Conservative opposition to tax deal is hollow

If you look at the conservative opposition to the tax deal struck between Republicans and President Barack Obama it's mostly people on the ideological fringes or people who are potential presidential candidates in 2012.

Let's start with our very own Mitt Romney. He's seen as one of the strongest contenders for the GOP nomination in 2012 and he is opposed to the tax cut deal because it doesn't make the cuts permanent and doesn't really cut payroll taxes.

The deal has several key features. It reduces payroll taxes, extends unemployment benefits and keeps current tax rates intact. So far, so good. But intermixed with the benefits are considerable costs of consequence. Given the unambiguous message that the American people sent to Washington in November, it is difficult to understand how our political leaders could have reached such a disappointing agreement. The new, more conservative Congress should reach a better solution

His complaints about it are the most coherent and thoughtful on the right and you can read them in their entirety here.

One of his likely opponents in 2012, Sarah Palin, is staunchly opposed to the tax cut deal because she read a Thomas Sowell column. Palin, who only speaks through Fox, Facebook, and Twitter hasn't published anything further on the tax cuts. At least she is reading a newspaper.

Jim DeMint is the highest profile Republican senator opposed to the tax cut deal, going so far as to threaten a filibuster. He announced on Hugh Hewitt's radio show that he was opposed to the deal because it adds to the deficit. DeMint, unlike Romney or Palin, has a voting record to back up his rhetoric because he has a solid fiscal conservative record, including votes against the 2008 Bush bailout package.

As far as I can see the only conservative organization or person who has the ability to make or break this tax deal is Grover Norquist. He is the most important person in the conservative movement in Washington when it comes to taxes. How does his organization, Americans for Tax Reform, feel about the tax deal?

Americans for Tax Reform is supporting the tax hike prevention legislation on the floor of the House and Senate this week. While not ideal legislation, it accomplishes the primary objective: namely, prevent tax hikes on anyone earning income. Without passage of this bill, everyone who pays income taxes will see their take home pay decline in their first January 2011 paycheck. The good outweighs the bad. Below are specific ATR positions on each portion of the bill:

Norquist approves the legislation and that should be enough for most conservatives to back this compromise without fear. The opposition to this compromise is mostly posturing and should not be taken seriously. This deal is the best conservatives are going to get in the lame duck session.