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Subscribe to RSSFrom the beginning of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations, aides from both sides have said that November would be for saber rattling and December would be when a deal is put together between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner with Majority Leader Harry Reid’s blessing.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in a press conference on Thursday attacked President Obama and the White House for not taking firm action in avoiding the so-called "fiscal cliff."
Well, consider comments from Boehner and Reid today to be the November saber rattling reporters were warned about.
In his weekly press conference Boehner called out Obama and the Democrats.
"The president has warned us about the dangers of going over the fiscal cliff, but his actions have not matched his public statements,” said Boehner, who acknowledged speaking with the president Wednesday night and called it “very nice” but “direct.” “Members of his own party seem quite comfortable sending the economy over the fiscal cliff."
Boehner said that no “substantive process had been made over the last two weeks” and that he was “disappointed” with the current state of the fiscal cliff negotiations. He also chided Democrats for not offering, he says, serious spending cuts in exchange for his promise of some increased revenue.
Republican leaders say they've put revenues on the table, but are waiting on President Barack Obama to give, and offer something up on ballooning federal retirement programs like Medicare. Fortune Magazine's Carol Loomis discusses.
Speaking later in the day, Reid took this blunt shot at Boehner: “I don’t understand his brain.”
Reid called for Republicans to make “a serious offer” and indicated that Democrats would not act until they heard Republican demands on cuts to entitlements.
Along with raising tax rates, entitlements are also a major sticking point in the negotiations. Neither side wants to be the first to put their fingerprints on any specific entitlement cuts due to the risk of a major public backlash from seniors.
Asked by NBC News what specific cuts to entitlements the GOP would like to see, Boehner pointed to previous budgets passed by the House GOP and rejected by Democrats, but he declined to be precise in what he wanted out of these negotiations.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio gestures as he speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, after private talks with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on the fiscal cliff negotiations.
“It's been very clear over the last year and half,” Boehner contended. “I've spoken to the president about many of them. If you look at our budget, where we outline very specific proposals that we passed in last year's budget and the budget before, we know what the menu is; we don't know what the White House is willing to do to get serious about our debt crisis."
Boehner dismissed an assertion that the talks had broken down, but his tone was far from optimistic. Wall Street is hoping to see a deal reached, is paying close attention, and both sides are acutely aware of that.
In what could be another potential headache for the White House, Boehner did not back down on his 2011 position regarding raising the nation’s debt limit, saying, “Any increase in the debt limit must be accompanied by spending cuts."
White House Spokesman Jay Carney said he was “surprised” by Boehner’s debt limit comments.
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Hey, Boehner... Go around to all your tea party crazies and get their ideas for the spending cuts they want to impose on America before they will be willing to allow the working class to keep their tax cuts. Put it in writing!
If, according to President Obama's campaigning, the only people that benefited from the Bush tax cuts were the rich, we should just let them all expire.
Gee, that's funny. Here I was under the impression that Obama wanted Boehner and the house republicans to pass the middle class tax cut extension now. I guess FOX News and Rush Limbaugh were lying to you. AGAIN!
OICY,
1. If it only helped the rich, it shouldn't matter to the rest of us.
2. In the past President Obama says everyone needs to be in this together. I agree, everyone needs to have skin in the game.
3. I don't watch or listen to Fox or Limbaugh. If you dislike them so much why do you?
Taxing the super rich will benefit us all.
USA:
Then Why Obama extended it? He extended it twice to total 4 years. Without his action, deficit woulod have been 4 Trillion less.
Whose fault?
Quiz Time -- What Is The Republican Parties Favor 4 Letter Word?
C
U
T
S
See They Are Flexible -- They Can Do Two Things At The Same Time -- Spend And Give Tax Cuts!
It's Called Republican Magic -- Translated -- Huge American Deficits We Have To Pay For -- Not Them!
Sorry Kids No Toys For Christmas For The Next 20 Years -- Oh -- No Car When Your 16 Either -- Try The Bus --
IPhones -- You Got To Be Kidding -- We're Not 1%ers -- Save Your Pennies!
CMCPO
If President do notknow how to be a leader and get goals achieved, Why he ants to be President, Just lot s of free bees and power? I like leaders who get things done.
While you were out shopping on black friday and listening to the flatulent repuli-dumbs stink up the room with lies and bs about ambassador rice the american public called to let you know we still need help!!
add you voice now to let the republican obstructionists in congress know we're done with their games!!! and it's time to work with presdient obama to pass a tax cut for the middle class!!
add your voice here ->: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/taxes/tax-cuts
Perhaps Boehner should stop trying to prove (to the money people) that he's a good Republican who can screw the rest of the nation with the best of 'em.
His comments earlier this week, in which he claimed that 'he's dependable, and can work with the president for the good of the nation,' followed by his most recent claims of 'disappointment,' should be followed by our (the nation's) disappointment that the GOP's continued faking to work for a living (McConnell and the rest calling on the president to 'stop campaigning' and return to DC to work with them, and McCain hitting the talk shows to show that he's still getting by on his POW experiences, Lindsey Graham declaring and proving his commitments to stalling GOP real work to fix the messes they've created for us, etc.) is expected to continue to work for them. Of course, they are who they are, so we may be in for a long, long battle against their "faux, fake, unreal, disguised, slight-of-hand, synthetic, snow-job, wool-over-the-eyes governing."
Post:
You are talking like your dog did not let you cook dinner.
Obama has whole federal Government in his charge. Boehner is just a legislature. If Obama cannot deal with him may he cannot deal with Mitchell also.
Sad of a man
We could start by limiting benefits to some of the most un-entitled beneficiaries of American largess - Congress. Capital gains should be taxed at the same rate as wages. Stop all subsidies to thriving industries (oil, coal, etc). Stop choosing war over diplomacy, and reduce the military budget. Raise the minimum wage, so all workers are paying taxes, and we (as taxpayers) are relieved of the burden of subsidizing employers who can afford to pay higher wages and benefits. I would rethink our tax policies as regards churches (I know that's going nowhere, but still... A business that is owned by a church should be taxed like any other business). Definitely do not make those who are in need pay for the selfishness of the greedy.
Hell let's just take guns and steal all the stuff we want from whoever has anything... no need to play bulls*** games with words, like calling it somebody's fair share... let's just loot it all and be done with it... that's your Liberal utopia....
Gee, I was under the impression that it was you insane republicans that wanted to turn America in another Somalia where it's government by the street gang that has the most guns. Republican utopia.
You mean like Chicago... that bloodbath bastion of gun control??? Aren't too many conservatives in the hoods... just deadbeat Liberal cretins...
I'm sorry you are so fed up. What a drag. What did I say that would elicit such a response. Aaahhh, you are fed up with yourself, eh?? A living wage is bull****? Your hatred is not our problem - although you are trying to make it so. You don't get it. If the only liberals were in the "hood," our President would not have been elected by such a wide margin. You do know that "hood" comes from the word "neighborhood." Do you know what a neighborhood is? Do you know what a neighbor is? Do you think the only people who should vote are people like you? Your pessimism is contagious - to other Cons. The rest of us, we're moving on. We're feeling pretty good. Join in - help make things work.
TELL BOEHNER AND THE LYING REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTIONISTS IN CONGRESS TO STOP THE DELAYING, DISTRACTING, AND GAMES AND PASS THE MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS NOW!!!
Add Your Voice Here ->: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/taxes/tax-cuts
DEMAND Side Economics!!
The republicans would rather see America burn to the ground than let the middle class keep their tax cuts!
Oh goody, Liberal histrionics... how special... whenever you don't have a cogent argument just get hysterical!
Hey, Boehner... Do you think the Koch Brothers and the rest of your super rich super pac donors are going to give Karl Rove another dime after he flushed away their money last time?
Hahahaha OICY! How True!
Hey its Offically Piss Off Senate Republi-dumbs day!
Add your voice to Tell the Senate to Stop Repuli-Dumb Filibuster abuse and to Fix the Filibuster!!
Add your voice here: http://www.commoncause.org/site/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=8090653&en=efKEKMNtFbLEJLNqF8IDIMPuHgJUIXNpE7ILI1NDIjJVJ6NMG
Keep it up, soon the GOP won't have the House either.
Wow!! I'm really surprise that there is so many stupid people in the United States.
Yes we totally need to work on our education system , because of the stupidity we have bred into our society, in the last 50 yrs ,the people just don't get it !
That our government has done a great job of dividing 122 million people right down the middle (spending a hole lot of air time and Your Money on this) so they have everybody fighting the rich against the poor ?wait ! let me see where have I heard that one before ,( oh ! that right it was Fidal Castro ,Hugo Chaves,) Every dictator has used that phase. the poor against the rich
When are you people going wake up , the government of the United States is playing you .
The government makes no money , they take Your Money and decide how to spend it, are you so stupid you have to have big brother showing you how to spend your money , you know ! like when your where a child and your parents giving you an Allowance ??
Our government is the biggest corporation in the world , ( they get paid big salaries and retirement packages) you really don't think there living on Social Security, do you?
they change the President every 4 to 8 yrs but the board of directors ( Congress ,Senate,) does not change , so by dividing We the People the Government put's thru anything they want and We the People pay the Tab!!
Wake up !! Quit fighting and take a very hard look at what your government is doing to you.
TELL BOEHNER AND THE LYING REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTIONISTS IN CONGRESS TO STOP THE DELAYING, DISTRACTING, AND GAMES AND PASS THE MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS NOW!!!
Add Your Voice Here ->: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/taxes/tax-cuts
FactOfTheMatter
Keep it up, soon the GOP won't have the House either.
-------------------------------------------------------
You Got that Right Fact!!
If Obamacare repeal is not on the table, automatic no deal. Obamacare must be repealed to start negotiations
Don't look like you're getting any deal. See you in 2014.
20 states....and counting...have given the collective middle finger to Obama and the democrats.....including Michigan today. The Obama media (NBC) will be exposed for all the fraud they have been reporting, including the truth as to is at fault for the destroyed economy....and the people are starting to figure that out.
Just yesterday, Michigan started to tax the welfare checks to cover Obamacare, and those people were pissed! Impeachment is the only solution
Try it. I dare you republicans to try and impeach Obama.
Boehner = bleating the Tea party line of crap just like he has for the last four years.
See you GOPers in 2014 when you lose the House.
Better study some history... midterms aren't very good for party in power... see 2010...
They are when America is sick to death of the things republicans support!
Like smaller govt, following the Constitution, growing the economy, and being fiscally responsible? Yes, you Libs do think those things are radical... however what America is fed up about are the deadbeat parasites sitting on their a$$es and collecting gubment checks while the rest of us are pulling our weight and yours too....
Study history, fedup. Under Cons government has grown, Cons are for or against different parts of the Constitution depending on their ideology of the moment (you do realize it was progressives who wrote the Constitution???), under Democrats the economy and Wall Street have been healthy - and, seriously??, fiscally responsible Cons. I know you hate to hear this, but it is not Democrats who have given us the debt. Americans are fed up with being called parasites and deadbeats when we work, pay taxes, contribute to the economy. Ah, but do keep it up. Your hatred lost you a lot of elections this year, next time, even more of your people will be gone. You are a dying party, and an obsolete mind-set.
Rep Boner has to get real. It's down to the usual obstructive ploys used before the election. He shows no leadership.
I just..loathe Republicans. especially this..far right group. Trying to hold on to the bastion of days long gone past. its why they lost. The best thing ever happened to the democratic party was the fox News Network, the tea beggers and the right winged talk show host. All 3 of these constantly remind americans just how ugly the underbelly of hatred can be!!! The more of these factions america sees, the better it will only get for democrats. Keep up the good hate work...REPUBLIKLANS!!!!!!!!!
2014 can't get here soon enough. Lets start recall petitions against all house republicans.
Boner is the Main DISSAPOINTMENT,,, These guys still have no plan except NO!!!! TOOLS!!!!
What exactly is Obama's plan?
Obama's plan is to refuse to negotiate with the tea party terrorists who are holding the middle class hostage again.
Dear, Dear FedUP...So am I! We have the worst Congress, since the 1940's as far as passing legislation. They all need to go... Obama cannot agree to something that is just "pie in the sky" cost cutting. No one should. I know I will never convince you, but I do not use slurs like "boner" like you use the president's name. He is the elected President of the United States and my Commander in Chief.
The best way to fight these republicans... Everyone join a labor union. If there is no labor union at your place of employment... Start one!
Bet you're one of those brilliant ex-Hostess employees.... let's kill business!!! oh, S***, where'd our jobs go?????
Wages for the middle class and union participation are directly correlated. That's why republicans hate unions so much. They are good for the middle class.
OK. Boehner wants to see cuts first, before helping the Middle Class. WHAT CUTS, TO WHAT PROGRAMS, IN WHAT AMOUNTS. Let's not fog this up. Put your plan out there. I have a feeling you won't, because once the American People see it, dollar for dollar where it will hit them, your Tea Party Conservitives, Your Republican Congressional base will not be re-elected. Double Dare you to publish your "cutting specifics in black and white...in English not Politicaleeze. Specifics! Americans are tired of being fooled and lied to. Got balls - Do it.
e
Well sure, that's the Dems game.. get the conservatives to make the first move and then have the media crucify them... where's Oblunder's plan??? oh that's right.. he doesn't have one except blame somebody else....
Boehner and the tea party don't dare put in writing the cuts they want to impose on America.
It is hard to believe the bar help of a Cincinnati bar is really there.
@!$%# Bonehead!!! He hasn't a leg to stand on. Only wants to protect his rich benefactors, and hold the middle class hostage once again. @!$%# Boner! @!$%# the Tea Pottie People! @!$%# the extreme right wing nuts!
Fiscal cliff, here we come!!!!!!!!
Boehner is wasting his time. The other side is blinded by their greed.
So democraps are not greedy with their unions who murder companies (Hostess anyone?) The welfare moochers are greedy
I love this... The republicans are all calling middle class workers... Moochers. See you republicans in 2014.
My question to the FLEEBAGGER LIBTARDS is where are the spending & entitlement cuts & then we will talk, not until !!!! The FLEEBAGGERS are known for saying they will do a tax increase now & work on the spending & entitlement cuts after, the FLEEBAGGERS did this to Reagan & Bush Sr. & the cuts never were done, so the FLEEBAGGERS are not to be trusted in the least !!!! FLEEBAGGERS put their cuts on the table first or let the economy go off the cliff !!!!
We Republicans will fix it when we take over congress in 2014, FLEEBAGGERS will not learn unless we make them suffer like they are making the 53% suffer who actually pay taxes !!!!! I say if we go off the fiscal cliff that the 53% who pay taxes stop paying them & let the 30% of FREELOADERS go @pe sht when their FREE GOVERNMENT CHEESE gets cut off !!!!!!
Great. Lets go over the cliff and then you republicans can explain to the working class in time for the 2014 election why the middle class can't have a tax cut, and why the super rich need one. Go for it!