Obama defends tax deal as help for middle class

Renounced by Democrats for compromising the principles on which he campaigned, President Obama on Tuesday made a direct appeal to Americans he said are being held hostage by partisan politics.

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Cindy Rugeley, a political scientist at Texas Tech University, said Obama is "trying to rebuild his standing with the American people."

"The turmoil over health care left the impression he was being rolled," Rugeley said. "Right now, he's saying he won't let Americans be 'collateral damage,' and that's a strong message -- if people are watching.

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