Obama Says Budget Differences Could Be ‘Too Wide’ for a Deal

[IDemo]

Source: New York Times

11:42 a.m. | Updated President Obama, in an interview with ABC News released on Wednesday, said that the differences between Democrats and Republicans on spending and taxes may be too great to reach an agreement on the budget.

“Right now, what I’m trying to do is create an atmosphere where Democrats and Republicans can go ahead, get together and try to get something done,” Mr. Obama said. “But ultimately it may be that the differences are just too wide.”

If the Republicans won’t consider increasing revenues, or will only trade revenues for cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, “then we probably are not going to be able to get a deal,” he said.

The president called the recent meetings he’s had with Republican members of Congress “useful,” adding that he’s learned “people don’t always know what I’ve actually proposed.” The president will continue his outreach on Wednesday with a lunch meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Read more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/obama-says-budget-differences-could-be-too-wide-for-a-deal/

[sangsaran]

1. Diplomacy doesn't work with Republicans.

He should be devoting his effort to pushing through a bill written, sponsored, and passed entirely by Democrats.

Bipartisanism is just another word for capitulation. The only way we'll get anywhere is if we figure out what needs to be done and make it happen; otherwise, the Democrats will accomplish nothing but slowing down the legislative process, and we'll slip further and further to the right.

At least the Republicans actually know how to get things passed.

[Lisa D]

3. Explain how he would get a bill passed

in the Republican-controlled House?

[sangsaran]

4. Ask the Republicans.

They seem to be able to push their measures through even when the Democrats hold both the Senate and the Presidency.

[leftyohiolib]

5. thats because dems are , in general , weak when it comes to wielding power

[JoePhilly]

8. Actually, its because Dems take governing seriously and the GOP does not.

Generally speaking, the Dems can't adopt an total obstructionist model because the GOP would be thrilled to have the government grind to a halt. That's the GOP's entire strategy.

Which means to get anything good done at all, the Dems end up compromising.

The GOP doesn't compromise because, again, a situation in which there is total inaction is exactly what they want.

If they can't kill the government, keeping it totally inactive is the next best thing to them.

[Fearless]

6. Bingo!

[JDPriestly]

11. Constituent pressure.

Especially when it comes to changes in Social Security and Medicare.

Rank and file Republicans like things as they are.

[AndyTiedye]

15. Gerrymandering Makes House Rapeuglicans Completely Immune to Constituent Pressure

We couldn't take back the House even with an Obama landslide last year,
what chance do we have of doing so next year, with no Presidential race?

[John2]

20. You have a chance

if you go into those Districts with a truthful message and correct the lies those republicans tell to their constituents. One of the biggest reasons they win in those districts is because they tell a lot of lies, racebait and fearmonger. Democrats need to get on the ground and educate those voters with the truth. You may not convince all of them but you will some of them.

[John2]

18. The same way the Fiscal Cliff Deal

was made. Let the majority of the House vote up or down instead of holding the Congress hostage to one Party. The American people need to understand this also. The same tatic happening in the Senate is also happening in the House with a Republican Rule to manipulate a democratic system. The Dennis Hastert Rule is just as bad as the filibuster in the Senate. Just because you can't get the majority of your Party to pass a bill doesnot mean you can't get the majority of the House. Another way is to make the Republican party pay altogether because they don't represent Democracy with their tatics. Any freedom loving American should reject this Party period!

[Roy Rolling]

2. Like I said....

He should stop negotiating with Democrats for concessions and focus on Republicans. Democrats aren't the problem, Republican hard-headedness is the obstacle.

Democrats want a budget that benefits all Americans, Republicans want a budget that benefits the 1% and spends more money putting a boot on the neck of the middle class and everyone else.

[Fearless]

7. +1000!

[Myrina]

12. ^^ Roy, for the win!! ^^

n/t

[DallasNE]

9. What A Damning Conclusion

"People don't always know what I've actually proposed"

What the President has proposed is readily available on the Whitehouse web site so there is no excuse for this ignorance by Republican lawmakers unless they don't care what Obama has proposed. Instead they use sources like Worldnetdaily or Fox News to "learn" what Obama has proposed. Indeed, these Republicans were cherry picked because it was felt that they were the most open members of the Republican Party and this is still the outcome.

Obama needs 5 Republicans to get anything done in the Senate and this is a grim reminder that there may not be even one Republican that is remotely moderate and willing to reach an agreement. The complete government shutdown at the end of the month looks all but certain.

[ReRe]

10. Well, it looks like he got the message...

...that he can NOT cave on the big 3, and I ain't talking about the Detroit auto industry. BUT, there is no "may" about it. The differences are clearly and most definitely too wide. Everyone needs to keep hounding him and the Democrats in the Congress on this, because "may" is too wishy-washy. Those cpi cuts are going to kill too many people. That's right KILL. The left has given all it can give. We have nothing left after 4 years of capitulation with those snakes. Democrats have GOT to get a backbone and stand up for the People. The Democrats (of all kinds) are the ones who elected PO and he needs to think about that every day of this 2nd administration. He needs to pull out his 2nd Inaugural speech and read it everyday. Memorize it. And remember the promises he made on the campaign trail. Smile all you want, kill them with kindness, have them over for lunch, wine and dine them, but no more blinking, Mr President!

[John2]

19. President Obama would do

just fine if he relaxed and let the voters handle the Republicans in the midterm. You need to have confidence in the voters and your issues. If the Republicans want to run on cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, tie it around their necks regardless of the District they are in. I would trust my issues more than theirs. The media pundits have no say whatsoever. Go into states like Florida and tie it around Rubios neck. Do the same to lying Ryan. They have went too far out on the limb with this very issue. They can't blame Obama for cutting Medicare or changing Social Security now. There is no where they can run now.

[ReRe]

21. That's right...

2014 needs to be our mantra. The Republicans can pass whatever they want. It may very well pass the House, but it will never get out of the Senate. And if it somehow does squeak through the Senate, PO will veto it. Because if it does pass the House and the Senate, there will be a roar that this country has never heard before. The people will rise up and there will be no way that PO will be able to sign it. All I can say is Republicans have gone absolutely crazy, because anyone, Republican or Democrat, who votes to touch the big 3, will be booted in 2014. Lead 'em on, PO. Lead them right to their famous cliff. You know how history tells us that fewer people vote in the midterm elections? Just wait. It will be the biggest midterm election in the history of this country. It will be an election in favor of the big 3, a vote against cpi increases, a vote against age increase threats. Another thing we need to try to do in the mean time is pick a non-DLC (i.e."Third way&quot Democrat in the primaries leading up to the 2016 elections.

[forestpath]

13. "Too wide" = Obama trying to frame HIS SS/Medicare cuts as being kind and gentle and

the Republicans' cuts as being unconscionable

When the truth is any cuts are unconscionable, and Obama vs. the Republicans is a difference of degree, not in kind

[AndyTiedye]

16. The GOP Would Kill SS and Medicare Entirely

They want to replace Medicare with vouchers, and Social Security with private investment accounts.

A lot more than a matter of degree here.

[forestpath]

17. Tell that to hungry cold seniors Obama is screwing over.

[socialist_n_TN]

23. So what happens if we do nothing on those programs?....

Weren't they exempted from the sequester? Sometimes BAD actions (and laws or "reforms&quot are WORSE than NO laws or "reforms".

[AndyTiedye]

24. Then The Rapeuglicans Will Force a Government Shutdown

[judesedit]

14. The GOP will do everything in their power to protect their wealthy owner puppeteers. Americans are a

distant concern of theirs. However....2014 is coming up fast. Be sure to vote in the primary.

[on point]

22. Worry more about the grand chasm between the pols and the American people

[DCBob]

25. interesting comment.. "But ultimately it may be that the differences are just too wide.”

Sounds like he thinks there wont be a deal.

[Roland99]

26. Ok, so, Romney/Ryan were bashing Obama for his $716 Billion in "cuts" to Medicare

but the entire GOP wants to gut these programs in order to balance the budget??


fucking asshats.