deals had to be made, clearly. so that was then. now go back to february 8th february 8th, 2001, and this quote from democratic senator max backus. during those negotiations. there are lots of ways to do a tax cut and we want to do it in a way that is fair and that makes the most sense. and a size which fits it other needs. so, expiration in, deal on, to get the votes through. don t believe me? that s what happened then to a guy who was instrumental in making it happen then. karl rove. the former chief of staff to the president of the united states with me now. you know, when i heard this discussion back and forth, you know, it s if these are so great, republicans would have made them permanent. i tried to explain the numbers and process in washington.