Boehner backs tax cuts limited to middle class
By Associated Press
Sep 12, 2010 9:57 AM CDT
FILE - In this April 14, 2010 file photo, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., talk to reporters outside the White House in Washington. Boehner could walk down most U.S. streets anonymously. But the perpetually tanned golf lover, who grew...   (Associated Press)

House Republican leader John Boehner says he would vote to extend middle-class tax cuts if that's his only choice.

President Barack Obama has said he wants to extend expiring Bush-era tax breaks only for those earning under $250,000 a year. That would cover more than 97 percent of taxpayers.

Boehner and other Republicans are pushing for an extension of the tax cuts for all taxpayers, even the wealthiest.

Obama's new chief economic adviser, Austan Goolsbee, says he'd be happy to hear that Boehner isn't willing to hold hostage the middle class for tax cuts for the highest earners.

Boehner appeared on "Face the Nation" on CBS while Goolsbee spoke on ABC's "This Week."