Obama unplugged: 'This is just politics'

President Obama didn't answer the question from a Republican Congressman about budget deficits. Here are the facts, from the CBO.

Total accumulated deficit from Republican-controlled budgets from FY 1996-FY 2007 totaled just under $1.246 trillion. The deficit run by Democratic-controlled Congresses in just three years — starting with FY2008 and including the latest CBO projections for FY 2010 — is already $3.222 trillion.

That means that over twelve years of Republican rule, there was an average annual budget deficit of about $104 billion. Compare that with an average annual deficit since 2008 of $1.074 trillion--ten times higher.

And yes, these last three years Obama has been either part of the Senate Democratic majority that passed the budget, or the president who approved the budget.

Nice try, Talking Point Head.

You forget economy was like one of those cars in a movie chase scene over a mountain road, that's almost gone over the edge and is teetering back and forth on the guard rail.

Anything less than what Obama did and the car would have tumbled over the precipice.

So much for the Wingnuts: "Obama needs a Teleprompter" bs talking point...

Pres Obama just Eviscerated the entire Rethuglican House membership today - all of them - off script!

It was a thing of beauty!

It was such a great beat-down that Fox Republican Propaganda Channel decided to cut away from it 20 minutes early because they couldn't handle showing the right wing House tools getting their lunch handed to them any longer.

The bad news for the GOP is that President Obama not only took their tough questions, but he answered them -- and he was tough, forcing the GOP to confront the facts instead of their make-believe Fox News reality. In fact, to get a sense of just how effective President Obama was, Fox Republican Propaganda "News" cut off the Q&A session before it ended (CNN and MSNBC both carried the full event live).

The Republicans biggest weakness is that they always over-reach and over-play their hand. I think a lot that has to do with the 24/7 right wing noise machine (Fox, AM Hate radio etc) that does nothing but divide the country every single day.

Republicans get themselves so worked up into a foaming at the mouth frenzy that they actually start believing their own BS talking points.

Pres Obama chewed the Republicans up and spit them out on national TV today, and he did it with a smile on his face. It was a thing of beauty.

President Obama cleaned the GOP's clock, if that was a fight it would have been stopped on a TKO. The GOPer's were left walking around looking like the punch drunk talking point tools that they are.

This was a serious coup on the part of Pres Obama and the Dems. And to get the cameras in there at the last minute, pure friggin' genius!

The Repugs are right now drowning themselves in their beers wondering which one of their fellow idiots (Boehner?, Cantor?) it was that gave the go ahead for them to look like total fools on TV all day long today.

Luke Russert told Andrea Mitchell that a Republican told him, off record, that it was a mistake to allow cameras into the Republican Retreat Q&A with Obama.

Russert summarized by saying that it gave President Obama enough time
to strike down every single one of the Republican talking points.

The beauty of it is the youtubes of this will be shown endlessly on ALL channels (except Fox). And speaking of Fox, they discontinued their coverage somewhere in the middle! Scaredy cats!

The Republicans DO NOT CARE about that fictitious entity known as "bipartisanship." They WANT to DESTROY representative democracy in the United States. The Extreme Court that handed Shrub Jr the presidency and recently declared that corporations should decide our elections is just one of the weapons (along with the far-reaching reich-wing media machine and the Michelle Bachmann types in Congress) in this well-orchestrated assault on the country.

President Obama should extend a middle finger to them, not an olive branch.

"There was no TelePrompTer at work here today" - Silva, now that is really news.

Also, are the news crews there when BO speaks at the Congressional Democratic retreat?

Last night (SOTU), endeavoring to explain (to himself?) the peculiar failure of the people to adopt his social-democrat agenda, President Obama too found fault with them:
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"Unfortunately, too many of our citizens have lost faith that our biggest institutions — our corporations, our media, and, yes, our government — still reflect these same values. Each of these institutions are [sic] full of honorable men and women doing important work that helps our country prosper. But each time a CEO rewards himself for failure, or a banker puts the rest of us at risk for his own selfish gain, people’s doubts grow. Each time lobbyists game the system or politicians tear each other down instead of lifting this country up, we lose faith. The more that TV pundits reduce serious debates into silly arguments, and big issues into sound bites, our citizens turn away. No wonder there’s so much cynicism out there. No wonder there’s so much disappointment."
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That could be it. Alternatively, people may be dismayed to find that they elected a left-wing ideologue who wasted most of his first year pushing health-care reform when something like 17 percent of the nation is unemployed or underemployed; who reads terrorists their Miranda rights and gives them lawyers; who apologizes to the world for America’s manifold sins; who increases the national debt by $1.6 trillion in his first year; who elects to try Khalid Sheik Mohammad in Manhattan; who promises transparency and then presides over shameless backroom deals; who clings to cap-and-trade even in the midst of economic misery; who extends more conciliation to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad than to Republicans; who has nearly the entire press in his back pocket but nonetheless attempts to punish Fox News; who disdains all Republican proposals as “the failed ideas of the past”; and whose vanity (a presidential podium and teleprompter in a sixth-grade classroom?) is verging on the pathetic.

What one didn't hear or neglected to acknowledge was the fact that 2 tax cuts were never paid for, a pharma bill never paid for, and 2 wars paid through supplementals.

Some folks hear such talk and immediately say, "President Obama, your Republican hoarding arouses secularists." Is there no forgiveness in this? Always remember that 'Roger Ailes' means 'enlightened awareness' -- meaning to be totally aware always in all places. 'Seeing Roger Ailes everywhere' means that there is not a single fake Chrysanthemum or Rhododendron or Moonflower or Wisteria or Foxglove or Cornflower or sentient being that Roger Ailes does not extend through."

"Total accumulated deficit from Republican-controlled budgets from FY 1996-FY 2007 totaled just under $1.246 trillion. "

1. Don't forget 2008. . .where the bank meltdown occurred and cost trillions more. Don't forget the wars were never paid for. Don't forget the Medicare Bill that cost trillions was never paid for. Was that in the budget too? Or I thought it was passed under supplement- which may have not been included in the deficit numbers.

2. "And yes, these last three years Obama has been either part of the Senate Democratic majority that passed the budget"

So..in other words, President Bush was grateful they helped passed it because he signed it to law. Otherwise, he would have vetoed it. I remember the Republicans didn't even help their very own President Bush during his few last days. It was a major bank meltdown- and the Democrats had to help President Bush save whatever was left of it. Once again, I love it how the truth is distorted.

BillyR,

The tax cuts were paid thru 73 months of economic growth. Someday the gov't will adopt dynamic economic scoring.

"Also, are the news crews there when BO speaks at the Congressional Democratic retreat?

Posted by: Terry |
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_______________________

No...but be pro-active. You can ask to be the guest. And, the 200 or so Democrats can ask you questions. Be a Hero, step to the plate. . .

In fact, Mr. Silva, such a Q&A as this is exactly what the press should be doing on a monthly basis, not the Republican Caucus.

Instead, we have our Self-Important Princess Press Corps, prima donnas who sashay in front of the camera asking about inanities and trivialities instead of substantive questions, preening like prima donna peacocks, hoping for a gotcha to make the Washington gossip circuit subject of the day. And then the entire Princess Press types up stories about TelePrompters and body language and who got pwned, never a mention of actual substance. "Did you read Sarah Palin's book?" is about the best this bunch can muster.

And then the Prima Donna Press Corps whines and cries "Waaaa, Obama's OVEREXPOSED!!!!" "His answers are TOO LONG!!! WAAA!!!" and continues with their silly who's-up-who's-down stories instead of asking and writing about things that actually matter to your readers, Mr. Silva.

The Republicans may have gotten some things wrong, and they may have disagreements, but at least they asked about things that MATTER. At least they talked about substantive issues and Obama answered in kind, regardless of whose answers you liked better. Unlike you people in the White House Press Corps. Isn't that your job?

RodneyKing,

I would love to field a give and take against the democratic Congressman - they are not the brightest bunch. I'd kick Pelosi's butt in a debate.

"RodneyKing,

I would love to field a give and take against the democratic Congressman - they are not the brightest bunch. I'd kick Pelosi's butt in a debate.

Posted by: Terry
"

Well..first step first. You have to get out of this blog and write to the Democratic Party. I am sure you will do well in a debate with them. But, I encourage you to keep writing to them.
And, I'm sure if you send them enough request, they might let you in as guest speaker. When that day comes, let me know. . . a day ahead. I want to make sure my popcorns are ready. :-)

Posted by: Terry | January 30, 2010 11:16 AM

So, Terry, if "The tax cuts were paid thru 73 months of economic growth", how do you explain that President Bush NEVER submitted to Congress a balanced budget, never put the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on-budget, and doubled the National Debt to over $11 trillion when he left office?
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BTW, Dubya was in office for 96 months - so if you're going to credit him with economic growth for 73 of those months, you also have to credit him with the 23 months of economic contraction.

BC,

Bush should have put the wars on budget. He should have balanced the budgets because as you can see in the graph - it would have only taken a 1% - 3% cut for 2002 - 07. That s/b done and no one would notice - except the buracrats.

Debt was $5.7 billion when he entered office and was $10.6 when he left. Not quite over $11 billinon and not quite doubled. When Pelosi and Reid took over the debt was $8.7 Trillion. In Bush's first six years debt went up $3 Trillion and in the Reid-Pelosi years it went up $2.9 Trillion.

http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/NPGateway

The 23 months of recession - the eight months in 2001, the economy was on its way into recession when he got there. He took quick steps, cut taxes, and the economy popped out of it. The last 14 months of is presidency - the current recession - was casued by the Hosuing Bubble. From a political point of view, we all know where the blame for that lies.

THINKING OUT OF THE BOX FOR AMERICA & OUR WORLD ! !

"Run Our Country as if it was, Your Company"

When you own your own Company, if you have a disagreement with a partner or an associate, you take that person aside away from everyone and work it out, or in a conference room. If you have to correct them in front of another employee you do it with respect and dignity at all times.

ALL BUSINESSES Run Their business this way, small businesses and Large businesses. We even have laws that protect us from VERBAL ABUSE against each other in work places.

So WHY WOULDN' T WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA expect or deserve any less from of OUR LEADERS THAT ARE LEADING OUR COUNTRY; THAT WE VOTED INTO OFFICE ?

I JUST WANT TO SEE ALL OF YOU TO "LEAD US BY EXAMPLE" In a UNITED WAY, the way the "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" MAKES OUR NATION THE LEADER IN OUR WORLD ! !

Summary;

Simple, Run our Country like it is YOUR OWN BUSINESS and no LESS THAN THAT.

I have no motives, other than to see this happen.

I feel this is what Mr.Obama was conveying in his Speech To America.

Great Job, Mr. Obama ! ! (what this statement represents;)

Respect For Our President Of The United States, He Showed Respect To Everyone Yesterday During His Speech, So He Deserves To Be Treated The Same Way, Pass This On Folks A Good Place To Start.

CHANGE THE WAY WE TREAT EACH OTHER and lets fix our
problems together as a Nation As; A TEAM ! ! TEAMS WIN ! !

We The People Should do this as well, Be Professional & Use Respect In Our Comments even if we disagree with their policies.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE" State your disagreements as if you are talking to your boss or a co-worker at work using respect at all times.

What does any of us have to loose by trying this approach ?
Answer Nothing.

What Do All Of us Have to Gain By treating each other with Respect ?

Answer;

RESPECT for each other & ourselves, Without Respect for each other ; WE can't fix any problem, all we do is create more problems for Ourselves & The World.

We all have choices that will IMPACT OUR WORLD ! !

We can be Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution, Our Choice ! !

Part of the Problem is;

Disrespect for each other and Lack of Team Work And Respectful Communication.

Part of the Solution,

Respect For Each Other AMERI-Can Do Attitudes & Team Work To Solve Our Problems & Respectful Communication; "LEAD BY EXAMPLE"

What ever choice we make will IMPACT; OUR CHILDREN, OUR GENERATION, THE NEXT GENERATION & THE WORLD ! !

I choose to be part of the Solution In A Positive Way using Respect as my Guide Line to follow at all Times To EVERYONE ! !

Thank You, Respectfully, Michael V. Caldwell "GOD BLESS AMERICA"

"GOD BLESS THE WORLD THAT WE ALL SHARE TOGETHER"

Loved it! I am ready for a re-match. Politics the way I like it. Fresh-- no talking points.

Who schedules Round Two? I have my deck chairs ready. Say what you may, the President showed command of the issues. The Right needs to remember he was a professor and president of Harvard Law Review. This format brings out the best in him. It was the perfect place to shine. His political savvy took the lead.
Give me more at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I will take it!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4faMkBfQ49o

I surmise from the Obama-bashers that being a math whiz or excelling in critical thinking are not components of the Tea Party ideological purity test. Here are some facts for you all to ignore while you continue to rail against deficits on the one hand, demand a reduction in taxes with the other, encourage anti-terrorism actions by the government with your third and diddle with your fourth while absorbing the pre-packaged message and dog whistle racism of Republican/Tea Party state media.
1. A recent analysis of CBO data on the swing into the red from Clinton surplus to the projected $2T: 33% attributed to Bush legislation (notably, his tax cuts and the prescription drug program); 20% to Bush-initiated spending continued by Obama (Iraq, TARP); 7% to Obama stimulus bill; 3% to new Obama initiatives; and 37% to the business cycle, notably a decline in tax revenues associated with the Great Recession. I don't expect you math whizzes to understand all those nuances, but I do expect your elected Republican leaders to ... and they do, but why let the facts get in the way of electioneering? After all, "every day is election day."
2. History has recorded that FDR sent the country back into recession in 1937 by acting too soon on managing the deficit and stifling fragile economic growth. Sound analogous? Couple that with the fact that the recent recovery is a jobless recovery and therefore unsustainable. How would you weight the risks in this socio-economic model? Analogy? Risk? Socio-economic model? My apologies. Clearly, this will be too "deep" for those swept away by sophomoric Tea Party rhetoric and sloganeering, but is it not appropriate to expect risk-based critical thinking from our alleged leaders?
3. The deficit problem is nothing new. It has been swept under the
rug for at least five decades, with a brief - albeit imperfect - respite under Graham-Rudman-Hollings. Can you get your handicap down
to scratch in one year after decades of mediocrity? Do you expect the Lions to go to the SuperBowl next year? This is a delicate rebuilding effort and Obama alone has shown the courage to ask the right questions and seek solutions to real issues.
At a very fragile time in our country's history, alleged Republican leaders have chosen politics over policy, governance and leadership. History will judge their actions as nothing short of unpatriotic; they have turned their collective backs on America in a most urgent time of need.