WASHINGTON (December 5, 2012)--President Barack Obama will travel to Detroit Monday to push his proposal for raising tax rates on wealthier Americans, an administration official said.

The trip is part of mr. Obama's effort to get public backing for his positions and use that support to pressure Republicans to reach a deal on avoiding a plunge off the fiscal cliff.

The president says there can't be a deal until GOP lawmakers drop their opposition to increasing rates on the top 2 percent of income earners.

Mr. Obama launched his public appeal last week during a trip to Pennsylvania.

The official requested anonymity in order to discuss the trip before it is publicly announced.