President Obama DID NOT WANT a clean debt ceiling hike, with no cuts.

[Better Believe It]

He DID NOT WANT a clean debt ceiling hike, with no cuts.

He said that clearly in his Press Conferences, including as recently as July 22 when he announced Boehner had walked away from the talks.

Obama: "At minimum, we’ve got to increase the debt ceiling. At minimum. I think we need to do more than that. . . Well, I think I’ve been consistently saying here in this press room and everywhere that it is very important for us to raise the debt ceiling. We don’t have an option on that. So if that’s the best that Congress can do, then I will sign a extension of the debt ceiling that takes us through 2013. I don’t think that’s enough. I think we should do more. That’s the bare minimum; that’s the floor of what the American people expect us to do. So I’d like to see us do more".

http://ggdrafts.blogspot.com/2011/08/email-to-john-cole.html

Obama: "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.

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

[pnwmom]

1. How soon we forget. He asked for one in April, and he was rejected.

So he didn't ask again.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/politicolive/0411/GOP_rules_out_clean_debt_ceiling_bill.html

“The president says I want you to send me a clean bill,” Boehner said. “Well guess what, Mr. President, not a chance you’re going to get a clean bill.”

“There will not be an increase in the debt limit without something really, really big attached to it,” he continued in a clip of his remarks at a fundraiser that was played during “Face the Nation.”

[Better Believe It]

3. Was he politely asking or demanding like some tough leader?

[pnwmom]

6. Like "demanding" would have mattered to Boehner.

[emulatorloo]

11. You can't deny facts because they don't fit your narrative. Especially the fact of the 2010 electio

Results.

We would not be in this mess to begin with if that election had come out differently.

[Better Believe It]

16. If Obama had presented a real plan to end the depression Democrats would have won the 2010 election.

But President Obama is opposed to government created WPA type jobs programs and doesn't think it's the responsiblity of government to fight unemployment. He thinks the so-called "free market" should/will take care of that.

And haven't they done just a wonderful job so far?

[Capn Sunshine]

35. Everything you just stated as fact is complete falsehood

Obama is NOT opposed to WPA type work programs. He DOES think it's the responsibility of Government to fight unemployment. He does NOT think that the "Free Market" anything will take care of anything.

He's created more jobs in his term than all eight years ofthe Bush regency.

But you wouldn't know that to read your take on things.

Sorry, I know it's pointless to argue. But you are clearly wrong.

Unless you can provide quotes that don't fit your bendy world interpretation.

[a2liberal]

40. Here you go

http://liberalvaluesblog.com/2008/06/10/quote-of-the-day-obama-is-a-free-market-guy/
"Look. I am a pro-growth, free market guy. I love the market. I think it is the best invention to allocate resources and produce enormous prosperity for America or the world that’s ever been designed."

http://www.allmoneynews.com/obama-on-job-creation-thats-the-role-of-the-private-sector/85530/
"Government is not, and should not be, the main engine of job-creation in this country, that’s the role of the private sector”

He's made the point even more emphatically before, rejecting the idea that WPA-style programs are a good idea, but I can't find the quote right now. Heck, he claims to admire Reagan. But go ahead and keep believing what you want. I don't really care, I've given up trying to convince those like you. (Plus I need to be careful about how far I go to avoid being called a troll and TSed....)

[Capn Sunshine]

62. square pegs, round holes

you completely remove the context of these statements. Obama goes on to state that beyond the free market, it needs to be REGULATED. To keep things in balance. To not permit the pirates to loot the system.

And he didn't say that government should not create jobs, just tha it's a private sector thing ultimately.

But forget it, Jake, its DU.

[Rageneau]

19. The election would have come out differentl if Obama had come to work!

For three long months, BartCop SCREAMED at Obama to PLEASE use the presidential podium to argue back against the Tea Partiers. But, no -- he just sat there like a self-satisfied toad.

Only when there were mere days left until the election did Obama finally realize how much trouble he was in. At that point, he frantically tried to catch up. But by then it was too little and waaaay too late.

If the Democratic Party had listened to Bartcop, we (and America) would by now be enjoying our 18th straight year of a Democrat in the White House. 8 years of Clinton, 8 of Gore, and 2 (heading for 8) of Obama.

[Ignis]

36. +1, it's just that simple.

[cstanleytech]

31. How he might have asked is immaterial

because congress is firmly in the grasp of the republicans so for now he has little choice when it comes to passing any bill but to try and reach the best compromise that he could with them, could he have just used the 14th has some have argued? Maybe but maybe not and so far I havent read of any prior sitting president having done so before.

[FiveGoodMen]

33. "congress is firmly in the grasp of the republicans"

So is the White House.

[cstanleytech]

38. Then maybe you should have voted for Palin if your so disappointed with Obama.

[FiveGoodMen]

41. Same stupid fucking answer time after time

"I suppose if you didn't like being crucified you should have chosen being burned alive. Some people are just NEVER happy!"

Grow up.

[cstanleytech]

47. My apologies

its just I am tired of people acting like children griping and whining about obama for one reason or another.

[FiveGoodMen]

48. I don't think it's childish to oppose the dismantling of our safety net and our democracy

by the man we elected to help us.

[cstanleytech]

49. Are you refering to SS and medicare? Last time I checked they were still there.

[FiveGoodMen]

50. SuperCongress.

[cstanleytech]

51. From what I read any cuts to SS or medicare as far as that group 12 goes is

supposed to be off the table unless they cant agree on what to cut in which case there are across the board cuts to everything equally, that doesnt even come close to supporting your claim of him trying to dismantle the programs.
Now as for the so called "supercongress" I think its hoped that it will make it so the gridlock that occurred because of the extremist wont happen again and assuming only experienced people who know how to work together and compromise are on it then they just might succeed in coming up with a plan most of us can tolerate.

[FiveGoodMen]

53. “How many times do you have to get hit over the head before you figure out who’s hitting you?”

-- Harry Truman

These guys have back-pedaled on every promise, but you're sure it'll be okay this time.

[cstanleytech]

54. Just about everyone here has backpedaled in life I am willing to bet, are you going

to claim you havent?

[FiveGoodMen]

55. Tell me the relevance of your question

I'm discussing the future of our democracy and you're playing 'Duck Season/Rabbit Season'.

And you're taking Daffy's part.

[cstanleytech]

57. The point is that every politician

and I mean every single one has probably had to backpedaled on something while in office or had to change their plans when some new bump in the road and imo its asinine for some people to get a stick up their butts when obama does it now.

[FiveGoodMen]

58. Kind of pointless to elect leaders if they don't indent to do ANYTHING their base wants

or their country needs.

[cstanleytech]

59. Incase you missed it though the base

for a politician isnt always right, take the republican base for example. they have some truly wacked out ideas.

[FiveGoodMen]

60. Are you calling Obama's base (e.g. DU) wacked out?

Are WE wrong about everything?

[cstanleytech]

61. Nope.

[midnight]

56. I follow and agree with your concern over the dismantling

of our system that works for the working people... It appears that the IMF has their foot solders telling us other wise....

[cstanleytech]

63. So you believe congres worked well regarding the raising of the debt ceiling?

It's odd because I dont recall it working out to well myself.

[hfojvt]

13. sorta proves the point of the OP though

If you really want something, you don't just ask for it once.

[russspeakeasy]

27. I have fired better salesmen then him for not asking for the order..

:hide: :woohoo:

[treestar]

45. Is that going to work in this environment?

Supposedly the Presidency is a "bully pulpit" too, so how many times should such a powerful being have to ask?

This is not sales.

Everyone thinks their job experience is good enough to compare to what a President should do.

Yet it likely does not apply.

[LiberalAndProud]

23. In April he asked for 4 trillion in cuts.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/42573204/Obama_Proposes_Cutting_Deficit_By_4_Trillion_Over_12_Years


I think it is difficult to argue that President Obama settled for less than he wanted, given the sequence of the negotiations. It seems to me that what he got is very close to what he did want. He also said he will refuse to renew Bush era tax cuts. We shall see. I am skeptical.

The unemployment benefits that we purchased in December by extending those cuts have expired with this debt ceiling deal. It seems to me that the short-term delay came at a very high price, as does this debt ceiling deal. The Republicans declare victory, the Democrats lick their wounds. Our party appears ineffectual, again and still.

I want to see some good here. I don't. What's more, I don't think there is one damned thing I could have done to change any of it. Powerlessness saps my energy. Hopelessness saps my strength. Bitter harvest, this change. And from this platform we launch our campaign for 2012.

Bah humbug.

[Jakes Progress]

30. Oh well. That's different. If boehner says no, then of course the president must give up.

Of if we had had an experienced person in the office, or even one who would hire advisors that were no busy all the time protecting corporations and banks, then that president would have at least tied his last big cave-in (tax cuts for the rich) with a deal, to raise the debt limit. Oh yeah. Who could have foreseen this coming. Wasn't that the line that bushie used about his screw-ups?

[msongs]

2. he is on the record as stating debt ceiling increases are a sign of bad government, oh well nt

[joshcryer]

4. He did not want the Republicans to be able to use the debt issue during the campaign.

And now they won't be able to because they're forced to vote on it either way.

[DURHAM D]

5. Right - so they can use the budget issues. brilliant

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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

[emulatorloo]

10. Your anger would be better aimed at TeaBaggers and their enablers in the House

Or the voters who put those people in in 2010 elections.

[DURHAM D]

8. Operative word in first sentence of last paragraph "meaner"

[Leopolds Ghost]

9. Note the lie in his statement. The defense spending cuts only kick in as a poison pill if Congress

votes down the proposed changes to Social Security Medicare and Medicaid.

Rest assured these changes will include mandatory individual private accounts for anyone eligible to afford them.

[truedelphi]

32. Thank you for attempting to

Graciously pull the wool off people's eyes.

I guess some people prefer to be snookered.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

12. no shit....have you noticed the deficits and trajectory? He'd be

incompetant if he didn't try to do something to curb the deficits and debt.

[truedelphi]

18. Well, if he was all that concerned about deficits,

He would not have ever had the arrogance to offer up the Bush tax cut extensions to the Republicans. Where the hell did he think those trillions of dollars were going to be made up?

What was especially annoying about his trillions of dollars of December giveaways was how he apparently forgot his mantra - you know the one he used again and again in the summer of 2009, regarding the Health Care Reform.

Back then, he was all about "I just can't intervene in the discussion about the health care reform efforts on account of how the Constitution mandates a separation of powers - the executive branches, the judicial and the legislative are separate, and I cannot overstep the boundaries to interject what I may want."

But he had no problem with overstepping those same boundaries last December.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. I know. I was immensely disappointed too!

I would love to see what he could have done, had he had a bank account with money in it.

But, few economists would recommend raising taxes in a recession.

I think the problem is he is not an ideologue. Despite the fact that we want him to be.

He is a realist. He probably wants to do the things we want him to...but he skips ahead
to the outcome. He doesn't waste his time saying, "the debt ceiling HAS to be raised and
a plan HAS to include revenues." Because, in his mind, he has gone thru every iteration
of outcomes and looks at the numbers dispassionately and says they don't add up, it won't
fly with the crazy House.

I look at him as a dispassionate realist who lacks the bleeding heart liberal fire that
we have. We all, in our own minds, tried to believe he was one of us....but he isn't.
BUT...that doesn't mean he isn't for the same things we are.

[truedelphi]

25. I admire your optimism.

And I mean that sincerely, not in a snarky way.

But cynic that I am, I pretty much think this explains the man currently in the White House:

George Seldes, who was a Chicago Tribune correspondant during the late Nineteen teens and up until 1929 relates the following conversation that he had with Dorothy Thompson -another news reporter and the wife of Sinclair Lewis:

Thompson told Seldes in 1935 that while en route by ocean liner from France to NYC that Mr Harry F. Sinclair, a Big Money Guy, took her away from the table where they were eating to talk privately with her. (In some history books, his involvement with the Teapot Dome scandal is recounted.)

"See those folks at the table who were eating with us?" Sinclair asks Thompson?

"Yes," answers Dorothy.

"Well, all of us are the men who decide who gets nominated to run for the Presidency and who gets to win that office."

Among those he meant was an important associate of the Gianini family, who established Bank of America.

"We give money on both sides of the aisle, so that no matter what, one of our people is always in a place to do our bidding."

"But what about FDR?" asked Dorothy. She had a feeling FDR was not doing what these Big Money Boys wanted to have come down the pike.

"Our support for him was a major misjudgement on our part. We saw to it that he had money and of course, we fully expected for him to say the sort of things that he always said. We just didn't expect him to act on those statements."

Sinclair went on to state that the Inner Circle of Power Brokers was attempting to raise some five to twenty million to defeat FDR in 1936.

But the voting machinery was still non-hackable back in that era. And FDR had millions upon millions of everyday people to vote him back in.

Obama campaigned as a progressive in October of 2008. He made statements that only a progressive would make. But he tipped his hand to everyone when he told "Sixty Minutes" the last Sunday in Nov of 2008 that he thought that Paulson was doing a good job.

The Big Money/Inner Circle of thhe Elite supported this man, and he has been true to them. He appointed Geithner to head the Treasury, whereas a Progressive would have avoided Geithner like the plague. On account of Bernie Sanders, we have audited the Federal Reserve, and found out that Paulson/Bernanke have "slipped" the Big Financial Players some nine to thirty trillion dollars.

But hey, when you know you can take people's Social Security away from them, what the heck difference does it make?


Obama also appointed Mike Taylor to head the FDA, and Taylor, a Monsanto clone, is the man responsible for altering science with his "doctrine" that GM foods are, simply because he said they are, substantially equivalent to conventional food.

And what can the average voter do about it? We sure as heck cannot vote for Newt Gingrich or Donald Trump or Bachman or Palin...

[LiberalAndProud]

24. Jobs.

JOBS

The longer we continue with high unemployment, the longer the trajectory. Put Americans back to work, and the trajectory moves in a new direction. Spending cuts won't accomplish that. Can't. Will not.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

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

[WinkyDink]

15. IMHO, no true Democrat would call our defining accomplishments "sacred cows," a pejorative term.

World English Dictionary
sacred cow

— n
informal a person, institution, custom, etc, unreasonably held to be beyond criticism

[truedelphi]

26. You got that right! n/t

[mochajava666]

46. It shows Obama's contempt for the left

I sincerely think that he hates liberals, but is not as antagonistic towards tea-baggers.

[truedelphi]

17. In July, Tinyrevolution.com has posted entries showing how Obama

Has embraced the notion of Social Security and MediCare Reforms way back in early 2009.

His use of the term "shared sacrifice" makes me gag.

Nancy Pelosi using the expression "The American people want a bipartisan effort," afects me the same way.

No, Nancy, I don't wanna have any of your stinking bipartisanship efforts, any more than I wanna be a day laborer on your stinking vineyard.

[AlabamaLibrul]

20. Fuck Ralph Nader.. nt

[Laura PourMeADrink]

22. election 2000 nt

[City Lights]

29. You first. eom

[Myrina]

28. " ...cuts that will make the government ... meaner ..."

... that you did, sir. Thanks for showing us your true colors. They're very obviously not Democratic/Liberal Blue.

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

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

[Marnie]

37. Yes he did on several occasions interspersed with his

orgasmic lust for the "Grand Bargain."

But he did on more than one occasion say that Congress should just send him a clean bill.

Well he got his "Grand Bargain." I wonder how history will judge which was grander, a clean bill or a steaming pile of convoluted crap that harms everybody but the rich.

Anybody want to hold another straw poll that Obama is the greatest President in American History, bar none?
The Republicans have turned him inside out so many times I have lost county.

[Atypical Liberal]

39. Talk is cheap.

Where's the veto pen?

[snooper2]

42. We are still waiting on your new record dude, you promised in January

it's August now..

Get off your ass and on the ball

[saras]

43. Well, at least he's honest about wanting a meaner government, as he's sure been implementing it

[Stinky The Clown]

44. B-b-b-b-but but but but but but

That's not how I read it here!

[proud patriot]

52. B.S.

IMO