The Hill News

President Obama was outfoxed by congressional Republicans during the tax-cut negotiations, an outspoken Democratic lawmaker said Friday.

Rep. Anthony Weiner (N.Y.) -- who has sometimes been critical of the president -- said that the GOP were "better poker players" than Obama since they got what they wanted out of the tax deal, which will be signed into law Friday afternoon. That does not bode well for the next two years, when the GOP will control the House and work with a larger Senate minority, he said.

{mosads}"I also think it's problematic because the Republicans turned out to be frankly better poker players than the president," he said during an interview on CBS's "Early Show" program. "They only really wanted two things from this legislative session and they got them both," referring the estate tax provisions and the extension of the Bush-era income tax cuts. 

Weiner's comments indicate that Obama's tax-cut compromise could continue t! o hurt him with liberals -- such as Weiner -- heading into the New Year, when their power in the House will be dramatically reduced.

The White House negotiated the deal with Republicans in part because Democrats were unable to unite around one position on Bush tax cuts, which were to expire at the end of the year. 

But with less centrist and conservative members returning for House Democrats next year, they could have a more uniform, albeit smaller caucus.

Contrary to Weiner's comments, Most Republicans were happy with the deal, but did not get everything they said they wanted out of the deal -- namely a permanent extension of the tax cuts and a lesser estate tax burden. 

The New York congressman said that moving forward, Obama should negotiate with Republicans more selecti! vely.

"Now it's on to the things they want to cut! ... hea lthcare and the like."

"Bipartisanship has to be a means not an end," he said. "I'm not sure the president gets that yet, but I am going to work hard to make him a success."