White House to GOP: Raise tax rates on the rich, or no deal

White House officials signaled in their strongest terms to date Wednesday that President Obama won’t negotiate a fiscal cliff solution until congressional Republicans agree to raise the tax rate on the country’s wealthiest 2 percent.

At his afternoon briefing, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney stopped short of saying that Obama and his negotiators wouldn't speak to Republicans until they agree to the higher tax rates. But he made clear that is the starting point for further negotiations.