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The White House effectively turned down an invitation by Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell for President Barack Obama to visit his members on Capitol Hill on Thursday to discuss raising the debt limit.
White House press secretary Jay Carney, while not directly saying the invitation had been rejected, said Obama did not need to hear Republicans tell him what they would not support.
That, Carney said, was "not a conversation worth having."
White House snubs McConnell invitation to Obama | Reuters
Seeded on Thu Jun 30, 2011 4:34 PM EDT
Article Source: Reuters- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (22)
So, this is the Republicans NOT wanting to negotiate this out? Which is the party of "no" again? I get so confused about this. Yesterday he was telling them to stop acting like children and now he is acting like a child.
He's right, it's time for leadership.
That's my take, not yours.
- 5 votes
#1 - Thu Jun 30, 2011 4:36 PM EDTMarine:
How silly. The Republicans already said No. How is Obama refusing to listen to them say it again a refusal to negotiate?
When they agree to the principle of some tax hikes somewhere, Obama will accept McConnell's invitation. Until then, why bother?
- 7 votes
JFX - Isn't negotiation a two way street? What has the President conceded at this point, do you know? I only ask, because I am uncertain. So the tax hikes as far as the President is concerned is "non-negotiable", either they are raised or he walks away? Sounds like he is unwilling to negotiate. I am not fond of either party, he is putting this blame on Congress as though he has had nothing to do with the amount of debt. Where was the President when they failed to pass a budget since he took office? Was the stimulus package not his idea? That was all borrowed money, right?
Where I really don't have a problem with higher taxes on rich people, raising the taxes on corporations will make the go somewhere else. It is very easy for them to move to another country and open shop there. Also, raising taxes on the oil companies, andtaking away the subsidiery, who do you think will wind up paying for the loss of income for the oil companies? The people who buy gasoline and the oil company's other products. The ouil companies will continue to make record profits. The American consumer will pay the price. If you think I am wrong, well, maybe I could be.
Why bother? Sure, the Republicans could say the same thing, until tax hikes are off the table, why bother? Point of view makes a difference. I feel they are both wrong.
Sorry, but the majority of Americans think the President is not handling the economy very well. Nor is he handling the debt very well.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/27/2288060/voters-give-obama-lowest-rating.html
This article is really interesting. It points out that a small amount of people feel he is handling the economy well. Then they point out how he is liked, and that he inherited the bad economy from the former administration. Yet, what they don't say, is that we are going on three years with President Obama, it IS his responsibility to fix the bad economy and he hasn't helped it at all. All he has done is set records for deficit spending by the federal government!
Silly? I don't believe my opinion is silly. The same way I wouldn't dismiss your opinion as silly. The Republican invitation could have been an olive branch, do we know it was or wasn't? President Obama chastises the Congress for going on vacation, yet he is off to Martha's Vineyard, no? Where is the leadership? He won the election, he is the President, take charge already. Now is not the time for games. I don't think trying to talk is silly. It is the President and his lack of wont for responsibility that is rather silly. If he didn't want the job, why did he run in the first place?
We have the highest deficit spending ever since he took office. All done under his watch, with his blessing. He and his administration are a complete failure. I would hate to say this, but I think we would have been better off with Hillary Clinton as President.
That's my take, maybe not yours. Thanks for posting!
- 5 votes
Marine:
Isn't negotiation a two way street?
Yes. That's the point. McConnell is treating it as a one-way street and actually went so far as to assert that he wanted the meeting today simply to tell Obama that it was a one-way street.
What has the President conceded at this point, do you know?
All I know is what I read in the papers. Republican sources suggest a lowball $1 trillion concession by the Dems, Dem sources say it's as high as $2 trillion.
Funny you should mention oil companies because I just had that argument elsewhere. Everything you say may be true and we should STILL sock 'em, or even consumers, because we need to reduce our fossil fuel consumption and our foreign dependence on foreign fuel. Higher taxes is good for that, PLUS the added revenues are good for the debt/deficit. It's win/win.
The Republican invitation could have been an olive branch, do we know it was or wasn't?
For one thing, because McConnell said it wasn't. McConnell said he wanted Obama to hear for himself that the Republicans would never give in.
We have the highest deficit spending ever since he took office
Too bad. We need higher deficit spending.
- 7 votes
JFX -
Yes. That's the point. McConnell is treating it as a one-way street and actually went so far as to assert that he wanted the meeting today simply to tell Obama that it was a one-way street.
Maybe you don't see that the President also only wants things one way too. You might not see it that way as it is apparent you fully support him. Can you cite the news sources for the Democrat's concessions? I would like to read them.
Everything you say may be true and we should STILL sock 'em, or even consumers, because we need to reduce our fossil fuel consumption and our foreign dependence on foreign fuel. Higher taxes is good for that, PLUS the added revenues are good for the debt/deficit. It's win/win.
Still sticking it to the oil companies is not sticking it to them. That was my point, it will affect the American consumer. The oil companies will pass along these new taxes and costs through the price of gasoiline.
Like it or not, oil is here for a long, long time. You can drive you Checy Volt or Prius all you want, you still need fossile fuels to drive them. If the consumer has to spend $80 to fill a tank that used to only cost $25, then $55 dollars is not being spent in the economy, it only goes to one industry. The economy and Americans will suffer. I guess that's OK to you?
For one thing, because McConnell said it wasn't. McConnell said he wanted Obama to hear for himself that the Republicans would never give in.
Can you cite the newssource where you read this? If it is a fact, I would find it interesting.
Too bad. We need higher deficit spending.
This is the type of mentality that is the problem. Why burden ourselves? Let's let our children and grandchildren have to pay up. If you were to live off of borrowed money, how long would you go? The federal government may have more problems than they know what to do with. Even the precious middle class will revolt.
That's my take, not yours.
- 4 votes
Too bad. We need higher deficit spending.
Are you attempting to be serious or sarcastic?
We can't pay our debts NOW, how in the hell is borrowing yet more money going to help us? You can only pay your American Express bill with your Visa card for so long...then you have your credit cut off and you're in bankruptcy...and you want us to get there faster because?
Obama may not want to listen to any point of view but his own now, but he heard the Conservative voice in the last election, and hopefully, he will get the message loud and clear in the next one.
If there is one good thing to come out of this recession, it is that the American people are finally starting to realize that "government" does NOT have our best interests at heart, only their own.
- 1 vote
The majority of Americans want taxes raised. Who's not listening to the American people?
- 4 votes
Marine:
Maybe you don't see that the President also only wants things one way too.
I don't see it because it's not there. Even Eric Cantor when he abandoned the debt/deficit talks said they had been making good progress.
That was my point, it will affect the American consumer. ... Like it or not, oil is here for a long, long time.
All the more reason to implement my policy prescription. And that's my point: We need to alter consumption habits.
Can you cite the newssource where you read this?
Actually, tee hee, I think it may be in your Reuters item, but not that I'm accusing you of being a lazy fool and not reading your own items. You seeded a breaking alert (not that I'm complaining, I tried to seed it myself and was gobsmacked that you beat me to it). If the text hasn't changed to include more extensive quotes from McConnell, Reuters usually does updates in their lower right frame.
If you were to live off of borrowed money, how long would you go?
I could go forever if I could live forever. Eventually the universe will collapse and all debts will be forgiven.
- 5 votes
trm, you're correct.
They snubbed him on an invite to the White House awhile back. Snobby pricks.
The reason there is no compromise on raising taxes period, is the pledge they all signed for puppet master Groer Norquist, The spoiled little rich boy from Weston, Mass.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grover_Norquist
http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/90737/grover-norquist-will-be-very-reasonable-jon-huntsman
Huntsman could be a game changer for moderate rigtys if this parasite don't take hold.
- 3 votes
I could go forever if I could live forever. Eventually the universe will collapse and all debts will be forgiven.
Yes, and everything will eventually be recycled. Why start now?
Seriously, I liked this, I am still chuckling. FR coming. I have to read more of what you write!
Peace.
- 3 votes
#2.3
For one thing, because McConnell said it wasn't. McConnell said he wanted Obama to hear for himself that the Republicans would never give in.
Can you cite the newssource where you read this? If it is a fact, I would find it interesting.
I'll jump on this for Jack here:
“I’d like to invite the president to come to the Capitol today to meet with Senate Republicans. Any time this afternoon if he’s available, to come on up to the Capitol,” McConnell said. “That way he can hear directly from Senate Republicans … why what he’s proposing will not pass.”
McConnell says once Obama learns from GOP lawmakers that ending special tax breaks for oil companies and wealthy families has no chance of passing the Senate, “we can start talking about — maybe, finally — start talking about what’s actually possible.”
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_06/mcconnells_insincere_invitatio030609.php
The Ceelo Green song does come to mind.
- 1 vote
Thanks for the link NeeNee. Wait, it's a blog. I was looking for a major news outlet. I am not doubting this article, but how much fact checking did Steve Bennen, Political Animal do?
NeeNee, I'll let you know what I find. You're right, McConnell is a moron as well. I recall the movie the other guys with Will Farrell. He was yelling, "It's time to put on the big boy pants!" I feel the same way about Washington.
Thanks for the post! Just my take, etc....
- 1 vote
Marine:
Thanks!
I'm active (with strict limits on my own obsessiveness) in some of the Middle East threads and I think I'm going to poke around there to find some Torah-knowledgeable Jew to fill me in on the ancient Hebrew law on the subject. I have a vague memory that something like my joke actually is part of Judaic law.
Anybody here know what I'm talking about? Do I know what I'm talking about?
- 3 votes
How about FOX?
http://www.foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=22995&external=989553.proteus.fma&pageNum=-1
"That way, he can hear directly from Republicans why what he's proposing won't pass," he said on the Senate floor. "And we can start talking about what's actually possible."
- 4 votes
Who's not listening to the American people?
Evidently no one is...no one in the White House, no one in the Senate, no one in the House...and certainly no one in the MSM.
We've been screaming, all of us, Liberals and Conservatives alike (albeit at different times and for different reasons), that the freaking government needs to cut the wasteful, non-stop, prolifigate spending they have been doing for YEARS now...no one listens.
All we ever hear out of Washington is "We know best what's good for you...STFU and give us your money."
I'm not against tax increases per se...but unless and until they decide to do something about the spending crisis in Washington, increasing taxes is just like pouring water into a bucket with a hole in it.
We need to alter consumption habits.
There are people all across this country...good people, hard working people, with families and mortgages and bills to pay, children to support, elderly parents depending on them for care and visits to the doctor...who are out of work and can't even afford gas in their cars to go look for a job. Telling them that they need to buy a nice new "fuel efficient" car that they couldn't even afford to do when they were working...isn't even a joke, it's a slap in the face.
If they won't even meet to talk about the freaking problems...WTF are any of them doing there? Besides spending our money?
- 1 vote
Good find TR! Fox? Those guys are out there. Thanks! I repeat McConnell et al in Washington, all children. This is a chance for the President to rise above. Will he take it?
Just my opinion, etc.
- 2 votes
JF - You're killing me, my wife is looking at me wondering why I am laughing! Nice.
Nee - Celo Green! Extremely funny!
Hang in there folks, the sun will rise for another couple billion years.
Peace.
- 3 votes
Good. Repubs have turned down Obama in the past, so what's the big deal? McConnell has already said there is no compromise on tax hikes. McConnell also said the number one priority for the GOP was to make sure Obama didn't get re-elected. It's a damn shame the highest priority of the Republicans isn't the American people.
- 5 votes
#3 - Fri Jul 1, 2011 10:50 AM EDTMarine
With all due respect to you and others like you being so content to have this be a relevant topic as it allows you to bash the President....I must say it only shows me more signs of immaturity. I will skip over all my reasons as to why I find this article and the mindset of those who feel it pertinent absurd and simply say, until these folks show up saying on camera here are the compromises we are willing to make in response to the compromises I have already heard that the President and Democrats have made, then they have nothing to say that is of interests to me. See, I don't care who ate lucnh with whom. That does not a country fix. Be as small minded and childish as you want about his not showing up, but the President from where I sit has every right to see any and all things from the Right as a waste of time. Maddow reminded us last night about Charlie and Lucy's footbal storyline and it really does fit. Lucy (republicans) asking Charlie (the President) to believe she will let him kick that football. Of course, she never does. Well, I think like me, the President has had enough of games. Either they speak to the issues on air or they have nothing to offer worth anyone who is serious about getting our house in order, to listen to. It is as simple as that for me. Bravo to him for not wasting his time. They walked out last (via Cantor)...let them knock on his door for a meet.
- 1 vote
#4 - Fri Jul 1, 2011 1:48 PM EDTHi Jen - Ah, is that Rachel Maddow? Rachel's show is always filled with facts is it or more about how Rachel feels about things? Life isn't as simple as a cartoon. You are right, I don't care who said what and who's eating lunch together. The lack of maturity is on both sides. However, President Obama told us he would not stoop to these levels, he would raise the bar. All I see is more of the same. Where is the change? I, and many others had high hopes when he became President. Maybe things would finally get done, maybe they would be changed. It has, just for the worse.
Maybe time for a different course entirely? Do you feel this President has improved things during his watch? If so, great, you are entitled to your opinion. I and many others don't feel that way. This is what is great about our Republic. We can disagree all we want, but it does not solve the problems. What's even better is you are not wrong, and neither am I. Opinions are great aren't they?
Bashing the President? You could see it that way, but to me, this is another example of President Obama's complete incompetance. I heard a lot about President Bush too. I think both of those men damaged our country. Bashing? Well, if the shoe fits.
When the country goes in the toilet, it may happen during "his watch". I forsee Secretary Geithner leaving the Treasury Dept, maybe he will be the scapegoat? The President is in over his head. Even Bill Clinton has come out with a plan. Bill Clinton? WHat about President Obama, what's his plan?
Much of what you say is true and I agree with you, however, I can't stand Rachel Maddow. For me, she is filled with a smugness that reminds me of someone who feels as thought they are elite and more relevant. She's conceipted. I am sure she has good reason to be.
Don't you think the President should rise above all this? Wouldn't he look good doing this? He seems to be playing the game too. "Eric left in a huff, so I am not going to call him. Let him call me if he wants to talk." In the mean time, the US public suffers. Not the politicians.
Time will tell. Thanks for your post.
That's my take, not yours. (I always post this or something like it.) ;)
- 2 votes
Marine1986
You actually thought this was about Rachel Maddow on ANY level?
Please don't be offended but this article/topic is stupid, and should have never been tracked. So I am not going to add more to it.
Good deal Jen, peace. Stupid to you, news to Reuters....
LOL
- 1 vote
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