Biden: Clear ‘Mandate’ to Raise Taxes

Vice President Joe Biden told reporters on Air Force Two today that last night’s election represented a clear “mandate” to raise taxes.

“Where specifically do you think Republicans will be willing to compromise on issues of debt/deficit?” a pool reported asked Biden.

“Well look, I think — You guys have probably looked at the internals of the vote more than I have so far,” said Biden. “But from what it appears is that, on the issue of the tax issue, there was a clear, a clear sort of mandate about people coming much closer to our view about how to deal with tax policy. I think we can move, I’d like to see us, I think we can do something on corporate taxes sooner than later. That would be positive, be a little confidence-building. And you know I just think it’s going to take time for the Republicans to sort of digest what the consequences for them internally. But i just think there’s too much, I’ve been saying to you all along and I know I may be the only guy – well, I think Clinton shares this view, President Clinton, we talked about it. But I think the fever will break. And you know, Barack’s re-elected so this sort of cause to keep a second term from happening’s done. He’s there for four years. So I think there’s going to be – I hope there’s going to be some real soul-searching about, on Republican Party, about what they’re willing to cooperate on.”

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