Analysis: "Obama makes tax cuts a centerpiece of campaign"

Reuters:

President Barack Obama dared Republicans on Friday to wage an election campaign on tax cuts, telling voters his opponents are the party of the rich and all but ruling out a compromise before November elections.

In a rare news conference, Obama opened the door to negotiation with Republicans over tax cuts but then abruptly slammed it shut and went on the offensive to convince Americans that his opponents have no new ideas and are holding the economic recovery hostage over politics.

Here are some key interpretations of Obama's comments. MORE...