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Subscribe to RSSUpdated 2:21 p.m. -- Saying that Republican opponents should "take me out of it," President Barack Obama appealed Wednesday for compromise on the "fiscal cliff," urging GOP House members to put aside personal and political concerns after a week marked by the Newtown shooting tragedy and continued bickering over the nation's deficit woes.
Acknowledging that his most vehement foes live in conservative districts with little political "incentive" to back the Democratic president, Obama blamed Republican rank-and-file for personalizing the politics of possible deficit reduction plans.
Speaking at a White House news event, President Obama says that in order to reach a compromise on the fiscal cliff he "is prepared to do some very tough things." Watch his comments.
"I don’t know how much of that just has to do with [the idea that] it is very hard for them to say yes to me," Obama said at a press conference to announce a new task force to prevent gun violence. "But, you know, at some point, you know, they’ve got to take me out of it and think about their voters and think about what’s best for the country."
"If there’s one thing we should have after this week, it should be a sense of perspective about what’s important," he added, alluding to the Newtown shootings that left 26 dead, including 20 children.
Senior White House officials say that negotiations have stalled since yesterday, when House Speaker John Boehner introduced a "Plan B" stopgap measure that would raise tax rates for those making over $1 million annually but would not immediately tackle larger issues like spending cuts and defense "sequestration."
House Speaker John Boehner says that President Obama's offer in revenue and spending reductions fails the test of a balance approach.
The administration argues that the "Plan B" would mean that scores of wealthy earners would keep getting substantial tax breaks while 2 million Americans would lose unemployment insurance.
"That violates the core principles that were debated during the course of this election and that the American people determined was the wrong way to go," Obama said.
That premise, however, has been vigorously disputed by Republican leaders, who say that the “Plan B” legislation would immediately prevent tax hikes on the middle class, which the White House has always called its top priority in the negotiations.
In a brief statement to reporters Wednesday afternoon, Boehner said that his proposal will pass the House tomorrow, challenging Obama to instruct Senate Democrats to greenlight the backup measure as well.
"The president will have a decision to make," he said. "He can call on the Senate Democrats to pass that bill, or he can be responsible for the largest tax increase in American history."
NBC's Luke Russert joins Alex Wagner and the NOW panel to make sense of fiscal cliff dealings.
"The White House's opposition to a back-up plan to ensure taxes don't rise on American families is growing more bizarre and irrational by the day," Boehner spokesman Brendan Buck said earlier Wednesday. "Republicans have always said a broader, 'balanced' plan is the ideal solution, and we have put one forward. In the absence of a 'balanced' solution from the President, however, we must act to stop taxes from rising across the board in 12 days."
While Obama said he understands lead negotiator Boehner faces "challenges" within his caucus from rank-and-file members fearful of a primary challenge from the right, he accused GOP heavies of keeping on their "partisan war paint" long after Election Day.
"I think an environment needs to be created within not just the House Republican caucus but also among Senate Republicans that say the campaign is over, and let’s see if we can do what’s right for the country. At least for the next month. And then, you know, we can reengage in all the other battles that they’ll want to fight."
NBC's Kristen Welker contributed to this report.
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lets save a huge amount of money. forget about the 2016 elections. the republicans are giving the election to the democrats way ahead of time. we all know they do not care about the 99% and they prove it day after day. losers
Yeah, Obama has done so much for me the last four years...Me being in the 'middle class" that he loves so much..I'm over 50 years old and right now is the hardest time I've seen in my lifetime to make a dollar..it aint happening..So excuse me if I would like to substitute Obamas name where you have Republicans..I would be much more inclined to believe it then
The psychotic anti-Obamites will say no to absolutely ANYTHING that Obama is part of. Taking him out of it is the only way, I guess, or maybe if Obama bleached his skin to look whiter?
Obama is basically bankrupting the country so I am not sure exactly what is so anti -about someone trying to save themselves from national suicide.
Leroy probably thinks that is a good idea.
Now that Obama has let his alligator mouth overload his hummingbird ass...he turns to the martyr ploy...spare me the affectations...
The "POS-in-Chief" Hussein says "take me out of it." That would be nice if only the Dirt Bag would take his 6-8 TRILLION Dollars of Debt OUT OF IT. What a Putz! Go Away Hussein and Stay Away. Four More Years-Let's Hope Not-Keep Praying! "All Things Are Possible With GOD and Nothing With Hussein But FAILURE!
Well the Big O spoke, and as always happens the market takes a loss. Let him sock it to the military like Clinton did and we will see another 9/11, but only in 9/13. The terrorist only get brazen when our defences get cut. You people who have been dumbed down, wake up to reality before it really is too late to recover. Oh and I hope all you 12/21/2012 idiots enjoy your wasted money pits.
It's the Repugnicans who should be taken out of it and replaced by lawmakers who have some sense, character and intelligence. As it stands, Repugnicans still seem to be sore over their election losses and want to spite the American people for doing this to them.
"WASHINGTON - President Obama said Wednesday he and House Republicans led by Speaker John Boehner are separated by "probably a few hundred billion dollars" on the "fiscal cliff" talks,"
...these guys toss around figures like 'a few hundred billion dollars' like they had that in their wallets and were trying to figure how to pay for lunch and a tip. no wonder washington spends and spends--there is NO concept about money. my grandson knows that to get something he must give up something else; why do grown men not know that too?
Hey Boehner, a "balanced" approach is to cut and raise taxes.
Boxer......You do know that is the approach that Boehner is offering. Pay attention!!! It is Obama who is avoiding the balanced approach and not cutting spending.....WHICH NEARLY ALL OF AMERICA WANTS. Obama, listen to the American people.
Really? I mean really? The crap Boehner is saying is the very same, exactly thing that
Romney was spewing and Americans rejected. Unfortunately, Obama might not be listening to the American people if he's talking about cutting social security, medicare and medicaid. I thought Obama had learned his lesson from his last term. Americans voted for HIS plan forward. The more he tries for bipartisanship, the more they will screw him.....again. You won Obama and if you keep ALL your promises, we'll have your back. They lost, so f--- them!
Boehner is wasting time, which is running out. He has resorted to a union-management scheme to bypass or circumvent the negotiating process and try to get his way with the membership. In labor contract negotiations this tactic is despised upon as" not negotiating in good faith", often leading to strikes. In this case it could be collapse of the negotiations and jumping off the cliff.
Meanwhile how many signatures are on that Pelosi House Petition now to allow a vote on the Senates already passed tax bill, that would keep the rates in effect for 98% of taxpayers?
Why is the media not covering this? Why have not heard anymore about this petition?
You are right. He probably is wasting his time. If Obama cared about the country, we might get a deal done, but Obama is all politics. Right now he would rather see Americans suffer so he could try to pin blame of the republicans than compromise and try to get along. Of course, since when has he ever tried to get along with the republicans.
Where the hell have you been the last 4 years?? Obama has bent over backwards trying to get the Republicans to stop their bs and put the country first. It's the Republicans that have REFUSED to meet him half way. Remember "our first agenda is to make him a one term President! They tried and they died. Again, Obama, the majority of Americans want your plan forward, so screw them PERIOD. You will NEVER, EVER get them to work with you. And PutAmericaFirst, you meed another name!!
If the US could capture all the hot air coming out of Obama's mouth we would be energy independent by now...
And if we use the stuff coming out of the Republicans mouth, we wouldn't need fertilizer.
oldlady -
Good thought...I didn't know that was a goal of the Obama administration or I'd a pointed that out myself...
Rick-3416939 - Do you realize that during 8 years of President Bush two wars were started and taxes were lowered. In other words, Billions of dollars were committed to spending at the same time billions were reduced from revenue. Any other war time effort in our history was backed up by a tax hike to pay for it. Your genius Republican leaders try to have it both ways and it doesn't work. There is less revenue coming into the federal government than there was 50 years ago. The whole Republican fiscal responsibility concept is a bunch of crap. They are nothing more than servants to their millionaire masters. President Obama was handed a complete disaster and the Republicans are doing everything they can to stop him from fixing it but it won't work. America is starting to wake up, people are beginning to catch on to the "Trickle Down" and "job creator" line of garbage. The Republican Party is on the verge of extinction and I for one will celebrate it with joy.
all wars approved by congress you dip.....check the voting record of Clinton, Kerry, etc..wake up!
BHO leading from the REAR!
If the Republicans in Congress want to keep their jobs, they might want to think about actually doing their jobs. Obama's in for 4 more years, like it or not. So do your jobs or be prepared to collect unemployment yourselves.
They are doing their jobs! Pay attention!!! They have already compromised several times.
Our way or the highway isn't compromise. The bastards are trying govern by proxy. Jeez Louise, will this never end? Republicans and compromise, what a flipping joke! Obama, please tell them to go $%% themselves, please!!!
Figures.......Obama says "take me out of this". What a pathetic leader of the USA. Dems picked a real loser and now the country will pay for his Socialist actions. Thanks
No, the REAL losers are the tea holes and republican'ts...and they will lose even more in 2014 midterms. Note to you LGS: OBAMA WON, YOUR SIDE LOST...DEAL WITH IT!
If the economy does well the republicans have no chance of maintaining congressional control in the next election. Their re-election is more important to them than the welfare of the country. People will remember them come election day.
People are to STUPID in this country to vote Republican..
From your mouth to G-d's ear. We might have had differences running the government, but it's never been this dysfunctional. What time in history has their approval rating been at 18% and that's an improvement from some of the past figures. The Tea Party came to Washington to drown it in a teaspoon of water and we have suffered for it. Boehner wanted their "energy". I wonder how he feels about it now?
The simple truth.Mr.Boehner is a classic example of a Ass Hole! Hey Ohio,fire him next time! Or form your own country!
Unfortunately, we failed at that.
However, blaming your intransigence and lack of leadership on the straw man that 'Republicans don't like me' is just more disingenuous partisanship.
Jim in Texas
"He" got us into it? You must have been asleep from 2001 through 2008. By the time Obama got in office, a 'problem' had become a full-blown crisis and he took necessary steps to reverse the free fall. It worked, else we would have slipped into a depression some three years ago..........HAHAHAHAHAH
Reversed it at a cost of 6 trillion...do you understand that this man has racked up more debt than all other presidents before him combined!! ALL OF THEM..are you blind or are you asleep?
The problems didn't start until 2007 and 2008. Of course, that is the exact same time that democrats took control of writing legislation. Is it just coincidence that democrats have written the spending bills for over 3/4 of our debt?
I seem to remember that Clinton, a Democrat left the country with a deficit. When Bush left, we were in the crapper. My, how soon we forget.
The Republicans need to realize that they did loose the election and that they will need to kiss a little backside as the losers. Their best bet is to turn the economy over to Obama by just voting" present" like Senator Obama did. This way He and the Democrats are responsible for all the follies they're proposing for the economy and what they feel is best.(other then their reelection). If this great plans work that 's terrific for the country and only the top 5% loose along with the working people. But when they fail and fail they will the public will finally see what a mesh they allowed by voting the Democrats back into power. Can't wait for 2016 it will be just like Jimmy Carter is back at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave and the landslide will on on.
They already have kissed a little backside. They also won their elections remember. They were elected to do what is right and oppose Obama wasting our future.
Americans won't be fooled again. They see what the Teapublicans want for the country. They were elected because they promised Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. The only thing Americans have got have been votes against abortion, abortion and more abortions. November 2014 will turn out to be a whole 'nother other.
Congress had eversince the last cliff to do something, whats Boner been doing? Not his job. His job is to get a deal with the senate and get something done. If he can't do anything we will replace him, if the country survives the mess he and his do nothing Congress have left US.
Remember last cycle Boner said if the President doesn't create jobs, we will....How many jobs has Boner and dummies created???? Oh that's right....ZERO!
Take him out of it? He is at the center of it. Republicans have already met him more than halfway. Here is a suggestion. Obama, leave politics out of it and do something for the American people for a change.
No matter what you try to say or do Boner, its the fault of the worthless piece of @!$%# do nothing, obstructionist Republican party. DO YOUR JOB pass the bill the Senate has ALREADY PASSED.
Why should it surprise to anyone that the tea holes and republican'ts don't want to compromise? They've spent the last four years saying NO to just about everything. The American voters sent a clear message to them in November, but they are still in the "I want President Obama to fail" mode. In the end, it will be the voters in the midterm elections, that will put the final nail in the coffin for them, and then hopefully the President will be able to move our country forward, as he's been trying to do for four years. There's a reason the tea holes and republican'ts have a lower approval rating than Democrats and this nonsense proves why.
Truman - Your juvenile focus on body parts and name calling makes your spurious arguments worthless. Check with your mommy for a little sex ed. It seems like you haven't passed the point of 6th grade curiosity. Do you giggle when you write this crap?
Sorry tea hole, I call them like I see 'em... Deal with it. Apparently it spurred your interest enough to make your stupid comment.
Well, then pay attention. Republicans have compromised. It is pretty obvious to anyone that has a fair mind and looks at facts.
Your comments are getting more hilarious by the post. Republicans and Compromise...what a flipping joke. Keep saying and posting it if it makes you feel better, but we're not buying it. We live in reality, not that bubble that you seem to dwell in.
Obama's got plenty of book smarts, and speaks to crowds well, but he's never had a knack for DC politics. It's a useful talent when you want to bridge many diverse groups and interests, but he has neither the experience at nor natural affinity for the process to be very good at that aspect of governing.
Perhaps you should tell that to the people that reelected him. Tell them that he doesn't have that "knack" Jeez Louise! The man was elected TWICE but you question his ability and experience to govern? You probably believe that empty suit would have done better?
Ever the narcissistic douchebag, Obama makes this all about him. It's the refusal to make ANY significant cuts that are holding all this up.