"This may bring down my presidency" - Obama

[fascisthunter]

I think he was referring to the left not helping to re-elect him for making concessions to meddle with SS, etc....

[gateley]

1. He didn't make any concessions, did he? Pelosi said there would

be nothing to affect recipients, and she's been firm on that all along. How long ago did he say this? It was my sense he agreed to no cuts, COTI, etc., but that's just an assumption on my part.

[fascisthunter]

3. no, I think he was mulling the possibility he would need to make cuts

and I think that is why he said what he did.

[gateley]

7. Someone (on the radio) presented it as hurting some for

the greater good (I'm paraphrasing, it was stated more eloquently and compassionately, but that was the gist of it). I honestly don't know what I'd do in his place. You realize how devastating it would be for the country if we default, but you know you won't get the votes you need unless you whittle away at some sacred cows.

I'm just hoping they can reach an agreement w/no fiddling with SS/Medicare/Medicaid.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. All he has to do is get tough and defend the people, rather than kowtow to the rich

This isn't a garden party. People's lives are at stake here.

[fascisthunter]

4. exactly... I believe the middle class and poor have sacrificed enough

this political football could mean death for many. People just do not want to get this.

Well, we'll see soon. I need to take a break from all of this.

[Angry Dragon]

6. +1000

[Marr]

5. I believe he was referring to the GOP attempt to slip out the back door with

McConnel's plan. The Republicans wanted to turn it into something they could play politics with every few months, placing the blame for spending cuts on Obama and the Democrats alone. Obama was insisting on making his 'grand bargain', with the whole political establishment sharing in the public anger at cutting social programs.