President Obama on Friday kept up the pressure on Republicans to agree to revenue increases in a deal to raise the debt ceiling, claiming 80 percent of the public supports Democrats’ demand for tax increases.
“The American people are sold,” Obama said. “The problem is members of Congress are dug in ideologically.”
Throughout the press conference, Obama blasted Republicans for ignoring what he said is the will of the American people by rejecting tax increases that would balance out spending cuts in a debt package.
“This is not an issue of salesmanship to the American people,” Obama said.
“I hope [Republicans are] not just listening to lobbyists and special interests … I hope they’re listening to the American people as well,” Obama said, citing “poll after poll” showing Republican voters, as well as Democrats, believe in taking “a balanced approach” — including both increased revenues and spending cuts in a plan to cut the deficit.
Obama repeated his warning that the country is “running out of time” to avert a financial “Armageddon.”
“We should not even be this close on a deadline,” Obama said. “This is something we should have accomplished earlier.”
The president’s press conference came the day after he wrapped up debt-ceiling negotiations at the White House and gave congressional leaders 24 to 36 hours to consult with members on a possible compromise. Obama is pushing for a sweeping package that would save $4 trillion over 10 years.
Obama said he is still pushing for a “big” deal to raise the debt ceiling by the Aug. 2 deadline despite the hardening of positions on Capitol Hill.
“I always have hope,” Obama said. “Don’t you remember my campaign?”
The president signaled he is opposed to the “Cut, Cap and Balance” proposal that House Republicans coalesced around Friday morning, and he challenged the GOP to “be ambitious” in proposing a package to cut the deficit.
“If they show me a serious plan, I’m ready to move, even if it requires some tough sacrifices on my part,” Obama said.
(Source: The Hill)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
12 Responses
With all due respect for the office of the Presidency:
Obama is a liar!
“Just 34% think a tax hike should be included in any legislation to raise the debt ceiling. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% disagree and say it should not.”
Also his statement about not being able to send out S.S. checks was also a lie. S.S. is totally separate and independent and won’t be affected.
Social Security funds are primarily invested in US debt, at some point they would be affected by a default.
All these surveys are useless if you ask on the phone “Do you want to raise the debt limit?” most say “No.”, if you ask “Do you want the country to default?” most say “No”.
Americans want less taxes and about the same level of government services as they are getting.
These constant news conferences the president is putting on is a good tactic on the presidents part. His point of view is getting much more attention. He is winning. The Republicans should cut their losses and agree to the next halfway decent deal the president offers.
Let’s accept for a moment that every statement were true and ask ourselves the following question. Where would the new “revenue” be coming from? The President has already said it would come from the “CEO’s and private plane owners.” I presume they don’t make up more than 20% of the population. At least a small percent of the remaining 80% would certainly prefer the status quo of welfare instead of workfare. The remaining individuals are not affected; they only gain without losing. That is at the crux of the entire stalemate. Do we pump more money into the economy by cutting spending and not raising taxes or do we provide relief at the expense of growth (and therefore employment) by leaving the planes in the air?
Our Prez claims: “The American people are sold,”
It would be more accurate to state: “America, as well as its citizens have been over-mortgaged beyond foreseeable future.”
Prez, wake up! We, as a country, and as individuals are broke.
What’s this guy smoking?
WHAT A LIAR!!
I want to see the 80% he is talking about! I would bet after CharlieHall and YonasanW plus a few others on this site, he couldn’t find another 70 people who want higher taxes and more regulations.
We could ‘punish’ those rotten rich people by confiscating all their money (isnt that what the left REALLY wants?!?) and there still wouldnt be enough money to pay off all this liar’s handouts!
We are Taxed Enough Already and its time to CUT SPENDING and get rid of this liar!
well, I don’t know what planet this guy is coming form, but I sure wish he would go back to it! He is such a stupendous liar!
1. So why doesn’t he do a fund raiser and people can send in their checks.
2. Seems like a good election issue – Vote for me for more taxes? No need for gimmicks, personal attacks – a clean debate on the issues.
3. Perhaps the truth is that most American favor taxes (on somebody else) as an alternative to lowering services (that they receive).
And the other 20% are normal……….
Sure. 80% of Americans want higher taxes for someone else. I bet that 100% of Americans do. Just 80% realistically believe that it will be someone else who gets the higher taxes.
In my mind, there are three groups of voters on this issue. There are liberals who believe in wealth redistribution. There are conservatives who don’t. And there are people who are getting the money, who just want more money given to them.
So really, when you subtract the people on the public dole (anyone who receives more in benefits than he contributes), the conservatives outnumber the liberals by 10-1.
He is out of his arrogant mind.
obama is a liar A COMPULSIVE LIAR. I heard how he claim his mother when she was dying from cancer was fighting the insurance companies for them to pay for treatment. It was a total lie. She came back to Hawaii since in Indonesia they said it was an appendix which they took out.She was fighting
to get benefits to pay for her housing; not connected with her health insurance. he lies so much he does not any longer know the truth