LA Times: A testy White House meeting between President Obama and House Republican leaders Wednesday failed to lower the partisan pitch in the capital, much less make progress toward a deal on the federal debt ceiling.
Instead, the two sides traded complaints, accusing each other of partisanship and posturing. Republicans demanded that the administration produce a budget-cutting plan, which the White House said it had already done.
Rep. Paul D. Ryan, architect of a Medicare overhaul aimed at slashing the cost of the popular entitlement program by reducing the government’s open-ended commitment to seniors, accused Obama of “mis-describing” his plan and implored the president to ease up on the “demagoguery”.
In reply, Obama said he was no stranger to cartoonish depictions, reeling off a list of conservatives’ favorite attack points: “I’m the death-panel-supporting, socialist, may-not-have-been-born-here president,” Obama said, according to people familiar with his remarks.
More here
Thank you LOL
Jeez, I love this man!
The Obama Diary 
There is no way at all we can circumvent Congress (or at least the house) on this debt ceiling issue? This is serious and can lead to catastrophe if not dealt with.
The House has the primary responsibility of initiating all federal spending, so there is no way to do this unilaterally. I do not believe they will allow this country to default, but even this ridiculous kabuki they are pulling is a danger and a threat for our citizens and the world. It’s really unconscionable.
I wholeheartedly agree meta. This is like the govt. shutdown issue only on a worldwide scale. It is unconscionable how they are dragging this matter out until the very last minute when they’ll finally vote to raise the debst ceiling. Meanwhile they’re screaming “fire” in a crowded room and Wall Street is panicing, Moody’s is threatening a downgrade for the United States (they already downgraded greece to junk status – but that’s another story), the media are losing their damn minds. I wish there was a way to halt their pay until they resolve the issue and raise the freaking debt ceiling. Crying out loud the economy is trying it’s hardest to grow; we don’t need all this miscellanious BS.
I love Tim Geithner but I’m sorry he let it out that the real deadline is in August. This only gives more time to the Republicans for more mischief.
After witnessing the grotesque kitchen sink that was thrown at PBO during the primaries and general election and throughout his 2 1/2 year presidency, these wimps have a lot of nerve to step into his office and whine like this. Really, really pathetic and useless.
It’s because they don’t understand how much of an intelligent fighter the President actually is. They believe their own stories that the guy is a wimp, too nice, etc. They don’t get that he sees everything they say about him, but he’s very patient and waits them out, hitting them when and how they least expect it.
You may have a point. They view politics as a game of bullying so they don’t respect President Obama as a POLITICIAN. Big mistake…
Meta,
I hear and agree with you, the house (which is GOP controlled) has the power of the purse. My concern is with how it is the repub messaging that seems to take hold with the MSM, and we know that the repub strategy is to blame PBO for whatever happens. So, if the USA defaults on its financial obligation it would be PBO’s lack of leadership that t=lead to those circumstances, how can they continually get away with their hypocritical shake down approach?
Naijas, I know what you mean. But sometimes just because the GOP message is carried by the MSM, the people see it differently. Reasonable people can see that the president’s efforts, despite the intrasigent GOP, bears fruits. Case in point, the automobile bailout.
I am hoping that the Republicans will do the right thing here. I also believe that while they grandstand, the president is doing his best behind the scenes to make sure they don’t screw the American people.
First of all, the United States will NOT default on its debt. Wall Street and the global markets would sink like a stone and you would see widespread CALAMITY. There is NO WAY the right-wing money elite are going to let that happen. In addition to the constant Republican high wire act, they are doing what they can right now to puff up and seem relevant. They are not. The debt ceiling will be raised. It’s a game to them. Whether or not it becomes a tool for gaining additional spending cuts is another story. Don’t know how that will end.
PBO is not going to be blamed for their behavior because nearly everyone can see plain as day that the Republicans have no solutions to anything. Except for the 27%, that is.
meta,
You and africa make excellent points and I do see the validity of your perspectives. I just hope that PBO gets the support of the democrats in congress to 1st call the b.s on the repub strategy as well as making the case in the MSM as to who is doing what to help or hurt the country.
well, to begin with, I know the president was looking at me while winking. Our eyes actually met up. If I am dreaming, do not wake me.
Sometimes I feel so bad for all that Obama has to put up with. It gets me a little down myself. Polls continue to look good so let’s hope the republiscum dig themselves into a deep, deep grave.
Actually he was trying to focus on the person behind you – meeeeee!! 🙂 🙂
wanna arm wrestle? Lol!
Do I have referee this cat fight!
With large circulation papers like the LA Times printing these types of articles, it will show that the President is shoving reality back at the Repugs and they will have to reverse course or it will be them that sink the ship. The US and the world is seeing how hard the President is working to right the ship – the spotlight is now on those other people. They forget that they are playing Poker with a Master.
YES! Go President Obama. Interesting that Ryan left off the President’s response when he was telling the press that he told the President to stop calling his plan vouchers. The President’s response makes Ryan look like the teeny weeny crybaby that he is.
Seriously. And people want Ryan to run for President? He’s lucky if he can hold onto his House seat next time. Tragic waste of time.
I hope Wisconsinites(?) don’t forget what scott walker tried to pull on them and that what ryan is doing is akin to the union busting scheme. They have got to kick him out of power. Buddy boy likes having this national platform and media love. Hey, as more Wisconsinites(?) know him, the worse it’ll hopefully be for him at the polls.
: “I’m the death-panel-supporting, socialist, may-not-have-been-born-here president,” Obama said”. Bwahahahaha this was funny
I loved the last comment about not walking on White House lawn when they leave…that’s equivalent to “don’t let the door knob hit you in the ass on the way out!” LOL!
To all who think those Republicans are going to back President Obama into a corner and there is no plan “B”. We all know our President is a CHESS MASTER and can chew gun and walk at the same time. So just stay fired up ready to go because when He is ready to drop the hammer of THOR on the Repubs. they won’t see it coming ask Donald Trump. Keep the faith remember they threatened to shut the GOVERNMENT DOWN unless they got what they wanted. After the dusk cleared the President got more than they thought they were going to give up. Always remember Our President may look quiet and easy going and things look like they have the best of Him, but there is cold hard Steel in those veins when need be to save our country. President Obama will get it done in the right way.
Co-sign.
Wall Street and Corporate Big Guns give their butt boys and gals their marching orders, crashing the world economy doesn’t seem IMO, in the best interest of their livelihoods. Am I being naive?
Sorry for my type o I meant our President is a CHESS MASTER and can chew gum and walk at the same time. “not chew gun” thanks.
Wesley, for a minute I was afraid you were an NRA member when I saw you accusing the President of chewing guns!
Hahahahahahahaha. 😆 Chewing guns. Hahahahaha. I’m sure it was a typo Chips.
Oh crap I have to stop laughing … I can’t breathe.