Obama defends the tax compromise (7 images)

U.S. President Barack Obama takes a question from a reporter during a news conference that focused on the tax cut compromise in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on December 7, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to the media during a news conference that focused on the tax cut compromise in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on December 7, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg

U.S. President Barack Obama departs after a news conference that focused on the tax cut compromise in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on December 7, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to the media about the tax cut compromise during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on December 7, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg