AP

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama may help frame his re-election campaign's theme of fairness with his proposals to target millionaires and companies that ship jobs abroad for tax increases. But his tax plans stand virtually no chance of passing Congress.

Republicans have enough votes in the GOP-run House, and even in the Democratic-led Senate, to kill Obama's proposals. They say his plans would discourage investment and job creation and deal further blows to the ailing economy.

Top Republican lawmakers say Obama's proposals were a campaign speech, not a serious legislative offer.

But for the president, that may not matter.

Since Congress is unlikely to pass anything this election year unless it is uncontroversial, Democrats say the true value of Obama's tax plans is to demonstrate that he is on the public's side.