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\f0\fs26 \cf0 \cb2 (Image source: {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57497502/the-pledge-grover-norquists-hold-on-the-gop/"}}{\fldrslt
\cf3 \ul \ulc3 CBS}}) \f1\fs24 \
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\f0\b\fs26 \cf0 BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN \f1\b0\fs24 \
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\f0\fs26 \cf0 Grover Norquist has been called one of the most powerful men in Washington,
{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.atr.org/userfiles/Senate%20Pledge(2).pdf"}}{\fldrslt \cf4 whose infamous \'93Taxpayer Protection
Pledge}}\'94 opponents blame for holding Republican lawmakers hostage in deficit reduction negotiations.
\f1\fs24 \ \
\f0\fs26 But as lawmakers head back to Washington Monday to resume work on a deal to stop the
so-called \'93fiscal cliff\'94 \'97 several prominent GOPers have backed off that pledge.
\f1\fs24 \ \
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\f0\b\fs26 \cf0 SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC), {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/11/sen-***-durbin-medicare-medicaid-fair-game-in-talks-to-avoid-fiscal-cliff/"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 VIA ABC\'92S \'93THIS WEEK\'94}}: \'93The only pledge we should be making to each other
is to avoid becoming Greece. (FLASH) I will violate the pledge, long story short, for
the good of the country...\'94 \f1\b0\fs24 \
\
\f0\b\fs26 REP. PETER KING (R-NY), {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608/vp/49955339#49955339"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 VIA NBC\'92S \'93MEET THE PRESS\'94}}: \'93The world has changed, and the economic
situation is different.\'94 \f1\b0\fs24 \
\ \pard\pardeftab720
{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ubRLqW8ZVxM"}}{\fldrslt \f0\b\fs26 \cf4 VIA CNN}}
\f0\b\fs26 : \'93Senator Saxby Chambliss told CNN affiliate WMAZ quote \'91I care more about
this country than I do about a 20-year-old pledge.\'92\'94
\f1\b0\fs24 \ \
\pard\pardeftab720 {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.atr.org/userfiles/Senate%20Pledge(2).pdf"}}{\fldrslt
\f0\fs26 \cf4 The pledge}} \f0\fs26 requires those who sign to oppose
any and all tax increases. Before elections earlier this month, 238 out of 242 House Republicans
had signed it \'97 and all but 6 Republicans in the Senate took the pledge.
\f1\fs24 \ \
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\f0\fs26 \cf0 Those who violate the pledge stand to face negative ad campaigns funded
by Norquist\'92s war chest. So why\'92s all this relevant now? Because the Bush-era tax
cuts and a series of painful spending reductions will begin on January 1st unless lawmakers
can come together on a more palatable package to reduce the deficit.
\f1\fs24 \ \
\pard\pardeftab720 {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-25/republicans-democrats-disagree-on-taxes-as-fiscal-cliff-looms.html"}}{\fldrslt
\f0\fs26 \cf4 Democrats are demanding revenue}} \f0\fs26 be on the table \'97 i.e., more money
coming into government coffers from taxes. \f1\fs24 \
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\f0\fs26 \cf0 But with a Republican majority in the House largely pledged NOT to raise
taxes \'97 the whole thing becomes a little more complicated. Until recently, with a seeming
openness to violate Norquist\'92s pledge. But here\'92s the catch in all this: Republicans
have signaled they won\'92t talk higher taxes without changes to programs like Social Security
and Medicare. \f1\fs24 \
\
\f0\fs26 Conservative blog {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/26/thedc-morning-when-youve-lost-lindsey-graham-youve-lost-only-lindsey-graham/#ixzz2DLJwPXf5"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 The Daily Caller\'92s Jeff Poor writes}}, \b \'93America will survive just fine with
slightly higher taxes ... but we are fiscally doomed without serious entitlement reform.\'94
\f1\b0\fs24 \ \
\f0\fs26 And Democrats aren\'92t interested in making cuts to social welfare programs.
Which is why {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/84207.html"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 Politico\'92s Seung Min Kim says}} \'97 more liberal members of Congress might advocate
for actually letting the fiscal cliff happen, in order to give them an edge in negotiations.
\f1\fs24 \ \
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\f0\b\fs26 \cf0 \'93Here\'92s what these progressives fear: an agreement that keeps lower tax rates
for the wealthy, hits the social safety net ... and leaves Pentagon spending unscathed.
In other words, they\'92d rather walk the country off the cliff than ... cave on long-held
liberal priorities.\'94 \f1\b0\fs24 \
\ \pard\pardeftab720
\f0\fs26 \cf0 As it turns out there are elements of both sides that suggest letting the cliff
happen. For his part, Grover Norquist has told Republicans, quote, \'93The only thing
worse than sequester cuts is to not cut spending at all.\'94 Lawmakers are expected to meet
with President Obama this week.}