Obama facing tough sell on tax-cut plan with fellow Dems

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a role reversal, President Barack Obama now has to lobby fellow Democrats to vote for a bill he considers crucial — legislation that would retain current tax rates for the middle class and stretch the safety net for the jobless.

House Democratic leaders say the package is tilted too much in favor of the wealthy, putting Obama on the defensive for striking a deal that is picking up support among GOP lawmakers and business groups.

Some Democrats are unhappy the president agreed to extend expiring tax cuts to all Americans, including high earners, and that he agreed to impose a lower estate tax on wealthy heirs. Both provisions are seen by many Democrats as giveaways to the rich that will do little to help the economy.

In return, Democrats would get extended jobless benefits for people who have been unemployed for long stretches. Workers alsow would see their share of Social Security payroll taxes cut by nearly a third for the coming year.