News Summary: Obama selling his fiscal cliff plan
SALES PITCH: President Barack Obama plans to make a public case this week for his strategy for dealing with the looming fiscal cliff. He is pressuring Republicans to allow tax increases on the wealthy while extending cuts for families earning $250,000 or less.
THE BACKGROUND: Unless lawmakers agree on a deal to cut the deficit, there will be across-the-board tax increases and steep spending cuts next year.
TRAVEL PLANS: The president is meeting with small-business owners at the White House on Tuesday and with middle-class families Wednesday. He will tour a Pennsylvania small business that makes parts for a construction-toy company Friday.
