Johnny Isakson: ‘Why put the markets in turmoil?’
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson on Sunday declared himself willing to accept President Barack Obama’s offer of legislation to preserve middle class tax cuts as a last resort – and questioned why Congress was willing to toy with the nation’s 401(k)s.
From his appearance on ABC’s “This Week With George Stephanopoulos”:
Isakson:: “I felt like the House should have gone ahead and passed Speaker Boehner’s bill, because it addressed the subject and we’d still be in negotiation. And the president’s statement is right. No one wants taxes to go up on the middle class. I don’t want them to go up on anybody. But I’m not in the majority in the United State Senate and he’s the president of the United States. If we get down to the end of this year and the only choice we have is to save taxes going up on the middle class, then I would support that.
“But I wish we would have a comprehensive bill that dealt with spending, dealt with entitlements, and dealt with taxes altogether. That’s really what we ought to do.”
Stephanopoulos asked what he thought of the chances of a deal between now and the end of the year. Said Isakson:
”I sold houses for 33 years, George. I’m an eternal optimist, but time is running out. And the truth of the matter is, if we do fall off the cliff, after the president is inaugurated, he’ll come back, propose just what he proposed yesterday when leaving Washington, and we’ll end up adopting it. But why should we put the markets in such turmoil, and the people in such misunderstanding or lack of confidence? Why don’t we go ahead and act now?”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
116 comments Add your comment
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
11:26 am
td
why did you not speak of the NA and South GA areas, which are also majority Republican voters?
You are a CINO: Christian In Name Only
hahahahahahah
td
December 24th, 2012
11:28 am
Georgia , The “New Mississippi”
December 24th, 2012
8:28 am
It boggles the mind why GOP politicians sign pledges with people that do not live in their state and are not eligible to vote in the district they are suppose to represent
More BS. The pledge is to the voters of their districts and if they do not sign it then we will not consider voting for them.
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
11:28 am
td11:25
yeah we have a lot of moochers in eastern Kentucky hillbilly country…its been labeled the most toothless region in the country…they love the gop eventhough theyre moochers
yuzeyurbrane
December 24th, 2012
11:30 am
For what it’s worth department—I actually have a good number of Republican friends who have heretofore stuck with the anti-tax orthodoxy of the extreme right. As part of the round of holiday phone-calls among friends they have been consistently volunteering their unhappiness with the hardliners in their own party and the hope for a compromise over the fiscal cliff. I couldn’t agree more and suspect that Senator Isakson is seeing private polls which reflect the same. So mighty righties, get on board or be even further marginalized.
td
December 24th, 2012
11:31 am
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
11:26 am
td
why did you not speak of the NA and South GA areas, which are also majority Republican voters?
You are a CINO: Christian In Name Only
hahahahahaha
The scores in Gilmer, Fannin, Walker, Catoosa, Union PIckens and the rest of the N GA mountains far outpace the scores in Clayton and Dekalb counties. Look it up.
td
December 24th, 2012
11:32 am
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
11:28 am
td11:25
yeah we have a lot of moochers in eastern Kentucky hillbilly country…its been labeled the most toothless region in the country…they love the gop eventhough theyre moochers
I am talking about GA. and you are deflecting.
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
11:34 am
too many poor moochers vote for the gop eventhough theyre ridiculed as takers..
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
11:35 am
td
And they are better than the avg shown for the states listed by that other blogger?
Really
GA is low. You can play your cherry picking game take out what you want and GA for the most part still doesn’t add up. Only way it does is for you to cherry pick. Out of all the counties in GA, you have listed 6 or 7. Well you idioit, Republicans control and folks vote majority Repub in more than those 6 or 7 counties, but keep it up CINO
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
11:36 am
td
i was only pointing out the moochers on the gop side…they voted for people who look at them as sh@t
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
11:39 am
td
GA has a bunch of Republican voting moochers as well.
You just do not wish to admit it. But in the end it makes no difference, because they are still moochers whethter you acknowledge it ot not.
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
11:39 am
the gop dont mind the poor takers and moochers who vote for them…
honested
December 24th, 2012
11:41 am
The ‘cliff’ was a republiclan invention, although they somehow thought they would win a glorious victory in the House, Senate and Presidency preventing it from occurring.
Well, there are not enough stupid voters left to give the republiclans all three branches of government and their numbers diminished in the House and Senate.
So, the ‘cliff’ of their invention will be the frame around the portrait of their failure at statecraft.
As they slowly slink into third party status.
NoMoreRawDeal
December 24th, 2012
11:43 am
Ah, the joys of modern political discourse:
Democrat: “You’re dumb.”
Republican: “No, YOU’RE dumb.”
You people, all rallying for your tribe no matter the facts. When the reality is the Democrats and Republicans are just two sides of the same coin.
Third Parties and Term Limits, all the way.
td
December 24th, 2012
11:43 am
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
11:35 am
Point is if you take out the children of Democratic voters scores then the rest of the states scores would rank GA right in the middle in Education, even with the rural S. GA scores. Those are facts and they can not be disputed. Democratic voters (moochers) are a drag on society.
honested
December 24th, 2012
11:45 am
td,
How do the homeschooled and jeebus schooled fare when tested on evolutionary biology and earth sciences?
That’s why I can’t hire them.
td
December 24th, 2012
11:47 am
honested
December 24th, 2012
11:41 am
Just wait and see how hard to the right this country turns when the far left attempts to overplay its hand with the second Amendment debate that will be coming soon.
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
11:48 am
td
Says in the middle, eventhough he doesn’t cite any evidence
And that “middle” still puts thaem behind how many BLUE STATES?
td
December 24th, 2012
11:48 am
honested
December 24th, 2012
11:45 am
td,
How do the homeschooled and jeebus schooled fare when tested on evolutionary biology and earth sciences?
That’s why I can’t hire them.
I do not remember seeing those two subjects come up on the SAT or the ACT?
NoMoreRawDeal
December 24th, 2012
11:48 am
And love the new argument you have now:
GOP voters are mostly moochers anyway. But since their moochers vote GOP while OUR moochers are not moochers but people with legitimate problems requiring government assistance and they vote for Democrats, then THEIR moochers must be ignorant jackwads.
Oh my God you people will talk yourselves into never-ending circles.
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
11:51 am
td
What about the Democratic voters who are some of the highest earners in this state and whose kids go to some of the same schools, public and private, that the top Republican earners kids go?
Your sterotypes really only show your ignorance and hatred for people who do not think like you.
You are really one of the least Christian people on this blog. At least the ones who put it on their sleeve.
You CINO
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
11:53 am
td 11:47
more of your dumb predictions? by the way who did u predict would win the presidency?
td
December 24th, 2012
11:53 am
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
11:48 am
td
Says in the middle, eventhough he doesn’t cite any evidence
And that “middle” still puts thaem behind how many BLUE STATES?
As the states turn more and more right to work the more red they will become. The unions are the only group holding the Democratic party together.
honested
December 24th, 2012
11:55 am
td,
What is the relevance of your reference to those who ‘hold tightly to their god and guns’?
We are talking about adequate revenue collection from the appropriate sources…..
Coupled with adequate cuts to the rapacious MIC.
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
11:55 am
thank god there wasnt enough moochers to put MITT in the whgitehouse
td
December 24th, 2012
11:56 am
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
11:53 am
td 11:47
more of your dumb predictions? by the way who did u predict would win the presidency?
Wow I was wrong on one election. I can guarantee to that my voting record predicted more winners then your did.
honested
December 24th, 2012
11:56 am
td,
If you are unaware of questions relative to evolutionary biology or earth sciences on the SAT or ACT, then it proves you have no comprehension of education or higher education testing.
Hint, they don’t ask about how many ‘days’ it took to ‘create’ the universe.
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
11:58 am
td
whose holding the republican party together but racist birthers, and dumb women who want the government to control their wombs.
honested
December 24th, 2012
11:59 am
td,
So as to your stellar prognostication record…..
How many House members did you predict would be added by the republiclans, and didn’t you suggest there would be a flip to a super majority in the Senate?
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
12:00 pm
td
Yeah right. That’s why Republicans have lost 5 of the last 6 popular votes on the Presidential level and House voting had 1 million more votes than Republicans. If not for gerrymandering, the House would not have went Democrat, but surely more seats would have been lost by Repubs. Even some Republicans acknowledge that the Republican approach to the current demographic trends is a losing hand.
Since it is Christmas, try to be the Christian you claim you are, but do not demonstrate that well on the AJC blogs.
But say the course little prick. You are exactly what is needed for the big “turnaround” you are expecting for your party.
hahahahahahah
td
December 24th, 2012
12:04 pm
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
12:00 pm
I just figured it out. You have recreated yourself again since your little rant the other night was even called out by progressives on the blog. You are still an American hating slim ball. Auntie.
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
12:08 pm
td wants more of those jaysus rode a dinosaur schools…………..
And that Moses owned a pet T Rex
td: How is that fantasy land museum that some of you evangelicals call the “unintelligent design / creationism” meusem?
http://creationmuseum.org/
I bet it is full of laughs and humor.
Solomon is probably depicted riding on the back on a brontosaurus.
hiram
December 24th, 2012
12:10 pm
To all of us wasting brain waves arguing with td/cc, lest we forget, he founded the “Rush Limbaugh Listening Club” up at the Cobb County Junior College, and not only does he admit it, he’s proud of it – puts it on his resume.
td
December 24th, 2012
12:10 pm
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
12:08 pm
Your hate for religion and America gives you away. Auntie slim ball.
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
12:11 pm
td
Who? Are you paronoid from drinking to much Jaysus juice?
When did you serve td? Let me guess, never…
td
December 24th, 2012
12:12 pm
hiram
December 24th, 2012
12:10 pm
Please do not forget to put the fact that I was a founding member of the KSU young Republicans when you give my biography. You are just jealous that you have no real accomplishments to even have a bio.
td
December 24th, 2012
12:15 pm
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
12:11 pm
td
Who? Are you paronoid from drinking to much Jaysus juice?
When did you serve td? Let me guess, never…
You know who Auntie slim ball.
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
12:15 pm
hiram
One blogger posted awhile ago that he also had the responsiblity of making sure the radio was tuned to the right station when the meetings were held as well as calling Papa John’s to place the pizza order. He was one important little dude in that club.
hiram
December 24th, 2012
12:17 pm
td/cc
The definition of accomplishments is relative – Al-Qaeda considers flying passenger planes full of innocent passengers, an accomplishment..
Flying HIgh
December 24th, 2012
12:18 pm
td
Is going on his 10th year in a row as the #1 Rush jock sniffer. Rush send him a pair of briefs with his name on it every time td wins.
hahahahahahahha
Buckhead Boy
December 24th, 2012
12:19 pm
td: “Yes, let us do away with the one actual thing (defense) the Federal government is suppose to do so that we can keep up the benefits to the moochers so that they do not have to work.
I suppose that must be some federal government in an alternate reality, because our’s gives equal weight to the purposes of establishing justice, promoting the general welfare and insuring domestic tranquility. Furthermore, I seriously doubt that imposing a “Pax Americana” throughout the world is the intended meaning of “provide for the common defense” in our’s.
Auntie Christ
December 24th, 2012
12:26 pm
td
December 24th, 2012
12:04 pm
just figured it out. You have recreated yourself again since your little rant the other night was even called out by progressives on the blog. You are still an American hating slim ball. Auntie.
*********************************************************
Looks like my favorite monkey is throwing feces again to get any attention he can. You’re still a joke s td. We’re still laughing at you and your stupid predictions on the election, your stupid predictions on gun control legislation, your stupid rants about the stupid people like you who can’t see your 1850’s ideas, tho resurgent for about 15 minutes, are going right back into the figurative toilet where they belong. I would never change my moniker from Auntie Christ for no other reason than I know how it gets you self righteous, hypocritical faux christians into such a hissy. As much as we all love a good joke, give it a rest for a while, you’re a broken record of pox news rote speech, and it has gotten to the point where you aren’t as funny any more, it is more like we just feel so sorry for you. Except for the election predictions, I still laugh about that HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That was a scream!
Auntie Christ
December 24th, 2012
12:39 pm
s td loves America, it’s just those 350Million+ Americans that he hates. He’s a good christian, it’s just Christ’s teachings that he thinks are wrong. He’s a real patriot,but he just wants us to overthrow the government. He loves the bill of rights, that second amendment part, anyway, it’s just those other pesky 9 Amendments he hates. He loves democracy, as long as only republicans get to vote. Yep, that s td, a model of consistency and steadfast beliefs. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! He’s a riot alright!
RCB
December 24th, 2012
12:44 pm
@honested….. Obama (with Tim Geithner) created the term and plan “fiscal cliff.” Not republicans.
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
12:44 pm
auntie christ 12:39
In other words TD thinks anyone who doesn’t think like him is Unamerican.
Don't Tread
December 24th, 2012
12:47 pm
If the government robs Peter to pay Paul, they can count on Paul’s support in the next election.
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
12:49 pm
dont tread
wow nice bumper sticker, another FAUX NEWS bs talking point
liberalefty
December 24th, 2012
1:14 pm
Nobody loves this country more than TD. He never actually served in the military because he didnt love America THAT much, but like all uber patriotic chickenhawks, he won’t hesitate to send someone else to die, while he keeps America safe from behind his computer.
RCB
December 24th, 2012
1:18 pm
Some of you seem to be obsessed with Fox News. It’s not the only outlet for news, so feel free to change the channel. The antithesis of Fox is MSNBC, so you have a choice.
Voter
December 24th, 2012
1:33 pm
@liberallefty – 2 points. 1st- not FOX talking points, tyrant quote from an Aesop fable, The Wolf and the Lamb from decades ago and Dr. Adrian Rogers quote from 1984. it’s amazing how true they have become. Also, I am looking for a job, thanks. No unemployment thanks to the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Bill of 2012. This bill didn’t create any jobs and kicked off people who were receiving some unemployment. That’s why the unemployment numbers look better. Get educated and informed.
Just dropping in
December 24th, 2012
2:14 pm
td
Wishing you and your mail order bride a Happy Kwanza and Winter Solstice