Yes!!! "Barack Obama came out all guns blazing today..."

[ClarkUSA]

Barack Obama came out all guns blazing today as he warned millions of Americans could lose their jobs if a debt limit agreement is not reached. The President raised the stakes on volatile negotiations with Republicans as the countdown clock moved to just three weeks away from the deadline. He issued a forceful ultimatum that there will be no deal on raising the much-debated debt limit if Republicans won't compromise.

"I don't see a path to a deal if they don't budge. Period,’ he said to political opponents, accusing Republicans of a ‘my way or the highway’ posture.

Asked whether or not he would veto legislation temporarily increasing the debt ceiling, he said: "I will not sign a 30-day, 60-day or 90-day extension."

"This is the United States of America," he said, ahead of the August 2 deadline. "We don't manage our affairs in three-month increments."

Read more: http://tinyurl.com/69sy6my

I'll bet Republicans regret demanding President Obama take part in the budget talks. :D

[Enrique]

1. ask not at whom the guns blaze n/t

[tekisui]

8. As long as Obama gets a political win, that is all that matters.

Consequences be damned.

[vaberella]

40. What are you suggesting? Isn't this what you wanted? For Obama to "man up" be "forceful"?

As though he was not before. What is the problem here? He's asking and forcing the Repubs to buckle down and compromise.

[cliffordu]

75. Ignore the cognitive dissonance.

Some folks just want the Prez to be wrong, win, lose or draw.....

[CakeGrrl]

76. Don't you love the sound of goalposts moving? -nt

[patrice]

2. Nobody does anything for someone they don't figure is going to be around long, as many

here on the DU are working their hardest to be sure of.

[patrice]

3. P.S. Who's throwing whom under the bus?

[joeybee12]

4. Those guns were blazing alright, I myself got shot twice! kur

[jefferson_dem]

10. Self-inflicted perhaps.

n/t

[WorseBeforeBetter]

13. Yep. I volunteered and voted for Obama. (n/t)

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

27. In North Carolina, where he won by about 14,000 votes.

Unemployment is close to 10% in this state, and if Captain Bipartisanship cuts the social safety net, you and many others are in for a rude awakening.

[jefferson_dem]

67. Yes, NC will be a battleground again. And, as you mention, the teabaggers are out in force...

So stop acting like you would be doing Obama a favor by actually supporting sanity next November. If you can't appreciate the need to do what's right...I can't help you.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

73. I'm not asking for your help.

Possible cuts to the social safety net are not "sanity" in my book, by ANY stretch of the imagination, and a vast majority of Americans agree. How it plays out will determine my vote.

[FedUp_Queer]

113. Not mine.

Obama has shown me I can't trust him (and, no, I can't trust the GOP, either). The rhetoric is different, but the results are not that different. He has completely conceded to the GOP on the "austerity" argument. In a crisis, austerity ain't what we should be thinking about. Imagine...a boat it sinking and some says...let's try and bail out the water, but let's do it economically. The fact is that boat is sinking and we are waist-deep in water. It's time for all hands on deck...forget about cost, let's get the water out, fix the holes and then worry about everything else.

[FedUp_Queer]

110. Yeah!!!

After all, it's not as if we he doesn't keep spending nearly a trillion dollars on defense, or starting new wars. We need to support the President so he doesn't do the things in his second term he has done in his first. As far as "doing Obama a favor," it has more to do with being with one's self and becoming deluded that any real change will come at the ballot box. It won't. Obama is nothing but a tool of Wall Street and corporate america...how about the upper west side private Wall Street dinner/fundraiser at $33,800 per head. Now THAT'S the kind of middle class "our kind of guy" president we need.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

29. I'm in North Carolina -- you and Obama do need me.

He won by a whopping 1% in 2008. Unemployment is high and the Koch-funded Teabaggers are out for blood in this state. Republicans took control of both chambers of the state legislature in 2010 -- first time in over 100 years -- in spite of my vote.

Again: rude awakening.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

31. Now, now, admonishing a DUer to not vote? Tsk. (n/t)

[derby378]

88. If that's how you feel...

...maybe you should stay home instead and let the Democrats remind Obama what shouldn't be placed on the chopping block.

[gateley]

34. We need everybody. Believe me, Dr. hunt doesn't speak for

us all.

:pals:

PS -- I delayed my move home from NC so I could stay and vote in the early voting. If I'd come back earlier, I wouldn't have been able to register in time here. I remember standing in line at the polls and another woman and I were talking about how excited we were that Bush was out and we were convinced that Obama was going to take it. And, looking around, we decided we were way outnumbered by those who were voting for McCain. :hi:

[WorseBeforeBetter]

52. I moved in 2005 and have voted in every election.

I was overjoyed in 2008, partially because we were finally ridding ourselves of Dim Son. 2010 was a shocker, thanks to Republicans being incredibly well funded and organized. 2012 may be even more of a shocker, especially if the Rs have their way with voter suppression efforts.

There's quite a bit of speculation about Hillary moving on and Biden stepping in as SoS, with Hagan named as VP. Who the hell knows! :-)

[gateley]

87. How are you liking Hagan? (I of course voted for her, too.)

I know Joe wanted to be SoS, but maybe he's grown fond of the VP slot. :7 I think a VP n need more experience than Kay, someone with more experience than Obama (although he's been baptized by fire since he got there!).

I hadn't heard that speculation at all! Interesting! Hmmmmmm.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

93. Some hits, some misses; I can't get too enthused about her but...

I'm thrilled she gave Elizabeth Dole the ol' heave-ho.

Rs control both chambers of the legislature. Forbes just named Raleigh the #1 place to do business, meaning taxes will remain low and many will be grateful to have $9.50/hour customer service jobs with no benefits. Hagan is female (history would be made again) and pro-business, and we have 15 electoral votes that Obama needs. I'll be really curious to see what goes down in my home state of Pennsylvania -- there is an aging population dependent on Social Security and Medicare, unions have gotten the shaft, and T-zone Teabaggers are alive and kickin'.

[joeybee12]

21. Oh, I agree...most of Obama's wounds are self-inflicted...he let the Repukes

create this crisis, kept silent, then when it's too late, he gives away the farm and says it's the best he can do under the circumstances.

[gateley]

35. He let the Repukes create this crisis? Do you mean the BIG crisis,

or this stalemate? We ALL (Dems and Reps) helped create this crisis, sadly.

[John Agar]

48. The deficit "crisis" is a false one. Ask any thinking person.

YES, running up deficits is bad in the long run. But almost all of the present debt can be credited to the Buh tax cuts.

What we need in an unemployment crisis (ie, the REAL one) is MORE spending. not destructive cuts that will lead to more lay-offs in the public sector.

Public workers pat taxes, but cars and houses, just like anyone else. Lay off another half a million and watch what happens.

The pubs will cynically blame Obama, and might just (horror of horrors) win the election!

[catgirl]

109. He gave away the farm?

Are you really that clueless to what actually goes on in this country?

[Unvanguard]

5. Here's hoping he keeps it up. n/t

[CakeGrrl]

6. And what was not divulged was

what would happen if they still insist on holding out and let the deadline pass.

I suspect they'll not want to do that.

[emulatorloo]

7. I expect they are talking about that now.

Republicans are being backed into a corner. Boehner wants a deal, his crazies don't want one.

[Hand_With_Eyes]

114. Dump it in their laps

Or he can play the 14th amendment card and dump it in the laps of the Supreme's. If the RW of the Supreme court voted against Obama en masse, the economy would immediately collapse and the republicans gets all the blame. The GOP would be unelectable for decades.

[polichick]

9. Yeah, 4X the cuts relative to additional revenue...

He really showed them!

[CoffeeCat]

11. too bad the guns were pointed at grandma and grandpa...

Shameful.

Seriously.

And the fact that some tax cuts for billionaires *may* happen, and if they do happen, they'll
start in 2013--and they won't even be a cut via percentage rate---but a reduction in deductions--
is so outrageously unbelievable.

I can't believe more people aren't commenting on that.

Grandma and Grandpa--Oh boy, we can't pull the rug out from under them fast enough, by God! But
we'll sorta drag our feet and *maybe* do something about the millionaires and billionaires in
a few years or so. We just can't decide. But step away grandpa, cuz we're coming after your
entire income of $950 a month like a rabid weasel on steroids!

[joeybee12]

12. The fact that SS and Medicare are even being discussed shows he's lost the battle

at least the battle the Dems should be waging. Typical Obama behavior, ignore and let the repukes yell and scream for a few motnhs, then get involved, only to concede the farm and claim it was the best he could do under the circumstances.

[JoePhilly]

23. Du's version of "death panels" nonsense.

[golfguru]

106. There are NO cuts for anyone 55 and over

in any proposal, republican or democratic.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ClarkUSA]

Why? It's "the first time Obama has suggested that revenues are a prerequisite to any agreement"

Later in the press conference, the president added, “I do not want, and I will not accept, a deal in which (the wealthiest taxpayers are) asked to do nothing.”

This was, as near as I can tell, the first time Obama has suggested that revenues are a prerequisite to any agreement. For Republicans who are committed to making no concessions whatsoever, the president’s willingness to draw a line in the sand, demanding that they compromise, was probably not welcome news.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x707598

[gateley]

15. We all see it through our own filters. I agree with this assessment!

And I tried to rec it out of oblivion, but apparently we have a ways to go! :7

[Palmer Eldritch]

17. Obama has a winning hand. Boehner is on tilt.

[AlinPA]

82. Boehner is in control- he has the debt limit hammer and is using it. Republicans will not

vote to increase the debt ceiling- no matter what any deal is. It is all a useless exercise.

[blueclown]

18. Guns ablazing?

He was shooting blanks.

These are straight scare tactics - millions of Americans will not lose their jobs if a "comprehensive" debt ceiling agreement is not reached - because their will just be a contigency debt-ceiling agreement reached, one that just increases the debt limit without ramming austerity measures down America's throat.

You know what's a good way to lose millions of jobs? To raise taxes while you cut spending.

I have supported President Obama throughout his presidency - voted for him in the primary and the general election, and will likely again do so in the 2012 election, but he is really making some questionable decisions in the 3rd year of his term that may doom him to a one-term presidency.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Fire1]

19. When a reporter asked him about not reaching the deadline,

he replied with a sobering tone, "we will reach the August 2 deadline." THAT tone told me that if the republicans don't play ball, he will whip out executive privilege. I was more encouraged this a.m. than I have been in a while and people CONTINUE TO MISREPRESENT WHAT HE SAID!!! DAMN!!

[gateley]

37. We all view it through our own filters. Those who have written

off Obama turn everything negative, those of us who still support him look for the silver lining. Human nature.

I really do try to remain objective and pragmatic, but it ain't always easy.

And I agree, it drives me nuts when someone DECLARES what will happen or what he really MEANT.

[Fire1]

38. It really works my last nerve when people put words in the

man's mouth simply because THEY don't understand wtf is going on!!

[vaberella]

42. I get that feeling. I can see him not wanting to do it. But he will have too. n/t

[patrice]

68. Significant clues there: MISREPRESENTATION, GENERALIZATIONS, & FAULTY LOGIC.

Are we REALLY supposed to believe that all of the President's loyal opposition is so severely handicapped? The pervasiveness makes this stuff appear intentional, for consumption by the less critical.

[sundancekid]

85. ditto and BINGO! Can I bring the pen??

The repugs create a constitutional crisis, and the constitutional law professor shows them what an EPIC FAIL GRADE looks like.
At that poiint, can you imagine how many good ads can be made out of just what Republicans like Alan Simpson have said about debt/deficit reductions & tax reform + revenue increases????

[DainBramaged]

20. Looked like water pistols to me....

[proverbialwisdom]

24. The public fury ought to be directed at the at Republicans by their own voters.

Considering the polls showing 70-85% of voters want to protect SS and Medicare, that necessarily includes many Republican and Independent voters. They have the leverage that matters here. The media is distorting the power of the Tea Party fringe.

Here's an email I just received:

Monday, July 11, 2011 1:54 PM
DFA

Dear ---

Here are the facts -- Republicans don't have the votes to increase the debt limit without Democrats, but Boehner has rejected every Democratic proposal to repeal the Bush tax cuts for the rich, end subsidies for big oil, or close tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas. Instead, Boehner wants to gut Social Security and Medicare.

Cutting Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid is insane. It will be a punch in the gut to middle class families and will send the country deeper into recession.

Thankfully, Nancy Pelosi and progressives in Congress are standing up against John Boehner and his right-wing Tea Party colleagues. We need to let them know that we have their backs.

Call your Congressperson right now at [phone] and tell them to take Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid off the table.

This is crunch time. Congress has less than two weeks to find a compromise and raise the debt limit. We need to make clear everyone understands that we can't cut the deficit on the backs of middle class families.

Thank you for all that you do.

- Michael

Michael Langenmayr, Deputy Political Director
Democracy for America

[Fire1]

28. Absolutely!! n/t

[vaberella]

47. Exactly...but even on DU---it seems directly placed on Obama. n/t

[southernyankeebelle]

26. Today I called both my congressman and senator and told them I would blame the republicans.

I told them if they didn't agree I would be hurt finanically.

[Doctor_J]

32. Really? He was praising Boner at the presser while Boner was on hate Radio

trashing the president.

Americans won't vote for someone who doesn't fight when under attack

[ClarkUSA]

39. It's called "Killing Him with Kindness" in political circles.

July 11, 2011

Killing Him with Kindness

President Obama went out of his way to praise House Speaker John Boehner at his press conference today on the debt ceiling negotiations.

"And I want to say I appreciate Speaker Boehner's good-faith efforts on that front... I think Speaker Boehner has been very sincere about trying to do something big... My experience with John Boehner has been good. I think he's a good man who wants to do right by the country."

Do you think Boehner appreciated it?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/07/11/killing_him_with_kindness.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PoliticalWire+%28Political+Wire%29

[Enrique]

49. so his kindness guns were blazing

ok.

[ClarkUSA]

51. Do you think Boehner appreciated it?

[Enrique]

57. i think obama made him cry n/t

[Doctor_J]

59. I don't think Boner has any respect left for the prez at all

he can smoodge up to him on the golf course and then two weeks later trash him on hate radio, and the president's response is to offer more compromise and sweet-talk the man who hates his guts. Do you think a schoolyard bully respects the kid who hands over his lunch money every day?

[Name removed]

62. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Doctor_J]

55. Yeah, he's been "killing" the Repukes alright

:wtf:

[ClarkUSA]

58. Yes, it's "the first time Obama has suggested that revenues are a prerequisite to any agreement."

President Obama also shot Republicans with this bullet point:

Later in the press conference, the president added, “I do not want, and I will not accept, a deal in which (the wealthiest taxpayers are) asked to do nothing.”

This was, as near as I can tell, the first time Obama has suggested that revenues are a prerequisite to any agreement. For Republicans who are committed to making no concessions whatsoever, the president’s willingness to draw a line in the sand, demanding that they compromise, was probably not welcome news.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x707598

[CakeGrrl]

43. You really don't understand that tactic? Really?

POTUS sends out signals that he believes they're all operating in good faith and that Boehner wants to do the right thing, giving himself cover AGAINST MSM SPIN.

If Boehner actually does that, fine.

But if and when he doesn't, he looks like the holdout and the President looks like he's the one trying to solve the problem.

It's head-shaking that people think the President is such an aw-shucks goofus that he just went up there to pat his buddy Boehner on the back.

[Doctor_J]

54. Yeah, that's been working great up til now

Glad to see there are still some "12-dimensional chess" adherents here.

[ClarkUSA]

64. It has, hasn't it? Pres. Obama has signed more liberal legislation than any Dem prez in decades.

That's probably why 86% of self-identified liberals approve of his job performance, according to Gallup's latest poll.

[Doctor_J]

98. He's also given more to the Repukes than any in decades

And that same old poll result is just as bogus now as it has been for the last two months.

[vaberella]

46. He's the President...he's always chastising them nicel.y unless caught off record.

I think it has to be understood that he has to go back to talks with Boehner and show a level of decorum that Repubs don't have to exert the same.

You know as well as I do that what Obama has to do is incomparable to the Boehner's of the world. Obama has to paint a picture. Boehner has to put on a self-tanner and run his mouth.

Added, Obama has always fought. People don't like to think he does because he doesn't fight the way they him too. He won't be a name caller and loud like the Grayson's, Dean's, or (on the flipside) Christie's of the world. Obama speaks lowly and frankly. This is a discussion between men with different views on the future of the US---not a screaming match.

[woo me with science]

33. ....

:eyes:

[John Agar]

36. Aimed straight at the elderly, the poor, and the Democratic base.

Hopefully his effort will fail.

[ClarkUSA]

41. Prove it. Quote Pres. Obama to show exactly WTF you're talking about.

<< Hopefully his effort will fail. >>

I'm sure you do. :eyes:

[John Agar]

44. OK, here's a line from the press conference today.

"It is hard to persuade people to do hard stuff that entails trimming benefits ...That's what compromise entails."

Who was he referring to here? What benefit cuts was he referencing? Presumably the ones reported by five sources today, but you are right: I may be wrong.

Then again, you might be too.

I think we can agree that it would all be much easier to know what is up, if our leaders kept us informed.

[ClarkUSA]

45. No one knows what the final budget proposal will entail, including you.

Thus, your fugly accusations are in the "guilty before proven innocent category".

I'd like the whole quote (not a snippet) you are referring to along with a link so I can verify it.

[John Agar]

50. Right, cause it's all being done in SECRET.

The role of the activist is to organize and fight bad policy.

BEFORE it is to late!

So I wrote to the White House today to express my dissatisfaction with the reported policy.

You too?

We need every voice right now.

[ClarkUSA]

53. Where's the link to the alleged quote?

[John Agar]

56. Here's a text link from AP/ABC.

Took a few seconds:

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=8243585

[ClarkUSA]

61. Why did you string some words into a quote if you don't have a link to the actual text?

Here is an example of quotes with a credible link. Take note of what President Obama actually said:

Later in the press conference, the president added, “I do not want, and I will not accept, a deal in which (the wealthiest taxpayers are) asked to do nothing.”

This was, as near as I can tell, the first time Obama has suggested that revenues are a prerequisite to any agreement. For Republicans who are committed to making no concessions whatsoever, the president’s willingness to draw a line in the sand, demanding that they compromise, was probably not welcome news.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x707598

[John Agar]

65. That is a completely different quote.

OK.

[ClarkUSA]

66. Yes, and it sure contradicts your claims. Still waiting for proof of your "quote" BTW...

[John Agar]

94. I gave it above, from AP/ABC, and it is all over this forum...

In threads pro and con.

Also there has been no denial from the WH.

So let me ask YOU a question: Do you support the policy of extending the age of retirement or Medicare eligibility in the name of "deficit reduction"?

Or do you recognize that that to do so would be not only morally and ethically wrong, but a political disaster?

Just wondering where you actually stand on the core issue, since you are pushing back to persistently on the quote that everyone knows he made.

[proverbialwisdom]

69. Sadly, here are the quotes which I just received an email. Please debunk.

From: BoldProgressives.org
Monday, July 11, 2011 4:41 PM

BREAKING: Obama vs. Social Security

Dear ---

BREAKING: Today, in a press conference, President Obama came right out and said it: He's pushing for benefit cuts in important programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Will you join 160,000 others who signed this urgent pledge, which we'll deliver to the Obama campaign?

"President Obama: If you cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits for me, my family, or families like mine, don't ask for a penny of my money or an hour of my time in 2012. I'm going to focus on electing bold progressive candidates who will fight to protect our Democratic legacy."

Click to add your name.

For those of us who worked tirelessly to elect Obama in 2008, here are the 3 most depressing quotes from today's press conference:

1) "We’re going to have a sales job. This is not pleasant. It is hard to persuade people to do hard stuff that entails trimming benefits and increasing revenues."

Significance: This is the first time Obama admitted he is pushing "benefit" cuts that would hurt our grandparents, kids, and the disabled -- not just "savings" like negotiating lower drug prices.

2) "I want to be crystal clear -- nobody has talked about increasing taxes now. Nobody has talked about increases -- increasing taxes next year."

Significance: Polling shows that by 4 to 1, Americans want taxes increased on the rich. The "millionaires tax" proposed by House progressives would raise $1 trillion -- helping to take benefit cuts off the table. By his own admission, Obama is not even asking for this!

3) "The vast majority of Democrats on Capitol Hill would prefer not to have to do anything on entitlements; would prefer, frankly, not to have to do anything on some of these debt and deficit problems."

Significance: The House Progressive Caucus proposed balancing the budget by taxing the rich, making companies like GE pay taxes, ending the wars, and other popular, progressive proposals. By his own admission, Obama didn't even try for these -- and then he attacks progressive Democrats with false, right-wing talking points.

Please join 160,000 others who have signed the pledge not to donate to or volunteer for Obama in 2012 if he cuts benefits.

Then, please pass this email to others. Thanks for being a bold progressive.

-- Adam Green, Stephanie Taylor, Michael Snook, Forrest Brown, and the PCCC team

P.S. Here's a bonus Obama statement from today:

"With respect to Social Security, Social Security is not the source of our deficit problems....the reason to include that potentially in this package is if you’re going to take a bunch of tough votes, you might as well do it now, as opposed to trying to muster up the political will to get something done further down in the future."

Seriously??? Why is a Democratic president going out of his way to help Republicans cut Social Security??? That's just wrong.

Sign the pledge. Then, pass it on.

[ClarkUSA]

71. Not interested in alleged email rhetoric. Just quotes from Pres. Obama apply to the facts.

[proverbialwisdom]

72. The email quotes are directly from today's press conference by President Obama.

I haven't independently verified that, however.

[ClarkUSA]

77. Yeah, that's my point.

[proverbialwisdom]

79. If the quotes were accurate would your defense of the administration here change? NFM.

[ClarkUSA]

80. Hypothetical speculation doesn't interest me, either.

There's way too much of that going on already.

[JustAmused]

86. Mostly by you...

lol

[ClarkUSA]

90. Prove it. Quote?

[Vattel]

89. The quotes are accurate. So what do you think?

[ClarkUSA]

91. This is what I think: "Listen to Lawrence's description of PrezO's brilliant strategizing."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1468342

Lawrence O' Donnell can explain it to all of you who are SO curious as to what I think. He speaks for me. Better tune in or read the transcript. :)

[MNBrewer]

84. Why would you even believe a quote from President Obama?

He had the perfect opportunity to defuse this brouhaha over whether SS cuts are on the table, and purposefully chose not to. Purposefully chose vague wording. What reason would he have for keeping whether SS cuts were on the table or not vague?

[ClarkUSA]

92. Tune into Lawrence O'Donnell and let him explain Pres. Obama's strategy to you.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=707453&mesg_id=707975

Better yet, read the transcript of his show... slowly.

[MNBrewer]

97. 1. I hope O'Donnell is right

2. You're grasping at straws.

I'll apologize if the Congress passes a clean Debt Limit bill, with no cuts, otherwise, it remains to be seen.

[KoKo]

95. Clark USA: Here are quotes from the Official US GOVT. Transcript of yesterday's Presser

These quotes are related to SS Cuts and "trimming." If you want to read the full transcript the link is at the bottom of the snips.

----------



The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
July 11, 2011
Press Conference by the President
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

11:15 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. I want to give a quick update on what's happening with the debt negotiations, provide my perspective, and then I'm going to take a few questions.



First of all, all of us agree that we should use this opportunity to do something meaningful on debt and deficits. And the reports that have been out there have been largely accurate that Speaker Boehner and myself had been in a series of conversations about doing the biggest deal possible so that we could actually resolve our debt and our deficit challenge for a long stretch of time. And I want to say I appreciate Speaker Boehner's good-faith efforts on that front.

What I emphasized to the broader group of congressional leaders yesterday is now is the time to deal with these issues. If not now, when? I've been hearing from my Republican friends for quite some time that it is a moral imperative for us to tackle our debt and our deficits in a serious way. I've been hearing from them that this is one of the things that's creating uncertainty and holding back investment on the part of the business community. And so what I've said to them is, let's go. And it is possible for us to construct a package that would be balanced, would share sacrifice, would involve both parties taking on their sacred cows, would involved some meaningful changes to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid that would preserve the integrity of the programs and keep our sacred trust with our seniors, but make sure those programs were there for not just this generation but for the next generation; that it is possible for us to bring in revenues in a way that does not impede our current recovery, but is fair and balanced.

We have agreed to a series of spending cuts that will make the government leaner, meaner, more effective, more efficient, and give taxpayers a greater bang for their buck. That includes defense spending. That includes health spending. It includes some programs that I like very much, and we -- be nice to have, but that we can’t afford right now.

And if you look at this overall package, we could achieve a situation in which our deficits were at a manageable level and our debt levels were stabilized, and the economy as a whole I think would benefit from that. Moreover, I think it would give the American people enormous confidence that this town can actually do something once in a while; that we can defy the expectations that we’re always thinking in terms of short-term politics and the next election, and every once in a while we break out of that and we do what’s right for the country.

So I continue to push congressional leaders for the largest possible deal. And there's going to be resistance. There is, frankly, resistance on my side to do anything on entitlements. There is strong resistance on the Republican side to do anything on revenues. But if each side takes a maximalist position, if each side wants 100 percent of what its ideological predispositions are, then we can’t get anything done. And I think the American people want to see something done. They feel a sense of urgency, both about the breakdown in our political process and also about the situation in our economy.


----------------------

With respect to Social Security, as I indicated earlier, making changes to these programs is so difficult that this may be an opportunity for us to go ahead and do something smart that strengthens Social Security and gives not just this generation but future generations the opportunity to say this thing is going to be in there for the long haul.

Now, that may not be possible and you’re absolutely right that, as I said, Social Security is not the primary driver of our long-term deficits and debt. On the other hand, we do want to make sure that Social Security is going to be there for the next generations, and if there is a reasonable deal to be had on it, it is one that I’m willing to pursue.

Q Are there things with respect to Social Security, like raising the retirement age, means testing -- are those too big a chunk for --

THE PRESIDENT: I’m probably not going to get into the details, Sam, right now of negotiations. I might enjoy negotiating with you, but I don’t know how much juice you’ve got in the Republican caucus. (Laughter.) That’s what I figured.


-------------

I mean, the vast majority of Democrats on Capitol Hill would prefer not to have to do anything on entitlements; would prefer, frankly, not to have to do anything on some of these debt and deficit problems. And I’m sympathetic to their concerns, because they’re looking after folks who are already hurting and already vulnerable, and there are a lot of families out there and seniors who are dependant on some of these programs.

And what I’ve tried to explain to them is, number one, if you look at the numbers, then Medicare in particular will run out of money and we will not be able to sustain that program no matter how much taxes go up. I mean, it’s not an option for us to just sit by and do nothing. And if you’re a progressive who cares about the integrity of Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid, and believes that it is part of what makes our country great that we look after our seniors and we look after the most vulnerable, then we have an obligation to make sure that we make those changes that are required to make it sustainable over the long term.

And if you’re a progressive that cares about investments in Head Start and student loan programs and medical research and infrastructure, we’re not going to be able to make progress on those areas if we haven’t gotten our fiscal house in order.

So the argument I’m making to my party is, the values we care about -- making sure that everybody in this country has a shot at the American Dream and everybody is out there with the opportunity to succeed if they work hard and live a responsible life, and that government has a role to play in providing some of that opportunity through things like student loans and making sure that our roads and highways and airports are functioning, and making sure that we’re investing in research and development for the high-tech jobs of the future -- if you care about those things, then you’ve got to be interested in figuring out how do we pay for that in a responsible way.

And so, yeah, we’re going to have a sales job; this is not pleasant. It is hard to persuade people to do hard stuff that entails trimming benefits and increasing revenues. But the reason we’ve got a problem right now is people keep on avoiding hard things, and I think now is the time for us to go ahead and take it on.

WHOLE TRANSCRIPT at....
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/07/11/press-conference-president

[John Agar]

104. Thanks for posting this.

Whichever way we choose to INTERPRET these statements, we should at least be able to agree on the factual content.

[ClarkUSA]

107. The folks that sent the email are Chicken Littles who have no clue political rope-a-dope is played.

Obama supporters always had faith in President Obama's strategic goals and ability to play political poker. This is why:

In Debt Ceiling Fight, Obama Has the Edge

Working in Mr. Obama’s favor, too, is that he seems now to understand this power dynamic and how to use it... he seems to get that a president wins when he boxes in his adversaries, forcing them either to compromise on his terms or to risk the political consequences of appearing intransigent. For the past week or so, the president has relentlessly sought the mantle of maturity, casting himself as the guy seeking bold and far-reaching compromise while his opponents seek the lower ground of marginal change... to the extent that Mr. Obama gets his message across more effectively, he hands Republicans the unenviable choice or either joining him in a comprehensive solution or looking self-interested for backing away and imperiling the economy.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/12/why-obama-will-win-on-debt-ceiling-fight/?hp

For months, senior Republican lawmakers have been hammering Mr. Obama for what they have said is his refusal to confront the country’s mounting debt and entitlement crisis. They have bluntly accused him of failing to offer the country adult leadership on an issue of grave concern... Mr. Boehner declared the nation’s debt to be a “moral threat” to the country and chided the president for failing to offer a serious proposal for dealing with it. As Republicans prepared to pass a budget that included an overhaul of Medicare, Mr. Boehner vowed “real leadership” on the issue of the debt.

“We cannot continue to borrow recklessly, dig ourselves deeper into this hole and mortgage the future of our children and grandchildren,” Mr. Boehner said... “If the president won’t lead, we will,” he added. “No more kicking the can down the road, no more whistling past the graveyard — now is the time to address the serious challenges that face the American people, and we will.”

Now, Mr. Obama is seizing on those words by pushing Mr. Boehner to go even further than Republicans are prepared to go: a $4 trillion deficit reduction proposal that would be larger and more ambitious than the Republican approach... To be sure, the specifics of what Mr. Obama is proposing are far from what the Republicans want. He is insisting that the plan include tax increases in the later years of the plan that conservatives oppose. And he is refusing to accept the Republican approach to changing Medicare into a voucher-based program.... politically, the president and his aides are hoping that his willingness to embrace a comprehensive solution — and Mr. Boehner’s decision to back away from one — will turn on its head the repeated questioning of his willingness to, well, lead. In his news conference on Monday, the president noted the irony.

“I’ve been hearing from my Republican friends for quite some time that it is a moral imperative for us to tackle our debt and our deficits in a serious way,” Mr. Obama said, in what could be read as a reference to Mr. Boehner’s April speech. “And so what I’ve said to them is, ‘Let’s go.’”

Later in the news conference, Mr. Obama again appeared to call on Republicans to deliver on their own demands.

“We keep on talking about this stuff and we have these high-minded pronouncements about how we’ve got to get control of the deficit and how we owe it to our children and our grandchildren,” Mr. Obama said. “Well, let’s step up. Let’s do it.”

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/12/whos-the-real-leader-in-debt-talks/?hp

Gawd, what a President. What a hoot. :rofl:

Last but not least, here's the result of President Obama's excellent gamesmanship:

McConnell blinks? Teabagger heads explode, demand "Pontius Pilate" be burned in effigy!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=708717&mesg_id=708717

Of course, Lawrence O'Donnell's knew what was up all along:

"What you are now witnessing is the most masterful rope-a-dope ever performed by a president against an opposition party in Congress."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=708395&mesg_id=708395

Hopefully, the Chicken Littles on the left will figure it out some day.

Like my sig? :D
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=708717&mesg_id=708717

[KoKo]

108. Those links are fine...but read what he says... He's very clear.

And, as you've done yourself...what he says is spun by different pundits for different purposes.

Watch his words and then his actions. Interpret it for yourself. We will differ on our own interpretations ..but at least we aren't relying on Pundits and Campaign Operatives to tell us what to think.

[ClarkUSA]

111. Yes, he's clear about not agreeing to any deal that doesn't raise revenue.

And Mitch McConnell is clear about waving the white flag of surrender.

Guess you missed Rachel Maddow's show tonight? I encourage you to do so. She echoed my sentiments. :D

[CakeGrrl]

74. Regarding that "bogus - I mean BONUS statement":

What you failed to note in that statement about SS is the actual reason for including it in the plan: To make the adjustments to shore it up for the long term (see the text of the 2011 SOTU) rather than rebuilding political momentum to deal with it later.

Did you omit this deliberately or not hear his explanation?

[proverbialwisdom]

83. As described, that post is an email I just received from a group I support, not my own assessment.

I'm reserving judgement, personally.

Last night I watched a NJN rebroadcast of Pete Seeger's 90th birthday party at Madison Square Garden.

It brought to mind Seeger's appearance at the Obama inauguration celebration. Springsteen's moving tribute to Seeger, his reminiscences of the inauguration and his rendition of The Ghost of Tom Joad were brilliant. Wasn't Springsteen singled out for an award at the White House recently, too?

http://www.amazon.com/Pete-Seegers-90th-Birthday-Concert/dp/B002ZIVZ7W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310425503&sr=8-2

No way all the many progressive signals along the way have been fake-outs. And, BTW, ClarkUSA's photo has been the screensaver on my desktop since I saw first it. I think the public needs to roar. I think President Obama wants us to be 'a force governments cannot suppress' (Howard Zinn) in support of issues involving social justice, like protection of safety nets.

Until proven otherwise, I'm reserving judgement. MAKE THE FOCUS ISSUES, NOT INDIVIDUALS.

[KoKo]

96. See post #95 for quotes and the Official Transcript.

[stuckinarut]

60. Were you watching the same press conference I was?

Mr. Obama has fully accepted and implemented the language of "business"...

It was a truly sad event to watch, and an embarrassment to the (whats left of) the Democratic party

[okieinpain]

63. actually I'm starting to hope president obama does lose in

2012 and the repugs take charge of the congress and the white house, then maybe this place will be happy again.

[patrice]

70. People will die as a direct result of that eventuation, but hey, some DUers'll have huge buddy lists

[okieinpain]

78. I thought the worst was happening now and that it couldn't get

any more horrifying.

[dionysus]

99. lol, well played.

[Fire1]

103. I've said the same thing. It's obvious they can't stand the man.

Oh, but that's ok. The republicans will work with ANYBODY but a n@##$r. We ALL know that, so, everything will be right as rain.

[Tx4obama]

81. K & R. n/t

:kick:

[thelordofhell]

100. Have the republicans called him "uppity" yet?

I see a lot of DUer's are

[slay]

101. He talks big, and then caves - always

n/t

[ClarkUSA]

105. List all instances where you believe he done so, then tell us how YOU could have done better...

... despite Congressional obstruction from Republicans AND Blue Dog ConservaDems that President Obama has faced since Day One.

[just a poor soul]

102. if this is really the case

that we don't deal in increments, why do we not have a budget.....and have not had one for some time. just confused.

[Rhiannon12866]

112. Welcome to DU, just a poor soul!

We're dealing with a really divided Congress, just now. Hope you stick around and keep reading and asking questions... :hi: