contractionary. hear to -- here to break down what affects the tax hike cuts could have charles gasparino and nicole pedestrian lean these. -- and nicole pedestrian lean these. why is the president's top economist publish a paper that seems to undercut the administration's entire economic policy? >> let's hope he is listening. we know the bush cuts are set to expire. the president wants them to expire the republicans don't. you have democrats saying hey, hey slow down. it is no question during our tough economic times how can you raise taxes by getting rid of the tax cuts raising taxes on folks. it does put the pinch on folks when they have this situation. >> what is interesting, it is kind of democratic party dogma that the bush tax cuts have to