An investor looks at the stock price monitor at a private securities company in Shanghai, China. Asian stock markets tumbled Thursday after a ratings agency threatened to downgrade the U.S. if a solution to the so-called fiscal cliff isn’t negotiated among lawmakers and newly re-elected President Barack Obama.By ANDREW TAYLOR
Associated Press
WASHINGTON – House Republicans’ hard line against higher tax rates for upper-income earners leaves re-elected President Barack Obama with a tough, core decision: Does he pick a fight and risk falling off a “fiscal cliff” or does he rush to compromise and risk alienating liberal Democrats?
Or is there another way that will allow both sides to claim victory?
Obama has been silent since his victory speech early Wednesday morning, but is set to weigh in Friday in remarks at the White House.