January 27, 2012 1:27 PM

Obama: "I'm going to fight as hard as I can" to win reelection

By
Leigh Ann Caldwell
Topics
Campaign 2012

On his five state tour to tout American manufacturing and energy development, President Obama took some time to talk politics. In an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer in Las Vegas, Mr. Obama said he's going to "fight as hard as I can" to be reelected to a second term.

"Whoever wins the Republican primary is going to be a standard bearer for a vision of the country that I don't think reflects who we are," Mr. Obama said. "I'm going to fight as hard as I can with every fiber of my being to make sure that we continue on a path that I think will restore the American dream."

He said both Republican front-runners, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, are fundamentally wrong about how to invigorate the economy.

"The larger point is this: That there's going to be a debate over the next eight, nine, 10 months about how to move the country forward," he told ABC. "They've got an argument. They will make it forcefully. I think it's an argument that is wrong."

When Sawyer asked if he will win the election, he gave an emphatic "yes." He wants to win "badly," the president responded, "because I think the country needs it."

Mr. Obama delivered his third State of the Union speech this week and then hit the road to promote his ideas. But in this election year, his speech and multi-state tour is widely recognized as the unofficial start to his campaign.

But White House spokesperson Jay Carney disputed that. He told reporters Friday that the president ''didn't deliver a campaign speech."

The Republican candidates aren't only hitting each other, but are taking the time to criticize the president. Mr. Obama addressed Gingrich's statement that he's responsible for an increase in food stamp recipients.

"First of all, I don't put people on food stamps," Mr. Obama told Sawyer. "People become eligible for food stamps. Second of all, the initial expansion of food-stamp eligibility happened under my Republican predecessor, not under me. No. 3, when you have a disastrous economic crash that results in 8 million people losing their jobs, more people are going to need more support from government."

Mr. Obama also took a dig at three of the four final GOP contenders.

"I think whether it's Romney or Gingrich or Santorum or any of these folks, the question to ask them is we now have the lowest tax rates in 50 years," Mr. Obama told ABC. "We've seen the highest increase in income for the very top echelons since the 1920s. And if, in fact, we're going to reduce our deficit while still investing in those things that we know make America grow, somebody's got to pay for it," he said.


Add a Comment See all 21 Comments
by Ben37221 January 30, 2012 12:28 AM EST
Do you know that under Romney's economic policy, taxes will actually go down for millionieres and billionirers, while the tax for the middle class will go up.
Why Obama continue to fight for the middle class, the republicans continue to protect the top one percent.
Reply to this comment
by venusvegasvada January 29, 2012 8:04 PM EST
I like it.
Reply to this comment
by cbs4111 January 29, 2012 7:19 PM EST
Over the last 50+ years Obama has the second worst Presidential Job approval of ANY President averaged over his third year. The only President that had a worse job approval rating is Carter. Note that Carter didn't get re-elected either.

You can find these numbers at Gallup under Presidential Approval Center

Third-Year Job Approval Ratings of Elected Presidents

Eisenhower - 72%
Kennedy - 61.8%
Nixon - 49.6%
Carter - 37.4%
Reagan - 44.9%
Bush 1 - 69.5%
Clinton - 47.5%
Bush 2 - 59.6%
Obama - 44.4%
Reply to this comment
by Ben37221 January 30, 2012 12:01 AM EST
Did you also notice that Bush Sr. had a better approval rating, and Nixon had a better approval rating, where did they end up?
GWB who was re-elected was the one that wrecked the economy.
In addition, none of these president's you listed took over an economy that was as bad as what you republicans handed Obama. The fact that Obama have brought us this far is a miracle, given the obstructionist stand of the republicans whose primary goal is to destroy Obama.
Mr. cbs4111, I hope you get yourself a nice seat to watch Obama's second inauguration.
by RobAla January 29, 2012 8:45 AM EST
As I stated earlier: President Obama can fight all he wants, but it does not change the fact that he has pushed failed policies for three years. President Obama told the House Democrats that he had their back. The real question is whether the American voter has the backs of the House Democrats, and 2010 was a strong indicator that the answer is "NO". The United States has not had a budget since 2009 (more than 1000 days). When the Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi refused to do her duty and submit a budget. Instead, she was obsessed with cramming the health care law down the throats of the majority of Americans who do not want it. The Real Clear collection of polls show that less than 38% of Americans are in favor of that law. Americans were so angry with the House Democrats that in 2010 voters gave control of the House back to Republicans. After taking control in 2011, the Republican led House passed a budget and sent to the Senate. The Democrat controlled Senate irresponsibly and immediately shot it down and buried any hopes of doing it's duty.

Over the past 3 years, Washington has recklessly and irresponsibly added more than $4.4 trillion to the national debt. I was angry when under President Bush the nation went $4.4 trillion in debt over 8 years. I am really ticked that we have accelerated our race toward national bankruptcy under President Obama and other irresponsible Democrat leadership.

This recent SOTU speech didn't even address the REAL issues regarding domestic policy. The most striking absence in this speech was any mention of our massive out of control federal debt. President Obama talked about reducing spending on defense, but did he plan to use those savings to address the horrible deficit spending? NO! He talked about using that money to increase domestic spending on other federal programs. He has ZERO plans to address the most serious threat to our national security - our practice of accelerating our march to national bankruptcy through huge deficit spending and NO national budgets.

I listened to the President Obama's third State of the Union Address, and I have come to the conclusion that he is a schizophrenic. He talked about everyone playing by the same rules, after giving out $100s of billions of taxpayer dollars to corporations of his choice while allowing other businesses to fend for themselves. He talked about reducing federal regulations on business, after burying American businesses under increased regulations contained in his disastrous health care law, He talked about national unity, after he has divided Americans and pitted one group of Americans against another for three years. He announced that "America is back", after burying the nation under deficit spending like no other President in American history. He announced "no more bailouts", after being the king of bailouts. He talked about energy independence, after stopping a oil pipeline that would have made American less dependent on middle-eastern oil and would have created more than 20,000 jobs. I have never heard a more twisted, muddled, and conflicted speech in all my life.

Whether Democrat or Republican, we must elect responsible leadership to Washington in order to save this country. Any politician who voted against a national budget must be thrown out and sent home. The vast majority of these people are Democrats, and I want them gone from office as soon as legally possible - and this includes President Obama.
Reply to this comment
by winchesterla January 29, 2012 12:14 PM EST
Im glad you want to elect responsible leader. Without a doubt, Obama is more responsible than the whole lot. If you want to be irresponsible, vote for those ganstars that will take the country back 50years behind with their boom&bust economy, war all round the globe without idea how much it costs. I am baffled by people like you. Even if as you are a republican it doesnt mean you must vote for them to take the country adrift again to the unknown. You must be in a lone world of your own. Please wake up and see the light!!
by RobAla January 29, 2012 3:24 PM EST
winchesterla: Could you please detail how President Obama accelerating or growth in deficit spending (President Obama's horrible $4.4 trillion in 3 years, compared to the bad $4.4 trillion in 8 years under President Bush) and his maintaining at least a horrible 8.5% unemployment for three years - makes this man responsible. Please explain how a refusal of Democrats to even pass a national budget shows an ounce of responsibility. Please tell me how this disaster of a health care law (resulting in the cost of health care to rise (taxes and fees on medical devices like pacemakers), causes the cost of private health care premiums to rise, and is holding back full employment of Americans by imposing additional regulations and expenses on private sector business show a responsible approach to solving US health care issues. Please outline the details.
by Docfreeman January 28, 2012 6:17 PM EST
I want to know why Obama did not show up January 26, 2012 for the GA hearing on his eligibility to be on the ballot in November. I guess he must think he is about the law. Wonder what he is going to do with the hearings for the states of Alabama, Tennessee, New Hampshire and a couple more, not show up there too? It will be fun to count the votes when Obama is not even on the ballot, come November. On second thought he might not even be president before then.
Reply to this comment
by Ben37221 January 30, 2012 12:42 AM EST
Your hatred will consume you. You want the president of the United State to show up for a clawn's hearing? I hope you and your friends get together in January, 2013 to enjoy Obama's second inaugaration as president of the United States-that will also be on television in GA, TN, AL. You can put that in your pipe and smoke it.
by sirmarion-2009 January 28, 2012 4:34 PM EST
One thing is for sure if Obama promises,it is a lie you can take to the bank.
Reply to this comment
by Ben37221 January 30, 2012 12:54 AM EST
Which lie are you talking about?
1. the health care reform act-oh-he delivered.
2. financial reform-he delivered
3. tax brake for 98% of Americans-he delivered
4. equal pay for equal work for women act- he delivered
5. repeal of don't ask, don't tell-he delivered
6. educational reform-he is delivering
7. Investment in renewable energy- he delivered
I can go on all day. Now we know that you and your republican friends are the lie.Obama, a president you can count on.
This president have accomplish more than the last five republican president put together-including Mr. Regan who raised taxes 18 times.
by GVJaneAz January 28, 2012 12:30 PM EST
More LIES AND PROMISES...the day after his "State of the Union?" speech, which was actually a campaign speech....the American taxpayers lost another $185 Million which the Administration stimulated.... one of their pet "green energy" projects...declared Bankruptcy. Oh yes, "Chap 11, reorganization, but like Solyndra...will be a Chap. 7 in the end. Bizzare how STUPID THE VOTERS OF THIS COUNTRY ARE!!!
Reply to this comment
by tx-wheels January 28, 2012 10:44 AM EST
Personally I think obama is peeing in the wind. I don't believe he stands a chance at all to be re-elected.
We as citizens need to make sure of it however, and while we're at it, clean some other dead weight out of DC. Here's how we can do it, so spread the word. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zYh0RsCXys
Reply to this comment
by overtax January 28, 2012 9:45 AM EST
For those who are not paying attention, since September the pandering for votes has been in high gear. One Example, this week opening up leases in the gulf for drilling with the right hand,
then using the left hand to throw EPA approval for the lease, which will take years to go through if ever. How about the in sourcing of jobs, so tax breaks alone going to get businesses to
come back. I don't think so.Wages and regulations the reason they left in first place, what has
changed. And then that great vote buying scheme, using your own money from your paycheck
to secure your vote, money that was slated for social security, your being allowed to keep,
but the price to do so will certainly mean a rise in the retirement age in the near future.
The old story, I got something for everyone. Promises made and promises broken.
Reply to this comment
by RobAla January 28, 2012 9:31 AM EST
President Obama can fight all he wants, but it does not change the fact that he has pushed failed policies for three years. President Obama told the House Democrats that he had their back. The real question is whether the American voter has the backs of the House Democrats, and 2010 was a strong indicator that the answer is "NO". The United States has not had a budget since 2009 (more than 1000 days). When the Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi refused to do her duty and submit a budget. Instead, she was obsessed with cramming the health care law down the throats of the majority of Americans who do not want it. The Real Clear collection of polls show that less than 38% of Americans are in favor of that law. Americans were so angry with the House Democrats that in 2010 voters gave control of the House back to Republicans. After taking control in 2011, the Republican led House passed a budget and sent to the Senate. The Democrat controlled Senate irresponsibly and immediately shot it down and buried any hopes of doing it's duty.

Over the past 3 years, Washington has recklessly and irresponsibly added more than $4.4 trillion to the national debt. I was angry when under President Bush the nation went $4.4 trillion in debt over 8 years. I am really ticked that we have accelerated our race toward national bankruptcy under President Obama and other irresponsible Democrat leadership.

Whether Democrat or Republican, we must elect responsible leadership to Washington in order to save this country. Any politician who voted against a national budget must be thrown out and sent home. The vast majority of these people are Democrats, and I want them gone from office as soon as legally possible - and this includes President Obama.
Reply to this comment
by GVJaneAz January 28, 2012 12:38 PM EST
Most of the Country have no idea of what we say on these various comment treads...we, as a Country, have become so stupid it is just beyond belief. We can thank those "Union" generated educations in our public schools. I cannot imagine why a President would want to destroy the country...other than the fact he lied his way throughout his life. I do not believe Obama is half Black, and truly believe he is half Arab if anything and has a plan with his Communist Administration to bring us down to where any other Country can completely destroy us.
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