wealthy.

more »