If SS was at risk for not being funded, why would the WH give an exclusive to one network

[Ruby the Liberal]

lowly ranked network at that, with permission to leak the video 12 hours before airtime? Something of this national import to so many people - why wouldn't this have been a national media event/update?

CBS either owed the WH for something they uncovered, the WH owed CBS for a previous snub, but either way, its all just bullshit and another trial balloon.

If the US Government was going to cut off SS in 2 weeks, affecting those most vulnerable among us, would they choose CBS (?) of all outlets to make that known? Why no national presser on this massive update like happened Monday morning?

Think about it.

[CC]

1. Why not? The message got

out to those that didn't already realize that if the govt. defaulted the checks wouldn't go out. Not just SS either, but all govt. retirees (whose money do you think they have been using to put the date off), the active military,medicare payments to providers, and just about everything you can think of plus lots you can't.

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. I think you missed the point.

Contrast the methodology/message Monday (Vague/generic comments about lack of cooperation to the national press corps) to the methodology/message today (Specific comments on promise-of-payment Aug 3+ to ONE network outlet).

?

[jaxx]

7. The guy asked the question and got an answer.

It wasn't like PBO just put it out there.

[Ruby the Liberal]

10. You honestly think the WH is so careless as to control information at a national presser

on Monday but let it all hang out with "what newspapers do you read 'gotcha' ah-hoc questions" on Tuesday morning?

At this point in negotiation?

[Roselma]

2. SS is not at risk.

Checks for beneficiaries may not go out in August depending upon how much money is in the government's coffers if the debt ceiling is not raised. Obama was asked a question by Pelley and answered it.

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. I think you missed the point as well.

Sorry for not being more clear on the nuance between yesterday's and today's messages and delivery.

[alcibiades_mystery]

5. Stop fumbling around in the dark for something to be pissed about

We won this round.

Keep pushing.

And don't tell me I missed the point. We all got your point. It's just not a very good point.

[Ruby the Liberal]

8. Ok, so riddle me this

If he was serious about cutting off SS - why would he call a national presser Monday to talk generalities about the discussions but follow with a CBS exclusive taped Tuesday AM for something of this specificity and import?

The Medicare 67 thing wasn't even floated until late afternoon Monday and it was an "anonymous source(s)".

Please do explain how this defines me as "looking for something to be pissed about" as opposed to trying to shoot holes in the "he's gonna screw us" meme that is floating here tonight and freaking people out.

I'm listening.

[pnwmom]

6. Of course it's at risk. We will only have funds to cover 55% of the budget

when we reach the debt limit. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SSI and unemployment benefits are a huge part of the budget. It's impossible to imagine them not being impacted.

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. SS/Medicare/Medicaid are not part of the budget and not part of any surplus/deficit

Unemployment is, but they are not. They are self funded, separate accounts from the general account and running a surplus.

I need to have this thread deleted and start over me thinks. 4 of 4 missed the whole media/methodology/timing who/what/when theme? What did I miss? Where/how?

[Divine Discontent]

11. maybe the positives outweigh the negatives, but the first I see of this story is on local news & it

starts the late news with "Pres. Obama warns that tens of millions of SS checks may not go out!", not sure how that helps him, but whatever. This whole "budget crisis" BS has been a disaster.