Ben Feller and Erica Werner of the, Huffington Post, report:: Reports
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama declared on Monday there would be no deal on raising the government's debt limit if Republicans won't compromise, and he said he would not sign a short-term extension – raising the stakes on volatile negotiations with the clock ticking toward an Aug. 2 deadline.
"I don't see a path to a deal if they don't budge. Period," the president said in a challenge to his political opponents, accusing Republicans of having a "my way or the highway" posture on taxes. Before heading to the White House for a fresh round of negotiations, House Speaker John Boehner said he agreed that "we cannot allow our nation to default on our debt."
But Republican Boehner said that tax increases are a nonstarter: "The American people will not accept – and the House cannot pass – a bill that raises taxes on job creators."
Obama, asked whether he would veto legislation temporarily increasing the debt ceiling, said: "I will not sign a 30-day, or 60-day, or 90-day extension." The White House later confirmed that Obama meant he would veto such a bill. "This is the United States of America. And, you know, we don't manage our affairs in three-month increments," the president said.
But even before Obama was finished speaking, Republicans were disagreeing with his insistence that a deficit-trimming deal include cutbacks in tax breaks for the wealthy and some big corporations. While the news conference was under way, Boehner's office sent two emails to his news list saying tax hikes never should have been in the discussion.
I'm glad to see the President playing hardball. I wish he would accused them of holding a gun to the head of the nation. And, we could get our cartoonists to do an update of the National Lampoon cover. "If you don't cut social programs, we will shoot Lady Liberty."
Obama needs to say he will not let the Office of the Presidency of the United States, or our American people be held hostage with terrorist like tactics.
President Obama did say, "It's irresponsible. They know better," which is a small step in the right direction.
He should secretly be prepared to invoke the 14th Amendment on August 2, 2012 to avoid a financial catastrophy, but place the blame right on the GOP where it belongs.
Good for the President.