Obama Blasts Republicans For Refusing To Budge

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/obama-debt-ceiling-press-conference_n_894416.html

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama declared on Monday there would be no deal on raising the government's debt limit if Republicans won't compromise, and he said he would not sign a short-term extension – raising the stakes on volatile negotiations with the clock ticking toward an Aug. 2 deadline.

"I don't see a path to a deal if they don't budge. Period," the president said in a challenge to his political opponents, accusing Republicans of having a "my way or the highway" posture.

Asked whether or not he would veto legislation temporarily increasing the debt ceiling, the president said: "I will not sign a 30-day, or 60-day, or 90-day extension." The White House later confirmed that Obama meant he would veto such a bill.

"This is the United States of America. And, you know, we don't manage our affairs in three-month increments," the president said.

But even before Obama was finished speaking, Republicans were disagreeing with his insistence that a deficit-trimming deal include cutbacks in tax breaks for the wealthy and some big corporations. While the news conference was under way, House Speaker John Boehner's office sent two emails to his news list saying tax hikes never should have been in the discussion.

The president warned that failure to reach agreement could create another recession and throw millions of Americans out of work, painting a picture of catastrophe if a partisan stalemate is not broken and Congress fails to act. He criticized politicians who say the debt ceiling doesn't need to be raised.

"It's irresponsible. They know better," Obama said.

The president spoke at a White House news conference the morning after convening a rare Sunday meeting with lawmakers in the White House Cabinet Room, where he continued to push for a "grand bargain" in the range of $4 trillion worth of deficit cuts over the coming decade. That ran into Republicans' refusal to raise taxes.

Obama conceded that Boehner, who pulled his support for a large-scale deal over the weekend, faced a potential revolt by his caucus, and suggested Republicans should take a political risk – as the president said he is.


"I am prepared to take on significant heat from my party to get something done," Obama said, contending he has "bent over backward" to work with Republicans.

Despite the signs of stalemate, Obama also declared, "We will get this done by Aug. 2."

At issue in the volatile debate is the strength of the U.S. economy and the political fortunes of Obama himself – as well as lawmakers – heading into next year's elections. The administration warns of catastrophic economic results that would reverberate around the globe in addition to threatening the fragile recovery at home if the debt limit is not raised by Aug. 2, throwing the government into default for the first time.

Obama renewed his case Monday for a large deficit-cutting package that would put a historic dent in the country's deficits by blending politically poisonous elements for both parties – tax hikes opposed by Republicans, and social service cuts that Democrats decry.

""Pull off the Band-Aid. Eat our peas. Now's the time to do it," the president said.

"If not now, when?" the president asked, repeating a comment he made in private Sunday to lawmakers. The congressional leaders were meeting again later Monday at the White House, and Obama has said he'll call them to meet every day into the partisan deadlock is broken.

The president said that without the tax increases all the burden would fall on those who can least afford it including seniors and poor children. "And that's not fair," Obama said, arguing that most people would agree with him.

Obama challenged Republicans to make the necessary compromises.

"What I've said to them is, `Let's go,'" the president said, as the clock ticked down to Aug. 2.

Obama also took aim at the common GOP retort, "Where are the jobs?"

He said resolving the debt limit issue while tackling the nation's longer-term deficit problems "can have a positive impact in overall growth and employment."

"So what's the holdup?" the president asked.

"It is possible for us to construct a package that is balanced, shares sacrifice, would involve both parties taking on sacred cows," the president said, mentioning Medicare and Social Security.

Nonetheless, momentum could be on the side of a smaller measure of perhaps $2.5 trillion, due to Republican opposition to tax increases.

Last week, Boehner and Obama had private talks that led Democrats to believe the House speaker was willing to entertain revenue increases as part of a full overhaul of the tax code later this year in exchange for Democrats agreeing to stiff curbs on the growth of Medicare and lower increases in Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. But Boehner abandoned the idea Saturday night in a move that rattled the talks.

Sunday's sometimes testy session was shorter than some had anticipated, and it's clear neither side is willing to budge on taxes. Democrats say tax increases are a prerequisite for big spending cuts; Republicans rule out the idea unless taxes are lowered elsewhere.

The meeting Monday afternoon was expected to focus on agreements reached earlier in negotiations led by Vice President Joe Biden that resulted in tentative understandings on cuts to farm subsidies, student aid, federal workers' pensions and domestic agency budgets, among others. But the Biden group was bitterly divided over taxes, as Republicans including House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia repulsed Democratic demands to shut down tax breaks for oil and gas companies and deductions enjoyed by the wealthy. And Republicans resisted Democratic attempts for a mechanism to guarantee the Pentagon would contribute to cuts.

Sunday's meeting featured some tense exchanges, officials briefed on the talks said, as Democrats accused Republicans of being inflexible. And officials briefed on the talks said Obama sharply rebuked Republicans for saying there's no time for a "grand bargain" blending new revenues with big spending cuts – including curbs to Social Security and Medicare.
 
""Pull off the Band-Aid. Eat our peas. Now's the time to do it," the president said.



President got balls now? Funny...the Dems have been putting "band-Aids" on complex issues for the last 2+ years; Even when the had ful control of congress. So many things COULDVE been done before the Repubs gained control in congress...but......

Everything is motivated by fear. Agree with this and that or something "catastrophic" will happen. Heard that plenty of times before. This back and forth BS bickering is for entertainment purposes only. Just like this depression, the mortgage scandals, etc etc...what wil be done or what was already agreed on is already known. So what are they waiting for?

I say let the shit crumble. The American people need a awakening. Everyone talking about helping Pres Obama win in 2012....but if the Americans people continue to sit on their hands it really doesnt matter. Right?
 
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The President sort of kept shooting himself in the foot with this.

He messed up when he didn't allow the Bush tax cuts to expire. He gave the Republicans what they wanted. They have been maneuvering him into this position for a while now.

The Republicans, don't have to play ball.

They just have to meet with him and pretend to try to work things out so when things go south they can say they tried.

But in reality, if the Republicans don't raise the debt ceiling, they get everything they want.

They hurt the president and they cut spending.

If they don't raise the debt ceiling, the doesn't automatically means that we default. It just means that the money first goes to pay essentials like the military and other necessary bills and the debt. Then after that, with what's left, you pay for gov programs, like soc security, medicare, unemployment, etc.
 
President got balls now? Funny...the Dems have been putting "band-Aids" on complex issues for the last 2+ years; Even when the had ful control of congress. So many things COULDVE been done before the Repubs gained control in congress...but......

He had ball then but the senate lead by Harry Reid had a cunt. Then later on the full democrat house had one as well. Check your facts there buddy.
 
You have to love the good cop/bad cop shit these two parties have been pulling on this country. :lol:
 
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The President sort of kept shooting himself in the foot with this.

He messed up when he didn't allow the Bush tax cuts to expire. He gave the Republicans what they wanted. They have been maneuvering him into this position for a while now.

The Republicans, don't have to play ball.

They just have to meet with him and pretend to try to work things out so when things go south they can say they tried.

But in reality, if the Republicans don't raise the debt ceiling, they get everything they want.

They hurt the president and they cut spending.

If they don't raise the debt ceiling, the doesn't automatically means that we default. It just means that the money first goes to pay essentials like the military and other necessary bills and the debt. Then after that, with what's left, you pay for gov programs, like soc security, medicare, unemployment, etc.


If he had not compromise on extending the bush tax cuts, more Americans would have join the unemployment lines. Remember, this was just after the elections and the repugs had all signed a pledge to block every legislations till a compromise was reached.
 
If he had not compromise on extending the bush tax cuts, more Americans would have join the unemployment lines. Remember, this was just after the elections and the repugs had all signed a pledge to block every legislations till a compromise was reached.

Better yet...Had the democratic House and Senate leader took up the issue rather run from the issue. Then the Bush tax cuts would not have been extended. They were too worried about saving their asses.
 
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