Obama Compares Republicans to Hostage-Takers

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2:48 PM, Dec 7, 2010 • By JOHN MCCORMACK

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During a press conference moments ago, President Obama explained his decision to concede to Republican demands to extend the Bush tax cuts to those who make more than $250,000 by comparing congressional GOP to hostage-takers: "It's tempting not to negotiate with hostage takers, unless the hostage gets harmed...The hostage was the American people."

Obama Compares Republicans to Hostage-Takers

Last week, Democratic senator Bob Menendez said that negotiating with Republicans on tax cuts is "almost" like negotiating with "terrorists." At the time, the harsh analogy--long favored by left-wing bloggers--seemed like it may have been an unbecoming slip-of-the tongue for the Democratic senator, but President Obama's remarks indicate that comparing Republicans to hostage-takers is now an official Democratic talking point.

Update: Daniel Foster makes a good point: "Don't negotiate with hostage takers, unless they harm the hostage? Hopefully that isn't official FBI [Hostage Rescue Team] procedure."