USA Today: President Obama’s re-election team is seeking help from Internet and on-the-ground backers to spread the word about Obama’s record in office, and to bash his Republican critics.
The purpose of the “Truth Team” is to “promote the President’s achievements, respond to attacks on his record and hold the eventual Republican nominee accountable,” said the announcement from the Obama re-election team.
The overall website – BarackObama.com/TruthTeam – includes three specialty websites: KeepingHisWord.com (devoted to Obama’s record), KeepingGOPHonest.com (attacking Republicans), and AttackWatch.com (responding to critical GOP ads).
“The sites also contain tools for sharing materials via Facebook, Twitter and email, and empowers supporters to take further action by volunteering, writing letters to the editor, sending postcards to undecided voters with information about the President’s record, and more,” said the Obama announcement.
More here
The three sites: KeepingHisWord – AttackWatch – KeepingGOPHonest
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More ‘Keeping his Word’ videos here
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AP: President Barack Obama wants community colleges and businesses to work together to train 2 million workers in high-growth industries, and on Monday will request $8 billion to create a fund to encourage the effort.
Obama’s plan, to be spelled out at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, Va., is called the “Community College to Career Fund,” the White House said. It would seek to train workers within areas such as health care, transportation and advanced manufacturing, and would be administered by the Education and Labor departments.
The proposed fund is part of a new budget Obama is sending to Congress. It aims to achieve $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade by restraining government spending and raising taxes on the wealthy. In an election year with a gridlocked Congress, nearly every aspect of the budget will face tough scrutiny.
More here
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Today:
11:00: PBO delivers remarks on his FY 2013 Budget to students at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale
1:45: PBO awards the 2011 National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal. Michelle Obama also attends.
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TPM: It was a long road back, but President Obama is now back in positive territory in our TPM Poll Average.
The shift comes on the heels of a completed Iraq withdrawal, a legislative win on the payroll tax cut before Christmas, and perhaps most importantly, good economic numbers in January and early February. The President’s numbers have jumped in the last few days in both Gallup and Rasmussen tracking polls as well as individual national polls.
More here
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BroadwayCarl: Many on the left have set their hair on fire over President Obama’s solution to the conflict between religious institutions, primarily the Catholic church, providing health care coverage which includes birth control to women and the teachings of the church. One would have to be in the wildest parts of Siberia to have missed this controversy, so I will not recount the drama that has unfolded.
However, once again the ubiquitous word “cave” has appeared in association with this decision. There was a time when this would infuriate me, but now I laugh at the predictability of the critical left.
Full post here
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More ‘Keeping his Word’ videos here
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Morning everyone 😉
The Obama Diary 
He looks to his left. he looks right. LOOKS DOWN…. could it be??
Congrats! And G’morning Dave 🙂
Woooooooooooooot! Congratulations Dave 😆
Good morning Chips and TOD friends.
Mornin’ COS.
Morning Jackie 😉
Damn Chips! Hmmmmmm… 🙂
Morning COS, morning Hopefruit – a big thumbs up to you both 😉
THIS IS HUGE!!! THANKS EVERYONE!!!
Off to work now…………….
Morning Chips – morning all! Congrats Dave.
Contratulations on fist Dave!
That would be first, Dave.
I thought you were telling us Dave is a boxer, Jackie 😆
Looking at YOU, Dave, in first place, that what he’s looking at! 😉
Congratulations!! Glad to see the White House is now enabling the TOD family and the Social Media family – especially my Twitter family. This is what is needed to combat the #mediarazzi and the #GOPfail. We’re responsible for getting his accomplishments and debunking lies – out to people who AREN’T as attuned as we are.
Sorry…I to bring the stupid over here…..they are ALL dangerous!
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/02/13/rick-santorum-says-he-will-overturn-the-supreme-court-if-same-sex-marriage-is-ruled-legal-video/
How exactly does one “overturn” a Supreme Court decision in the executive branch? What a dumbass.
Meat me to it. mebbe lil ricky thinks that he’ll be the king of wingnutistan with superman powers.
That’s what I was just thinking. How does he think he’s going to do that? This is a guy who’s been in government a long time and yet is so unqualified, exactly like the rest of them. The scent of the possibility of power is going to their heads. UGH.
He doesn’t think. He is programmed to run off at the mouth.
Not so smart or just red meat for the ravenous?
Red meat, IMO. The ravenous are that stupid.
I don’t think Ricky has a filter between his brain and his mouth. This is a statement so profoundly stupid we would laugh if a junior high school student said it and wonder whether the kid had any idea how the government works. Didn’t the Repubs spend a lot of time reading the US Constitution on the floor of the House in 2010? Ricky should have paid attention. He obviously slept through his junior high school classes on government. Funny how Ricky is so quick to accuse PBO of “dictating” to people when he himself fantasizes about being the All Powerful Determiner of all things. God complex much?
What does he care? He knows the people listening are dumber than him. He could say mozzarella cheese is a liberal conspiracy and they’d believe him.
Actually, to be fair, Santorum did not say he “would” overturn it, but that he would try to overturn it and he does specifically mention going through the process of a constitutional amendment. He says enough stupid things without our having to misquote him to make him look stupid.
This is a very important point, japa. Thank you! 🙂
EXCLUSIVE – NARAL LAUNCHES $250K RADIO CAMPAIGN: Beginning today, NARAL Pro-Choice America will air ads in support of the Obama administration’s policy on contraceptive coverage for women. The group will spend about $250,000 on ads in Colorado (Denver), Florida (Orlando), Northern Virginia and Wisconsin (Madison). They’ll also roll out a $45,000 online ad and recruitment plan, including ads on Facebook and Google. NARAL Pro-Choice America is a member of the Coalition to Protect Women’s Health Care, an umbrella organization of more than 30 organizations that includes labor and reproductive health groups. Listen to the ad, which thanks Obama: http://bit.ly/Ay749F.
hey I think this Truth Team thing is going to be a big help! K. sneakin back to work……
I have to say I think this is really smart campaigning. I did not like the word “bashing.” Telling the truth about the GOP should not be called bashing. I might personally bash the GOP-how creepy they look and speak, but the campaign is not bashing the GOP, only telling the truth. President Obama is always respectful and classy.
SOROS UNDECIDED ON CREATING A PRO-OBAMA SUPER PAC: “Billionaire financier George Soros said Sunday he has not decided on whether he will create a super PAC to help President Barack Obama win re-election. ‘But I think it’s a big, big issue that the ‘Citizens United’ has really unleashed private money for political purposes that can be used anonymously,’ Soros said on CNN’s ‘Fareed Zakaria GPS.’…Soros added that he’s always been open about giving away his money, and only does so on principle, ‘not for pursuit of my private interests.’ ‘So whatever I decide, I will state what I’m deciding, but I’m distressed by the problem that ‘Citizens United’ has created,’ he said.” http://bit.ly/weBSpM
LIike PBO is sitting around waiting for Soros to “decide.” SOROS needs to get over himself – fast.
Hopefruit, I saw the interview, and I believe Soros was asked the question and answered it. You may not like Soros, but he has given and continues to give billions to very worthy causes and is a strong supporter of PBO. There are many billionaires such as the Koch brothers and Newt’s sugar daddy who deserve criticism by PBO supporters before George Soros. No one is demanding Warren Buffett or Bill Gates or anyone else start a Super PAC for PBO. Soros has no obligation to start one.
You’re right -he’s under no obligation, which is why the President is not waiting for him to come around. I saw the interview as well. He equivocated “it’s mixed” on the president’s record – which at this point in my opinion, does not deserve any sort of hedging and equivocation. The President has done an excellent job IN SPITE of the chronic GOP and media efforts to ensure that he fails. Eight months before the damn election with the glaring inadequacies of the opposition, either you’re in or you’re not!
This was my problem also with the Soros interview. I watched it and it irritated me how he said PBO had a “mixed record.” He couldn’t even properly explain what that “mixed record” was about. No one is brandishing a gun to his head and forcing him to contribute to our Super PACs, but his wishy washy equivocation on PBO’s record left a bad taste in my mouth. He also acted in a rather supercilious manner and finally after prodding came out and said he would support PBO in 2012. It’s about 8 months before the election and Democrats and their supprters need to either be in or out. There can’t be any wishy washy, hedging your bets crap. If you are being interviewed at such a crucial time, you should be yelling from the roof top about your guy’s accomplishments, you should be proud of those accomplishments because they are historic. You should be unequivocally 100% in. This is 2012 and it’s an election year. We don’t bloody need people who are so so and who hem and haw.
THIS!!!
I watched the interview with Zakarias and Soros I think Soros will support PBO, just
by mentioning “Citizens United” he knows that PBO will need all the help he can get from
big donors and he wants to be open about his donations.
HEADLINE: Pro-choice group thanks Obama in new ads.
// (CNN) – NARAL Pro-Choice America will air radio ads for the next week in support of the Obama administration’s policy toward coverage for female contraception. The spot, which thanks President Barack Obama for guaranteeing insurance coverage for birth control, will air in Denver, Colorado, Orlando, Florida, Northern Virginia and Madison, Wisconsin, according to the group. //
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/13/pro-choice-group-thanks-obama-in-new-ads/
Well its about damned time. Where the heck were they when the GOP was filling the airwaves with sanctimonious jerks and their lies. NARAL & NOW were busy tweeting out stupid petitions instead of getting air time on TV like Cecile Richards President of Planned Parenthood and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (D) former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, board member of Catholic Democrats, and niece of the late GREAT Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and fighting the smears and showing PBO 100% support.
Thank you NARAL, Every woman’s group in the country should be out in the streets. For the past 3 years we have seen the RW attacking women and every one was strangely silent. You are right about the silly petitions, it is much better to be out in public with the message so that women know what is at stake.
LOVE THE ‘TRUTH TEAM’…AND AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED..OUR AMAZING PBO HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON ‘POSITIVE’ GROUND. WE ARE NOT HANDING THIS COUNTRY BACK TO THE ‘GREED OVER PEOPLE’ PARTY!
In the good economic news dept., GE announces plans to hire 5000 vets and invest $580 million in their aviation industry here:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-ge-to-hire-5000-us-veterans-investing-in-plants-20120213,0,1902141.story
Great to see support for our Vets; hope other major corps follow!!!
Good morning everyone,….
Morning from MN…
So, how do we truly awaken the women of this country? How do we help our young women realize what it was like to truly not have a ‘voice’ or ‘choice’ in their health, education, and career paths? How doe we remind our middle age and elderly women what has been gained and how many struggled for our rights?
I am truly struggling with how passive many of my peers are on this topic. I am not looking for them to be in the mall bra burning; just looking for engagement and voices expressed.
We proved it can change a path with the Komen reversal (although I reserve judgement to see how funding is actually distributed in teh coming years), so how do we make it bigger?
How do we create outrage over the Senate Judicial Republican representative refusing to support the re-authorization of the domestic abuse legislation?
Ideas?
There’s so much to be done…..last night I saw on twitter something that was really disturbing….when Chris Brown was performing at the Grammy’s.
Young women, teens…tweeting that Chris Brown could beat them up any day…..
-I’d let Chris Brown punch me in the face.
-Chris Brown can beat me up all he wants.
I saw over 20 of them and I could only take a few minutes of it…..I had to stop reading.
I see this….I see these crazy RWers war on women……
I just shake my head, I don’t even know what to say anymore……there’s so much to be done to protect women, teens.
Wow, that is so deeply sad and disturbing.
It is quite shocking that a young woman could have such low self esteem and idolize that…
They were most likely teenagers. I wouldn’t be so upset about. They got a lot of growing up to do.
Yes – I heard a radio program saying this Chris Brown fetish is a real problem. Many young girls/women still see Rihanna as the guilty party in that abuse scandal, and they even had women interviewed who said that Chris Brown is their ideal man, and they’d like their boyfriends to be like him. It’s a type of derangement. Does not make sense at all.
GM Cathy…
i have thought about the issue you have raised…i think that we have taken the gains that women have made for granted…for example…contraceptives…
perhaps folks do not see what being able to control pregnantcy has done to revolutionize the lives of women and the impact that has had on our society…i would start there…pointing out what has been possible….and how it was for women 40-50 years ago…
Next month is Women’s History month….
another opportunity to talk about what it took for women to gain the rights that so many of us may take for granted….
one more note…..
remind folks too…that once something is achieved it has to be defended….civil rights…workers rights…womens rights…voting rights….
because there are always forces that want to do away with those rights….
WE WILL NOT GO BACK!!!!!!!!!!
PRESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS ON!
Maybe we can rally around Women’s History Month as a way of opening the dialogue and talking about how truly restricted women’s lives were just a short time ago…
Many stories of my own, but a fairly easy one:
I am in my early 50s and an engineer by education. I was fortunate to have benefited from many that came before me to pave the path; however, I was still a rare female in this profession and the prejudice was there;it was just more veiled and still is.
I remember one occasion when a good friend of mine (not a particularly progressive man), looked very red-faced an angry. He let me know he just had a heated arguemnt with our Physics professor who had made the error of thinking they were like-minded when he told him ‘that, as a female, I had no place in the sciences’. He was fuming and, I have to say, I wouldn’t have guessed it from that particular professor. I found it quite interesting how my peer, from a very humble beginnings, knew how wrong this was and was willing to take in on openly — you never know. Anyway, it is still there and wouldn’t take much to slide back…
http://crooksandliars.com/blue-texan/thomas-friedman-finally-gets-it-gop-isn Liked it not so much for the fact that Thomas Friedman finally gets it, but this list regarding modern day Republicans and how off the rails they have become:
A party that refuses to raise taxes on anyone, ever, when taxes are at historic lows isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
A party that wants to roll back successful programs like Social Security that have been a bedrock of American society for nearly three quarters of a century isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
A party that’s openly at war with Progressive Era reforms like unions and child labor laws isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
A party that refuses to make cuts in defense when the U.S. currently spends more than the next 14 countries in the world combined isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
A party that denies the scientific consensus of climate change isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
A party that seeks to repeal a law that was decided by the Supreme Court nearly four decades ago isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
A party that advocates the forced deportation of 12 million immigrants isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
A party that denies basic facts about the deficit isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
A party that wants to pull out of landmark treaties the United States helped write isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
A party that invites white supremacists and fringe organizations like the John Birch Society to its most important conferences isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
A party whose leaders compare the President of the United States to Adolf Hitler and Stalin on the floor of the House, who threaten impeachment if they don’t get their way, and who sew doubt about the President’s citizenship isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
A party whose presidential candidates claim that states should be able to ban contraception and that the Civil Rights Act was unconstitutional isn’t conservative, it’s radical.
Nailed it. The current Republican Party is not a conservative party, it is a “severely” radical party. This is why a lot of people will no longer call themselves Republicans. And I truly believe that a lot of conservatives, while they may not be able to vote for President Obama, will also not be able to vote for whomever the Republican candidate is. Ultimately, they will ask themselves if they want to be partially responsible for bringing such a radical agenda into full power and will answer “no.”
I think so, too. They won’t want to be responsible for the aftermath of THAT vote.
It says a lot that someone (Mitt Romney) who once proclaimed to be more progressive than Ted Kennedy, and who was first in the country to bring universal healthcare (however imperfect) can now be seeking to lead that party of radicals, knowing the consequences that would ensue. Any sane person would have dropped out of the race a long time ago, and denounced his fellow candidates and the party they now represent, stating that in all good conscience, he could not continue to unseat the only sane/adult person to run the country.
I also think there might be more than just a few Republicans who will vote for PBO – despite what they say to their friends/family or on TV.
Those republicans not at ease with their radicalized party are the ones who have to be persuaded. They are your family members, your co-workers, your friends, your neighbors. But let’s not forget that abandoning a party that you have supported for years and years can be difficult. If you talk to them, talk with a lot of RESPECT and EMPATHY for what they are going through. And give them TIME. FUrthermore, tell them that democrats don’t have the monopoly of good ideas, that republicans sometimes are right. For example, it’s TRUE that the federal government has to be transformed into a more efficient one; tell them that President Obama completely agrees with that. There are videos that can prove it: for example last month when in a statement to the press he showed, with schemas, how complicated it was for a small business to deal with multiple federal agencies.
They can stay home in November but why take any chances? Maybe they can accept to vote democrat “just this once” in order to send a message, so after a crushing defeat the GOP will “pull the plug” from the hate-fear-radical-right-propaganda machine”. Those “still sane” republicans can hope to be republicans again some day, when the GOP will have to be rebuilt.
America needs at least two functional political parties. But now, it’s urgent that ALL reasonable people UNITE to break the political power of the extremist right-wing.
Good advice. I know I find it hard to be reasonable with Republicans, and that’s surely not going to win over any voters. Your advice to show them where there is common ground, and help them to realize that they can send a message that the radical hate-filled, illogical, tax-pledging craziness has to end.
tweeted
My sister sent an email regarding a special conference call today with FLOTUS, especially for those GOTV in African American communities.It’s today 2/13 @ 4pm ET. Here’s the text.I hope to join some of you on the call, just RSVP.
On Monday, First Lady Michelle Obama is getting on the phone with African
Americans for Obama volunteers and supporters from across the country —
and we hope you’ll join her.
We’ll talk about how far we’ve come, where we’re headed in 2012, and how
you can help take our organizing to the next level in the African-American
community.
Sign up to join Monday afternoon’s call with the First Lady:
http://my.barackobama.com/A-Call-With-Michelle-Obama
Here are the details:
What: A Call with First Lady Michelle Obama
When: Monday, February 13th
4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
RSVP now:
http://my.barackobama.com/A-Call-With-Michelle-Obama
We’ve accomplished so much together.
With your help, we’ve made change real. We’ve made investments to support
early-education programs like Head Start, and to strengthen our historically black
colleges and universities. We’ve saved millions of jobs, lifted millions out of poverty,
and provided health care coverage for millions more.
As the President has said, we’ve come too far to turn back now — we’ve got to
keep the momentum going.
Over the next nine months, we’ll need everyone out on the ground in the community
helping to build the organization we’ll need to win. That work will happen on college
campuses, at barber shops and beauty salons, and in churches in your neighborhood
and all across the country.
RSVP here to join the call with the First Lady this Monday at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time:
http://my.barackobama.com/A-Call-With-Michelle-Obama
Thanks,
Stefanie
Stefanie Brown
National African American Vote Director
Obama for America
For Monday giggles: From TP…
And finally: Rick Santorum was overheard this weekend in Northern Virginia asking if the sushi he had just eaten was cooked.
Stupid ass
I cannot imagine any of the four remaining Republican possibilities being invited to Buckingham Palace by the Queen as the Obamas were and not completely embarrassing our country. The Queen and all of the UK loved the Obamas, the Republican possibilities would either be ignored or booed.
You are so right Bill! The thing that I think demonstrates this best of all is how WARMLY Ireland received the Obamas. Damn, I’ve seen it several times and yet I still get a wee bit teary eyed, dontcha know? 😉
Julie
All other than Robme are so ignorant and their world is so small that they wouldn’t even have sense enough to care if they weren’t invited to Buckingham Palace by the Queen. Robme would only care because he wants to be just like our PBO, not for the benefit of our country. They all have no world view unless it’s to fill their own coffers and start an unnecessary war somewhere.
How would Romney be able to go to Europe in good faith when he has been bashing the current President with he wants to make us like Europe while putting Europe in a negative light?
Smh.
Good morning, everyone, have a great day! Will check in if I can! Hugs all around….. 🙂
you have a great day to Pamela and hugs back atcha!
I love your name by the way, it was the name of my cousin who was also like my sister, she was a great PBO supporter too.
Hi all. Been lurking a while and saw the positive poll numbers. I know they can change daily but it was a bit of welcome good news today. Been really busy as mom has gone in to hospital for her hip op so took her in at 6.30 then went to put some flowers on my son’s grave. Been a difficult day so far especially as on top of all that I have got a real bad cold. I just want to thank you all again for your kindness a few days ago, you all mean so much to me. I think I will go watch some PBO videos before taking dad to visit this evening. Some how PBO always manages to relax me and for that I am so grateful.
Hugs to you, Sam…I hope you and your mom are feeling better very soon! 🙂
Good luck with your mom. I hope all goes well and that she’ll be fully recovered. So sad to hear about your son, and hope you will also get over your cold. I hope you can take a wee nap while your mom’s being operated on, just to rest your body. Take good care of yourself, so you can take care of your mom.
Thinking of you:) Big hugs!
Thank you all, just waiting for news and will post later. I think I shall take your advise Betsy, a nap sounds real good right now.
Sam, hoping that you can find peace and solitude as you continue your journey through this day. Healing blessings for your mom.
Sam, I’m sending positive thoughts your way. Hope your mom’s operation goes well. Take care of yourself 🙂
Sam, we are thinking of you and your family and sending you lots of love and support. Take very good care of yourself.
Sam, this is for you:(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Loving Hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) HZ
Time to go to work 🙂
Me, too!
Hey TOD. An Early, Early Heads Up: FLOTUS will be making an appearance on the BET Honors tonight at 9PM ET/ 8PM CT on BET. The event will honor people like Dr. Maya Angelou. Should be fun and informative.
Thanks for the heads up UT!
Good morning, everyone.
UT, don’t forget the Queen of Soul, Stevie Wonder, also. It was a bitter sweet ending of last week. We need a little fun and to be informative to help us remain positive and focused. Thank you. I totally forgot about this.
I am lovin’ the “TRUTH TEAM” I bet “Truth Squad” was in the running, but got a thumbs down for sounding too much like a comic book team.
CBC throwing rocks at the President again-
Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) expressed concern President Obama’s budget would go too far to rein in government spending in the midst of an economic recovery, calling the forthcoming proposal a ‘nervous breakdown on paper.’
“This budget is a nervous breakdown on paper,” said Cleaver during an interview on CNN’s Starting Point Monday morning. “We’re still in a recession, we’re still struggling. Unemployment is still too high,” he said.
http://thehill.com/video/house/210199-dem-lawmaker-obama-budget-is-a-nervous-breakdown-on-paper
Instead of getting behind the President, he dies this to undermine him! Typical!
I understand their concern but they have to be realistic. We messed up in 2010 and now we have to dance with the devil. Programs are going to get cut and it’s going to sting but if the President is reasonable and is asking for major tax hikes (which most likely won’t happen) then it balances it out. Budget battles are the most fustrating thing on the planet. I’m honestly not looking forward to this because no one is going to be happy.
This is the same bloody thing this jerk did last year. I watched his appearance and I wanted to smack the crap out of him. On one hand you had Marsha Blackburn (R) from Tennessee excoriating PBO’s budget and then you had the chairman of the CBC and a bloody Democrat doing the same! It’s 2012. When will they realize this. PBO has coat-tails. If he gets re-elected, if turn out is high for him, it also bodes well for Democrats in the House and Senate. But will they listen? Nooooooo……they’d rather throw him under the bus. Bloody a-holes
Cleaver and and the CBC have forgotten how POTUS slammed that podium last year. Watch out CBC.
Newt calls for repudiation of the left, in newsrooms, judges, universities etc.
–
Hey Newt, the media already does!
– LaHood: High-speed rail “facts are on our side.” http://bit.ly/wKfdBe
– Metro’s new service will be called “Rush Plus.” TBD: http://tbd.ly/ArhVHJ
Heads up everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/02/13/heads-up-87/
Mitt says that the Presidents budget did not include entitlement reforms, and that he is not afraid to make them.
Then, in the same breath says, he is the only President to cut medicare by 500 billion.
Well, which is it, Mittens?