First, if you are inferring that I am an 'obsessed Obama hater' you are totally wrong. To be clear, I had intended to vote for McCain because of his greater experience in government-until he chose his running mate. Very disappointing; no way to vote for him after that. Moreover, you and others have referred to me as a conservative. Again, to be clear, over the years, I have worked in campaigns for candidates of all stripes, Dem, Repub and independent. If you're going to label me, probably the best label is centrist or perhaps independent.
Second, the phrase 'tax expenditures' was actually originated by Stanly Surrey in about '67. The reference to the Obama administration concerns a dem operative whose name I can't recall just now, publishing a memo reminding and encouraging the use of the phrase in place of tax deductions in order to avoid using the words 'tax increase.' IIRC, this was around the time of Obama's appearance at Georgetown U when he referred extensively to 'tax expenditures' as a way to increase revenue. He promoted the reduction of 'tax expenditures' as a way of increasing the effective tax rates on upper income tax payers.
Haven't been able to locate that memo from the dem operative, but still looking. If anyone knows of it or finds it before I do, please post it up!