Geithner Says Obama Is 'Absolutely' Willing to Go Off Cliff

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4:35 PM, Dec 5, 2012 • By DANIEL HALPER

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Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said Wednesday that the Obama administration was prepared to dive off the fiscal cliff if Republicans do not agree to raise tax rates on upper income brackets.

Geithner was asked on CNBC: "When it comes to raising taxes on the wealthy, those making more than $250,000 — if Republicans do not agree to that, is the administration prepared to go over the fiscal cliff?"

"Oh, absolutely," Geithner replied. "There's no prospect in an agreement that doesn't involve the rates going up on the top 2 percent of the wealthiest."

UPDATE: Here's video: