http://www.politicollision.com/story.php?title=officials-obama-ready-to-veto-a-bill-blocking-%E2%80%98fiscal-cliff%E2%80%99-without-tax-hike-for-rich Freed from the political and economic constraints that have tied his hands in the past, Obama is ready to play hardball with Republicans, who have so far successfully resisted a deal to tame the debt that includes higher taxes, Obama’s allies say. If he wins reelection, Obama may finally be able to dictate the terms of a bipartisan debt-reduction deal. And if he loses to Republican Mitt Romney, Obama could make sure that tax rates rise before he hands over the keys to the White House on Inauguration Day in late January. Administration officials declined to say whether the veto threat will stand if Obama loses the election. Continued... http://wapo.st/Uu9Klb What is the ‘Fiscal Cliff'? - Edsplainer http://wapo.st/Pmz77n washingtonpost.com Tue, 23 Oct 2012 03:52:31 EDT en