Obama, panel veer into debate on tax cuts

Obama replied that his stand would benefit 98 percent of American taxpayers. “You’d think [that] would provide some level of certainty,’’ he said.

Obama also reiterated his view that top-income tax brackets would do little to boost the recovery, since the wealthy aren’t holding off on buying flat-screen televisions and other big-ticket purchases for lack of a tax cut. Plus, he said, those tax cuts are unaffordable.

“If we were going to spend $700 billion, it seems it would be wiser having that $700 billion going to folks who would spend that money right away,’’ he said.

Obama dismissed the notion that the well-off — he included himself — would simply “take our ball and go home’’ if they didn’t continue to get a big tax cut.

Congressional Democratic leaders have postponed a vote on tax cut extensions until after the November election, but Obama has accused Republicans of holding middle-class cuts hostage by demanding top-end cuts, too.

Much of the meeting was devoted to an administration initiative, “Skills for America’s Future,’’ that would expand partnerships between top US companies and community colleges. It was announced on the eve of a White House summit on community colleges, which is being led by Jill Biden, a community college educator and Vice President Joe Biden’s wife.

Emanuel faces skepticism during first day on the trail

CHICAGO — Last week, Afghanistan. This week, parents protesting the proposed demolition of a park field house.

Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel hit the campaign trail yesterday and got a sudden taste of the vastly different agenda he would face as Chicago’s mayor — and the hurdles he must overcome to be elected.

A day after unveiling his campaign on a new website, Emanuel hit the streets, vowing to “hear from Chicagoans — in blunt and honest terms’’ what they want from their next mayor. Many were happy just to shake hands, exchange hugs, or drink coffee with President Obama’s hard-charging former right hand man.