Obama takes "fiscal cliff" campaign to Twitter
President Obama today took his "fiscal cliff" campaign to Twitter, personally responding to questions about his proposals for averting a combination of looming tax hikes and spending cuts via an online Q&A session on the popular social media network. The session, in which he answered eight questions on everything from tax cuts to the Chicago Bears, reflects a recent effort by the White House to use campaign-reminiscent methods to interact with the public on contentious policy issues.
"hey guys - this is barack. ready to answer your questions on fiscal cliff & #my2k. Let's get started," Mr. Obama wrote this afternoon, kicking off the Q&A session.
As Democrats and Republicans in Washington remain deadlocked on how to best avoid going over the so-called "cliff," which will go into effect on January 1 barring a congressional deal, Mr. Obama used the online chat as an opportunity to hammer home the party line on issues like tax hikes and entitlement reform, and engage with voters on the key issues up for debate.
In his tweets, which he signed "bo" to indicate that he'd personally written them, the president reiterated the White House's commitment to ending Bush-era tax cuts for the nation's wealthiest earners, and argued that closing tax loopholes and deductions would not create a sufficient amount of revenue.
"high end tax cuts do least for economic growth & cost almost $1T. extending middle class cuts boosts consumer demand & growth," he wrote to Twitter user @mike5673, who asked "why won't keeping tax rates low across the board encourage more hires and therefore more tax revenue?"
To user @huntertred, who asked about his "opposition to taking away deductions for the 2%" of earners "rather than up the rate" they pay in taxes, the president responded: "not enough revenue, unless you end charitable deductions, etc. less revenue=more cuts in education etc." He tacked on a White House link explaining his position.
One Twitter user asked for assurances that "fiscal cliff" negotiations regarding entitlement reforms "will not hurt the most needy." "we can reduce deficit in balanced way by ending tax cuts for top 2% + reforms that strengthen safety net & invest in future," Mr. Obama responded.
Answering a question from a recent college graduate with purple hair, Mr. Obama offered up a personal aside: "like your hair!"
Toward the end of the conversation, he also allowed for some non-economy related banter. Twitter user Mica4Life asked: "Who will win it all first: Chicago #WhiteSox, #Bulls, or #Bears?"
"da bears still gotta shot, despite sad loss this weekend! plus rose will return for playoffs!!!" he said, presumably referring to Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose, who tore his ACL earlier this year.
With that, the president signed off -- but not before urging his followers to advocating on his behalf.
"Gotta go. Thx. Keep pressure on Congress. Call, email, tweet your Member & tell them what" 2k means to you. Lets get it done," he wrote.
