Obama's tax families, like Bush's

by Mark Silva

Former President George W. Bush had his "tax families.''

Now President Barack Obama has his tax families.

Bush's - American families who stood to gain from the tax cuts that he pushed through Congress in 2001 and 2003 - would greet him at his arrival at reelection campaign events: Human props that painted a picture of tax policy which the president viewed as a winning formula.

Obama's - American families who stand to gain from the tax relief that he has pushed with his economic stimulus - greeted him at the White House today: Invited human props for the new administration.

The president was talking with these families in an advance of a speech on taxes that he will deliver near noon today, Tax Day, April 15. He is touting his policies for "jump-starting growth and job creation'' as a means of overcoming the recession gripping the nation.

Some of Obama's tax families at the White House today already had served tax-family duty during Obama's campaign for president.

So at the White House today, in came Chris and Guenna of Marrietta, Pa, with their four year old son, Nicholas.

"Chris introduced President Obama at an event in Lancaster, Pa., during the campaign,'' the White House said.

"He is an examiner at Donegal Mutual Insurance Company, where he audits claims, and Guenna is a general manager at a Pottery Barn Kids outlet store. The Wrights just sold the house they'd lived in for 7 years, and they're buying a new home in May. They're paying about $700 a month for child care so they can both work to support their family. The Wrights qualify for the Making Work Pay tax credit.''

In came Kelly and Scott Kirkwood of Lynchburg, Va., the parents of two young daughters (7 and 3).

"Kelly introduced President Obama at an event in Lynchburg during the campaign,'' the White House explained.

"She is a part time Nursery School teacher at Randolph College in Lynchburg, and Scott is a graphic designer for a small local company. The recent economic downturn has forced their family to make very tough decisions. They're trying to start to save money for their daughters' education, but find themselves living paycheck to paycheck. The Kirkwoods qualify for the Making Work Pay tax credit.''

You get the idea.

Now finish your tax returns.