Now that we've heard the obligatory and predictable comments from curly, larry & moe, I'd suggest the President's current position is taken for multiple reasons. This is often what he does anyway.

Based on his ambitious level of activity level in three years, I think he is looking for any possible way to get the hoarded trillions back into circulation. Call it the hated 'income redistribution' if you like, 'symbolic' only if you keep trying to shoo it away like a pesky bug. But that money is the most available and obvious key to finally turning the corner on the recession.

And he's doing it for political reasons, because it help to further differentiate him from his opponent. It's in his best interest to take a strong position on this, because it makes sense to lots of folks and will likely lead to more voter support. The opponent has to agree with the President's position to neutralize it's effect, and he just can't do that.

Finally, I think he's doing this because he thinks it's the right thing to do. He has a habit of doing that,