Obama to Al Sharpton: 'My Religious Faith' Makes Me Believe Republicans Will Agree to Raise Taxes

According to President Obama, his "religious faith" is what helps him continue to believe that Republican lawmakers will eventually raise taxes on wealthy Americans, who, Obama was sure to point out again, need to "pay their fair share."

Speaking to Reverend Al Sharpton following the Super Committee's monumental failure Monday, the president stated his disappointment in Republicans for being "short-sighted" in not offering any serious revenues.

"So the position they're taking is short-sighted, but it must be my religious fait, reverend, cause hope springs eternal..."

 Newsbusters provides the clip. Transcript to follow.

Sharpton asked Obama, "How do you respond to their [Super Committee] announcing that they can't reach a deal, and where do we go from here?"

Obama replied:

Look, there's no doubt that I'm disappointed that not just Congress generally, but the Republicans in particular, are not willing to put serious revenue on the table as part of a balanced plan . . . So the position they're taking is short-sighted. Uh, but, uh, you know, I, uh, it, it, it must be my, uh, religious faith, reverend, cause, uh, hope springs eternal and I continue to believe that at some point common sense will prevail and we'll be able to work something out.