Hutchinson says GOP needs to compromise to avoid 'fiscal cliff'

CHICAGO | Congressional candidate Toi Hutchinson, a Democrat, on Monday called Republicans “callous and dangerous” with regards to negotiations taking place in Washington to avoid the “fiscal cliff” — a series of tax increases and budget cuts that will automatically take effect if federal officials cannot reach agreement on certain financial issues.

Hutchinson, one of several Democrats seeking to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress, said she sees President Barack Obama as, “locked in a pitched battle” with Republican leadership, including House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

Hutchinson said Republicans are “trying to hold middle-class families hostage to protect tax breaks for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans.” Obama on Monday said he “won’t compromise” on his belief that those wealthiest of people should pay more in taxes.