Obama Steps Up Pressure For Payroll Tax Extension

President Barack Obama plans to step up the pressure on Congress this week to renew a popular, expiring tax cut.

With just a handful of legislative days left in the year, the president's going to the mat for the payroll tax cut, set to expire as the ball drops in Time Square. Obama plans a major economic address tomorrow.

At the same high school in Osawatomie, Kansas, where Teddy Roosevelt delivered his 1920 "New Nationalism" speech, the president will outline what he calls a "make-or-break" moment for America. Like Roosevelt, he'll argue it's time Washington does what's right for hard-working, middle-class families -- and stop siding with the rich and well connected.

Obama thinks this issue neatly captures the key choice facing voters in the New Year.

Republicans say they're willing to extend the tax cut, but not by taxing top earners.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)