Republican lawmaker to conservative pundits: Lay off Obama on tax deal

A Republican lawmaker called on conservative commentators to quit criticizing the tax-cut deal brokered between President Obama and the GOP.

Rep. Pete King (N.Y.) — a supporter of the compromise — said that the deal is not perfect but shows that Obama is moving toward the middle after taking a "shellacking" in the midterm elections.

"And I think for, you know, conservative commentators to be harping and taking cheap shots at the president, I think it's wrong," King said during an interview on Fox News.

The New York congressman added that it is "even more wrong" for liberals to criticize the president, and that the flak he has taken is "irresponsible."

Many congressional Republicans support the proposal, but some high-profile conservatives have blasted the deal.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who is now a Fox News contributor, said that the deal shows "Obama is so very wrong on the economy and spins GOP tax-cut goals."

Conservative talk radio titan Rush Limbaugh has also said "I now hope this deal fails" because he believes Republicans gave up too much to get it.

RedState.com editor Erick Erickson avoided personally criticizing the president, but said that the compromise "must now die" because it contains too much pork barrel spending. Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell's (Ky.) office has said there is no earmark spending in the legislation.

King — who has been a staunch critic of the administration on national-security issues — said that conservatives should be grateful that Obama has moved to the center on the issue of taxes.

"And I think for conservatives who before the election said President Obama wouldn't have the guts to move toward the center, that he was going to be locked into his liberal position, the president has moved," he said. "He has demonstrated a willingness to work with us and our leadership has reciprocated. I think it's a good agreement for the American people"

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