Watch Live: Congressional Hearing on IRS Scandal

Live Now on TheBlaze Radio: ‘The Buck Sexton Show’

Business

Obama’s Surprise Presser: Debt Limit Has Nothing to Do With New Spending, Won’t Negotiate ‘With a Gun at The Head of The American People’

Jan. 14, 2013 11:51am Becket Adams

Editor’s note: Besides addressing the debt limit, Obama also addressed gun legislation. You can see our separate story on that here.

–

President Barack Obama during a surprise press conference Monday explained that raising the debt ceiling “does not authorize Congress to spend more” but merely allows “America to pay its bills.”

“We’re not a deadbeat nation,” the president stressed. “Congress authorizes us to pay our bills.”

The president also said that if Congress wants to give him the power to raise debt ceiling, “I’m happy to take it.”

He said Congress has two choices: Either raise the debt ceiling or give him the authority to do so. Either way, the president seemed to say, the limit will be increased.

“I will not have that conversation with a gun at the head of the American people,” the president said, referring to his commitment to avoid another debt ceiling fight. “We have to break the habit of negotiating through crisis over and over again.”

“[Republican leaders] will not collect a ransom in exchange for not crashing the American economy,” he added. “The full faith and credit of the United States of America is not a bargaining chip.”

However, it’s no secret that during his time as state senator, the president voted against similar increases to the debt limit. And much to the president’s apparent irritation, CBS News’ Major Garret noted this detail during the presser.

“As you well know, sir, finding votes for the debt ceiling can sometimes be complicated. You yourselves as a member of the Senate voted against a debt ceiling increase,” said Garrett. “You yourself four times have done that; three times those were related to deficit reduction or budget maneuvers.”

“I think many people are curious about is this new adamant desire on your part not to negotiate when that seems to conflict with the entire history in the modern era of American presidents in the debt ceiling and your own history on the debt ceiling,” he added.

The president responded:

Well, no, Major. I think if you look at the history, getting votes for the debt ceiling is always difficult and budgets in this town are always difficult. I went through this just last year. But what’s different is we never saw a situation as we saw last year in which certain groups in Congress took such an absolutist position that we came within a few days of defaulting.

And, you know, the fact of the matter is, is that we have never seen the debt ceiling used in this fashion, where the notion was, you know what, we might default unless we get 100 percent of what we want. That hasn’t happened.

[...]

This is the United States of America, Major. Why — what — we can’t manage our affairs in such a way that we pay our bills? And we provide some certainty in terms of how we pay our bills? Look I — I don’t — I don’t think anybody would consider my position unreasonable here. The — I have…

Watch the exchange here:

And Garrett is correct: Obama used to oppose increases to the nation’s debt limit. In fact, in 2006, then-Sen. Obama said this: “America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit.”

However, by 2011, the president’s stance on the debt ceiling had “evolved.”

“You’ve got to extend the debt limit by May. And your job is a lot tougher because of your vote in the Senate against extending the debt limit. When did you realize that vote was a mistake?” ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos asked in an interview.

The president responded [emphasis added]:

I think that it’s important to understand the vantage point of a senator versus the vantage point of a president. When you’re a senator, traditionally what’s happened is, this is always a lousy vote. Nobody likes to be tagged as having increased the debt limit – for the United States by a trillion dollars.

As president, you start realizing, you know what, we, we can’t play around with this stuff. This is the full faith and credit of the United States. And so that was just an example of a new senator making what is a political vote as opposed to doing what was important for the country. And I’m the first one to acknowledge it.

The majority of Monday’s surprise presser focused on the president’s promise to avoid a default.

“It would be a self-inflicted wound on the economy,” said President Obama. “It would slow down our growth and tip us into recession. To even entertain the idea of this happening is irresponsible. It’s absurd.”

He added: “America cannot afford another debate with this Congress about whether or not they should pay the bills they’ve already racked up.”

Along with other bills he signed earlier in his first term, the president said he and Congress have “reduced deficits by about $2.5 trillion over a decade,” as the Associated Press notes, which, of course, is less than the $4 trillion he said is necessary to get them down to “a manageable size.”

The president also promised 2013 would be a good year for the U.S. economy:

Obama: ‘Our economy is growing…we are poised for a good year.’

— Byron York (@ByronYork) January 14, 2013

UPDATE: The Republican response to the final presser of the president’s first term was swift, definitive, and predictable.

From Republican Study Committee Chairman Steve Scalise:

President Obama seems to be the only person in Washington who threatens default on America’s debt obligations.

The President has an obligation to preserve the credit rating of the United States, and hitting the debt ceiling does not immediately trigger a default unless his administration fails to do its job and prioritize our debt payments. Default is not an option unless President Obama and his administration choose it to be.

The root of our economic problem is out of control spending. Until Washington stops spending money it doesn’t have, America will continue down the path towards insolvency paved by Greece. President Obama continues to run trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see. We can’t continue borrowing money from China as we rack up more debt and send the bill to our children and grandchildren. The federal government has a spending problem and the only remedy is to control spending.

From House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio):

The American people do not support raising the debt ceiling without reducing government spending at the same time. The consequences of failing to increase the debt ceiling are real, but so too are the consequences of allowing our spending problem to go unresolved.

Without meaningful action, the debt will continue to act as an anchor on our economy, costing American jobs and endangering our children’s future.

The House will do its job and pass responsible legislation that controls spending, meets our nation’s obligations and keeps the government running, and we will insist that the Democratic majority in Washington do the same.

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

Featured image courtesy @dorseyshaw.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (411)

MiCurmudgeon
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:51pm
The US brings in enough momey to pay our bills, so raising the limit absolutely has to do with spending that can be cut or eliminated. I noticed NOTHING that he proposes to do to cut the spending!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
lifeisgreat
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:47pm
Pres. Obama,
Remember when you uttered…..
“America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit.”

– Sen. Barack Obama, March 16, 2006

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
toledofan
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:45pm
It’s just like the nonsense never stops, I mean this guy who’s supposed to be the President, just never stops campaigning or pushing the blame onto everyone else. How come he’s not harping on good old Harry to develop a budget. Why does Obama think, her, has an open book and can do whatever he wants. OK, the guys the first Black President and he thinks he’s above the law, but, please this is America, were’nt not in Argentina, we have a Constitution, we have rules and it’s high time Obama started to follow them. If he doesn’t like the rules use the process to change thme but in the meantime stop the campaign, quite trying to demonize the Republicans and start to follow the Oath of office you took and plan to take again.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
fgarvin
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:44pm
The best part of the next four years is going to be watching this total FTARD fail continuously and his simpleton followers devore themselves. Should make for some good COPS episodes. FTARDS, FTARDS, what ya gonna do, what ya gonna do when DUMBO comes for you.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
teapartyconservatism
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:42pm
The Presidency has been surrendered to usurpation and vote fraud!* Fixing these problems will solve many others.

* M. Apuzzo, Esq., “Barack Obama is Ineligible …” http://puzo1.blogspot.com/2012/10/barack-obama-is-ineligible-to-be.html (Revised 11/10/2012)

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
SPOT_OF_TEA
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:42pm
Lets evaluate this…..the debt ceiling was 15 trillion and it was raised to 16.3 trillion not for new spending but to pay for the bill we ran up….(15 trillion)…..But now we need to pay for previous spending(16.3 trllion) by raising the debt limit to 17 trillion……How in hell can anyone get in front of credible journalists and say this with a straight face and not get laughed out of the room?????I guess that is expected but how sad is it that no politicians on our side has the ability to point out to the people how crazy this logic is……What happened to Miclele Bachmann?????….It looks like Boehner shut her up…she was the only voice of sanity in Washington now I dont even hear anything from her.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
NDPINDNT
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:38pm
I can’t believe that almost of the people of this country believe everything that comes ouf of this guy’s mouth. We are in a freefall and will hit the ground with no parachute soon.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:35pm
Oh that professional blamer and wild spender is at it again. Day after day I hear advertisements that are ridiculous and waste a lot of money. I wonder who actually goes through all the bills during the month to see if necessary. The President has no clue on how to get the economy or a budget going but is so good at the blame game. He and Reid (who is just as dishonest) doesn’t want a balanced budget. Both of their legacy will be lousy. The truth will set them free but will they?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ledbythnose
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:35pm
The bottom line for most Folks I talk to , is this Man is a clear and present danger to the security of this Nation. He is recklessly inciting an all out rebellion over his Marxist Gun Control plans. He is trying to implement his fantasy of a Communist Dictatorship on a Nation of 80 million gun owners who will in the end overthrow his plan. Unfortunately our Military sits back and does nothing to remove him from office. This will ultimately lead to millions of deaths of normal Folks who simply want a smaller, less invasive Government. Shame on the Military for not upholding the Oath they Swore to.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ranepowel
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:44pm
  The Supreme Court decides what is and isn’t Constitutional, not 18 year old kids with M-16s. If you think something is unconstitutional, then bring it before your local judge and take it all the way up to the Supreme Court. Otherwise, shut up.
  
  Report this comment
- ledbythnose
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:09pm
  Ranepowel
  The Constitution speaks for it’s self Dipschit. The People in Washington exist at the consent of the Governed . I can’t help it if your Lefty Fantasy is completely out of the park. Read the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. Then try reading the Federalist Papers then get back to me . I can garantee you wont see a bunch of 18 year old’s running around with M-16′S when the schit hits the fan big boy. I would be most happy for you to come and try to shut me up.
  
  Report this comment
Zeke48
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:35pm
I hope some of these comments are from the Left. hopefully, it sounds like all the American people are on the same page. If not, it won’t be long that even the Left starts to see the proof that this Obama is really a fraud and is only out for himself. He isn’t even helping the Blacks in this country who are suffering more than most. God help us, because President Ovomit won’t

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- SPOT_OF_TEA
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:53pm
  No…the changes are happening so gradual that few living today will notice that much….The sad thing is,as a result of these gradual changes,our grand children and great grandchildren will not live a life we are having the privledge of living…..they will most likely live in poverty as a result what our politicians are doing today….most leftists know this and they dont care…..thats what makes me sick to my stomach.
  
  Report this comment
UNINFORMED
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:33pm
No plan to stop spending. His plan is demonize the conservative. Who knew the Repubs were spending all that money and obozo didn’t know.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
The_Veteran
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:32pm
Look folks, Obama knows good and well it has everything to do with the economy, but he’s not going to say it. He knows he’s got the republicans by the ba!!$ and they either have to do what he says or they’ll face the wrath of the American people when the economy tanks before the next election. This is all orchestrated to go their way. They’re chess masters, no doubt. No matter how the republicans vote, they’ll loose come election time because they will take all the blame, just as Bush has done for all these years. Just as they are doing right now.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
environmentalandawake
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:31pm
Or we can cut Obummercare out, get our trillions back from businesses, and create a climate to bring jobs back home. What a jackass!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
moreteaplease
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:31pm
“The president also said that if Congress wants to give him the power to raise debt ceiling, “I’m happy to take it.”

Is this guy a piece of work or what?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
BehindTheMouth
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:29pm
Just like Hitler……

“My understanding is the vice president’s going to provide a range of steps that we can take to reduce gun violence,” said Obama. “Some of them will require legislation, some of them I can accomplish through executive action. And so I will be reviewing those today, and as I said, I will speak in more detail to what we’re going to go ahead and propose later in the week. But I’m confident that there are some steps that we can take that don’t require legislation and that are within my authority as president, and where you get a step that, has the opportunity to reduce the possibility of gun violence, then i want to go ahead and take it.”

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- dosdelgados
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:54pm
  He is SUCH a dictator wannabe. Arrogant SOB.
  
  Report this comment
spirited
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:29pm
Good Lord…. !
” Most people who know me… I’m a pretty friendly guy” -BO

>Someone needs to ask him if he is a “big spending Socialist”

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
calamityjane85
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:28pm
How many times did this bozo say “common sense, sensible” …He is trying to brain wash listeners in to believing his hogwash is sensible….. BAH!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- BehindTheMouth
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:33pm
  No, that’s the way he is showing he is smarter than us. Kind of like little kids do at school.
  
  Report this comment
Brentley
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:28pm
Hmm Mr. ANTI-GUN is pointing a figurative gun at CONGRESS heads now and saying RAISE THE CEILING..or I WILL RAISE IT…wow nothing like intimidation to get the point across.

Here is a better idea. MR PRESIDENT..GROUND AIR FORCE ONE…Shut off the flow of money to our ENEMIES….Shut off CONGRESSIONAL PAY…Shut off OBAMA PHONES….shut down OBAMACARE…Cut off perks in Prisons…education tvs etc….

Guessing that won’t happen because it makes sense and it does not fall in line with the destruction of our country.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
DougHuffman
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:27pm
Obama Oedipus Rex, killed his father and ‘married’ his mother.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
truthnstuff
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:26pm
There he goes again, the serial liar who will continue to get away with it. His liberal sycophants are so stupid that he can say anything and wouldn’t know any better. The GOP is too weak and PC to say anything and are just as happy to keep spending and lining their pockets.

This is the same lying POS who said Bush was treasonous when he wanted to raise the DL.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
countryfirst
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:26pm
WTF is going on.
Let’s put this in a real life scenario, I cannot pay my bills with my receivables and the amount I spend, So I must now go out a get a Credit card with a higher limit and just borrow what I spend . And then things will get better.

Then threat that the Military may not be able to be paid if the debt limit is not raised. DO NOT raise the debt limit, and the first not to get any funds are those here illegally.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
i have black immunity
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:25pm
But we do have mass Oweblamer idiocy. Very rampant amongst Demonrats.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
FANGS
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:25pm
Yup, And thats why Republicans Absolutely wont raise the debt limit Eat shlt obamas.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
spirited
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:23pm
“They (Republicans) have suspicions”
” They have a specific view of what government should do … should be”

Someone needs to asks him his “SPECIFIC view of what government should do… SHOULD BE”
~~> And, get a “specific” answer.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- stopprintn
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:40pm
  We will get right on that……..MSM
  
  Report this comment
BehindTheMouth
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:23pm
Obama: ‘Our economy iz growing…we’s is poised fo’ uh pimp-tight year.’ ya’ll is mad stupid.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.