Obama, Boehner talked debt in secret meeting

For weeks Republicans have been calling on President Obama to become directly involved in the debt reduction talks. On Thursday, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell scolded the President on the Senate floor, saying, "He's the one in charge, I think most Americans think it's time he started acting like it."

Well, it appears the president did start acting like it -- behind the scenes -- even before McConnell spoke.

Early Wednesday evening Speaker John Boehner met with the President in the Oval Office. The get-together was supposed to be a secret. When it leaked, White House spokesman Jay Carney refused to give any hint of what they talked about, other than to say they were "following up on conversations they had on the golf course" last Saturday.

But sources now tell CBS News what everyone suspected: that the president and Boehner discussed the debt talks on Wednesday. And since that conversation was "following up" on their recent Golf Course summit, it stands to reason that they've now been talking about the debt issue for a week.

Despite the talk, though, neither man has -- publicly, at least -- given an inch on the most contentious issue: taxes.

In a statement on Friday, Boehner again ruled out tax increases as part of a deal.

And the White House is no less unbending. In a press gaggle on Air Force One Friday, Carney repeated the White House mantra of "a balanced approach." Translation: the White House will agree to a deal only if it includes new revenues, by eliminating tax loopholes that benefit wealthy Americans and certain unpopular business interests, like the oil and gas industry.

On Monday, the president will again push for that "balanced approach" in an Oval Office meeting with McConnell. Good luck with that: In a press release Friday, McConnell said he wants the president to tell him that tax hikes are off the table.

And the uncompromising positions aren't the only barriers to getting a deal any time soon. There's also the absence of a sense of urgency. The Biden talks are now "in abeyance" after the Republicans pulled out, and Boehner's office says he's leaving town -- for an 11-day House recess.

And these deals don't get completed by phone. So you can forget about those wildly optimistic deadlines of June 30 or July 4.

So when might the pressure reach critical mass? If history is any guide, they won't strike a deal until the last minute. So when is that? Technically it's August 2, when Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner says the money will run out and the debt ceiling must be raised.

But this negotiation may be different from the usual cliffhanger, because of fears that if it even gets CLOSE to August 2 the markets will get rattled, leading to all manner of economic calamity.

So the REAL deadline is impossible to predict. It's whenever the markets start to show signs of severe nervousness. That's when the politicians will show signs of severe nervousness. And only then are they likely to act.

[elsal65gal]

Please help American company been in business 79 years.White County Arkansas ,needs financial assistance.499 workers.

[sjc_1]

Any reasonable responsible person knows you need a balanced approach that includes revenue and cuts.

[tellingthestory]

My question is why a secrete what are they ashamed of or afraid of? Isn't it Obama that Promised TRANSPARENCY in GOV.? I mean that went out the window the first six months like so many other promises but still why the big secret? What is the point. It is our money and our GOV. Do we not have the right to know what they are doing?

[justme2012]

variable,

So Boehner called the meeting?

[pasha128]

Speaker Boehner has complete control of the House agenda and he expects his moment in the sun before allowing a vote on the extension that must be done.

[WeHappyFew]

No Sh*t, Sherlock!

[nearl451]

So sensing that the negotiations wer comingtoan impasse Obama and Boehner starting talking about next alternatives and what kind of a bill would not be vetoed.

Boy is that secret and mysterious....not.

It's called doing one's job.

The negotiations were doomed from the beginning largely because (1) Republicans were not going to commit to a compromise that maybe vetoed and (2) Kyl and Cantor have never negotiated anything (they have the reputation of political Granstanding, little else).

I have seen several viable alternatives proposed on these boards. The best are (1) Obama takes out the recommndations that the comission recommended - including drastic cuts AND revenue increases and (2) Obama starts with his rejected budget and requires Boehner and Co that for every dollar cut, a 20 cent revenue must be meted. I'm sure he'll get beatup no matter whathe proposes, but he will now lead.

Can't come to agreement (by hook or by crook), let the country default. AFter the world markets react,a similar compromise will be reconsidered (I guarantee).

Regarding item (1): The shame is that there are house and Senate GOP'ers who can negotiate. Ths team was assembled in deliberate bad faith.

[nearl451]

Sorry, meant re:item (2).

[justme2012]

Obama's secret meetings are an abomination!!!

He promised open government, sunshine....

All he gives us is more back room deals.

Obama is a failure.

[justme2012]

Noticed tonight that almost every post negative about Obama on the leading stories has been zapped by CBS's moderators.

Interesting. Wonder if Obama's team threatened to pull all their big advertising bucks if the site wasn't cleaned up?????


(screen shots being taken to document the censorship)

[nearl451]

Your paranoia is becoming a bit scary.

BTW, the 1st Amendment doesn't guarantees that the Govt cannot take away free speech; CBS is under no such legal obligation.

Seriously. Get some help.

[babooph]

Priority is the rich keeping their massive tax cuts & all they have sucked up from them over the years,the rest of the economy is not that important...

[justme2012]

Yep, obama and his $35,000 a plate supporters are making sure THEY keep their massive tax breaks. That's why Turbo Tim says small business must keep the government from shrinking.

[retm-w]

justme

If obama gave you everthing you wanted, you still woudn't be happy. One thing I found out a long time ago, never try to please a republican because you can't.

[JJHH3000]

Does it occur to anyone that the federal, state and local budgets would be in less of a mess if it were not for illegal immigration draining social programs everywhere. Just in case immigration, both legal and illegal was not already doing enough harm to American workers. Who's going to point this out? Certainly not politicians or union leaders who are on the take from the immigration lobby to look the other way on this issue.

[nearl451]

Nothe economy at large wouldbe in MORE of a mess since aliens put more into the economy than they take out in oulic benefit.

Your racist rant is rally getting old....and moe innacurate by the minute.

[retm-w]

I'm surprised he could get boehner off the golf course or out of the tanning booth to have a meeting. The republican run congress is off on vacation again, won't be back to work until sometime after the fourth of July. All play and no work since the republicans took over.

[retm-w]

No dj your the idiot, check the amount of time congress has been in session since January, then check it for the same time last year when the dems were in charge.