Should Pres. Obama become personally involved in negotiations over the debt crisis?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Our growing national debt and the political games being played around raising the debt ceiling have created what's probably the most serious crisis facing the United States right now. And yet President Obama remains pretty much above the fray on the matter. Today he was hosting the president of the West Central African nation of Gabon at the Oval Office. Meanwhile, Vice President Joe Biden was holding a meeting with lawmakers from both parties on the debt ceiling.
The U.S. technically hit the debt ceiling back in April. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has said the government can get by paying its bills for a few weeks until the beginning of August. In the meantime, Republican lawmakers say they will not vote to raise the debt ceiling unless steep and meaningful spending cuts are agreed to.
The Biden-led meeting is part of the debt-ceiling working group the president requested the vice president head up earlier this spring. So far, both sides have agreed to about $200 billion in spending cuts, but that's just a drop in the bucket compared to what some conservatives want. Today, the group was to discuss taxes and entitlements. Good luck on that. Expect talks to continue, and expect them to get ugly.
This all comes on the same day that Fitch Rating Service said it would assign a "junk" rating to all U.S. Treasury securities if the federal government misses debt payments by August 15.
But President Obama was busy hosting the president of Gabon.
Here’s my question to you: Should President Obama become personally involved in negotiations over the nation's debt crisis?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 6pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
LOL. Jack are you seriously asking this question? Yeah Obama has been so good at curtailing his spending habits. Obama will only submarine the negotiations because his main goal is to keep the spending. Got to have money for all the wars the US is in and that includes Libya, Yemen, and coming soon Syria. QE infinity here we come.
What's to negotiate? Spending is out of control, starting when the FED was established, and going into high gear for the past several decades. Stop the spending. Now. The attempt to scare people into accepting higher debt limits is dishonest and nonsensical. TIme for all the bloated government agencies, and those that live off of others to take their medicine...
Yes a big yes.
Jack,
Why? If past performance has proven Congress is solely on a stage and wishes to "grandstand" against the President's statements and policies. Perhaps the party of "NO" wants us to have a financial and unemployment crisis, because I fail to see any movement for agreement to raise the debt ceiling, and if the President gets more involved, then we will see these same politicians at their microphones displaying their "weiners" on CNN, just as we always do.
Unfortunately, Shakespeare seems to be correct: Everyone is on a stage, and our media (who seem to direct the political issues we discuss) and elected representatives could care less about substance.
I want to see a vote completely about the debt ceiling and not with added issues to discuss, as these other issues should be taken-up separately.
Joe, Binghamton, NY
One word, "YES".
For something this high profile and impacting to the American people, yes. Obama has had great ideas but he really needs to do a better job of selling his intiatives and policies to both the American people and Congress.
Rusty
Raleigh, NC
I would have to say no he should not get personally involved. The fact is that all of his economic polices have failed so far, and he has laid the blame on former President Bush. President Obama is not and will not take "personal" responsibility for anything that he does, and he will not on the economy. He will lay the blame on the dirty wall street players even if its apparent they have nothing to do with the fact that companies aren't hiring, and citizens are under employed.
No Jack, absolutely not. Were he to get involved and nothing came of it he would look even more ineffectual than he already is. That's what Vice Presidents are for Jack - to take the heat when things go bad. Obama is above the fray.
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona
This is about the biggest, most pivotal issue to face America and define its future in a long, long time. As the nation's leader, I would have expected him to have been personally involved long ago. As someone who has done his fair share of adding to the debt problem, I'd like to think he'd want to be a part of the solution. I note the GOP has no shortage of people who are trying to find a solution to this.
Corrected:
When I was CEO of my company, it was my job to be personally involved in our financial troubles, and we worked through several in the 25 years I was CEO. You bet he should be personally involved. That is what why pay him the "big bucks". But, as Jack Welsh said last might on CNN, "as CEO, if you're the smartest person in the room, you are in trouble". There are a lot of bright (and I'm sorry to say not so bright) people in our government, our President has not demonstrated the ability to bring the best bi-partison thinkers together and reach a conscience on what will be a workable solution and decisively implement the decision as good leaders do. Rather, he has polarized us making it more difficult and our financial situation more discouraging. It was tough in the Reagan years too. We were similarly in a depression. But Reagan unlike Obama was able to bring us together, Republicans and Democrats led us to believe in ourselves. And, the markets responded bullishly and we lifted ourselves out of it. Jack, I'm afraid "this dog won't hunt". We will clime out of this again, but I am afraid, not under this leadership.
Jack: I believe President Obama could bring the major players together, but deficit reform will take a willing Congress. Cutting the 2012 budget is a good thing, but deficit reduction takes changing the tax code for individuals and corporations. Deficit reduction must close all loopholes now enjoyed by big corporations, such as, GE, BP, Exxon-Mobile, Chevron, and Shell Oil. Congress must be the agent for change, but President Obama could get the ball rolling.
NO PLEASE..... There is no teleprompter involved so he will make things worse.....
Well, since he's directly responsible for 65% of it I'd say NO.
When it comes to our national debt he lives in a Fantasy World, having no connection with reality. He would have as many REAL solutions as my 3 year old grand daughter.
Jack,
The White House IS involved in debt ceiling talks. It's not clear there is any upside for the nation or the President if he gets personally involved. The Republicans would just try to spin anything he says into a scandal. It's Congress' mess. Let Congress fix it.
Jim
Reno, Nevada
Certainly. The voters put responsibility on him & congress. No real leader would fail to do so. He should offer a balancede budget amendment in return for raising the debt ceiling. The Amendment to stipulate that the deficit will be reducede ar least 5% a year ubtil the budget is balance and then continued. It will take 2 years to get an Amendment approved and by then. he has eiter been relected or not.
Duh. He's the freaking President, if he's not involved then he's not doing his job. For someone who wanted to be President, he sure seems to be disinterested in the work that comes with the office.
I think not. Economics is NOT the President's area of expertise. He's much better at talking about the debt then doing anything about it.
David, Las Vegas
Of course he should. He is SUPPOSE to be the leader of the country. It is about time for him to actually lead. Is this not the same man who was calling the republicans the party of no and no ideas during the health care debacle? OK Mr. President, where exactly are your ideas?! Do you really think it shows leadership to sit back, watch the republicans put themselves out there and then beat them over the head with it ? Lets get on with it !!!
He may help reach a compromise but he, like the rest of the negotiators, are only concerned about the political outcome.
When is enough enough?
Make no mistake about it. I hold Congress, past & present, along with our Presidents, totally responsible for the terrible state this country is in, both financially and morally. Our distinguished elected members, Republicans and Democrats, have sold the American people out in order to achieve their own personal agendas. They care nothing about the needs of most Americans whom are just trying to live their lives making a decent living and caring for their families. They cater only to those who put money in their pockets.
I become enraged when I see them shed a tear and talk about how upset they are that they are forced to make us all pay to reduce the debts they have created for us. Since when has Congress and the President stopped being part of the American people. Though it would only be a drop in the bucket, I would love to hear about the personal sacrifices they are willing to make to show solidarity with the rest of us. Let me hear about the pay cuts, pension reductions, and reduced benefits they are taking and will continue to take until our debts are all paid.
If I hear another member of Congress pull a Mea culper after being caught doing something that is illegal and/or embarrasses our Government and our Country I will literally throw up. I have thought about filing for a pattern on that speech being that they all say the same thing. Is there anyone in Congress that we can be proud to say “He or she is a true representative of the American people?”
I wish that our News Medias would relentlessly pound away at our Congressional members demanding answers and actions to show accountability and personal sacrifices.
Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?
Signed
Dan from Osprey, Florida
Obama should raise the debt ceiling by writing an executive order. If he leaves it up to congress, this country will default and the entire world will be in one monster financial disaster. All because the politicians in congress can't see anything beyond their own re-election.
No obama should not become involved in negotiations about the debt cirisis. He has more important things to do like bomb libya, bomb pakistan, bomb iraq, bomb afghanistan, bomb yemen, negotiate more free trade agreements, negotiate tax breaks for corporations, issue executive orders to reduce regulations, collect donations from wall street and big banks for not prosecuting them and making them richer. Obma is way too busy to manage the 63 trillion dollar federal debt.
Jack: There is a lot of things Obama should be involved in--but he too soft of a President.
I think the structure of the response by the White House is designed to call "the bluff" of House Republicans promoting their Ryan Plan and threatening to not raise the debt ceiling without putting Obama in the position of falling on a sword if the Republicans don't blink.
Obama does not want to get out there and ask for something and fail. He would be perceived a loser even more than he is already.
For Obama, the trick is to keep out of the fray and pretend he is a winner.
It is not the will of the taxpayer that over 3 million public employees earn tripple the salary and quadruple the pension than what regular working people get, as the President pretends.
Let Obama put aside his "social calander", including "political" speeches, and address the real problem facing this country-debt. He needs to be a "referee" in the debt debate and not end the game until there are tangible results reducing that debt. If not, the White House will become the Poor House.
You know it is funny Jack that every time something negative or bad comes up Obama's handlers sequester him and insulate him from the issue. The irony behind this is that is exactly why the man ran for president. Remember "Hope and Change"? There is no avoiding it and the longer his handlers keep dodging the issue the worse Obama is going to come out. The debt is not going away although Obama may be in less then 2 years if he does not turn it around very soon
No Jack there should be NO NEGOTIATIONS. End the Fed and seize the banksters assets and send them to Gitmo.
Of course he should. We need the input of the man we elected to clean up the fiscal and economic mess that was left for him. Since the debt ceiling was raised 29 times under Reagan, Bush, and Bush, I don't think President Obama is required to cave in to the demands of the party that is mostly responsible for the mess. He should lay out a clear path toward returning to the fiscal sanity that preceded President Reagan, when national debt as a percentage of GDP fell during every administration after World War 2 except for Ford's.
Jon
Murrieta, CA
Yes. He should have been personally involved from day one.
Obviously the President should command his office to use resources to help deflate the debt. He needs to address also the public and private debt by eliminating those special interest groups he said during his campaign that would be desolved. Who is really running the bucks and where does it really stop at?
To what end? It would be like negotiating with a suitcase full of rocks. The biggest driver of the debt is the Bush tax cuts and every Republican has pledged never to raise taxes. Game over.
The budget and it's appropriation is a congressional issue (along with it's FED counterfeiter) and shouldn't have anything to do with the president. Besides... to date, Obama has shown no knowledge of economics and neither have his Keynesian advisers, so I'm at a loss to understand why anyone would care what Obama thinks about the debt crisis.
Yes he should. He also should keep the interests of the American economy and the high unemployment as issue number one and not the interests of the Lobbyists the Republicans are doing bidding for when he does sit down with them.
I personally do not think this is the time to be cutting spending when unemployment is so high. It's time to let the Bush tax cuts die.
Not only yes, but hell yes! He and his cronies were the ones that created it. He needs to jump in the middle of this farce, take his hits and find a viable solution that decreases spending and doesn't raise taxes. Its pretty difficult to fund a government that overextends it self and pushes their stupidity on the taxpayer.
Gerry
Ash Fork, Az.
No he shouldn't. He has no idea on how to budget. He and his family spent 1.4 million dollars on their Christmas Vacation. His wife wears $2000.00 dresses and the state dinners cost over 75.00 a plate. He has no clue on what a typical family lives off of.
He is too busing being a celebrity inviting tv stars, sports stars, rap stars and movie stars to the white house while his wife and kids go on lavish vacation after lavish vacation in between his golfing trips.
He is part of the problem. Why have the leader of the problem come up with the solution? He is far too disconnected from reality and has spent more money in his three years than the last 4 presidents spent combined.
"No! No! No!. You should be makeing sure he never ever gets that close to your Balance of payments. Just go along with this idiot, untill he is out of office, then throw him in prison, and throw away the key."
Should President Obama become personally involved in negotiations over the nation's debt crisis?
The World belongs to God so”the government shall be upon His shoulder….to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever" – Isaiah 9: 6-7.
Likewise, a President is in charge of a nation and must become personally involved in all negotiations.
tampa, fl since he helped blow all of our tax dollars along with congress,yeah, and how about each of them chipping in a few billion of their own money to pay the national debt off. maybe if it hurt them as much as it does us, then they would be a little more careful. i'm betting not one of them is willing to pay for a $2,000 hammer out of their own pockets, unless it comes with a hooker.
Yes Jack, he should become personally involved. Somebody needs to volunteer to provide some adult leadership for our misguided, spoiled children in the House. If I were there I would be more than willing to put in my two cents worth; then give those creeps a piece of my mind, for all the good it would do. Firstly I would ask how we can get None of the Above on the 2012 ballot and how to proceed if that option got the most votes? Have a wonderful weekend America!!!
NO JACK! He will just find more money he didnt spend yet and spend that too! If he doesnt curb the deficit soon we wont have to worry anymore. There will be none left! Then he can go stay in Kenya as their economy will be better then ours will be.
Terence,
Piscataway, NJ
No! I think he should stay out of it. Let Biden earn his living!!
Golly Gee, I thought it was part of his job description. He is either the leader of this nation or he is not. He clearly demonstrates on a very consistent basis that he is detached from the job of being a leader, but he adores being an influential persona. Perhaps we are better off if he is not in the negotiations.
Naaah!
Let's just leave it for the next President maybe he will be better equipped to handle it.
Actually I don't think it matters much who handles our debt crisis anyway. The bottom line is this. The money is going to come from the pockets of the middle class and thats final and we all know it.
Will this prevent other economic advisers from resigning? Will this be a spending cut measure such that the economists become unemployed? My take is we are more interested in seeing Obama fail so that he does not get re-elected and remain totally are blind to the bigger picture, the common man, the middle-class. All Americans, irrespective of party should brainstorm to get this economy going because no one man has a magic wand.
Obama has no background in economics so his involvment would be a further hinderance. He is a tax and spend democrat so we know where he stands. He wants bigger government. more spending of money we do not have, his insane 'Obama care' plan, and no view for the future of the this country. Reducing spending is anathma to him.
I have an idea, shut down the four wars, firm up our borders and cut foreign spending by 20%. What a concept!
Wayne,PA.
Someone who truly cares about the United States and its citizens must be involved. Since we all know Congress is all about their individual interests, hopefully President Obama will take steps to help us all. We cannot allow China and India to own us.
No Jack, he shouldn't. If he did get involved he would have to take responsibility for the mess we're in. By staying out of it he can have his spin doctors blame the Republicans and guess who else? Come on Jack, you know who! OK, George W. Bush, but I'll bet you knew that already!
Why waste his time? The GO'P will just ignore anything he says or tries to do anyway. All the GOP wants to do is make sure that they cut taxes (primarily for those making millions) and cut social programs.
No. Presidential Election is right on the corner, not far from the negotiation table.
Everyone knows who caused the deficit crisis. The previous administration and Congress. As much as the Republicans refuse to admit their past mess that was carried over to the present administration, the deficit crisis belongs to them. Republicans are now still making dangerously bad decision because they don't want to allow the President to succeed. Their goal is to remove him from office- remember? Another voice concerning the deficit may just be helpful, but they won't let that happen because it might be a decent idea for a good plan.
He is personally involved, what on earth makes you think he is not? Are you the fly on the wall in the oval office? Are you personally involved in reading all these blog messages everyday or do you have staff do this to some degree? And hell, this is your only responsibility.
Besides, as long as each party uses this crises as a manipulative tool for the American people to acquire undeserved power over each other, this issue will never be resolved through negotiations, only bankruptcy will resolve this in the end if our "leaders" don't wake up and work together.
Jack,
Brinkmanship caused a forced error in the extension of the Bush tax cuts. The President is right in allowing Biden and others do the heavy lifting. It is likely he is heavily involved in a non-public way. We don't need another difficult to undo error.
Rick,
Medina, OH
Jack,
Yes he should, and so should Boehner and Reid. I don't understand why the three people who will ultimately decide how to deal with the debt crisis aren't involved in "debit-ceiling working group". I'm so disapointed, and angry, at hearing that they aren't involved in the planning process.... The 2012 election can't get here fast enough.
Jack.....If we lived in a country where its leaders were interested in its success, it would be a good thing......but we dont.....whatever the president says the GOP/TP,s will fall all over themselves to do the opposite......issues they once supported, they now denounce..... so Go Figure......
Yes, Jack, he should. This is the number one issue facing Americans right now and as such it deserves attention from America's number one leader. President Obama needs to let us know "he feels our pain", a la Clinton. Even though he inherited this mess he needs to show Americans he will personally see it through.
Jason from New York City
I think it's generally accepted that when we elect a president we do so to have someone lead this country. Staying above the fray isn't leadership, it's not sticking his neck out so he doesn't either alienate his base or give the GOP ammunition for 2012.
It was time for Obama the campaigner to become Obama the leader a long time ago, and I think his lack of leadership on this issue will haunt him more then any position he would take if he chose to try that leadership thing.
is that not part of the job or has he changed his job profile
perryjones
council bluffs ia
Not unless this debate needs another slick talker, Jack.
No, thank you. I remember when he finally became engaged in the healthcare debate and we lost the public option. No telling what he'll give up in order to claim he accomplished solving the debt crisis. Scary stuff, Jack.
Jack didn’t you know George W. Bush isn’t President anymore? We now have someone that can think and do different thing all at the same time. Even walk and chew gum. He needs to be part of the process, but not every meeting. I think the best solution, if we aren’t raising taxes on the rich, is to make a list of all the thing the Republicans want to cut with the sponsors names included with each item, advertise it in their districts and states and cut everything and next year, see who gets reelected.
No, he's got enough on his schedule like touring the world and hosting football teams and musicians, he needs a break from reality too.
Doubt that is going to move the GOP, at all.
Yes, Jack, President Obama should become personally involved because he needs to mediate between two warring extremes. One group will not accept spending cuts and the other will not accept increased taxes. This is an "and" equation not an "or" equation. The debt ceiling must rise in the short run and the debt must fall in the long run. Painful spending cuts must be made and painful taxes must be levied. Our politicians must make painful decisions soon or the world will make them for us.
Please excuse this elongated response but, yeeesssss.
Yes!
As much as I am skeptical of Obama's being able to facilitate.
Yes!
As much as I am skeptical of Republicans and Democrats working together.
Yes!
As much as it would be a dollar short and a day late.
Yes!
As the debt is a life and death crisis for our form of government, Obama should lock himself in a room with the House and the Senate. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week they should argue, eat, sleep, and live together. Their only outside contact would be economists and other experts. The key to unlocking the room would be the best solution.
There's no point in Obama becoming personally involved in the negotiations, because the discussions going on aren't really negotiations at all, but hostage demands.
The Republicans have laid out their demands, and expect the Democrats to capitulate fully. The Republicans refuse to truly negotiate, because that would require compromise, which they refuse to do.
They've taken tax increases off the table, including rolling back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, or plugging the enormous corporate tax loopholes that allow companies with billions of dollars of profit to pay no taxes. They refuse to cut Defense, or agricultural support spending, because those are Republican backers.
No, the discussions going on are just a matter of the Democrats giving the Republicans spending cuts taken entirely from social spending, and the Republicans waiting as long as it takes to get every dollar in cuts they are demanding, even if it means defaulting on the public debt on Aug. 2.
He already is. The problem is that both sides are street walkers for the military, media, industrial, neocon complex. If their so-called "austerity" cuts result in them losing their job, they can't later trade favors for themselves family and friends.
What part of the OBAMANATION OF DESOLATIONS promise of FUNDAMENTAL HOPE & CHANGE don't ya understand jack?
From the getgo his DREAM ACT was & is to destroy America for a One World Order & America can't join that Order if we still go by our Constitutional Rights.
Wake up America Obama has almost completed his Dream.
As long as it dosen't get in the way of golf, basketball, Whitehouse concerts or glob trekking- he has to keep his priorities straight–oh let's not forget about apologizing for America being such a bad nation!
No. We need for Obama to continue to show lack of leadership and indifference toward fiscal irresponsibility to ensure that we can get him out of office next year.
Obama should be leading the way on the talks. Cutting this crazy spending should be job ONE for his administration. I would suggest that Obama meet the Republican half way.
BTW We need to cut Medicare and Social Security they are both
commie liberal programs.
Mick
Wolf Creek
Montana
Of course he should get involved... he IS involved, and he will be involved as long as he is president. There is one thing for sure, though: he will be blamed for whatever goes wrong, and whatever goes riight could have been done much better, sooner, and cheaper by the republicans.
Yes! Unless Obama hasn't figured it out by now, the next election will be decided for the candidate who offers the kind of involvement in our economic crisis that we expect from a President. The President's bi-partisan commission offered up some great ideas. The President could at least draw from that. By doing nothing, he is abdicating his presidency.
He should understand the problem first. We have invested money
earned in the USA throughout the world to satisfy the greed of USA
companies to feed on cheap labor causing major job losses that cannot
support the lust of our government to stick its nose in the sewers of
the world while our country disenigrates.
I,think, President Obama should be working as an arbitraitor trying to get a resolution quickly to the debt ceiling dilemma. I hope he doesn't use his compromise skills though. Last time he did that with the Republicans he gave away the store. He needs to use his oratory skills to convince both sides this is not something we can kick down the road. Our economic future is at stake.
Of course. What the heck is the President for if he can't step in and pressure Congress to get off their rear ends and take this situation seriously? Obama can't continue a hands-off approach over issues of national interest.
Maria
Brunswick,MD
What's the rush. The debt crisis isn't going anywhere ever. When the nation is on the brink of collapse people seem most ready to bargain. So when America has a good stare into the abyss they'll be ready to do what needs to be done, until the next time.
" It's much smarter than conspiracy – this is moulding the way people think so that it seems like there's no alternative to what is happening” -prof. Kakabadse
Excuse me Jack, did you say the Republicans are refusing to raise the debt ceiling...Well maybe president Obama is being President until the republicans grow up and take responsibility for their war, with out a budget. And realize it's their debts that has us in trouble. When the rich are exempt from paying a full tax that is what happens to debt. The middle class lost more sons and daughters in Pres. Bush's war, in the wrong country. And Bush and the Republicans behind closed doors decided the middle class grandchildren could pay for it. I don't know about you but I'm remembering all this until November 2012.
I'm sure the VP is supporting President Obama's economic vision in the economic meetings. I say let the meetings continue quietly with the VP and let POTUS stay above the fray for now.
No, President Obama should not become personally involved. The debt crisis is simply not his expertise. It's not going to change anything even if he does become personally involved. The Republicans are still going to reject his ideas and the quarreling continues. Nothing new.
Sometimes getting personally involved just causes the temperature in the room to go up. A number of Republicans seem to have the primary goal of making Obama look bad. A number of Democrats seem to have the primary goal of making Obama look like he's caved in to the Republicans.
Obama should talk to anyone who wants to talk to him. Getting into the middle would be like trying to break up a domestic dispute. Both sides turn around and stab you.
No he shouldnt take part. Let Congress show the world what they will do to pay back their donors
I am sure President Obama is already personally involved. Why does he have capable people in his administration to handle matters if he has to personally get involved in every situation? All matters are important to him. Whether he is in another country at the time doesn't mean he is not personally involved. I have not seen any solutions to any of America's problems by the Republicans, nor the many who post negative comments. To hear comments such as "there are no teleprompters involved so he will make things worse" is an example.He doesn't need a teleprompter to articulate what he needs to say, he is a brilliant orator. Devices such as these are used by many public figures to help keep the train of thoughts flowing. If anyone has any viable solutions to the debt problem, I am sure his administration is willing to listen.
Do you really think it would help? Why do you think he's staying out of it and delegating the task to Biden?
He the C.E.O. the buck stop here. If he can not stand the heat get out of the kitchen. It's the econmy stupid " James Carville, .Properity . is just around the corner 1932 Hoover A Chicken in every pot ,a car in every garage , Hoover again' Unenployment is not the change I voted for. Ralph Spyer 2011
The President has proven his ability to multitask. He knows how to assign the right people to do the job. What he doesn't seem to know how to do is prosecute the banksters that are really responsible for this crisis. The republicans would give them tax breaks and then pay for it with Social Security, Medicare, Pensions, and whatever funds and benefits would have gone to our roads,schools hospitals and infrustructure. But, I think a better solution would be to fill the prisons with financial elite.
Despite the rhetoric everyone knows the debt ceiling has to be lifted and our Vice-president is more than capable of facilitating a done deal.
President Obama shouldn't be he will have to, and it's our fault. We have created a political culture that demands more government benefits, and then goes ballistic when Congress tries to pay for them by raising taxes. You can't have both. The President is the only person that could actually withstand the political flak for making a smart decision.
Jack, Obama is the cause of the problem. All he wants to do is spend, spend and spend. Minesh Baxi, Troy MI
Yes, he should pick a side that he really does not want to win. That would GUARANTEE that what he really wants will be enacted. After all, so far in his term just about EVERYTHING he favors has been turned down, especially by the Republicans!
But no matter if he gets involved or does not, no one will be happy, because Congress AS A WHOLE seems hell-bent on going against the president at every turn!
The real cause of the debt crisis is the lost tax revenue from all the unemployed, losw taxes on the rich, and avoidance of taxes by Big Business. If you want to solve the debt crisis get rid of the source of all the debt...the Republican Party.
Are you kidding me? The entire executive branch and congress has miserabley failed this nation. Please Jack, ask the executive branch and congress to resign so we can begin again like in 1776! Maybe then corporate influence and special interests groups will be added as a constitutional amendment and declared to be illegal! Mike in Michigan
The house leaders always declare anything the President sends D.O.A. When he tries to mediate, he is meddling. When he gives Congress time, they cry he isn't helping. I think the President is between a rock and a hard place. The demands for more and more from the Republicans make me think they have only their own special interests and agenda, and will do nothing to help our country to get ahead. They do nothing to help our economy. They do not want our President to succeed, one term only, and have stalled, cried, blamed and outright lied to keep him from having any success. That is why we can't get ahead. They would see America in recession rather than doing anything that might make the President successful.
Jack, if I was flat-broke, $300,000 in debt and my credit card bill was $40,000 in the red, and I called my bank to see if they would raise my credit limit, what do you think they would tell me?
I think you "NO!" the answer, Jack.
since he'll be blamed for however it plays out, yes.
Why should he when he can throw the working class and the poor under the bus perfectly well without taking the political risk of getting personally involved, or (God forbid!) taking a stand? Send in the clown instead.
I think that President Obama should be involved in the negotiations over the debt ceiling.
It is his last chance to show leadership to a congress which is bogged down in name calling, partisan oneupmanship and no idea how Americans feel.
Someone has to make a difference and affect change in the way we do business.
Congressmen and women have more power than the President, so I wish him luck.
He should have involved in it from the moment he was sworn in I'm a die hard Obama supporter of Obama but I never understood why he didn't address the economy from the start
I don't know Jack. From what I can see the president has become involved in just about every major issue he can since he stepped in the door. Only to have republicans shoot down everything he proposes.
As far as republicans go Jack, I say this.
"Those saying it can't be done,need to get ou tof the way of those doing it."
"Whatever it takes" needs to be done by EVERYBODY involved to get the debt ceiling raised. People, in general, have this issue wrong. This is not about what to DO. This is about what has already been DONE. Yes, it is a good idea to balance the budget in the future, but, failure to raise the debt ceiling would trigger a mass economic disaster. The limit MUST be raised and everybody, including Obama needs to get involved and GET THIS DONE !!!
Before I answer that question, Jack, tell me how many times Republicans voted to raise the debt ceiling under the former administration, while they were simultaneously doling out big tax cuts to billionaires?
(Answer: 7)
He should not get involved because he can't win. There must be so many spending cuts AND tax increases that everyone will be bloody when it is all done, which I think it will be. He should leave it to Biden.
In theory, yes – President Obama should be personally involved in the debt crisis negotiations. However, this President has proven time and again that:
1. He doesn't understand the depth of the problem,
2. To the degree that he DOES understand it, he underestimates the danger to the country,
3. He is unwilling or unable to be serious in reducing spending.
So, perhaps his presence would just gum up the works and be unhelpful? Let the folks who understand and appreciate the problem do the heavy lifting.
Yes and no. President Obama needs to both cater to international needs (like the meeting with the leader of Gabon) but also needs to play a more key role in the debt crisis. Vice President Biden shouldn't be doing all the debt work!
He held talks with both parties last week. Republicans wanted these tax cuts for the rich and we got what we negotiated. Like the Speaker asked before the new congress was elected, "Where the jobs at?" Not one jobs bill from Republicans.
Yes. Duh. If he has time to host, he has time to look at one of the nation's big problems.
Joe,
Los Angeles, California
No, let the Republicans show the American people why they are better fit to run the country by doing what they promised to do when they took over Congress.
Of course he should! If he felt that it was important enough to be personally involved in the "Beer Summit", then the least that he can do is to become involved in a matter of this importance.
Obama should go on vacation and tell the GOP to go ahead and cut the budget and cut taxes. After they collapse the economy again we can ask China to bail us out.
Obama only gets involved with things he feels are strategic to the country: such as his reelection.
Since president Obama thinks he is President of the World and not just president of the United States these trivial matters are beneath him.
Don't blame me, I voted for Hilliary as long as I could.
No, Jack, of course not. It is up to the Congress, and if the Republican party is willing to destroy the country's economy and credit rating to force its failed converative economic philosophy, I'm afraid we are stuck with it. At least we will know who to blame, although that's a small consolation.
Jack: The President, and every member of Congress, should be deeply involved because this is potentially the greatest economic crisis in the history of the United States. It's not rocket science, it's arithmetic, and the correct solution is way more than critical. This crisis won't wait 18 months for a candidate solution; it must be solved in two months.
My God does the President have to get involved in every negotiation or discussion? Isn't that what congress is supposed to do? Prepare, conduct analysis, and develop courses of action for the President's perusal? If he is personally involved then how does he fairly ajudicate the proposal. Isn't that akin to being my own counselor?
At this point, no. Let's be honest. The Republicans are not going to do anything to make the situation any better, in appearance or actuality, until after the election. The worse state we are in, the better their chance of regaining the White House, unless of course the American people are smart enough to realize that both parties share equal blame and look to see who is actually taking steps to fix it.
I am disgusted with Congress in general and the GOP specifically. First they held the public welfare hostage with the budget and now the debt ceiling. I believe in the real world that would be extortion, and yet in Congress and politics it's just normal business.
My advice to Congress: Stop using the people that hired you as pawns to further your personal or party interests. That applies to all parties. Quite honestly, this American is pretty damned sick of it and I believe I am not alone, and that anger knows no party lines.
Thank you for your time.
The President is obviously completely clueless, on every single policy that he has ever had, and at the beginning of his campaign during the downfall of our financial situation, wanted health care to be put a head of employment, and clearly has no idea what he's doing. Quite frankly I would doubt he could even pass elementary math. I personally look forward to voting for another presidential candidate in 2010.
Shayne
Monroe, WA
Well YEAAH – He CAUSED it. Why should he be schmoozing visitors in the oval office while other people are trying to mop up his mess?
Yes. In this case, international relations should play second fiddle compared OUR country's problem. I'm not saying leave everyone else alone, but something needs to be done with our country before we can extend ourselves to everyone else.
Since the Pres spent his first two years pushing his socialistic healthcare plan down the nation's throat and lied about the true cost while spending a good chunk of the porkulus money on his union friends, what makes you think that the Pres could help in any way on resolving a spending problem. He IS the problem. He thinks we are so stupid that he can call further spending investments. Maybe we should try a Pres sometime that has a little business experience or at least more political experience than 2-3 years voting "present"
In theory, he should take an arbiter role by attempting to broker the peace between both sides and create compromise. In reality, it probably doesn't matter whether he does or not. Only in the face of the next major economic crisis will such a compromise even become possible at all.
Bill
Austin, Texas
Absolutely not. Even when he had a majority in both houses he could not get anything done. His vacillation and inability to make up his mind would make him a liability in any close debt ceiling negotiations. Leave him to meet with the thieves from Africa, the politicians from Europe and Asia who don't matter, and to take his wife and children on vacation – that's what he does best – and I'm a Democrat. Keep Obama away from things that matter.
Why should he bother??? This Congress is trying to stage a coup d'etat and has no regard for the economy.........The tea party is composed of a bunch of radical amateurs who believe that it is worth falling into the abyss to prove a point. Mr. Boehner is helpless, Eric Cantor is doing his "Brutus" imitation and lying in wait.....They have accomplished nothing and yet, that too, is Obama's fault.........Being a real Patriot means doing the right thing-even when you hate doing it.......Not one real Patriot in this crowd.......it's all about power...........and protecting our bond rating is way over the mental capacity of this crowd currently in the House. Margot, the "other" Washington
Uh, how do we know he's not? Dude, you fell completely off of the turnip truck.
What they tell you is one thing. What they do is something else. I mean the President wasn't playing golf with crybay Boehner for nothing last week.
No, I think what he needs to do is let the Republicans decide what to do with the credit limit since they are the ones that got us to this point. Also he needs to veto any debt ceiling that has any type of cut to social security, medicare or medicaid. Let them be the ones that puts the country in default.
You've got it ALL WRONG, Jack. Agood leader sourrounds himself with capable subordinates to do much of the detail work and hopefully meaningful negotiations. So, NO, President Obama does NOT need to be directly involved at this point.
The other thing you've got TERRIBLY WRONG is that Republicans want to make MEANINGFUL Budget cuts. The Republicans want to cut EVERY SOCIAL PROGRAM that helps the middle class and poor ..so Republicans can SPEND MORE on Corporate Welfare, tax cuts for the wealthy and perks and benefits that ONLY HELP the wealthy.
Youo forget, the Republicans HAD all three branches of government under their control at the beginning of the millenium AND DID NOT CUT ANY SPENDING from the budget and DOUBLED the national debt JUST LIKE wonder boy Reagan did.
In reality, we are going into the poorhouse as a nation and there is NOTHING we can do to stop the politicians from driving us there. Besides, once one is wealthy one DOES NOT have to worry about the nation defaulting on the debt....the wealthy will do just fine post poorhouse!
The Republicans are using "the Budget" to pass social engineering agenda that could never stand on its' own. Gingrich was right on regarding this point. It is up to the public to say no. The press, if they can find enlightenment, should point out to the public that their game is obvious. The Republicans have to be shamed into this realization as they would never put the Country's interests above their own petty ones as they get no money from the Country's interests. Time for a new party.
The president is doing exactly the right thing. Over many years, Congress itself passed the laws that created the deficit. Members should quit trying to blam ethe president for the mess they made and fix it themselves.
Jack, he should have been involved from his first day on the job. Our out of control budget is not something that snuck up on him overnight and as the leader of this country for now, he needs to lead. Gabon??
Pete
Absolutely, NOT!
Although I think that President Obama is indeed, a great President, particularily under the conditions that he took office under, deep recession, mortgage crisis, Wall Street crisis, bank crisis, employment crisis, etc., he is NOT a negotiator!
If left to him, I’d be afraid that he would simply just cave to whatever the other side wanted…
Jack,
He hasn't "gotten involved" with anything which has helped us yet.
Why start now? Let him do his rig with the president of Gabon.
Biden is probably doing a better job without him.
Let him continue to fiddle while Rome burns. That's what he does best.
Jack I would rather see Rep. Weiner in charge of our national debt crisis at this point. Obama Inc. have disappointed me enough at this point.
Guess what Mr. Cafferty? I bet President Obama can do both, meet and greet international dignitaries and assist with our nation's bebt and economy...unlike the previous U.S. President. What a silly and overly simple question.
C. Andrews, CA
As president of our country, I wouls certainly think demonstrating some significant leadership to our debt crises is appropriate. Then again, he's shown very little of that so far so why should he change now!!!
I don't know why he wouldn't. It is pretty clear what has to be done. Obama, for the sake of his presidency, and for the sake of the people, needs to show this country that their is a sense of urgency in the white house. And if a government is going to steer the economy, they better keep it out of the gutter. Otherwise, you might as well just laissez-faire.
No. The President is not required to be at the front lines of each and every issue, that's why he has the multitude of government employees that are picked specifically for their skills, knowledge, and abilities.
If you require him to be in the front lines of every issue, where do we draw the line? Should we send him in to the hundreds of mines which MSHA was unable to inspect in the last few years or maybe he should attend every single commission and committee meeting in Washington which are held daily?
Or is this question designed for us to distrust the ability of the Vice-President to be in attendance?
Yes, and it's high time he took something personally. Mr. Calm, Mr. Cool, Mr. No-Drama-Obama is all well and good for day-to-day nuts and bolts governing, but when it comes to a debt crisis that could plunge us into economic armageddon, we'd like to see some feeling. We can't all hit the million-dollar lecture circut when our current gig is up.
The president is a very busy man and only becomes involved with matters of extreme National importance ... such as the "Beer Summit".
No he should not! President Obama is the over seer of everything that is going on in and out of this country and if those minions on Capital Hill can not accomplish one thing with out him baby sitting them, then we should have a mass hiring for the jobs on Capital Hill. Really tired of our tax money paying those lazy lawyers on Capital Hill who are doing absolutely nothing for this country but have time for sex scandals and Mediterranean cruises.
Why should he do that Jack? He's only the President. It's not his job to lead.
YES. If the aloof President won't get directly involved here, where will he get involved???
The President should remain above the fray. When the deal is all but made he needs to step in and let the country know what a great compromise was made by both parties.Ya right!
Anyone thinking Obama hasn't been involved in the negotiations regarding the Republican Debt Ceiling Power Struggle is delusional and naive. Republicans are playing fast and loose with threats of world-wide economic disaster and they think they deserve kudos – For the survival of their party, they better start thinking about the middle of the road voters – and let the fringe stew in their own self–imploding juice Politicians playing politics is understandable – American Politicians throwing the nation's interests under the buss on the alter of political advantage not only demonstrates long-term rank stupidity but, in fact, rises to the level of treason.
YES HE CAN, and YES HE SHOULD!
Harsh economic times simply call for cuts across the board. I am a die hard Obama fan, and his involvement will help show the public that the economy is his #1 priority. Re election will be easy if he can show he is trying to solve the debt issue personally, because it will make the republicans seem stubborn and unable to compromise.
the usa is in big big trouble. we have political leaders that just do not know what they are doing. they are incompentent self serving and morally and fisacally corrupt. the waste of taxpayer money is at a zenith.el queda is winning by bankrupting the country. the money spent on afhaganistan lybia iraq is going down the drain while we retired and and all americans continue to go to the whipping post.soon the american people will say enough . civil unrest is looming on the horizen.revolts will soon begen.america is in dire straits and i see no one that can rescue it.when the food shortages start ,and they will . it will signal the fall of rome.
Jack
can President Obama, explain why we have a debt ceiling?
He keeps telling us we are the strongest and richest nation
on earth. So who do we owe this great debt to?
You cannot find a solution, if you do not understand the problem.
no this is exactly what obama wants ,massive crushing debt,high energy prices, the comming of the second great depression all so he can fundamentally change america to be like the rest of the world a one world economy and social justice for all .he has to destroy all that has made america great. long live the replubic
No he should not! President Obama is the over seer of everything that is going on in and out of this country and if those minions on Capital Hill can not accomplish one thing with out him baby sitting them, then we should have a mass hiring for the jobs on Capital Hill. Really tired of our tax money paying those lazy lawyers on Capital Hill who are doing absolutely nothing for this country but have time for sex scandals and Mediterranean cruises.
Windsor Locks Ct
Absolutely the nation is in need of leadership. This is a golden opportunity to show his leadership skills and renew confidence in him as president.
President Obama's involvement would be unlikely to change very much considering the false-equivalence of standpoints. There is the objective observation that the United States is dangerously close to defaulting on its debt for the first time in history juxtaposed with the wholly subjective notion of "meaningful" cuts. Moreover, it would be productive for our legislative bodies to be source of the "fix", given the recent speculation of their general competence - a concern that has been adduced in discussion of a potential regression in the U.S. credit rating.
Obama's Made his presence known at everyother crisis but this while it is important to consoul those in need it is even more important to make sure that that stability of the economy dosnt collapse from under everybody. with republicans as stubborn as every Obama must become mediator in chief to make sure america dosnt default of its loans. as a 20 year old american citizen i enhirit all that this country has to offer unfortunatly that also means a massive debt Through no fault of my own. If this administration and congress makes it incredibly hard to apply for loans and pay off a house because of high interest rate due to defaulting on this massive debt. THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. i will never forgive and trust the goverment. But ultimately ill just end up LIBERTARIAN.
Absolutely not. The debt ceiling has to be raised and it will be. The president should not be wasting his time with the idiots in the republican party. Jack Cafferty can meet with them since they share most views.
Yes he should care about something while he spends our country broke.If like I think he hates america he could show the country himself doing it to us. chuck paree anderson in.
Jack,
The President, while a Senator, played games with the debt, and voted against the previous increase in the debt ceiling. Perhaps it is best that he is entertaining African dictators.
Deanna
Indiana
Yes. He is our leader in all things related to the well fair of our country. Here the big problem both side do not know how to stop this problem,
Hire a firm to solve the problem and then put it thur. that way both side can claim the victory.
Jack:
The President is respomsible for everything that happens in the country.
Of course he should be involved. The buck stops at the White House.