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AP
House Speaker John Boehner, right, accompanied by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, today.
From NBC’s Luke Russert and Domenico Montanaro
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) gave mixed messages after his meeting at the White House on whether both sides were closer or not to an agreement.
On the one hand, Boehner said:
"This is an important step that we face today in order to get real cuts, the White House is proposing cuts far beyond things that we would have imagined so we want to get an agreement and we want to keep the government open."
But, on the other:
"They'd like to insist $33 billion is the top number. That is not acceptable; we will continue to fight for the largest cuts possible and policy riders."
Boehner said it was a “good discussion” at the White House , but “there was no agreement reached” and “conversations will continue.”
“We've made clear that we are fighting for the largest spending cuts possible, real spending cuts here,” he continued. “No smoke and mirrors. We it clear that there was never an agreement at $33 billion dollars and that we are going to continue again the largest cuts possible. We aren't going to allow the Senate or the White House to put us in a box with two bad options."
It’s not clear what the smoke or the mirrors are. But $33 billion would be the largest cut in history, according to the Washington Post. (The libertarian-leaning think-tank The Cato Institute disagrees with that.)
*** UPDATE *** Boehner spokesman Michael Steel sends along this response: “Boehner was simply saying that the Democrats who run Washington are pushing ‘smoke and mirrors’ budget gimmicks beyond anything we would imagine supporting.”
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I listened to that train wreck of a press conference earlier...
What stood out for me, was the glaring difference between Boehner & President Obama's ability to cognitively answer the questions that were posed to them.
The Weeper of the House made sure to repeat the talking points early & often!
PS: Tell Harry to lock up the liquor cabinet - Boehner appears to have already been over-served! lol
Boehner is all dressed up and ready to go...to his favorite watering hole. His right hand man, Cantor is eagerly awaiting John's demise so he can lead the country over the cliff. This is clearly a battle the Tea Party will lose because they will be blamed for the shutdown.
Teapublicans would rather use their political capital on $30 billion instead of using it on what is truly important to the American people . . . . Economy & Jobs!
And no, that $30 billion in cuts does nothing for either.
President Obama has no message whatsoever on the our nation's debt crisis...mixed, or otherwise.
The republicans should be blamed Nobody gets everything they want, they need to compromise, I still think it is too much.
Ron,
So you are pretty much admitting this is Reid's and Obama's plan.
Obama and Reid care more about politics, making the Repubs look bad than fixing any problems. Pathetic.
May fool the useful idiots, Ron, but my guess is that it won't fool the majority of the American public. This is not 1994 and things are only getting worse the more Obama fails to act like a President.
Still waiting on the Obama/Democrats plan to reduce the deficit/debt of the country.
Or is it that Obama and the Democrats don't think it's any kind of a problem? Kind of a 'Lets just ignore it, it will just go away' kind of a thing. If so, are they in for a really big surprise during next years elections.
The country is running deficits around $1.5 trillion/year. "Compromising", to say half that amount, $750 billion, really isn't solving any kind of a problem.
Dennis,
Kinda funny that all that trillion Obama spent, everything else he tried - nothing worked, didn't budge the unemployment.
Obama gets trapped by his budget mess last year and has to go along with extending the tax rates. That combined with the election slap down provided the private sector with hope that there was at least a truce with Obama's war on business growth and capital formation. Business knew what their taxes were, that there would be a check on spending and regulation - and Abracadabra - a little growth and drop in the unemployment number.
What is so funny is that if Obama would similarly meet the Repubs half way by cutting some off the budget, open up drilling, stop subsidies for biofuels ........ jobs would grow and the economy might improve (his trashing of the dollar maybe a problem but he can bs his way out of that).
Obama would be very difficult to beat in 2012. People like him, (for whatever reason - they just hate his policies.)
Too bad he is such an inflexible ideologue, huh?
The President has a great message. However, the Tea Baggers just don't listen well.
Hey Fiesty---- Be careful! Accusations like that make you look like a fool. It would be like me saying you just crawled out of the Lynfred Winery.That would not be too responsible and stupid. You just Never have an intelligent comment it's always name calling and making fun of people. I'm a leftie from Chicago, union guy who built one of the condos in Roselle by Obama stinks. No guts No Ideas and hasn't kept one campaign promise.
Well, color me 'impressed' NOT! lol
And I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with the Obama 'stinks' area of Roselle... but hey, if you say so!
Perhaps some of you didn't read the article. The President's plan is $33 billion in cuts. The Republicans refuse to compromise at all. On the cuts or what programs are cut. Obama has met them more than halfway on other proposals. It's now their turn to compromise.
I'm sorry Feisty I inserted that sentence in the wrong spot perfect I'm not. I like you Feisty but you NEVER see that the Dems could be wrong that's where you and I differ. You seem to think just calling names and blaming Bush is good sound policy I don't. I think your heart is in the right place I just don't think you are honest with yourself. Obama/Pelosi have done almost nothing good!Unemployment is still out of control, he didn't cut the deficit in half like promised, Gitmo still open, a very unpopular healthcare bill,gas price steadily on the incline we didn't get out of Iraq in first 6 mos.,increased troops in Afgahn.,we are in another war in middle east, bombing Pak. Where is the good stuff. We are somewhat on the same side I guess we wont agree but have a nice evening anyway !
NO need for apologies... All I can say is you must not follow me to closely, or you would know I have NO problem serving up a healthy helping of criticism against Democrats when warrented.
They are far from perfect, but when I look at what the alternative is, it scares the hell out of me!
I do appreciate your reasonable response, and look forward to more debates with you in the future!
You have a nice evening as well! ;o)
Thanks Feisty I look forward to a Good debate. I really just want the best for the U.S. I have followed your posts I will do so more closely though. I'am who I'am but I will turn on my party if it seems they are'nt working with the best intentions of the country and constitution. I 'am a FIRM believer in the constitution it was well written and well thought out for then, now and the future. The framers were brilliant to make a document as such that holds up today.
I am afraid deep cuts will threaten our economic recovery.
You're afraid of global warming, Amy.
The looming U.S. sovereign debt crisis will get you first, darlin'.
I am afraid the children of today, who are the taxpayers of tomorrow, will not be able to afford the current irresponsible spending habits of our government.
People that don't want the government to cut its outragous spending are the ones concerned about losing their freebies.
ok if the dems are giving up 33 bil of their programs, what are the repubs giving up? How about those tax breaks for the top 1%. That is sure to free up over 30 bil!!!!!
The CBO as well as right and left economists produced reports that said deep cuts at this time will cost 700,000 jobs--"so be it" said Boehner. When one party only cares about winning, it simply doesn't care who or how many are hurt in the process.
JoAnnaSmith1
Half of all Medicare recepients are children.
No need to worry Joanna Smith1. There's a good chance that natural selection would eliminate the idiots, trailer trash and the repulsive Baggas (and their offspring) sufficiently enough to reduce discretionary spending on their behalf. Stupidity of that magnitude generally trends towards shortened life span. Then we won't have to worry about treatments for the tpyical ailments that plague that population, oh like, mental health, education, war-mongering, education, etc.
JoAnnaSmith1
Children represent half of all Medicaid enrollees. (Not Medicare, my bad.)
That's what the teathugs are counting on. They have nothing to offer so they try to sabatoge the economy.
Hey Mad CT ------ I wish you keep the idiotic comments to yourself you are a poor representative of the left. Let the right be the idiots wecan be the better party but we need to purge the leaders of our party et. Obama Reed Pelosi they are BAD FOR our future
No such luck Time...First, I'm an Independent voter and I could care less about representing the Left. Last I checked, the Left's decision to take the "high road", join in the Progressive "Obama-Is-Not-Liberal-Enough" diatribe and remain mum about Democratic legislative accomplishments (healthcare, et al) resulted in your clocks being cleaned by Republicans with a simple, inane message. You are either a misguided Progressive who relishes the thought of a beat-down or some Bagga' in donkey skin. Either way, my so-called "idiotic" comments or beatings will continue until Democrats demonstrate the cojones to govern effectively and repel Republican lunacy at every turn! True dat!
I relish your so called beatings but when does your Independent thoughts start. You seem to think like a Progressive more than a lib. Give me something with some thought I would like it everyone else on here just hangs on to whatever thier party says no independent thinking
That's called tea-blabbering....in the land of utopian govt.
Another inane missive from the House Crier! Lookie here, Little John of Orange, the only smoke and mirrors in this conversation is the one created by the so-called facts and fuzzy math pulled from that nether orifice favored by you, Ryan and your feeble-minded "privateers". Get out of the damn tanning booth, act like a freakin' adult and set about doing something, anything other than the Bagga business! Geez!
wow...so far the posts are very high-level here. Both speeches were crap. Obama refused to say that his congress failed to do its job last year because they didn't want to go to the elections with a voting record on it...political crap... which is why we are dealing with this situation now, and JB doesn't want to say he's cutting a deal because he doesn't want the far right to think he's dealing, even a little. Both are saying enough to apease their supporters but don't have the balls to get the job done.
chris,
Talking about what was or was not done last year has little value on what needs done now. But Boehner’s problem with controlling his TEA Party members has everything to do with what needs done now.
sure, let's give everyone a pass on doing their job....good idea, that's why we are in the financial situation we are in....giving passes for the past 30 years. Who says JB is in charge of "controlling" the conservatives. If the conservatives are holding their ground so be it.....they are asking to cut 2.6 CENTS of every dollar of the peoples money. All they are saying is hey, how about you stop spending my money!!! BO and the dems can't possibly imagine living without that 2.6 cents! rediculous
It was not passed last year because Senate republicans held it up for months, requested postponement after postponement, threatened and otherwise failed to participate in "governing". The democrats were willing to work with republicans but in their glee of NO NO NO, that was not possible.
Hey Jody,
How come everytime a conservative has asked for the senate's plan to cut spending you liberals respond with, "Well gee dummy, don't you know anything? Bills have to originate in the house." Well then if that is the case where is the house's plan from last year? And why can't the senate produce a plan that they'd be willing to comprimise on? All they say is no, no, no...
So what's the diff?
John, John John, you have put yourself in a box, trying to make your Teabagger caucus happy. No wonder you're so muddled, you cant cut a deal, you cant say you are considering a deal, either way, your new buds (pardon me) have you in a knot.
For heavenssake, would you, for once, do something good for the citizens and their welfare and not just the elect or the richest in the land. This is beyond pathetic.
One could compare the multi-Boehner spin to Tweedledum and Tweedledee--those arguing twins except Boehner argues with himself. That seems to be something republicans do a lot of lately--battle with themselves, flip flop. I listened to President Obama's press conference on the budget and clearly he is again the adult in the room.
Now, I'm not defending Speaker Boehner's previous two years of "no, not on your life, never" but this is exactly what many of us liberals predicted after the 2010 elections--that both Boehner and McConnell would have trouble herding the tea-drinking elephants and there would be split in the party because of the Tea Party. Boehner does want to compromise with democrats and settle the 2011 budget but IF he does that, enter Speaker Cantor because the Tea Party and Eric can't wait to oust him from the Speaker's position. Boehner gets no sympathy from me regarding his predicament because he and the other GOPers have only themselves to thank for cheering and supporting the "enthusiasm" of the extreme right of its base. They reaped what they have sown.
" the White House is proposing cuts far beyond things that we would have imagined so we want to get an agreement and we want to keep the government open."
...What is the Weeper talking about? .....if what he says is true the budget disagreements should have ended!
Can I ask what do the social issue riders have to do with the budget and why are the Repubs making them a condition to doing the deal if they truly want to do a deal. The only answer is to vote all of the bum Repubs out of office along with their tea bag baggage next cycle, repeal the Bush tax cuts and take care of finding jobs for people in this country. This is beyond a joke. It is a travesty. The posters on this site supporting the Repubs are nothing but laughing gas as far as I am concerned.
It would be nice if a reporter asked what those "social issue riders" have to do with the budget. I'd really like to hear that answered.
Come ON NOW Jody! *insert snark* Can't have THAT now can WE?
Also would of been nice to have one of the so-called journalists ask EXACTLY how these budget cuts are going to create J O B S?
When President Obama holds a press conference they manage to ask 2 & 3 part questions, but, when dealing with the righties the best they can manage is 'What kind of cheese do you like'?
What do we want? J-O-B-S!
When do we want them? NOW!
What do we want? J-O-B-S!
When do we want them? NOW!
Mr. Boehner? Where is your jobs bill?
Mr. Ryan? Where is your jobs bill?
Mr. Cantor? Where is your jobs bill?
Ms. Bachmann? Where are the...nut jobs? (Don't answer that!)
Wow! What deafening silence from the erstwhile loud-mouthed, loons, goons and buffoons!
True American-2367375
why do you continue on with this idea that it's governments job to create jobs?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the same reason that we heard it for TWO YEARS FROM THE REPUBLICANS.
Sounds childish, I know. So, True American where was your response during the time before the 2010 elections when that was all your Republicans and their friends could talk about. Where are the jobs?
Where are all those jobs that are supposed to be created through the continuation of tax breaks to people making over $250,000/yr and those corporate tax breaks that magically trickle down jobs to WE THE PEOPLE?
Why don't you stop with the Faux outrage and the canned "It's not the governments job to create jobs?" refrain. If the private sector won't create jobs for Americans, then the government sector must step in and create them. Or would you just rather your fellow Americans remain unemployed or better yet underemployed?
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! Give that redneck a...confederate-flag cigar! So right you are True. Government's responsibility (among other things) is to enact laws and regulations that help facilitate job creation and growth. But your Republican/Bagga lummoxes campaigned on the pledge to "create jobs" and you lemings swallowed it whole. I'm simply holding them to that pledge. So, where are the jobs True Boy? Where are the jobs?
Boehner is the only half sane Republican in a lead spot. But, nothing they promised those of you who voted them in is happening. You talk about the Dems. At least a LOT of Dems are for the general public and not the ultra rich. Raise the taxes and then dig this apart after and use some common sense.
When we, the voters, become objective enough to reject the manipulative, emotional appeals to our self-concern and just see the reality of what this country needs and the emptiness of the self-serving positions taken by the Tea Party (the current 'hired gun' of the 'ultra-conservatives') and of those taken by the Republican Party over the last ten years, then we will be able to force government to be conscientiously responsible, truly bipartisan, honestly centrist and to work to solve the problems for the benefit of the majority. We really don’t ever want a too 'liberal' government but to allow ourselves to be manipulated into accepting 'more of the same', Bush-Cheney style, (and even worse) that has already cost us greatly and always proves to benefit only Special Interests and the powerful, influential and extremely wealthy few (those ‘pulling the strings’), will just continue to widen the gap between those wealthy very few and everyone else (including the total middle-class). Rationally looking at everything, including what has transpired, the drastic costs experienced, the real deception in the rhetoric, the stubborn avoidance of responsible action and the arrogantly continuing benefit sought for only the few, really clearly exposes the hopelessness and the bias of their (non-)solutions. To now be blind to the con of the Tea Party and of the ‘ultra-conservatives’ will just render us victims again.
Any ideas about what to do about the fact that 43 cents of every dollar spent by our government this year will be borrowed, RGiles?
Or that the Obama Administration's FY 2012 budget proposal says that, in the next 10 years, $13 trillion in new debt will be added to the $14 trillion already on the books?
Or that debt service payments will rise to $844 billion annually?
Any thoughts on that, RGiles?
Engage, RGiles.
It's not a budget problem, but instead a revenue problem. Raise the taxes where they need to be raised. The Clinton era tax rates would work just fine. Republicans- Tea Baggers, quit playing these games.
Job 1 R u serious? It's spending. The dems .don't ever balance the budget that's ok when everything is going well but right now we need to stop all the wasteful spending.
It's a revenue problem. President Clinton left a nice budget surplus and President Bush spent it. Raise taxes.
I like Pres. Clinton a lot I voted for him twice ,that was 6 years of a republican congress. Congress and Pres. Clinton were smart enough to stay the course that ( dare I say it) Mr. Reagan set. Clinton did a nice job but he was working with the Republicans
The same Republicans that, under Newt Gingrich, shut down the government.
Fielden Yes. I'm a dem. just not a blind stupid dem.Our party is failing, instead of being intellectually honest we want to blame everyone but ourselves for voting in Political morons. Probably good people but terrible politicians. It's okay to fail as long as you learn from it.
Hey MAD IN CT----The guy I voted for has had OVER 2 years to do something about jobs. Turns out there "is no such thing as shovel ready jobs". It was more important to seperate the country more than ever with a health care bill that more than 60% did not want. I' m not a fan of Boehner but let's be honest Obama has been in office since Jan 2009. We have had a dem. congress since 2006. I know it's our standard line 'let's blame someone else' but let's get real. Losers blame others .
Hey Time, its time to fess up. Let me quote one of the geniuses in your Republican Party: "You Lie!" You didn't vote for Obama. You are simply using that old Fox trick to suggest that the electorate has turned on Obama. Your verbatim, biased assessment straight from the Fox's mouth is a dead giveaway! Nice try Bagga' boy! Nice try.
Hey Mad don't care if you believe me! Your lack luster boring posts don't mean much to me. Not a republican. Union carpenter from Chicago just because I call out the Preesident doesn't mean I'm not a dem. I voted for Hillary in the primary still think that would be the better choice.Obama is Carter all over again. A waste of four years and we will lose our a** again if we stick with Obama. For the record don't care much for Fox,CNN, or MSNBC.They all follow a path and don't do any original thinking follow the talking points or else...that's what I see on here that's why I call out stupidity in Most of our political figures. Keep trying I would be mad too if I was inCT.
MAD your only retort is to misspell words and call people names. That doesn't take a whole lot thought.
R u A UCONN FAN? If so congrats!
"Bonehead Boehner" is not only mixed up on his budget message, he is mixed-up cognitively. This very confused individual, is politically mixed-up about the "Tea Beggers." Now "Richie Rich Ryan" brings his "Backwards Budget" to the national level. The disabled and the disabled, who depend on Medicare, had better be paying attention carefully. For many years in Wisconsin, "Richie Rich Ryan" had been advocating for big cuts in all Government Medical Programs. For Progressives in Wissconsin, the reading, the research, and the listening to these two GOP/RNC economic vipers has been extensive. The "two-faced" politics, and for the rich only economic policies of "Bonehead Boehner" are not a shock at all for Progressives in Wisconsin.
Progressive= Wow you really got them with the name calling maybe you can spit on them by the monkey bars. Wis. has been under dem. rule for a long time. Most of the industry is gone, they have badger care that doesn't do anything but bankrupt the state. No jobs no money sounds a lot like the federal gov dpesn't it? That's why the voted in a republican.
To John Bohner, I need to let you know I think this will go on the backs of the republicans. First it was 33BILLION then he went 73BILLION. but you are still not happy. I remember when you were on TV and how you made your tears flow when you looked at those little kids. Well what happen you are doing even more to them now. Fake tears and a hard heart is all you have. It's your way or the hwy. I hate the problems it will cause if our govt. shuts down. But Obama has gone more than half way and I hope Obama will stand strong and not let you have your way,as long as he lets the R's push him around you all will continue to do it.SO HE SHOULD STAND STRONG AND NOT GIVE IN TO YOU BUNCH OF JERKS. I PRAY TO GOD THAT HE WILL NOT GIVE IN BECAUSE I THINK IT WILL LAND ON R's. SHOULDERS. NO OBAMA HE'S MET MORE OVER HALF WAY. YOU ALL ARE AFRAID YOU WON'T GET ELECTED. OBAMA WILL GET MY VOTE AGAIN. After all he just doesn't have nothing buts kids to deal with. THANKS ROBERTA WRIGHT
Republicans got elected by accusing Democrats of messing with Medicare, and scaring American seniors about the government messing with their health care. The irony was the sentiment...."keep government out of my Medicare!!" But, now, SURPRISE! those same Republicans want to gut Medicare while insisting on more tax cuts for the top 1% and helping corporations export jobs and attacking collective bargaining rights. So, those of you in the middle class that they are attacking -- why do you continue to vote for them?