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Subscribe to RSSUPDATED 2:27 PM ET: House Speaker John Boehner Tuesday repeatedly challenged the president's willingness to go against his own party on issues that include reforms to social programs and spending.
"I think he'd like to deal with it [fiscal problems], but to do the kind of heavy lifting that needs to be done, I don't think he's got the guts to do it,” the Ohio Republican said in a meeting with a small group of reporters for nearly an hour Tuesday morning. “He understands there is a spending problem. He understands that we need changes and reforms, and we need to solve these problems."
When pressed about the severity of that statement, he modified, saying the president does not have the "courage."
Washington is in the midst of yet another fiscal crisis, facing a political showdown over so-called "sequestration," the self-imposed round of across-the-board spending cuts to domestic programs and the Pentagon. The sequester was supported by both the White House and Congress as a way to encourage lawmakers to find common ground. Instead, they have been mired in a stalemate, unable to find an equitable solution for both sides.
"I am not suggesting that this is easy,” Boehner said, “but what I am suggesting is that he is the President of the United States. This is the biggest threat to our society."
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, repeats his call for President Obama to submit a budget proposal to Congress, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013.
President Obama campaigned on raising taxes on the wealthy and got that in the showdown over the fiscal cliff. He wants more revenue -- from what he says are "loopholes and deductions" for the wealthy. Republicans have balked at that notion, saying he already got all the revenue he was going to get.
The White House has accused Boehner of walking away from "grand bargains," deals to reduce the country's deficits, in both 2011 and 2012 because he could not sell it to his base. Boehner's office vehemently disagrees with that notion, instead pointing the finger back at the president.
Republicans also feel as if they have already given in and do not want to give more, particularly after passing the tax increase and punting on the debt ceiling, voting to suspend it temporarily until the Democratic-controlled Senate passes a budget, something it has not done in years.
But those maneuvers have not been without staunch GOP opposition and misfires. President Obama and Boehner were thought to be, once again, close to a deal when Boehner abruptly announced "Plan B," an initiative pushed by House leadership, including Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), that would have let tax cuts expire for millionaires. But Boehner pulled the measure after he realized it did not have majority support within his conference.
President Barack Obama is expected to ask for more tax revenue and fewer spending cuts during Tuesday's speech but can his plan pass Congress. Gene Sperling, the director of the White House Economic Council, Bloomberg Businessweek's Josh Green and Bloomberg View's Margaret Carlson discuss.
Instead, Boehner issued a statement urging President Obama and the Democratic-controlled Senate to pass something to avert the fiscal cliff. Boehner eventually brought the Senate-passed measure to the House floor. It passed without majority GOP support.
On immigration, Boehner claimed in the meeting, "The thing I am most concerned about immigration reform is the president getting in the way. Sometimes I think he'd rather have an issue than a solution. Here's the guy who four years ago said he was going to have immigration reform, and he's done absolutely nothing for four years. I hope the president will play a constructive role."
Democrats say that prior to the 2012 presidential election, they have faced a brick wall of opposition on immigration, despite President Obama's promises, especially from House Republicans. In December 2010, Senate Republicans filibustered the DREAM Act, which would have given a pathway to citizenship for children brought to the United States illegally. President Obama supported the measure, and it got 55 votes, five short of the required 60 to overcome a filibuster.
But since Obama's re-election, in which he won 71 percent of the Hispanic vote, Republicans have sounded a different tune on immigration.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who will give the GOP response and is leading an immigration-reform effort in the Senate, dropped by the meeting as well.
"I didn't mean to interrupt--,” Rubio said, as he looked for a cup of coffee.
When asked if he is feeling any pressure tonight, he gave a big smile and said, "No."
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Obama won't make spending cuts? Sure he will, He'll cut:
The bloated defense budget...
Subsidies to big oil companies...
Farm bill giveaways to Ag conglomerates...
Tax loopholes for corporations and hedge fund managers...
Tax breaks for foreign investment...
Tax credits for outsourcing...
corporate welfare subsidies...
and foreign aid subsidies (especially to regimes HOSTILE to the US)...
So whaddaya say Boner...that enough for ya? Or do you want us to go after yer corporate buddies in the insurance, and Pharmaceutical industries too?
He won't cut 1 penny.(Bozo that is)
Since Obama does consider the Despot Morsi of the his favorite Terrorist Group, the Muslim Brotherhood as NOT "Hostile", you do have a point. He will NOT cut foreign aid to his friends such as the Muslim Brotherhood for in the Kakistocracy Regime of Obama, they are not "hostile"
For the sane rest of us, we want foreign aid cut 100% to the Muslim Brotherhood Regime in Egypt.
You douchebags all buy yer jammy's at the same store? So tell me, which of you dumbf$%&s even know the definition of the words Socialist or Fascist?
Yeh...I didn't think so.
Its funny to hear any republican speak about guts when it comes to confronting their own party. Boenher is nothing more than a puppet on a string.
Leftfootinmouth...your boyfriends lost the election...must suck to be you.
Why don't they do just do away with insurance companies, the new health insurance reform law, and for profit medicine and that will cut spending considerably!
Not that he does have the courage to cut. he just is not interested in cutting anything except the military or anything else that benefits America.
Thats funny, I remember an article a few days ago that was about the president warning against defense cuts.
The President that racked up over 7Trillion in a mere four years cares nothing of cutting spending comrades!
No guts is giving him way too much credit.
It is just so embarrassing to have someone so illegitimate to be our 3rd in command (what a disaster that would be) and for him to be such a tool.
We just have to tell our politicians to stop hurting us - the people - and showing us up to the World with their trite, childishness when they have work to do to deserve their paychecks, paychecks that they want to deny the rest of us for some crazy reason. They might as well just throw themselves off a cliff, but they think they will be able to survive.
And on the people that accuse President Obama of not reaching across the aisle, would you if you were black and they called you "boy" or "son" to your face.
You viners never disappoint! It's the same old arguments and insults, over and over again. If the government is supposed to represent the American people, then it's no wonder why nothing is ever accomplished. The government's actions and words mimic the majority of the populace.
Pathetic.
Obama has no guts, no brains, no brawn, no nothing! Obama should be impeached.
Read the comments and understand why nothing gets done! More hate and name calling! Why would it be any different in congress. Oh!... Because Obama is never in congress! Never mind, just answered my own question. He would rather "dictate" over the media sources, and then go on another vacation at taxpayer expense!
"When pressed about the severity of that statement, he modified, saying the president does not have the "courage."
No Mr Speaker, you said it right the first time, this President doesn't have the guts.
Why dont the entire country do like obama does.... When you run out of money, just go print some more and go spend it..... we should all live our lives just like our government does its life...... why not? No more credit cards, just go print more money to spend, and why work anymore???? Damn, if the people can sit at home and the government will just hand over the cash, then there is no reason to work..... shoot, everything should be free according to the democrap party, the party of low lifes, blacks, non workers, and hollywood degenerates..... Where do i sign up for all the free stuff???
Excuse me...White, working democrat here
Shut Up Boehner, balless wonder
u shut up bag lady
is Israel talking or Boehner? very difficult to seperate we should get real about who is in control of the gop!!!
We know the Kremlin is in control of Amerika..
stupid post...
Zeig Heil. Its getting so its impossible to tell the difference between nazis and progressives as they have the same belief set when it comes to Jews.
I used to live in Boehner's district. I say "used to" because Boehner gerrymandered himself a new district to avoid being challenged in his last election. You see, he had three challengers for his seat in 2010 that really gave him a run for his money. To be honest, I can't think of one damn thing that Boehner did for my district when he represented it other than show up for a few parades. It scares the hell out of me knowing that he is third in line for the Presidency.
Big deal. Kerry has been a Senator from my state forever it seems and the traitor is going to be Secretary of State.
Try sticking with the subject matter skibum. I know how hard it is for you right-wingers to stay on track.
AJ from OH,
I still don't understand how you liberals can say that the wealthy don't pay their fair share of taxes. Perhaps you fell pray to Obama's socialistic rhetoric. It would be interesting to see what happened if they all suddenly stopped paying their share and stopped their donations to good causes or stopped creating businesses, etc.
If they left the country, I'd be fine with that.
After all, they wouldn't stand a chance anyplace else: they'd be decorating lamp posts.
A lot of European countries have a long history of melting down little tin gods, dictators hate competition, and real socialists take everything or nationalize your companies.
But here...the rich and the corporate citizens own disproportionate governmental influence- so the United States is paradise for folks like the Waltons and the Kochs- you know, the folks that fund people like you to post lies and propaganda with the ultimate aim of recruiting people ignorant enough to cut their own throats (i.e. elect Republicans) as an act of defiance.
Perhaps it has something to do with the disparity of income between the rich and the middleclass/poor over the last 30 years and the fact that people like Mitt Romney paid a lower percentage of taxes on the millions that he earned compared to someone earning $50K a year.
Then who would have to blame for the government problems if not the wealthy? Maybe then you guys would look in the mirror.
And, Julie . So what if Romney paid a smaller percentage. I really don't care. I still bet his smaller percentage was way more than what you earned your life. And, does he use anything more than you? Lets say the roads, or collecting food stamps like you possibly.
Jeff, I am not earning minimum wage like you are. I actually earn more and pay for everything I have. And to have the attitude that it's okay for the rich to get away with NOT paying their fair share is ignorant. And does he use anything more than me? Absolutely. Air travel, larger property to protect, more police protection, tax breaks that would never benefit me and much more.
Organic debate: Obama lacks the guts to make cuts, (why, it even rhymes, and drags in the egregious image of evisceration), but Boehner's obscene with his spleen (I'll leave that one to your imagination).
It drives me crazy sometimes...after all, who has the brain to remain sane when we've gone down the drain?
Obama is leaving a HUGE mess for the next guy to clean up........
I pray that that man is not Hilldog.
The next guy might be a gal. And yes, the mess is going to be huge. Fortunately the economy will recover eventually in spite of how bad any President is.
He is also cleaning up the HUGE MESS that BUSH left us.
And Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and the rest of his admistration did not????????
Yes I am mad at Bush for never having the unemployment rate over 6% while Obama never got it below 7.9%.
ROFL still on the Bush thing ???
Lame is a compliment to you people.
Bush left such a huge mess that President Obama should have just "lighted a match" and then started from square one.
He is the next guy if you hadn't noticed . And he is doing pretty well if you ask me . Despite resistance from the right .
skibum609
a LIE. It was over 7% during BUSHES last 18 months. Get real
@ skibum; it often takes time for an economy to hit the ground after someone blows its brains out.
It also takes longer to fix something than it does to destroy it- so expect it to take longer than eight years to fix what Bush wrecked.
No worries- the next Democratic president (who may be Hillary Clinton) will have that time- and the next Congress may not have to suffer the right wing nihilism which has made the process of recovery so painfully slow.
That could easily transpire either by the elimination of the filibuster or by the election of a Democratic supermajority, now likely given the wonderful ratings the House enjoys at present- and the growing (and accurate) perception of the right as servants of the corporations- and enemies of the state.
Not that the left is so much better- but they seem to retain some slender channels of communication with reality, while the right embraced bat-sh*t crazy quite some time ago.
It's amazing to me how they talk about cutting things from the budget, but the things they cut are NOT the luxuries, fluff, filler and pork but the necessary things the citizens of this country pay for with their tax dollars. How about passing the Fair Tax, eliminating the IRS, and all the pay increases the politicians voted for themselves. How do they get to work each day? Do they drive their own car, take a bus or do they have a private driver? There is enough money wasted by the government on unnecessary things. Any idea how much money we could save be getting rid of the IRS? But where do they start cutting? In my budget, I don't start by cutting out food and then go buy a new car!! One thing I do know is that I will no longer support ANY candidate who isn't for the Fair Tax. Let's get our entire paycheck, kick the lobbyists and special interest groups out of Washington and remind those in the House, Senate and White House that since their salaries are paid for with our money, they are our employees, not our employers.
What's a fair amount of tax to pay . Do you mean making sure people like Romney are required to pay the same rate as you or that you want a flat tax to repress the poor even more ? Are you advocating the poor pay the same rate or should a person making under the poverty level be exempt from taxes . The tax question will never be agreed upon . If the wealthy are made to pay their fair share it would go a long way to helping the problem . But they control a good portion of the government so that will be difficult to pass . As far as your post goes it sounds like you are advocating no tax . A road to ruin .
Boehn-head, Americans don't NEED cutting!
You destructive dolts in the republicon mob have been cutting and cutting and cutting for decades. Sort of. And this country has been bleeding because of it all those years. Except the only things you have cut have been the programs that helped people while you fascists have built a bad army with bad equipment and fought illegal and inhumane wars.
This country needs to rebuild after the assaults from the right-wing idiots, not destroy more of our society. We can leave that to next goper gangster after the next fraudulent election.
Well, who the hell got us into 16 trillion in debt if the republicans have been cutting??? You people get more stupid every day.... Next thing you will telll me is obammy is good for this country.
All you are is just another welfare rat that dont work and is looking for a free ride like the rest of the democraps....... bunch of lazy idiots that want to punish the producers and the workers of this country so they can collect the taxes and sit on their fat asses
There has NEVER been a single penny reduction in our US budgets
What you also whine about is the marxist redistribution of wealth programs paid for by the wealthy in this country
The top 1% pay 40% of the taxes and the top 5% pay a greater share than the bottom 95% combined
Quit trying to steal what we earn.
These boys on the Hill need to get a grip. I guess next Boehner will challange "Obama" to meet him in the parking lot. You want a piece of me.... It would be funny if these games weren't a damn shame and terrible for this country.
It would be so much more productive if Obama could find a way to work with all of Congress. This next four years looks like a bunch of Executive Orders being issued since Obama can't work with Congress.
that's it. baby steps boys and girls. raise a little revenue, cut a little amount of expenses. you can do it. we know you can. it took is 200+ years to get in this mess. it will take 200 to get back out. the important thing is, that we get out.
Did the GOP really believe they could control the RWNJ's ? Now their folly comes home to roost . having to kowtow to the radical right is costing them big .
Calling the President a coward because he won't advance the conservative agenda is silly . Obama never advocated cutting spending as a solution for the country's problem . Another sign of desperation by Boehner . Now the Reps have to separate themselves from the lunatic fringe or be buried in the next election . Short term loss for long term gain ? I don't think they have the guts for that . So who's the real coward?
The President is a total coward. He keeps saying spending cuts and in his fifth year of office hasn't identified one single program he would cut in any way at all. Coward is actually a compliment.
He did mention cutting spending, but he said also that spending cuts were not the only solution. The President said well thought out spending cuts he would support, but the republicans can only see their way is to cut programs that help Americans.
As far as the coward piece goes I'd say neither are cowards, but both parties are stubborn and trying to advance their political ideals.
The reality is that everyone wants the government to fix their problems. We are a country of debt. We have no financial discipline and live beyond our financial means. We dont support USA made companies. We support companies that sell imported goods and outsource our jobs, for the sake of saving a few bucks. We make no effort to save for retirement. We eat in excess with no regard for future health implications. We don't exercise. We are a stupid and lazy society, with nor regard for our future as long as we know that the government will take care of us. When we have 3 generation welfare recipients, the system is broken. When you can fill your cart up with soda, chips, and candy an no fresh fruit or vegetable using food stamps, the system is broken. When we provide more security for citizens of other countries than we do our own, the system is broken. When we give free healthcare and education to criminal, but not honest hardworking citizens, the system is broken. When we give in to people that come to this country illegally, and evade our tax system, the system is broken. When defense and prison become a business rather than a system, the system is broken. To say that we can cut the budget is nothing more than BS .
You are correct sstx, we are our own worst enemy. Last November proved it beyond all reasonable doubt.
Boehner is a big part of the problem. When Obama had an agreement, Boehner couldn't deliver his caucus, couldn't count the votes he'd bargained with. What if Obama's lead involves cutting defense? Eliminating some hugely expensive F-35 or F-22 program with factories in every Congressional district (and not for efficiency)? Boehner is all gungho about cutting spending, but when you dig into his details, all those cuts are coming out of the skins of seniors Social Security and Medicare, and poor people on food stamps. Will Boehner stand up if Obama proposes cuts that end tax breaks for big Oil and big Agribusiness? What about cutting tax expenditures for the "carried interest" scam that Wall Street (the single biggest source of campaign donations - legalized bribes) favors? How much enthusiasm will Republicans have for real cuts that don't all hit the very poorest and politically weakest of us? Yes we have to address entitlements, but we also need to prudently trim Defense spending, which is the fat cow of the budget. We need comphrensive tax reform to make our tax code a source of sufficient revenue for government operations, and not a wellspring of special favors for campaign donors and fat cats. Part of this needs to be a close look at tax expenditures, those sacred cows like preferred tax rates for investments, mortgage interest deductions, and exemptions for many smaller programs that are a favor to some at cost to many others... what could the tax rates be if these special deductions were eliminated in a mostly revenue neutral reform? Eliminate all the deductions, rates go down by 30-40% but revenue goes up enough to actually reach a balanced budget. Eliminate the cap on FICA income, then reduce the tax rate to make the Social Security system secure forever. Plenty of good ideas - they don't all have to come from Obama. Let's hear some proposals from Boehner that don't start with "cut Social Security and Medicare, and food stamps..." Boehner should make some proposals, but he needs to make sure he can deliver on his proposals, too.
Why are we hearing from this guy. Did someone prod him, that's the only time he talks. I think the Koch brothers sent him an e mail that they fear their privatizing and creating a Nazi desiring coup is going too slowly. Cutting what does he proclaim? Cutting everything but what benefits him and his supporters. The whole of America is what's important, not the meelymouse pirates that want to take everything because they don't know what else to do. They can't create, they can't produce, they can't invent, they can't serve. Sounds like the Republicans all over again and the cooperations they serve.