Sen. Franken’s Statement on the Debt Ceiling Compromise

[ProSense]

Sen. Franken’s Statement on the Debt Ceiling Compromise

Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) issued the following statement about his position on the debt ceiling compromise:

“As I have said all along, the consequences of failing to raise the debt ceiling and defaulting on our debt would be disastrous to all Minnesotans. Unfortunately, in a game of chicken, the player most concerned about protecting the full faith and credit of the United States is put in the most difficult position.

“As a result, the deal that has been struck is not balanced, as I would have preferred. It does achieve the laudable goal of reducing the deficit, but does so with only cuts, even though a significant majority of Americans, including a majority of Republicans, favor closing loopholes for corporations and tax increases on the wealthiest Americans to make sure everyone is paying their fair share.

“Nevertheless, I will vote for this package, because defaulting would have grave economic consequences for my Minnesota constituents. The deal does protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. And it will erase some of the uncertainty confronting businesses and the markets.

“I hope now we can get back to our job, which is to facilitate the growth of our economy and create jobs by investing in innovation, in our infrastructure and workforce, and by making sure our children get a world-class education so they are prepared for a 21st century economy.”

[CakeGrrl]

1. Another affirmation that SS/Medicare are protected. K/R

[TheWraith]

2. Al is a smart man who knows the best deal available when he sees it.

Kicked and recommended.

[MsKandice01]

3. Great line...

"Unfortunately, in a game of chicken, the player most concerned about protecting the full faith and credit of the United States is put in the most difficult position."

Exactly. The Tea Baggers were ready to drive this country into a cliff. They weren't coming to the table with the goal of compromising to get the debt ceiling lifted, so unfortunately, we had to take a bigger hit.

[polmaven]

4. Better watch out, Al!

the train is on the track and that bus is about to push you under it.

[politicasista]

18. +1 n/t

[boxman15]

5. Sums up how I feel perfectly. nt

[Phx_Dem]

6. Spoken like an adult who knows that defaulting would be a disaster

and you don't always get everything you want. Neither party got everything they wanted.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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

[Tarheel_Dem]

8. Al better watch out for those tire tracks. "Compromise" = "Caving". Didn't he get the memo?

:shrug:

[Kind of Blue]

9. KnR for sense and sensibility n/t

[daa]

10. Is he filibustering or just talking?

Obama can't even get nominees confirmed because the repugs filibuster everyone.

[Vicar In A Tutu]

11. Not all that different to what Obama has been saying.

What a far-right Republican sell-out Franken is. I knew that was the case ever since I saw him walk past a picture of Ronald Reagan once.

[DCBob]

12. exactly how I feel.

thank you Senator Franken.

[sundancekid]

13. it started waaaaaay back with Scott Brown - yea, and some folks ...

thought they could/should stay home ... I will never deny anyone's wish to vote their conscience, BUT can we get a grip on the fact that, indeed, elections have consequences??? So many of my MA friends only NOW get the meaning of losing that 60th vote in the Senate - how did we like that filibuster thing???? We gave the repigs the ammunition ... but then was then and now is now - maybe we won't have a mindless result in 2012. It is a lot easier to respect BOTH conscience and basic civics knowledge. Al Franken gets it that by now the deck was stacked ... so, good on you, Franken!

[Wait Wut]

14. I always knew Franken was really a Republican!!!

And, he's out to kill SS and Medicare!

:sarcasm:

[Tennessee Gal]

15. I like Al!

[Guilded Lilly]

16. I trust Al Franken. Tomorrow is another day...oh wait that was Scarlet O'Hara, but

she was pretty damn kick ass, too :)

[Mimosa]

17. ProSense, Franken obviously doesn't LIKE it.

He's saying he'll vote for it because there's no alternative. Hardly a commendation.

We're screwed.

[RBInMaine]

19. Turncoat ! Turncoat ! Turncoat ! Call the purity police ! Franken is really a Republican !!!!

[Mimosa]

20. Nobody thinks that.

Why get all emotional?

[RBInMaine]

21. Oh, so it's fine to CONSTANTLY bash Obama but then not Franken? Hmmm. Double standards going on??

[CakeGrrl]

24. See post #25. Double standards are set for "good" Democrats/Progressives.

[RBInMaine]

25. Oh hell ya. Remember, Kucinich and Sanders supported the health bill. But are they "turncoats"?

Hell no in the eyes of the purists. You could nitpick out many other "turncoat" votes that "good Dems/Progressives" have cast, and they get excused away. But Obama, who is president of ALL the people is bashed and called a "Republican" because he has to try and work with the chips he was given. It is disgusting purist nonsense. They need to get real, grow up, and take a civics class.

[zipplewrath]

22. Obama got out maneuvered

Reid did as well.
Franken had no choice but to vote for this.
Obama failed to accomplish anything here and has set up the stage for the NEXT loss as well.

[RBInMaine]

23. Oh bullshit. Give the purist nonsense a rest will ya.

[RBInMaine]

26. LOL. Take a civics class. Franken "had no choice". WTF ?? You win the double standard prize.

Fine to bash Obama, but if any of the "good Dems" like Franken or Leahy or even Kucinich or Sanders cast a non-purist vote, all is forgiven and explained away with SHIT like "he had no choice." What HOGSHIT ! Stop the double standards. Actual GOVERNING requires some compromise. Period. End of story. Take a history lesson and a civics class and get it figured out.

[Jakes Progress]

27. Some here just love posting about a man who sells his principle

for expedience. I feel for poor Al. I think his soul died a little today. I bet he feels like shit. All because our president can't do his job.

That you take such joy in his pain and his bitter disappointment is very telling.

[stklurker]

28. tired of this

When will people take a civics lesson and learn the president does not get to AUTHOR bills.. that came from Congress.. Al is in Congress.. he KNEW that this was the best he was going to get in the timeframe, and quite honestly with the environment the last week this turned out better than I had expected... is it perfect, far from it... If we would have turned down a deal that increased the debt limit, and didnt touch entitlements at this hour I think public sentiment would have turned badly against us and it would have been a bloodbath in 2012.

[Jakes Progress]

30. Whatever gets you through the night.

[CakeGrrl]

29. This was NOT the President's job to do.

WTF is wrong with people? Anger is taking its toll.

The President is now responsible for forcing these poor hapless noble Democrats into losing their souls a little.

He's the damn DEBBIL!




What utter bullshit dramatic doomsday nonsense.

[Jakes Progress]

31. Besides looking hot in a bathing suit

I don't think you think anything is his job.

But go ahead and celebrate. Just know what you are celebrating. And try to remember it in about a year.

We lost. We got beaten. Unless this kind of republican dream bill is what you wanted.