Obama's Payroll Tax Cut Weapons: Clock, Calculator

President Obama is pushing hard for the extension of the payroll tax cut, and has two weapons to aid him in his quest: a doomsday clock and a calculator. The countdown clock has been set up in the White House press room and appears, conveniently, behind the podium. The video screen display counts down the remaining days of the year, reports USA Today. "What this clock dramatizes is that there isn't a lot of time and that Congress needs to act and do the right thing," explains Jay Carney. And it's not even as dramatic as it could be: The clock is counting down to Dec. 31 ... though Congress is scheduled to adjourn by Dec. 16.

You can also go to WhiteHouse.gov to see it, as well as the president's handy-dandy calculator. Punch in your marital status and income, and it'll show you the additional amount you'll owe if "Congress doesn't take action." Give it a try here. (More payroll taxes stories.)