Analysis: With tax bill, Dems pick political fight

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the year-end tax debate of 2010, President Barack Obama got the economic stimulus he sought while Democrats in Congress settled for picking a political fight.

Far more quietly, Republicans pocketed a two-year extension of George W. Bush-era tax cuts at all income levels and a lower estate tax to go with it, without having to swallow billions in public works spending that would have inflamed their conservative tea party supporters.

By the time Obama had signed the bill on Friday, he and Rep. Eric Cantor, the conservative Virginian in line to become House majority leader, could have read entire sections of each other's speeches.

"This tax deal is not …