Politics

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), second from right, whispers with Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), right, as House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), speaks at a press conference announcing leadership positions for the 113th Congress outside the 113th Congress democratic Caucus Organizational meeting in the cannon office building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, November 29, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner enters the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. Secretary Geithner is meeting with House and Senate leaders to discuss the looming fiscal cliff. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, center, departs after meeting with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, November 29, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, center, departs after meeting with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, November 29, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Speaker of the House John Boehner enters a press conference to speak to the media Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 at the U.S. Capitol following a conference meeting with House Republican leaders about the fiscal cliff. Speaker Boehner said he is "confident" that they will be able to reach agreement with the president to avoid the fiscal cliff, although he did say that he is opposed to raising taxes on the wealthy, which is part of the president's plan. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

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House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) speaks to reporters about the looming financial crisis in the House Visitors Center at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, November 29, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray is seen in the reflection of a mirror as he offers remarks during his biweekly press briefing at the Hillcrest Recreation Center in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police officers train new recruits in safe driving techniques on a wet and rainy day in the RFK Stadium Parking lot, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, November 27, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, center, departs from a press conference after discussing New York's request for federal disaster relief at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., Wednesday, November 28, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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President Barack Obama looks over a rollercoaster with K'NEX Inventor Joel Glickman, left, and Rodon Group President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Araten, right, during a tour of the company in Hatfield, Pa. Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. The visit comes as the White House continues a week of public outreach efforts, while also attempting to negotiate a deal with congressional leaders. The Rodon Group manufactures over 95% of the parts for KÃŒNEX Brands toys. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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President Barack Obama waves as he arrives before speaking at the Rodon Group, which manufactures over 95% of the parts for KÃNEX Brands toys, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, in Hatfield, Pa. The visit comes as the White House continues a week of public outreach efforts, while also attempting to negotiate a deal with congressional leaders. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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President Obama gestures as he speaks at the Rodon Group, which manufactures more than 95 percent of the parts for K'NEX Brands toys, on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, in Hatfield, Pa. The visit cames as the White House continued a week of public outreach efforts while attempting to negotiate a budget deal with congressional leaders. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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President Barack Obama speaks at The Rodon Group manufacturing facility, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, in Hatfield, Pa. Obama spoke at the toy company about how middle class Americans would see their taxes go up if Congress fails to act to extend the middle class tax cuts. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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President Barack Obama speaks at the Rodon Group, which manufactures over 95% of the parts for K'NEX Brands toys, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, in Hatfield, Pa. The visit comes as the White House continues a week of public outreach efforts, while also attempting to negotiate a deal with congressional leaders. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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President Barack Obama talks with K'NEX Vice Chairman and General Counsel Robert Glickman, left, K'NEX Inventor and Chairman Joel Glickman, second from right, and Rodon Group President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Araten, right, during a tour of the company in Hatfield, Pa. Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. The visit comes as the White House continues a week of public outreach efforts, while also attempting to negotiate a deal with congressional leaders. The Rodon Group manufactures over 95% of the parts for K'NEX Brands toys. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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President Barack Obama walks up the steps of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. Obama will visit K'NEX, a construction toy company based in Hatfield, Pa. The visit comes as the White House continues a week of public outreach efforts, while also attempting to negotiate a deal with congressional leaders. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, talks to reporters after private discussions with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on the fiscal cliff negotiations, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)