Our Payroll Tax Nightmare Told In Three Countdown Clocks

Our state of play on the payroll tax extension: - The House has passed, on largely partisan lines, a one-year extension of the payroll tax cut with a mandate for expedited decision on the KeystoneXL pipeline. - The Senate has passed, with 89 “aye” votes, a two-month extension of the cut with another mandate for expedited decision on the KeystoneXL pipeline. - House Republicans say they can’t vote for this. - Perhaps this will be the first time that John Boehner passes a compromise with Democratic votes making up for Republican desertions. But he’s not even hinting that he will.
That’s the story. It is best told with these three images. First, the White House’s original countdown clock on payroll tax holiday expiration. Next, from Luke Russert, the House GOP’s version. And from Sam Stein, the new WH version. What? Don’t blame me. Blame a swing voter. It’s your Congress, geniuses.