Patrick blasts GOP over payroll tax stalemate
BOSTON—Gov. Deval Patrick says the stalemate in Congress over extending payroll tax cuts appears to be an "ego battle" more than anything else.
During his monthly "Ask the Governor" show on WTKK-FM, Patrick on Thursday said House Republicans seem willing to do anything to embarrass President Barack Obama, even if that means hurting the American people.
Patrick noted that Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican, shares his view that the House should back the Senate's plan for a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits.
House GOP leaders are demanding a full-year extension.
Patrick, a Democrat and Obama supporter, said while everyone in Washington should be held accountable for gridlock, the "hard right" in Congress deserves more blame because it has made defeat of the president its top priority.
