During a press conference moments ago, President Obama explained his decision to concede to Republican demands to extend the Bush tax cuts to those who make more than $250,000 by comparing congressional GOP to hostage-takers: “It’s tempting not to negotiate with hostage takers, unless the hostage gets harmed…The hostage was the American people.”

Last week, Democratic senator Bob Menendez said that negotiating with Republicans on tax cuts is “almost” like negotiating with “terrorists.” At the time, the harsh analogy–long favored by left-wing bloggers–seemed like it may have been an unbecoming slip-of-the tongue for the Democratic senator, but President Obama’s remarks indicate that comparing Republicans to hostage-takers is now an official Democratic talking point.