Boehner's Opposition To Short-Term Payroll Tax Deal Befuddles White House

White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer released the following statement after House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced that he will not support a Senate bill to extend the current payroll tax holiday by two months:

“The bipartisan compromise passed in the Senate yesterday received 89 votes, including 39 Republican votes, and Speaker Boehner himself just yesterday called it a “good deal” and a “victory.” The near 90 percent approval by the Senate reflected the view by the overwhelming number of Senate Republicans – as well as Democrats – that the best way to achieve the President’s goal of ensuring that taxes were not increased on 160 million Americans as we enter the New Year was to support this bipartisan compromise.  

“If House Republicans refuse to pass this bipartisan bill to extend the payroll tax cut, there will be a significant tax increase on 160 million hardworking Americans in 13 days that would damage the economy and job growth. After months of opposition, we are glad that Republicans were finally showing a willingness to not raise taxes on middle class families. As the President said yesterday, it is inexcusable to do anything less than extend this tax cut for the entire year, and Congress must work on a one year deal. But they should pass the two month extension now to avoid a devastating tax hike from hitting the middle class in just 13 days. It’s time House Republicans stop playing politics and get the job done for the American people.”

Senate Passes 'Omnibus' Spending Bill

The Senate voted Saturday morning to approve a roughly $1 trillion government funding package. By a vote of 67-32, the upper chamber cleared the giant spending bill, which keeps the federal government operating through the end of next September.

In a statement, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said that the budget “cuts federal spending overall, but still protects our key investments in the American people and job-creating programs ranging from small business to health care to education.”

The measure, which was passed by the House on Friday evening, now heads to President Obama’s desk.

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Poll: Majority Not Looking Forward To Election Season

A heavy majority of Americans are ready for election season to be over, according to a new USA Today/Gallup poll.

70 percent of respondents stated that they cannot wait for the campaign to be over while only 26 percent said they look forward to its start next month with the Iowa caucuses. Among those living in battleground states, 75 percent said they are eager to see the end of the race.

In terms of party, the poll found what appears to be bipartisan agreement. 66 percent of Republicans, 75 percent of independents and 67 percent of Democrats are not looking forward to the 2012 campaign.

The poll was conducted between December 6th and 7th among 1,034 adults.

Poll: Americans Divided Over A Second Obama Term

A majority of Americans don’t believe President Barack Obama deserves to serve a second term, according to a new poll from AP/GfK.

The poll found that 52 percent of Americans said Obama should not win reelection while 43 percent said that he should. The numbers represent a growing margin. In mid-October, 50 percent of AP/GfK respondents said that Obama should not be re-elected while 46 percent said they would back him for a second term.

Despite the apparent lag in support for Obama, he still fares relatively well when pitted against the GOP frontrunners. In a match-up against Mitt Romney, Obama essentially ties, with 47 percent backing the President and 46 percent supporting the former Massachusetts Governor. Against Gingrich, the President holds a clear lead, at 51 to 42 percent.

The poll was conducted between December 8th and 12th but was released Friday. It surveyed 1,000 randomly selected adults.

SC Governor Backs Romney

Nikki Haley, the Governor of South Carolina and a rising star in the GOP, endorsed Mitt Romney for the part’s nominee Friday morning.

During an appearance on Fox News, Haley cited Romney’s private sector experience, heralding the former Massachusetts Governor as a Beltway outsider.

“What I want someone who is not part of the chaos that is Washington,” Haley said. “Someone who knows what it’s like to make a decision to lead.” 

Haley, who was elected in 2010, added that she believed Romney was best suited to beat President Barack Obama in a general election.

South Carolina is a key primary state and recent polls show Romney trailing Gingrich by significant margins.

The South Carolina primary will take place on January 21st. In 2008, the state was won by John McCain, with former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee coming in second. Romney did not campaign in the state.