Political suicide?

Listen to Dave Ross Commentary: Political suicide?

It looks like the Tea Party Republicans have dug in, which means that for millions of Americans come January 1st, unemployment benefits will expire and payroll taxes will go up.

Why would they do this — when even fellow Republicans see it as political suicide?

Well, look at the recent economic headlines…

Employers have added at least 100,000 jobs in each of the last five months, official unemployment is down to 8.6 percent. Christmas shopping blew through all predictions, gas is cheaper, and consumer confidence is up.

Everyone wants the economy to turn around, but for some politicians, the timing could not be worse. Because if the trend continues, by November of 2012, we could be looking at an unemployment rate below 8 percent.

And as every pollster will tell you, Ronald Reagan, with unemployment at 10 percent was considered a one term President, but by November 1984, unemployment was down to 7.2, and he won 49 states in a landslide.

Clearly they could have reached a deal, because as speaker Boehner said himself:

“I don’t believe the differences between the House and Senate are that great.”

But some politicians understand this little tiff will be long forgotten by election day. People will vote based on how good they feel, and if it starts to feel like morning in America come November, Barack Obama, who might as well be the Great Socialist Satan for certain members of the House, will win. Unless the recovery can be delayed.

Political suicide? Maybe. But there are people in this world who will do anything to stop what they consider to be the Great Satan.

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