McConnell: No real deficit deal until Obama is gone

Updated 2:16 p.m. Eastern Time

The Senate's top Republican said Tuesday that he did not see a way for Republicans and Democrats to come to agreement on meaningful deficit reduction as long as President Obama remains in office.

"After years of discussions and months of negotiations, I have little question that as long as this president is in the Oval Office, a real solution is probably unattainable," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in remarks on the Senate floor.

The remarks come as negotiations between Republicans and Democrats intensify on long-term deficit reduction ahead of a looming deadline on how much the United States can legally borrow.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and many economists have warned of economic catastrophe if the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling is not raised before August 2.

And lawmakers from both parties want to use the threat of that deadline to work out a broader package on long-term deficit reduction. Republicans are looking to cut trillions of dollars in federal spending, while Democrats are pushing for a more "balanced approach," which would include both spending cuts and higher revenue to the government.

The Debt Limit fight: A primer

The White House called McConnell's remarks "unfortunate," saying Mr. Obama "has made clear his willingness to compromise, to take heat from his own party." (See at left.)

"This president's going to be in office for at least another 18 months, and I think the American people expect Congress to work with him," said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.

McConnell suggested later in his remarks that the debt ceiling will still be raised, but without a broader deal on long-term deficit reduction.

"The president has presented us with three choices: smoke and mirrors, tax hikes, or default. Republicans choose none of the above. I had hoped to do good, but I refuse to do harm. So Republicans will choose a path that actually reflects the will of the people, which is to do the responsible thing and ensure that the government doesn't default on its obligations," he said.

Mr. Obama says he will not sign a short-term deal, saying, "This the United States of America and, you know, we don't manage our affairs in three-month increments."

McConnell is not the only member of his party ratcheting up the rhetoric Tuesday. Speaking of Mr. Obama, House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio said "the debt limit increase is his problem." (see at left.)

"And I think it's time for him to lead by putting his plan on the table," he continued. "Something that the Congress can pass."

Republicans have walked away from negotiations led by Mr. Obama to reach a $4 trillion deficit reduction deal over ten years, saying a smaller deal is more feasible.

Boehner has been under pressure from his Republican colleagues, with many in the House GOP caucus -- particularly the Tea Party-backed freshmen and his deputy, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor - bucking his apparent willingness to compromise with Mr. Obama on a "grand bargain" to reach the $4 trillion figure.

In a closed-door meeting with the caucus Tuesday morning, he explained why he believed the negotiations fell apart.

According to a source in the room, Boehner said he initially sought a larger deal that included reform to entitlement programs. Mr. Obama agreed, he said -- on the condition that the deal include revenue increases.

In Boehner's telling, he refused to consider tax increases but said he would discuss tax reform -- lowering tax rates while closing tax loopholes in a way that was revenue neutral. Mr. Obama countered that he would consider corporate tax reform but not personal tax reform.

Boehner, the source said, told his caucus he wanted both, arguing that such an approach is necessary because some small business owners claim earnings as personal income. Mr. Obama agreed, on the condition that the Bush-era tax cuts for low earners be made permanent -- presumably while the tax cuts for high earners are allowed to expire. In Boehner's telling, that's when talks began to break down. 

Mr. Obama is continuing to push for the largest possible deal, and urged lawmakers Monday to "eat our peas" and get it done.

"It is possible for us to construct a package that would be balanced, would share sacrifice [and] would involve both parties taking on their sacred cows," he said.

[cuhome]

First of all, Mr McConnell, President Obama does NOT own this economy... YOU do. When Bush came into office, there was a surplus. Bush's spending like a teenager with a no-limit credit card spent us into this deficit, by doing things like tax breaks for the top income-earners (the theory: the large companies, because of the lowered tax rates, would hire more workers. . . it's been ten years now of lowered tax rates and I haven't seen the desired/promised outcome of more jobs; if it hasn't happened by now, there's no reason to think it's going to work now); omitting "little" expenditures like the Iraq war from the budget, keeping it in the "little black book budget"; this has been put in the open now, and is included in the budget to the tune of several trillion dollars. The list of unaccounted-for expenditures by the Bush administration and unquestioned by the Republicans, goes on and on. So, in sort, YOU and the rest of the Republicans own this economy, which was inherited by President Obama. Raising the debt ceiling is not a concession on the part of the republicans; it is done every year. So what are you offering? It would be tantamount to you saying that, for your part of the negotiation you will concede to a presidential election every 4 years! Something that happens anyway, and is in no way a concession on the part of the Republicans. Never before has the raising of the debt ceiling been used in this way, where the dollar amount of the debt ceiling increase must be offset by concessions from other budgetary items. Oh, and by the way, social security, medicare, and medicaid are NOT entitlements; they are budget neutral, and are INSURANCE, paid for by every worker and employer. Your priority of making Obama a one-term president taking precidence over meeting the debt obligations of the US tells me that politics are more important to you than what is good for the country. We need and expect representatives in the house and senate who put the country first, politics second. If you'd like to play Russian roulette, do it somewhere else. You're a pathetic example of everything we don't need in this country. We need problem-solvers, not game players. And you're playing games with real people's lives who will suffer greatly because of you and those of your ilk.

[mnguyen4]

Mitch McConnell attitude reminds me of Nero fiddling while Rome is burning. The country suffered huge job losses, treasury drain, and 2 unpopular wars started by him and his Republican colleagues. Yet, his political goal still is to remove the first African-American President in 2012.

Nero's mother was a scheming and back stabbing person who poisoned her husband so that her son Nero could become a Caesar. Ironically, she was killed by her own son who would later kill himself, rather than being killed by his own Praetorian guards.

Today, Washington is like Ancient Rome with politicians stabbing on each other on the back, in the lust for power. Back in the late Nineties, most Americans believed that the next Century would be another American Century. Today, most Americans are worrying about how deep our downfall will be, with politicians like Mitch McConnell and the Republicans in charge in Washington.

[saturn05]

McConnell is like a spoiled child. If he doesn't get what he wants he throws a tantrum. His type of tantrum is holding America hostage over wanting to help his best friends and himself become richer. I hate the repubs right now.

[mollydtt]

When will a real politician, (who actually wants America to succeed) step up to the plate and THINK! This autopilot stuff has GOT to go!

[coreykrantz]

At last. The genie is out of the bottle. the old white guys are bullying the black kid off the the playground. But in reality they are holding our country hostage and need to be relieved of duty

[Zann-Zel]

They're certainly trying to bully him off the playground - but I don't think he's going anywhere!

And his supporters certainly aren't going anywhere! : )

[bikerb54]

Yep, just like the Republicans. Hold the taxpayers hostage, especially middle and lower classes because they are the ones that are going to lose the most, until they get their way. WHINERS, BUTTHEADS, and political terriorists. I don't appreciate my way of life-such as it is- being in jeopardy just
because they're po'd! Quit thinking about the election-which is over a year away-and take care of the people that pay your wages, who voted you in to make things better, not worse (of course I am a Democrat and my tax money still pays Republican wages)! How about you all take a pay cut to help make up the difference? Didn't think so. If this doesn't get resolved, then I say you should be the first ones to lose your income! You don't deserve a paycheck the way your playing with our lives!!!

[dagrandma]

Soo, actually what he is saying is, "If the Republicans don't win the next presidential election, America is screwed." This showdown is all about the next presidential election and Mr. McConnel has just confirmed that. The president has offered compromise. He's offered cuts. And he wants similar concessions from the Republicans. But the Republicans, it seems, think it's perfectly all right for people like Rupert Murdoch to get $4.8 billion in tax refunds.

[TommyCCC]

And the circus continues. When will a real politician step up?

http://www.homeequity.********

[hhandyman]

impeach all republicans that are not willing to serve the nation in an honest just manor. Start With Mitch and his cohorts and clean house. REpublican rule took the teeth out of governance allowing the money sector to go bad. LOOK AT the FACTS Republicans got the Limits on Energy producers Ownership reduced We got "Enron" They got rid of Glass Stegal act we had Bank Failures, they wanted to go to war and skip pay as you go in that war so go back do the math see who the bean counters messed over.. thats why we need to rid this nation of the ultra right bentRepublicans.

[papabearvv]

The only ones losing their jobs are the Republicans whose main goal is to replace Obama and not serve those that voted for them. Straight Dem ticket 2012. I think McConnel is disgusting instead of addressing our real concerns he blabbers about Obama. Child mentality where we need leaders to step up and resolve these issues. Take your death grip off the tax cuts for the rich as trickle down economics in reality are trickle on economics to foreign mfg. investment not creating jobs for our middle class.

[bckrd1]

And there it is. Not like he has been shy in the past but this level of animosity McConnell has toward this President is astonishing. To want to damage this country just so he can "make the President look bad" is treason and he should be held accountable. McConnell and his ilk are what are wrong with this Congress. They need to go.
This Republican Congress has done everything within it's power to dismantle any positive thing this President has done for the middle class and working poor. They want to take healthcare reform away, financial reform away, consumer protection agency away. They are proud of what they are doing and if they get control of all three branches they will completely destroy the middle class and poor. They have not one solution that is viable and have been obstructionists at the very least. It is their policies from 1993-2006 that have brought this country to where it is and they will continue where they left off if allowed.