Dem Rep. Michael Capuano: I 'May Or May Not' Support Obama Reelection (VIDEO)

Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) expressed Tuesday what now seems to be widespread concern over the president's leadership and bargaining skills in the wake of a much-maligned tax cuts deal that would extend tax cuts for the wealthy. The congressman then chose not to deny the possibility that he could support a Democrat other than Obama going into 2012.

In an interview with Fox News in which he compared the recent negotiations process to a car sale, with Republicans being the salesmen and Obama the hapless buyer unwilling to get tough at the bargaining table, Capuano explained the 2012 landscape.

"I don't live in an ivory tower," Capuano said. "I have to pick the best amongst those people who are running, and it may or may not be President Barack Obama's reelection."

Capuano continued:

"Again, I was with him before the primaries the last time. At the moment I don't see that as a useful tool, but I would hope that the president re-finds his footing."

Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday also addressed the notion that Obama's concession to the GOP on costly tax cuts for the top two percent of income earners could cause Democratic malcontents to rally around a prospective primary challenger, saying that it was "premature" to predict such an outcome, and that he had faith that the president would "rebound."

Earlier in the Capuano interview, the Massachusetts congressman explained the nature of his frustration with the tax cut deal and what it meant for his confidence in President Obama.

"Anybody who buys an automobile or a car, I would say I would not have President Obama representing me in those negotiations," Capuano said. "I want somebody who understands on occasion you have to get up and walk out of the room, and then you come back and you make a deal. You don't just take whatever deal is thrown at you from somebody who you don't agree with."

As The Hill reports:

Capuano ran for Senate in 2008 and is seen as a possible -- if not probable -- candidate to run again in 2012, when Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) is up for reelection.

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Comments

[fb0252]

03:50 PM on 12/13/2010

michael capuno misread obama. obama cut SS tax 2%. 2% for everybody that work, even if already get $7000 tax refundd for earned income. Obama support working class. Capuno fail to see!!!

[Alvin McEwen]

11:11 PM on 12/10/2010

Oh GIVE ME A BREAK! Can we get through 2010 first, please?

[Avidbuff]

02:39 PM on 12/09/2010

If not Obama, then who?

[skyslimit]

01:50 AM on 12/11/2010

Sanders!

[Ravenlea]

11:50 AM on 12/09/2010

In case anyone has missed it, I highly recommend Al Franken's eloquent and telling speech on taxes. I really hope people both listen to it and pass it along to as many others as possible. I think it's one every American should hear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVURyaA9UWY&feature=player_embedded

This is and interesting "White Board" explanation from the White House - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOH6t6mxuJM&feature=player_embedded

[fb0252]

03:51 PM on 12/13/2010

Ravenlea u right on. Obma give 2% tax refund to working class, even if already get $7000 refund. Capuno fail to see this.

[nana-anne]

11:37 AM on 12/09/2010

If you all remember during the last presidential campaign one of the loudest claims by McCain was how he could cross the aisle and work with the Dems to bring our country together. Well since his loss he has done EVERYTHING in his power to halt any kind of unity of thought between the two sides of the Senate. Obama, on the other hand has gone so far as to enrage his own party to try to unify this country and work with the GOP. Compromise is not a dirty word and sometimes one side has to give a little more for the greater good. Considering the effort to undermine the President, one has to admit he, his administration and congress have accomplished an amazing amount of what was promised during the election in just two years. No one can have everything they wish but I'll put my money on President Obama, now and in 2012, to bring this country back despite all the flack he is and has been taking.

[Rescisco]

08:51 AM on 12/09/2010

It strikes me more each day that there is no sense to be made of our politics. Both our elected officials and those who elect them are out of touch with reality. I include myself in this statement as well, for in the final analysis none of us is ready for the great sacrifices that will have to be made to move this country forward.

[DUSAA-1775]

07:57 AM on 12/09/2010

what a gutsy statement from this brave-hearted congressman.
He may or may not support obama in 2012.
can we put you down as a ' maybe yes, maybe no??
Heads you will or tails you won't?
After all , those are the two choices...in 2012 this airhead will or will not support obama.

another great scoop by the HP

[Citizen-Jane]

02:18 AM on 12/09/2010

The Dems have no one to blame but themselves. Why oh why wait until now to tackle the Bush Tax Cuts. Raising Taxes is equivalent to Boo! With these wimpy dems. And as far as Obama. I believe that this is what he wanted all along. He has the Nerve to talk about "hostages" Which he has surely made happen. As it is now Vote for this or let all taxes expire and return to the Clinton rates. But it is unlikely that employment extension will get a dime come January.

So there it is folks this is what happens when the Balloon Boy, Mel Gibson, and The Decision takes center stage. They dupe ya. This should have been taken care of in 2009. But Obama said let it expire in 2010. The congress got hung up with the barely tolerable "health care bill"
We asked for steak and got hamburger. Obama sees it as how dare you complain-When you had nodda before he came to this office. How ungrateful and rude of us to complain. That's how he sees it. The irrational and sanctimonious left can never be pleased.

And let's not let the Dem Congress off the hook? Why wait until now to do this? What were your plans for the future? And what about plan B to counter what the repugs were going to try to stop it. And those treacherous 5 dems that blew it for us all, yet even with them, no 60 votes.

[dwright]

06:50 AM on 12/09/2010

I guess you missed Lawrence O'Donnell last night - Obama pushed Pelosi and Reid to get this done long before summer even.  They didn't do it, case closed.

The reason this happened is there were not enough votes in the Senate.  Boehner would have caved at that time and even said so.

[aaronr2000]

07:14 AM on 12/09/2010

Ahhhh. Facts. How refershing. F&F

[Barringtonmorr]

02:13 AM on 12/09/2010

Oh man I feel like we are going to have a Right-Winger for President in 2012. Say goodbye to civil liberties and social programs.

Actually I know we will have a Republican in the White House in 2012. The youth will come out but not in the numbers they did in 08. If he can't get the youth, which he won't, he can't get re-elected. You have a public which equates the current economy with Obama and a more than ever dedicated Right base. It is inevitable. I hope that in 2016 or maybe in 2020 (because more than likely the economy will turn around the next administration and the public will thus equate that turn around with that administration) that we won't be completely powerless to an increasingly powerful corporate America. These next 10 years are important for the working and middle class. These disparities (economic, health, education) will eventually catch up with us and I believe it will happen when the Republicans win the WH in 2012. Corporations have almost all of the Republicans in their pocket so they will pass laws catering to Corporations. All I can do is believe and hope that Americans will wake up and stop living in complacency.

[dwright]

07:22 AM on 12/09/2010

IF he doesn't get the youth vote - which he has helped usher in all types of College loans and grants - then the YOUTH ARE STUPID

[adamNsteve]

01:04 AM on 12/09/2010

And just days ago, Capuano supported extending the tax cuts for the rich to those earning up to $500,000.

Seems to me that Capuano needs to figure out what "middle class" really means.

[TracerTong]

12:35 AM on 12/09/2010

I'm of the same mind as Mr. Capuano. President Obama has accomplished a lot, I don't think progressives are really challenging that.

The problem is, Mr. Obama fights his battles behind closed doors. Us Democrats don't get to see the give and take, we only see the eventual compromise. This creates the impression that Mr. Obama gives in to every Republican whim and fancy. The end result is a liberal base that is disillusioned after the hope of 2008.

At this point, I'm thinking I'd rather have a President that did less, but did it publicly. What point are our victories if apathy allows the Republicans to undue what we have worked towards?

[MuhammedHusseinObama]

12:46 AM on 12/09/2010

He should stop grandstanding. Of course he will support Obama in 2012. Who is he kidding other than himself.

[skraeling]

03:23 AM on 12/09/2010

He might be one of the few....Obama has turned his back on the majority who sent him there....I won't back him with my vote, money or any other help like last time..and I know no one who will....he has really screwed up....and he did it from the first day to now....things will not get better in his administration....

[YourBubby]

11:46 PM on 12/08/2010

The Dems had control of the Senate for 2 whole years - Obama pushed a lot through - funny how now the Dems are getting their nose out of joint...shouldn't they be angry at Mitch McConnell and the rest of the thugs who think it's ok to give the wealthiest the breaks based on the fact that it would stimulate the economoy, eventhough since the Bush tax cuts the whole econ has gone downhill. Mitch and his thugs are the problem NOT Obama who is the President of ALL Americans...where was this Dem when Obama needed his support publicly??

[skraeling]

03:24 AM on 12/09/2010

He got nothing, or I should say the Dems got nothing of substance or difficulty through Congress. It is easy to give away money and favors to corporations and war profiteers...

[aaronr2000]

07:24 AM on 12/09/2010

Exactly. Even still they should be angry at themselves for not fighting this battle and much earlier no less. Fanned and favored.

[henrypapillon]

10:54 PM on 12/08/2010

This latest fiasco has made up my mind.

[JeffE]

09:38 PM on 12/08/2010

By all means, go on FOX News and trash the President. Agree with him or not, that is not the forum for such discussion. You only feed their anti-Obama, pro-GOP propoganda machine.

[skraeling]

03:24 AM on 12/09/2010

No, Obama messed up....big time...over and over and over....and, I am certainly not pro GOP..

[King Joffe Joffer]

09:28 PM on 12/08/2010

So as he accuses Obama of being a wimp, he is saying that he will make his decision based on what is politically prudent at the time. Hypocrisy at its finest