President continues to push for tax hikes on wealthy now

This transcript is automatically generated

Good evening I'm Bret -- isn't -- negotiating ploy.

Oh really what President Obama believes can happen.

The president may be going down a new path tonight in deficit reduction efforts and it's a path.

That is sure to -- too many obstacles from the other side.

Chief White House correspondent Ed Henry has the new developments in a very time sensitive story.

-- a dramatic move today President Obama seemed to be trying to support the budget talks -- two pieces.

Suggesting he and lawmakers come up with spending cuts next year.

After they avoid the fiscal cliff by extending middle class tax cuts and raising taxes on the rich.

Would give us more time.

Then next year to work together on a comprehensive plan to bring down our deficits.

To streamline our tax system to do it in a balanced way.

While the president's apparent shift away from spending and tax changes altogether now in a big deal.

Could increase the chances of a market rattling fall off the cliff since Republicans want spending cuts included Republicans are willing to -- revenue -- the table.

But it's time for the president and Democrats to get series.

About those spending problem.

That our country -- the president's move came just one day after two other big developments suggesting Democrats want tax hikes on the rich now.

With the promise of cuts to programs like Medicare later.

On Tuesday senator Dick Durban flatly declared entitlement reform should not be on the table.

And yesterday top White House officials also met with leading liberal groups from labor unions to moveon.org.

With one attendee telling the Washington Post quote.

They expect taxes to go up on the wealthy and to protect Medicare and Medicaid benefits they feel confident they don't have to compromise.

Press today and whether spending cuts are being kicked down the road White House spokesman Jay Carney was noncommittal.

You're not having any spending cuts now you -- -- spending cuts next year is that -- fact.

Look I think no it's not fact I think that these are all parts.

Aspect of it.

Constant conversations that are ongoing some Republicans are pushing Boehner and other leaders to accept an extension of the middle class cuts to avoid the White House blaming them for -- crash over taxes on the rich.

Sure everybody's taxes are scheduled to go out and unless we fix that.

Paradoxically President Obama becomes the defender of the bush tax cuts for 98% of the people who -- no such thing.

The president is seizing on those comments to say he's optimistic about a deal we could get it done tomorrow -- budget expert Erskine Bowles -- -- just the opposite.

I'm really worried that we have a real -- week ago this cliff and I think that would be catastrophic.

They'll balls went so far to say there's a two thirds chance of us going over the cliff though he said he still hopeful we can have.

Both tax hikes and spending cuts to avoid that the president said he's going to have a framework for spending cuts Republicans think the word framework.

Is a little squishy.

Brett and Henry -- in the north lawn wearing the team uniform had thank you guys.

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President continues to push for tax hikes on wealthy now

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