E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
As President Obama nears the two-month mark since his last formal press conference, deputy White House press secretary Josh Earnest deflected inquiries about why the White House press corps has not had opportunity since then to question the president.
The Obama administration has come under fire from Republican groups as well as individual journalists for going so long without a full-fledged press conference, in which the president takes questions from journalists assigned specifically to the White House.
Earnest pointed to interviews Obama has conducted with local media outlets and open press events (in which the president does not typically take questions) as examples of when the national media has heard from the president.
He referred specifically to Obama’s three-day Iowa bus trip, during which the president held seven public events, conducted several radio interviews and did two print editorial board roundtables, but took no questions from the national press traveling with him.
“The president spent a lot of time talking publicly about the issues that he thinks are at stake in this election and are worthy of an important political debate about the future of the country,” Earnest said.
Earnest also counted a spontaneous shouted question from a member of the press pool, which provides editorial guidance for the rest of the press corps if an event is too small/difficult to fit everyone, as an example of the president facing the national media.
“The president did a bill signing in the Oval Office at the beginning of last week in which one of your colleagues asked a question, the president answered it,” Earnest said.
Earnest was referring to the president’s ceremony to sign the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 into law. At the end of the signing, he answered a shouted question over whether he would push for further gun control measures in light of the shooting of the Wisconsin Sikh temple.
After Obama answered that question, the pool was ushered out of the Oval Office.
Leave a Comment:
I was actually embarrassed for Andrea Mitchell today!
Here is a supposed seasoned journalist, throwing a temper tantrum for the second day in a row!
Why no POUTRAGE on Team Willard's super secret campaign, honey?
Let's just assume that R$mney will be right there with the Press Corps allowing FULL access, right?
HA
That gaffe a second abandoned the idea of following the President around to speak 'truth' to the constituency when it was reported that he only speaks 'truth' 29% of the time.
BWWWWWWWWWWWWWAHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHa
Good luck with that!
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
I like you comment better when it was just "."
In any event, now you go after Andrea Mitchell. Last week when she tried to sink Paul Ryan while they were introducing him even before he opened his mouth, I'm sure you and the rest of your cabal of libbys were cheering her on.
Know I know why tigers eat their young. If people don't agree with you you go after them and immediately insult them. What a poor way to live you life.
The President is constantly doing Press Conferences and the gamut of interviews - including Fox and Leno.
President Obama meets regularly with TV stations from all around the country - they come to the White House for the interview. All say that the President takes the time to answer every question and they enjoyed it.
President Obama has no reason to shy away from Press Conferences. He has Press Conferences that have lasted for an hour...(and zero notes or teleprompter required)... and in great detail.
As well as Press Conferences at the G-20 - and many places of business and conferences this year on our behalf. He is always impressive wherever he goes, and it is time that folks acknowledged it.
Unlike you tea-baggers who will eat anyone...
Senior Citizen's have been on the dinner special menu for years!
They're not quite as tasty as the young & poor but it doesn't seem to bother ya'll!
In any event, I can't really blame Andrea, if I had to wake up to a husband who looks like hers, I might be as angry as she is!
Feisty
Maybe Andrea can't handle her husband asking "can we do it again Ayn?" He was such a big fan.
He won't answer questions because he has no answers.
Mr. President how to you plan on fixing the economy? Romney's Taxes. Why is our GPD stagnant? Romney's Taxes. What is the plan for the money you took our of Medicare? Romney's Taxes, Dog on Roof.
Thanks for your time sir.
President Obama is busy. Reporters need to confront Romney and Ryan regarding their lies, do their fact checking, and then write their story. It's easier to whine about Obama than than for reporters to do their job of reporting the facts when interviewing Romney and Ryan.
I saw those two episodes with Andrea, wasn't she the petulant one today, like a spoiled child not getting her way??
I am sure she must have endeared herself to the many local affiliates who have had the opportunity to interview the President when he is out of DC. Maybe he should have asked her permission to do those other interviews.
Oh, and while I'm at it. Chuck Todd needs to take a pill and calm down. His disdain is showing.
Hi Ron!
Don't even get me started on Gotcha Gregory! ;o)
Gingerbread Mamma!
I couldn't believe it when I heard her hissy fit for a second day in a row!
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
At 63 I am getting to the Senior Citizen age rapidly and I don't believe I have seen anybody do something as detrimental to the Seniors as the big "0" had done with his diversion of $716 billion in Medicare funding to pay for his Fantasyland ACA.
I have to laugh, now you insult Andrea's husband, Alan Greenspan. Have you no decency??
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
This is what we hear day in-day out from you guys about taxes.
I am sure that Alan Greenspan opened many a door for Andrea with the caveat that she will be more successful as will he in doing so if she fawns over her interviewees.
Speaking of temper tantrums, which Queen Ann throws the best hissy-pissy fit; Ann Romney or Ann Coulter? My vote goes to Queen Ann Romney. Just what we need in the White House, a First Lady throwing temper tantrums while hosting state dinners and meeting foreign dignitaries.
You must not have seen the many in-depth Press Conferences with the President over the last 3.4 years. You have to set aside quite a bit of time to see them in their entirety - and not just snippets taken out of context.
There were press conferences during those historic times:
When GOP/Koch was threatening to shut-down the government, or not raise the debt-ceiling in 2010 and 2011. Do you remember when S & P downgraded the US because of GOP's reckless actions?
You must at least have seen a few of those.
REB,
[diversion of $716 billion in Medicare funding to pay for his Fantasyland ACA.]
Do you mean the same money that Paul Ryan’s budget uses as his starting point for cuts and Mitt Romney calls marvelous?
Mitt Romney said he would put the money back into Medicare but cannot show where he would get the $716 billion. In his budget plan he already uses the Money from the repeal of the ACA elsewhere.
At some point, you must come to grips with the fact that the Tea Party crowd isn't rational.
Never will be rational.
and are allergic to rationality.
Then deal with them appropriately.
Not to say all republicans are irrational.
But I will say all Tea Party Republicans are.
Romney and Ryan are being totally dishonest about Medicare, as with an obvious litany of issues. The President and Ryan come up with the same $700 Billion. However:
OBAMA: gets there by weeding out waste, fraud and abuse - which SAVES the Medicare system all those $Billions and strengthens the life of Medicare.
Obama uses those savings to expand Medicare and increase benefits.
RYAN: Would take those benefits earned over a working lifetime and give a voucher in its place, cap how much is available - and then tell elderly Seniors they "are on their own".
Medicare's own experts say Ryan's plan costs seniors at least $6400 a year, while putting waste and fraud back into the system -- and putting Insurance companies back in charge again.
Wow, where were rightwingers like Morgs74 when the economy tanked in 2008 because of Wall Street Gone Wild due to failed supply-side Reaganomics and GOP/Bush-era voodoo policies? The unemployment rate, GDP, and any other economic indicator only reminds us how much we won't go back.
From the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities:
And the "patient-centered care" is even worse voodoo than supply-side failures.
So NO to the 21st Century Robber Barons -- Romney/Ryan -- They aren't in it for you.
Romney and Ryan have to avoid the press because they can't keep track of the last lie they told, and now there is two of them.
It's tough when you meet your own lie comin' back times 2......but it feels more like 2 squared.
Alan Greenspan Former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Andrea Mitchells husband, is the only reason she still has a job!
She is another hack......I never watch her!
Republican's have an issue here? Romney has skirted the press for months and now he refuses to answer questions about his taxes. "I'll tell you after I am elected."
By the way....if there's no IRS, nor justice department inquiry into Mitt Romney's taxes undwerway (and there isn't); then, the issue of him releasing or discussing them is completely moot.
So, sorry lefty-moon-bats.....nice try but no cigar.
ZMAN - you've just shown you have no idea how the IRS works. The standard audit can go back 3 years. But, if they suspect wrongdoing they can go back further. Mitt Romney hasn't been audited so your post is moot.
All Presidential candidates in our lifetime have released at least 5 years of tax returns - all but Mitt. That is a cause for concern and many in his own party are calling him out on it. He has yet to release even 1 full year!
And, be honest - if Mitt had release 5 years and President Obama refused to you'd be screaming at the top of your lungs. You're a total hypocrite!
You of all people shouldn't be calling name. You've just shown you totally lack integrity.
Obama/Biden 2012
SeekingSanity - When people apply for a job do potential employers ask for tax returns or college transcripts? I hope you know the answer but considering your hatred for businesses you are on the welfare.
SeekingSanity
Mental Midget. How many times has this left your mouth you @!$%#ing hypocrite.
Yes.
I ask all my interviewees who make it to me for transcripts.
I don't ask for taxes, but my guys aren't going to try to set the budget and tax policy for the United States of Empire.
I hate most large corporations. I like most small businesses.
Koch files their taxes as a small business, because they are an S-Corporation.
I don't like Koch.
No one who turns a revenue of > $10Million should be able to file taxes as a small business.
That is not a partisan attack, I was unhappy when Clinton lowered Capital Gains and I'm equally unhappy Obama hasn't repealed all the Bush tax cuts.
But Romney is even worse on both counts and so I'll take the lesser of two evils and be happy my party only caused the 80's recession.
But the other guys caused the 1929 and 2008.
Want to live like a Republican?
Vote democrat.
We've caused a recession or two.
You all straight cause Depressions.
Morgs74 - you show your lack of intelligence every time you post your nonsense. The Presidential candidates have ALWAYS shown a minimum of 5 years of tax returns - no exceptions - except for Mitts who just can't seem to come up with them. Not one candidate has EVER been asked for their college transcripts.
And, dahlin - guaranteed I make more than you so - sorry - no welfare. Having said that, if someone is going through hard times I have no problems with them getting government help. We are going through our worst recession since the Great Depression and many people are hurting.
But, you get to keep the mental midget moniker. You've clearly earned it over and over and over....
Obama/Biden 2012
ZMan2012 -- If Romney was given amnesty by the IRS for illegally sheltering money off-shore, the IRS would not be investigating him would they?
But even if there is nothing illegal -- this is not to say it isn't unethical or unAmerican, and that alone is why Romney is trying to hide his tax returns. That Romney is so proud of paying only a 13% tax rate is just another example of how out-of-touch he is.
And you conservatives defending Romney on not being transparent per precedence, why? And how do you feel about Ryan's plan in which Romney would only pay a .082% tax rate on capital gains and dividends, and only a 25% rate on earned income? How do you feel about the $700 billion of lost revenue in the Cayman Islands?
SeekingSanity -- They are not the sharpest tools in the shed. In fact they are just tools. This in itself makes me fear for the future of our country.
If, TP? If?
As my grandfather used to say, "If pigs could fly, we could go out and shoot us some pork chops".
If. Gimme a break.
There certainly has been plenty of press coverage and opportunity to ask the President questions. It may not be in the comfy setting of the East room or the Washington Press Corps has't had their chance to show off by asking impertenant questions but are forced to cool their heels for awhile, so what. It simply looks like whining and sour grapes by those who are part of the Press Corps who want the cushy visit to the White House and aren't getting it.
Oh, yeah. Obama has been brave enough to show up for local television and radio programs, where he is asked really tough questions, like this
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/08/17/obama_asked_what_super_hero_he_would_like_to_be_in_radio_interview.html
Please.
Okay - this was kind of a non-story. President Obama has always taken questions and talked with the press. He just hasn't taken time to do it in the WH briefing room, lately!
Obama/Biden 2012
Seeking, this is what Republicans do. Chide others for their own sins.
True Blackcat,
Classic Rovian method at work there. Attack your opponent where they are strongest. Accuse your opponent of what you are doing. Their objective is not truth. Their objective is to inhibit any remotely Progressive cause any way they can. You gotta' admit, it is poetically brilliant. These people are goooood. Let your opponent struggle with a tar baby and you get a free show too.
Remember Andrew Breitbart? That dude was the master at baiting Democrats into being idiots. Then he would creatively edit the tape, and broadcast some really damaging stuff. After Breitbart's death I seem to recall that his widow asked for donations from the Repubs to pay off his medical bills. Repubs probably told her to pack some Ayn Rand sand up her butt. Gotta' loooove Karma. Like most repubs she'll probably apply for ObamaCare.
"Rovian" tactic?
The liberal press savaged W for not having enough full fledged press conferences...but of course libs have a very short memory...
Nope. I like to think the "libs" have a respect for effective methods. Learn from your enemy. For the last 30 years the "cons" have been taking politics into tactics never before used. The cons just had the stones to try them first. Dems still have to learn the nature of the war they are in, but they are learning fast, and are ramping up. Before you know it there'll be a Progressive version of Fox "News", and a Progressive Karl Rove masterminding attacks behind the scenes.
Rules of engagement are different now. Barry Goldwater wouldn't recognize the landscape of this war. I can say that Michigan Dems are finally learning hard-core tactics, and it is a beautiful thing to witness. Still massive room for improvement, but they are coming along.
alexandr1 - I don't have to spin - I actually talk facts - not the make believe lies like you and your ilk post!
Obama/Biden 2012
GOPisextinct
What the GOP did to Kerry was basically Pearl Harbour. It has taken some time but now they are paying the price with Midway. I wonder who will apologise to Emperor Norquist?
LOL,....blackcat I don't know, but I certainly hope it has the same result: Darth Norquist crushing the guy's windpipe in his fist.
Too funny.
Accuse your opponent of what you are doing.
Extinct - I,ve never seen such projective accusations coming from a party, as I am seeing now from the Repubes......They are desperate!!!!
True GT,
Romney knows that he has to redirect the conversation away from a damaging place he does not want to go to: The revelation of his tax returns will kill his candidacy. Obama knows this. Obviously, Romney does too.
Romney is banking on the press's fascination with shiny objects to divert attention from substantive campaign issues. Romney wants to be able to present a selective show to America, and he wants to do the selecting. If Obama and his team can just keep him dragged into the sunlight long enough they will watch Romney crumble to dust by Nov 7th.
The trick will be to keep Romney on the defensive and keep him away from characterizing himself. Obama's team would like to handle that for him.
As you noted, the Romney camp is flailing. Soon they will start trying to accuse Obama of being a leprechaun, a terrorist,....tearing off mattress tags,.....anything to get Obama off-message, on the defensive, and away from showing America what Romney really is: a parasite and devourer of the Middle Class for fun and profit. But mostly for the profit.
don't get the media mad at you Obama, we need them!
There are a number of questions Obama needs to answer that he is avoiding. These smaller, closed-in events do not provide the type of open forum in which diverse members of the media can question him, without being constrained to the subject of a specific "bill" or to the specific content of a stump-speech he has just given.
This of course, is Obama's way of manipulating the media, and he's done it quite well these last three and a half years.
ZMAN - since Romney refuses to take any questions from the media you show again that you are a HYPOCRITE!
Obama/Biden 2012
ZMan2012, sorry but this is way too easy. It all depends on who you support, hey? There are many questions Romney needs to answer that he is avoiding. These smaller, closed-in FOX events do not provide the type of open forum in which diverse members of the media can question him, without being constrained to the subject of a specific proposal or to the specific content of a stump-speech he has just given.
This, of course, is Romney's way of manipulating the media, and he's done it quite well the last year and a half. It's known as the Mitt-mess Protection Plan.
Isn't it sad when Newsweek tells you to go home? lol Obama is a waste and liberals continue their zombie like support. Or they just love 24 million unemployed Americans. Liberals are apparently dumb asses. Well, we know Feisty, Beverly, and now SeekingSanity are. lol Good lord, someone help these bimbos. Hey Feisty, your hubby says close your legs, you're creating a draft.
Amazing, GOP groups complain President Obama hasn't held a press conference for awhile yet they give Mitt Romney a free pass when he spent, until very recently, the entire year in the Mitt-mess Protection Program only granting interviews to FOX. GOP = Hypocrites.
Jody
And he still cannot answer a question directly, does not bode well come the debates. If the moderators shy away I am sure Obama will toss direct rhetorical question after direct rhetorical question at him.
blackcat, I know and I agree about the debates.
Romney has been planning for run for President since he first sought office. He's had about 15 years to figure out answers as well as to clean up his tax returns. Apparently, his sense of entitlement gave him a false security--he just never thought "small-minded" people would dare challenge him.
Jody, you are absolutely correct!
The media expects complete access to President Obama and accept no access to candidate Willard!
Show the taxes Willard!
Blackcat -- Thank you for your comment, especially the part where you say "If the moderators shy away I am sure that Obama will toss direct rhetorical question after direct rhetorical question at him (Romney)."
I have seen many presidential debates in my lifetime and the one thing I am sure of is that the moderators will shy away. They always do. They're so worried about their reputations and projecting an " image" of impartiality that they do not pursue the truth, even when it is staring them in the face. They will let candidates totally avoid questions and not call them out on it. I've said it before and I'll say it again: The moderators should have those hand-held aerosol fog horns/sirens, and when the debater is not answering the question they should be able to blast that noise in their face.
I have also noticed that the moderators don't ask the same question to both candidates. Trying to appear neutral, they come up with different questions for each candidate. They are so stuck on how THEY will be perceived that they fail to pursue the truth. They think that being fair is best seen as being equally nasty to each candidate.
Each candidate should have the opportunity to reply to the same question.
I hope that President Obama does ask questions directly to Gov Romney during the debates. It may be the only way to define the differences between the two. We know he can't depend on the moderators to show some spine.
I was hoping that Candy Crowley would be able to initiate a real debate, but the debate she will moderate is a "town hall" type, (Oct. 16, Hempstead, NY), so it seems as if this would be even more difficult for her. Maybe if she would allow the other candidate to give his answer as well as the first?
In any event, I think President Obama should prepare himself to take the reins and question Romney at every chance. Just please, Mr. President, don't pull an Al Gore and cross the stage looming over Romney. He'd run and hide behind Ann's skirt and America might feel sorry for him.
At his last press conference, the President said the "private sector is doing fine"...
We need a followup question..."Is the private sector still doing fine, Mr President?"
Why yes they are .. the stock market is up, CEO pay at the highest levels ever, corporate earnings top all previous records, the wealthy elite are wealthier than ever.
And now we have the Romney/Ryan ticket promoting equal constitutional protections for zygotes and corporations - who are apparently people too. They are doing just fine as well.
Sperm are people too ... well 1/2 a people. Sperm hibernate in banks and demand mortgage deductibility. No Taxation without Fertilization!
For people who read newspapers, here is Paul Krugman.....
"You know, that was an unfortunate line. The president bungled the line. The truth is, the private sector is doing better than the public sector which is not well enough."
"And actually, the real about this economy is the cutbacks of the public sector are what's hurting recovery. By this point in Obama's presidency, if we had normal public sector job growth we'd have about 800,000 more people — firefighters, school teachers, police officers. Instead, we have 600,000 fewer. So right there is like 1.4 million jobs that we should have had in the public sector. And, of course, those would translate into more private sector jobs, too. So that's what he was trying to get at. And, of course, he screwed up the line."
Actually we need a day in which Willard doesn't tell a lie. Well that want ever happen!
Willard SHOW YOUR TAXES!!!
Well. I hope you all have a good weekend, I know I will. Just look at how the left is screaming lately, it kind of remind me of a dog with rabies.
Like I say, the dogs (you know who you are girls) on this site organize themselves very well, however it only happens here.
TGIF. Good week for Romney and Ryan and those campaigning for them. Uncle Joe, please don't take it personally please.
Bob, Reddevs does not know what the hell he/she is talking about.
Concern, my aren't you in a screaming snit today. Glad to see you figured how Romney picked Ryan and not Brian.
Obama/Biden 2012. 4 More for 44!
Concern - my guess is you know a lot about rabid dogs - that's about all that would hang with you!
Jody - by Monday she'll be back to Brian!
Obama/Biden 2012
Concerned - you have a good weekend as well. Personally, I don't know much about dogs with rabies, but I sure recognize a female dog in heat when I see one. Good luck scoring some blow this weekend at your local Miami Rave.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=a%20bitch%20in%20heat
You don't know anything about us. Please take your nasty comments back to your rave party.
Obama/Biden ... trusted with my Medicare $
That's cold. Why do you find it necessary to gang up on her?
SS,
FYI, McCain submitted just two, 2006 and 2007.
thetotas
Republicans have taught us well.
That's just silly, Republicans taught us well.
That's rich coming from someone that makes a sub-zero look like a tropical storage container. And remind me what is so warm about this:
I understand there is Outrage coming from the Press on their Obama Campaign Coverage, well Outrage ON Mainstream Media. Where is the OUTRAGE OVER THE SECRECY OF THE ROMNEY CAMPAIGN? I read that Chuck and Jake Tapper are annoyed at the lack of Coverage.
Blast all you want Chuck and Jake. I still want to hear more OUTRAGE from all of you when a Romney Aid tells you to "kiss his Ass". Where is all of the OUTRAGE on that one Chuck and Jake. Bush would IGNORE you
guys in the Press Room unless you SOFT BALL QUESTIONS TO HIM. NONE in the Press DARE ASK BUSH A HARD QUESTION, because you would NEVER BE CALLED ON.
It had gotten so bad in the Country, that even David Gregory could not contain himself on FINALLY a Tough Question to Bush. It got him a Gig as Host on Meet the Press, which he IS NOW SOFTBALLING Questions to Republicans and DRILLING Democrats.
The Obama Administration has been THE MOST TRANSPARENT Presidency you guys have had in a long time and yet it is still not good enough. You in the Press OVERSCRUTINIZE this President on Everything more than any other President.
Bush and the Republicans was able to TANK THE ECONOMY and START a War ON TRUMPED UP INTELLIGENCE RIGHT UNDER THE PRESSES' NOSE.
Romney won't even talk to the Mainstream Media, and now Ryan
is CLAMING UP on you, except Ryan has a record you can pick at. Thank Goodness for that or you in the Press,
CHUCK, JAKE would have NOTHING to Report.
Who really wants to hear the lies and BS from the gay, Muslim, Marxist?
obamass to busy to talk to the media, he's on vacation all the time spending billions, or asking china for more money. just get that jackass out of the white house before he spends or sell us to china.
kat,
The funny thing is that Presidents do not spend, Congress does.
If you are so outraged at this President then where was the outrage for the previous President that allowed a budget surplus to become a trillion dollar deficit?
BS Dennis. What did you expect no one to be here since this is a day old story? That surplus was "stolen" through creative accounting methods by Clinton in his last year. From SOCIAL SECURITY FUNDS. Can't believe you libs keep holding on to that surplus coat tail when you have been proven wrong sooooooo many times.
Have a good weekend.
Talk,
BS back at you
Show the link
Talk,
So it says that the Clinton surplus owes much to SS payroll tax. Let's ask Newt why then he claims it was his leadership that led to the surplus. Regardless it was so very much closer to a balanced budget than GWB ever had!!!
It does NOT say all.
PS - You should contact Newsvine "Report Bug" and ask them to restore your ability to post links.
I may be wrong but I think Newt only claims the balanced budget portion. Not the surplus. Like I say, I could be wrong.
I never could post links without doing some sort of alteration to them. I know there is some "requirement" you have to achieve but i never have I guess.
To post links you need to be a Newsvine member for about 30 days.
But they have had a problem where, for no known reason, some users are reverted back to "new user" status.
Your Vineacity tree is missing from your home page which tells me you are a new user – which you actually are not.
Thanks Dennis. Have a good rest of the weekend.
Dennis - Talking about previous administrations really has no bearing on what is happening today. The discussion should be about now and the future not 10 or 20 years ago. However, Clinton and a Republican congress did have a balanced budget, but I believe the majority of the money cut was taken out of the military budget. Yes, Bush did spend more than he should have, but remember we had 9/11 and Katrina within a couple of years of Bush taking over. We had the military action in Afghanistan and Iraq (Iraq was a big mistake and to costly, but it is old history). Remember Obama promised he could set the nation right if we elected him. It's BS that he "inherited" the problem, he ASKED for it, he said he could handle it and if he didn't turn thinks around in 3.5 yrs he didn't deserve a second term.
The discussion should be about the fact that 44 states saw an increase in unemployment, 4 states stayed the same, and only 2 states saw a decrease in unemployment.
Sarge,
Everything that happened since Carter took office has everything to do about how we got to where we are today.
Deregulation in the financial sector especially housing loans – housing collapse – banking collapse
A tax code that gives credits to companies that outsource jobs, that builds plants and expand overseas – a 70% loss in manufacturing jobs, a 60+% loss in exports. How can we have anything close to the recovery we saw in the 80's with only 30% of the manufacturing we had then? Remember the whole world wanted "Made in America", not so much today.
A tax code that allows the wealthy increase their income by several hundred percent while middle and lower incomes increase at a couple dozen percent – almost flat.
Creating more debt – we were on a path to pay off our National debt by about 2000 before Reagan decided it was a good idea to cut taxes while, at the same time, increase spending (stimulus) to curb the recession – but didn't end the spending when the recession was over.
There are a dozen other events promoted by both Parties that happened over the last 35 years that caused us to be where are now.
Lots of reasons, lots of excuses but none are sufficient for what our government has done to our people.
Dennis, Sorry for the late reply, hope you check your previous posts. We can not redo the past, I can go back and say the Medicare debacle started under Johnson (D), but what good would that do. So previous Presidents ran up debt, nothing compared to what Obama has run up, but that can't be undone.
There used to be a saying that "there is no reason to cry over spilled milk because there is enough water in it already". What is done is done and nothing will change that. It is time to move on. You know that I have said many times that the tax codes need to be revised and loop holes and subsidies have to be redone. Waste, fraud and duplication needs to be done in Washington. But neither party has done anything to fix the problem. Throwing more money after failures do nothing for the future.
Obama promised he could be the leader that unites the parties and move this country forward, but he has failed. He has been divisive, played the class warfare, and extended a lot of the Bush policies. Obama has failed to deliver, it is now time to give someone else a shot. If a new government doesn't get it done then we will continue to replace it until they get it right according to the people.
BTW, I am glad you mentioned the tax codes because it was Congress, controlled by both Republicans and Democrats, that wrote the tax codes. They keep adding to it but never revise it. The Democrats had control of both the House and Senate for 4 years and yet did nothing about the tax code. At least Ryan has said the tax codes need to be revised, but I have yet to hear any Democrats agree with him.
.