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Re-energized Obama and GOP size each other on budget deal
The reference to a balanced approach to deficit reduction reflected Obama’s campaign-long call for higher taxes on incomes above US$200,000 for individuals and US$250,000 for couples. That was something Boehner made plain he opposes.
The House speaker said conditions on higher taxes would include a revamped tax code to make it cleaner and fairer, fewer loopholes and lower rates for all, adding that “we’re closer than we think to the critical mass needed legislatively to get tax reform done.”
Boehner did not specify what loopholes House Republicans might consider trimming.
Obama spent a rare morning off Wednesday at his home on Chicago’s South Side, then stopped off at campaign headquarters to meet privately with staff and thank them for their work in the long, grueling campaign. Workers climbed on top of desks to get a good look at the president.
Then Obama and his family flew back to Washington together on Air Force One. The president appeared to be in a good mood, racing younger daughter Sasha up the steps, then calling out “Come on slowpokes” to wife Michelle and older daughter Malia.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
