President Obama on Senator Obama: I Was Being a Hack When I Voted Against the Debt Limit
[Guest post by Aaron Worthing; if you have tips, please send them here. Or by Twitter @AaronWorthing.]
We still have upcoming the vote on whether to raise America’s debt limit. I have yet to hear anyone explain to my satisfaction why we shouldn’t just say to Congress “no, your credit card is maxed out. Figure out how to pay our obligations with money we presently have.” Indeed, I find myself agreeing with Senator Obama on the subject:
I rise today to talk about America’s debt problem.
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies.
Over the past 5 years, our federal debt has increased by $3.5 trillion to $8.6 trillion. That is “trillion” with a “T.” That is money that we have borrowed from the Social Security trust fund, borrowed from China and Japan, borrowed from American taxpayers. And over the next 5 years, between now and 2011, the President’s budget will increase the debt by almost another $3.5 trillion….
Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that “the buck stops here.” Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. 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.
I’m sorry, I find that pretty persuasive, and given that we are now up to over $14 Trillion, even more so.
But, Obama explains, we really shouldn’t listen to his old self, because he was a selfish bastard who didn’t care about the greater good.
Seriously, how else do you interpret this?
And here’s the text:
George Stephanopoulos: You’ve got to extend the debt limit by May. And it seems like you made up the job– 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?
President Obama: 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 in credit of the United States.” And so that was just a example of a new Senator, you know, 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.
George Stephanopoulos: But now Senator McConnell is– is talking to a lot of the Republican Senators about doing the same thing. Saying, “Let’s just have 51 Democratic Senators.”
President Obama: Right…My suspicion is that the burden is going to fall a lot on Democrats in the Senate to make this happen, but in both chambers, we’re going to need some votes from the other side.
So basically you were saying, Mr. President that you were full of it, that you knew that it was a bad idea to vote against it when you voted against it, but you cared more about saving your political keister than doing the right thing.
Which raises the question: Were you full of it back then? Or are you just full of it now?
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Oh, and for the love of God, please stop claiming that this is about full faith and credit. That phrase in the Constitution is about the obligation of one state to honor the decisions and laws of other states. You can demonstrate the importance of our nation’s credit without demonstrating ignorance of the constitution.
[Posted and authored by Aaron Worthing.]
What makes you think this is an either/or question?
Blue Ox (ff919a) — 4/14/2011 @ 2:17 pmdid bumbledouche for reals say “full faith in credit”?
happyfeet (a55ba0) — 4/14/2011 @ 2:24 pmHoly Freaking Hell.
That ABC interview has Obama admitting that he was “playing games” with the “full faith and credit” of the country because he didn’t want to make a politically difficult vote as Senator.
That was an example of a Senator making a political vote instead of doing what was right for the country (almost an exact quote of Obama describing himself!!!!).
This guy needs to stay on the teleprompter! If Paul Ryan or Sarah Palin described Obama in Obama’s own terms, the left would say that was uncivil and dishonest.
Sadly, this reveals something tragic about Obama. He is such a narcissist that he convinces himself that whatever is politically convenient for him is the best thing for the country. As President, he’s just failing to be a leader on debt because it is challenging for his politics. It’s the exact same problem he actually described himself as having a few years ago.
He really can’t help it. This is how he compensates for no leadership ability. This isn’t malice… it’s incompetence. I guarantee he winces if he watches this video played back to him. I think Obama owes Bush and Mccain a very public apology if he means what he says. He hit them hard for deficit spending.
And yes, Aaron’s last point is well taken. Obama is using language that sounds constitutiony, but completely in the wrong context.
Dustin (c16eca) — 4/14/2011 @ 2:26 pmObama would rather be known for increasing the debt by a trillion dollars than increasing the debt limit by a similar amount.
Some chump (4c6c0c) — 4/14/2011 @ 2:27 pmSo in 2006, Obama was just a “new Senator” who didn’t know any better. Someone might want to ask Profiles in Courage why, after deciding he was qualified to be President, he didn’t even bother to show up to vote when the subject reappeared in 2007 and 2008.
Blue Ox (ff919a) — 4/14/2011 @ 2:29 pmDustin
> And yes, Aaron’s last point is well taken. Obama is using language that sounds constitutiony, but completely in the wrong context.
It would be like as if Scott Walker said that every democrat had to be dismissed from office because the constitution guaranteed a republican form of government.
Blue
All good points.
Aaron Worthing (e7d72e) — 4/14/2011 @ 2:33 pmBlue Ox, terrific link.
What a coincidental list. That says a lot about our political problems. Clinton and Biden showed up to vote in 2008, at least.
Our political system rewards people who act the opposite of how Ryan or West act. Take vague stands, speak in platitudes, and attack those who take a serious stand. It works. That’s the fault of American voters.
Dustin (c16eca) — 4/14/2011 @ 2:33 pmUnbelievable how much ignorance Obama demonstrates in this piece. Unbelievable that Democrats thought this clown was fit to be President.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/14/2011 @ 2:37 pm“And so that was just a example of a new Senator, you know, making what is a political vote as opposed to doing what was important for the country.”
Right, and by implication, the 44 Democrat senators joining Obama in voting against the debt ceiling increase were also political votes as opposed to doing what was important for the country, in case anybody was wondering.
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 4/14/2011 @ 2:49 pmI wonder, if Obama returns to the Senate after he’s no longer President, if he’ll give another interview and denounce his actions as President.
Apparently the left thinks this kind of honesty is refreshing. They didn’t mind Jerry Brown laughing about what a liar he was.
Dustin (c16eca) — 4/14/2011 @ 2:56 pmYou can demonstrate the importance of our nation’s credit without demonstrating ignorance of the constitution.
Without his ignorance, he has no knowledge at all of the Constitution.
AD-RtR/OS! (b8ab92) — 4/14/2011 @ 3:02 pmObama-Ignorance is a constitutional right.
DohBiden (984d23) — 4/14/2011 @ 3:32 pmObama is a HACK and will always be one. One more sad point is we have dozens of these type still in office. Time for another house cleaning in 2012. Get this country on the right road .
Shawn (271c93) — 4/14/2011 @ 4:24 pm“. . .vantage point of a…President. When you’re a Senator, traditionally what’s happened . . . ”
So really, basically, is, it’s not my fault because “TRADIONALLY.” so much for that hope and change stuff.
Tradition baby. The things legends are made of.
STEVEinSoCal (86daba) — 4/14/2011 @ 4:27 pm==Unbelievable that Democrats thought this clown was fit to be President==
Who says they even gave it a thought. They wanted a D president so bad they could taste it and did’nt care who it was. Then the media decided he was both the messiah and the smartest guy in the world so….
elissa (e1a204) — 4/14/2011 @ 5:01 pmThese comments and the article it refers to are really bottom of the barrel ignorance and hate.. what a collection of bitter angry hateful posters! Aaron you really are leading quite a flock of sheep!
VietnamEraVet (35c6c1) — 4/14/2011 @ 5:01 pmNah. It’d be funny if he did, but it’s far more likely the transcriber’s error.
Milhouse (ea66e3) — 4/14/2011 @ 5:03 pmHey, who had the bright idea of parodying VeV? Come on now guys, own up..
Milhouse (ea66e3) — 4/14/2011 @ 5:05 pmYou have no substantive defense at all? Just accuse people of ‘hate’ when they quote Obama criticizing his own behavior in pretty severe terms?
That’s it? I guess that’s all you got, kinda like Obama’s BS condemnation of Ryan’s budget.
Think about your own ignorance and knee jerk hatred. Why don’t you care that Obama is admitting to putting politics ahead of his country? Why shoot the messenger?
Dustin (c16eca) — 4/14/2011 @ 5:16 pmThe most amazing thing is that the press is just noticing that most of what he said as a Senator contradicts his actions in office. They. Are. Just. Figuring. It. Out. Now.
But they got W’s AWOL in the Redneck Riviera adventure faster than ‘Lucy Ramirez’ disappeared into a Texas State Fair time travel booth. But who brings their ‘A’ game to work everyday?
East Bay Jay (19f566) — 4/14/2011 @ 9:07 pmTake your meds, VeV.
JD (318f81) — 4/14/2011 @ 9:11 pmYou are projecting again, little man. The fact is, Obama admitted he voted against raising the debt ceiling for purely partisan reasons. But now that he’s maxed out the national credit card and then some, he thinks it’s a great idea to extend the limit again.
Wrap your head around the blatant hypocrisy and partisan hackery of your precious President.
Some chump (e84e27) — 4/14/2011 @ 10:34 pm“…. Take vague stands, speak in platitudes, and attack those who take a serious stand. It works. That’s the fault of American voters.”
That sure hits the nail on the head, notwithstanding that few will acknowledge it. Not going to change anytime soon, either.
Tell your Reps to Vote Like Obama (on the debt limit). It’s a de-facto balanced budget amendment that doesn’t require any agreement from the Senate or Pres
Merkin Muffley (385a06) — 4/15/2011 @ 1:31 amident.Is VeV a Viet Nam vet or was he just in the military during the Viet Nam “conflict”? There’s a big difference.
Jay Stevens (6b72cd) — 4/15/2011 @ 1:41 amVEV
really, what exactly is ignorant and/or hateful?
Yesterday Obama said getting serious about the deficit was patriotic. So saying he wasn’t serious about it as a senator, means… he was unpatriotic?
Aaron Worthing (73a7ea) — 4/15/2011 @ 3:59 amObama only has one core value: Getting himself elected/re-elected.
A man who stands for nothing but himself is an exceptionally dangerous man to have as President.
Frederick (4f7681) — 4/15/2011 @ 4:46 amVeeEeeVee has mastered the tactic of the ad hominem attack.
He should apply to be Ed Schultz’s guest host.
Icy Texan (6d2703) — 4/15/2011 @ 6:53 amFuck off vietnam era traitor.
DohBiden (6655ba) — 4/15/2011 @ 7:29 amHe doesn’t even claim to have been in Vietnam, unlike Tom Harkin and Richard Blumenthal. But I have a policy of not accepting claims of service at face value, when used to bolster someone’s position in an argument. There are too many fakes. Or maybe he was a veterinarian during the Vietnam era.
Milhouse (ea66e3) — 4/15/2011 @ 7:29 amIt’s interesting how The Man Who Voted ‘Present’ — ostensibly because he could not in good conscience vote in favor of flawed legislation, nor vote against a bill that he hoped would change its flaws — seemingly had no problem whatsoever with voting against something for nothing more than the sake of appearances.
Short version: Bush was POTUS, therefore the Big Zero had to show his opposition — placating his leftist Chicago-machine Massas.
Icy Texan (6d2703) — 4/15/2011 @ 7:29 amObama admits he places Party above country How disgraceful.
Dennis D (e0b996) — 4/15/2011 @ 8:01 amStephanopoulos’ question is an excellent example of political correctness. Here are the clues: “got to extend”, “vote was a mistake”.
viktor (73db5e) — 4/15/2011 @ 8:26 am