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Subscribe to RSSIn an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, President Barack Obama tells David Gregory he's optimistic the fiscal cliff can be averted, lays out the goals for his second term, and also discusses the Benghazi attack and how it was handled by the administration and those on Capitol Hill.
Updated at 1:30 p.m. ET: President Barack Obama on Sunday said congressional Republicans and their insistence on preventing tax increases for the very wealthy are standing in the way of a deal to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.
In an exclusive interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," the president chided House Republicans as the clock continued to run out on a potential agreement.
"They say that their biggest priority is making sure that we deal with the deficit in a serious way, but the way they're behaving is that their only priority is making sure that tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans are protected," Obama said. "That seems to be their only overriding, unifying theme."
President Barack Obama says he negotiated with House Speaker Boehner in good faith and moved more than halfway in order to achieve a grand bargain.
House Speaker John Boehner issued a statement shortly after Obama's interview was broadcast accusing the president of backpedaling on "needed cuts and reforms" that he had previously agreed upon.
With a little more than one day remaining before the nation faces automatic spending cuts and tax hikes that could impact an already-wobbling American economy, the president implied that there has been little progress in recent days to justify hopes of a last-minute deal to prevent going over the fiscal cliff at year's end.
"I was modestly optimistic yesterday, but we don't yet see an agreement," he said in the interview, taped on Saturday at the White House. "And now the pressure's on Congress to produce."
The president appeared open to eliminating at least some of the scheduled automatic spending cuts if Republicans agree to tax increases for the wealthy. Those cuts are slated to impact defense spending and non-entitlement discretionary spending beginning on Jan. 1.
"If we have raised some revenue by the wealthy paying a little bit more, that would be sufficient to turn off what's called the sequester, these automatic spending cuts, and that also would have a better outcome for our economy long-term," he said.
The president challenged Republicans to vote on legislation that he said should be introduced by the Democrat-controlled Senate to prevent taxes on the "middle class" from being increased.
But he did not specify what income level he would be willing to accept as a dividing line between those who retain Bush-era tax rates and those whose rates would increase. The president has consistently supported increasing taxes on families making over $250,000 a year, but that figure has been a major bargaining chip in negotiations.
Wherever the line on tax increases ends up, Obama urged a vote in both houses on a final Senate bill if a broader agreement cannot be reached.
Pete Souza / White House Photo
President Barack Obama is interviewed by David Gregory of NBC's "Meet The Press" in the Blue Room of the White House, Dec. 29, 2012.
"Everybody should have a right to vote on that," he said. "If Republicans don't like it, they can vote no. But I actually think that there's a majority support for making sure that middle class families are held harmless."
"So far, at least, Congress has not been able to get this stuff done," he added. "Not because Democrats in Congress don't want to go ahead and cooperate, but because I think it's been very hard for Speaker Boehner and Republican Leader McConnell to accept the fact that taxes on the wealthiest Americans should go up a little bit, as part of an overall deficit reduction package."
Dismissing the notion that the Democratic Party is as compromise-averse as the GOP, the president said Democrats -- "warts and all" -- have more consistently agreed to components of bipartisan deals.
"What I'm arguing for are maintaining tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans. I don't think anybody would consider that some liberal left-wing agenda. That used to be considered a pretty mainstream Republican agenda," he said. "And it's something that we can accomplish today if we simply allow for a vote in the Senate and in the House to get it done. The fact that it's not happening is an indication of how far certain factions inside the Republican Party have gone where they can't even accept what used to be considered centrist, mainstream positions on these issues."
The president offered no new suggestions of compromise measures that may be more palatable to Republicans, although he acknowledged that some Democrats oppose entitlement adjustments and some of the spending cuts that he's put forward during negotiations.
The president games out different scenarios of how he thinks the fiscal cliff negotiations will be resolved.
"The offers that I've made to [Republicans] have been so fair that a lot of Democrats get mad at me," he said, noting that his acceptance of Chained CPI, a measure that would change the way Social Security payments are determined, has caused particular rancor within his own party.
"Highly unpopular among Democrats," he said of the proposed change. "Not something supported by AARP. But in pursuit of strengthening Social Security for the long-term I'm willing to make those decisions."
If an impasse remains in place, Obama warned, Republicans' rejection of his version of deficit reduction plans would be enough to send financial markets skidding.
"What's been holding us back is the dysfunction here in Washington," he said. "And if people start seeing that on January 1st this problem still hasn't been solved, that we haven't seen the kind of deficit reduction that we could have had had the Republicans been willing to take the deal that I gave them, if they say that people's taxes have gone up, which means consumer spending is going to be depressed, then obviously that's going to have an adverse reaction in the markets."
In his statement, Boehner, R-Ohio, called Obama's comments "ironic," saying that "a recurring theme of our negotiations was his unwillingness to agree to anything that would require him to stand up to his own party. Needed cuts and reforms that the president agreed to just last year were no longer on the table, as he cited an inability to sell them to Democrats.
"In an effort to get the president to agree to cut spending -- which is the problem -- I put revenues on the table last year, and I put them on the table again last month. Republicans made every effort to reach the 'balanced' deficit agreement that the president promised the American people, while the president has continued to insist on a package skewed dramatically in favor of higher taxes that would destroy jobs. We've been reasonable and responsible. The president is the one who has never been able to get to 'yes.'"
NBC News' Frank Thorp contributed to this report.
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You teabaggers bust me up. There is not a dirty trick you won't pull to try to regain power, including the tanking of our economy and the down grading of our credit rating but when the President turns the tables on you, nothing but crying like a baby. Reading through your post I thought I was standing under Niagara Falls. Well President Obama is in charge now and has been for a long long time and will continue to be in charge for a much longer time so I say to our President, REGULATE on those Teabagger - show them no mercy - run them out of DC. Save our economy and don't take any more BS from those lowlife baggers. Hey Teabaggers, it is no fun when the rabbit has the gun is it?
You need only pay your OWN bills and the teabaggers will suddenly go away.
Dear teabaggers,we are not going to eat cake. That 47% are not happy with your politics, and we won the election. We are not going away, teabaggers are just another name for KKK.
hmmmmmmmm just a little history lesson... abraham lincoln was.... a republican... dr martin luther king jr was ..... a republican... and the kkk was started by...... the democratic party
Obama is lame, but Mittens just showed how badly the Repubs choose their leaders. He couldn't win running against Elmer Fudd and he offended entire segments of the population out of the gate. Especially women and Hispanics. This GOP Congress has sold their souls to Grover Norquist. That's why they can't get anything done! We will just go over the fiscal cliff and create a bigger divide between the Rich and the poor until we face something similar to the French Revolution in America. The elimination of middle class America is close at hand. That's why all those assault weapons are flying off the shelves right now. I'm sure Donald Trump has a full arsenal in his closet....
Let them eat cake! (using food stamps of course)
I am embarrassed that we elected this clown. Bush was a bad President but at least he tried. All Obama does is blame someone else.
Bush tried? Tried what? To sink our country by lowering revenue while increasing spending three fold? Thank goodness we finally have a real President!
What you have with Obama is why Affirmative Action should be outlawed....
Obama won in the popular vote by more than GW in 2000 or 2004, and won by a LARGE margin in the EC.
40% OF THE GOP endorses Obama's plan to raise taxes on the ubber rich.
The tea stains just don't get it.
I really don't understand why the rich think they are exempt from taxes. The b.s. about creating jobs is just that, its not working. they should pay their fair share too.
Where are the "jobs, jobs, jobs" the Tea Stains promised in 2010???
If the tax cuts for the rich create jobs, shouldn't be have had jobs coming out of or ears in 2008 instead of losing 750,000 jobs a month?
Impeach them all. Every single member of Congress and the White House.
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
It's time the PEOPLE kick out these turkeys that are destroying our nation.
When the Democrats bring up Gun Control next year, the GOP will re take the Senate in 2014...
When I first turned on NBC this morning, the first thing I saw was a picture of Boehner, with the caption, "What. Me worry?"
Then I realized it was a segment on Mad magazine on the Today show...
It's always the other guys fault.....huh, Obama?
Both Beverly in Chicago and Redhead Ranting have valid points and I lend blame on Republicans in the House and if they do not want to agree on a measure to avert tax increase against 98% of Americans and all the other cuts to begin -then let it be so. Now the government will be forced to resolve and agree to a budget else America will implode because of dysfunction in government. (I like Obama) The President if he doesn't rally cooperation between the two parties we will see dramatic changes in our government and American people will get louder and louder in addition to action toward changing things like Congressional tenure for starters. FIDIOTS! This is not the America I know but she is full of surprises. In the end, potentially we all lose.
Perhaps the President has it wrong . . . Perhaps it's HIS insistence on taxing the wealthy that's stopping any kind of deal. When you draw a line in the sand, as this President repeatedly does, you can only expect resistance. We don't need more tax revenue. We need drastic cuts and controls on government spending.
"screw 98% to protect the 1% that are richer than god"
-that's the GOP!
President Obama has never drawn a line in the sand and you show your ignorance for even suggesting that he does. Stupid is as stupid does.
The TEMPORARY Bush tax cuts are expiring.
Remember - the GOP sold America on if you cut those taxes jobs will flow.
And they did - overseas and to the unemployment line - as the rich got richer.
Trickle down economics doesn't work. Why don't we try trickle up with a 95% top tax bracket and no deductions for anyone making more than $250K per year.
We need more revenue AND spending cuts.
But you don't cut spending where people needs it (SS/Medicare etc). Cut it in defense - slash the budget 50%. We already spend more on defense than the rest of the world combined. I doubt anyone is going to invade us anytime soon so lets spend our reduced budget on people in the US and not defending the rich interests around the world. If they want to fight in the ME - let them fund it.
Why should the 98% have to pay taxes at a higher rate. They already pay more by virtue of the fact that they make more. AND, there are a multitude of tax saving measures they are not allowed to take advantage of. THEY EARNED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's talk about what's really going on here. Going over the cliff will bring a recession (hint: that's what we need). Interest rates will be forced up because they have been artificially kept low by the fed. They do this so sheeple are lulled into thinking the economy is getting better because they continue to spend money since it's not viable to save with interest rates being so low. This, of course, will cause unemployment to increase because consumer spending will drop as Americans begin to save more. This is all politics. The fed is constantly imposing a tax on every American by printing money, plain and simple. The overprinting and devaluation of the dollar has increased the cost of every single thing you buy. This is a tax! How do we fight it? We allow interest rates to go up and we look at the real culprit here. Too much government spending! Until we begin to realize that paying down our debt will ultimately drown us, we are doomed to kick the can down the road until all the magical devices of the fed will no longer save us from the realization that our whole monetary system is one big Ponzi Scheme.
Another complete IDIOT brought to us by the propaganda of FOX news and Rush Limpdick!
No argument? Name calling doesn't make your argument. If you'd provided some other reasoning you might have had a leg to stand on. You won't, though....it would require you to put an idea up to get picked apart.
It's called REVENGE-we won and YOU pay. It is too bad because the Pres really had an opportunity now that he is in the 2nd term to make dramatic spending changes to actually help the country and he "thought small" again
The President cant do anything without cooperation form congress. Get it?
If I cant get it free ...i'll blame someone else so I'll look good to my sheep.LOL
STFU moron
It does sound bad to you don't it ...find a job and you'll feel better... moron
You are a moron Joe66. Nothing our government mails out or deposits in someone's bank account is free. That's more of the right wing's propaganda. If George W. hadn't destroyed the economy we'd have jobs for the hard working men and women who are on unemployment.
The fact is after the GOP takes us over the cliff the wealthy will PAY! And they will pay much more!
Anonamoose1
Dang we have 2 morons now commenting to me...LOL...leave the rich alone they worked for what they have...go find a job.
Joe, you must be a magnet for the challenged. It's funny they resort to name calling..
So if these mental midgets want Clinton tax rates will they limit spending to the rates
we had under Clinton or will that hold up the welfare checks?
Remember your showing magic tricks to clams........
Anyone here that doesn't think that their party is as guilty as the other is delusional. Yes the GOP won't accept tax hikes on the rich but want them on the very poor, but the DEMS refuse to address the medium-term issues that entitlements are totally out of control.
I am in support of social safety-nets in society but not to a point where getting a letter from a friendly primary care giver saying that you have ADD means that you never have to work again is a system gone mad. Welfare should be for the needy not for the lazy! It needs a complete overhaul.
Dont be rediculous. President Obama didnt invent entitlements. Why are so many people needing social safety net? When Bush tanked the economy it left alot of folks jobless. So in reality George Bush is the welfare president. Just thought Id clear that up for you. Welcome
No he didn't invent them but that doesn't mean that there isn't a problem that needs to be addressed.
I believe in socialized medicine and safety nets but I also see the abuse in the system and the basic math problem that is not any single president's fault - even Bush. America has structural problems that need to be addressed not kicked down the road.
Johnny, if your best argument "don't be ridiculous" then you might want to learn to spell it correctly.
This is 100% the Republicans fault! You lost the goddamn election! You are the tail! And the tail keeps trying to wag the dog! You are at about 9% approval! 75% of Americans want a balanced deal done! Yet, you keep serving your wealthy and powerful puppeteers despite what the citizens of the United States want! Get the "F" over yourselves! Stop screwing America - and the world! Stop your hate, bigotry, racism, obstruction, sabotage - your treason! NOW!
The right wing has paid lower taxes the entire time Obama has been in office than they paid under GW Bush.
That is a FACT.
The fact is everyone needs to pay more in taxes to get us out of the mess government created. What we need is what the government is willing to cut immediately.
And that exactly why President Obama is asking to level the playing field. Get it now?
The ultra wealthy don't think they have to do anything the rest of society is compelled to do. They actually believe they can pay 15% on their income (Mitt Romney) and then talk smack about the 47% of Americans that work for a living.
I wish our President would audit every single household that earns over $500,000/year. The IRS would probably find more lies than they would in the leadership of the republican party.
Actually it is the 47% who leach off the government tit that was spoken of!
If it were 47% working for a living you would have a 53% unemployment. Your ignorance is typical of a liberal though!
That's nice. The rich will stay rich and the middle class will continue to get poorer. We're screwed.
The Rich will always be exempt from taxes, so long as they have Grover pulling the strings of Congress. The next step is breaking the backs of the middle class and they are the only ones actually paying taxes. After that the debt ceiling will burst and the poor will riot. The rich will have all the assault weapons, but they can't offset the shear number of welfare zombies and looters. This is the only event that will oust the Oligarchy of rich white men - aka Congress and create a new America from the ashes...
Sorry but your delusional left winger, the rich pay over 60% of the taxes collected by US Gov, the middle class only 40%. Keep in mind the Bush and Obama tax cuts has shifted the burden to where 47% of the population pay no Federal Income taxes, how long do you this this ship will float with 1/2 having to finance everything for the other 1/2 of the Nation.
For those of you who continue to claim that it's the Democrats attitude "It's my way or the highway": That has precisely been the GOP-Tea Party Cartel's "Official Policy" since 2008 (and likely before). And what you are proving is this: Republicans, Tea Party types and their right wing supporters are congenital, pathological liars. No amount of lying will hide your fraud, incompetence and corruption. Republicans are responsible for horrendous damage here in the U.S. and around the world. You can continue to launch flak, smoke and mirrors, fog, fart gas, what have you - you are still narcissistic, congenital and pathological liars and traitors - period...
I want both sides to take two steps away from the lines they have drawn in the sand. Split the $750,000 difference to $625,000; extend unemployment for half the time proposed by the Dems; and reauthorize the Farm Bill so the nation's children will be able to drink a glass a milk every day without bankrupting their parents and the school systems.
Then get back to work in the 113th and address meaningful spending cuts keeping in mind the middle class makes this country run. Possibly try to tackle tax reform but remember that US economic history proves that the wealthy will stay wealthy and protect their assets regardless of higher taxes.
How do you arrive at $625,000 when splitting the difference between no taxes and taxing $250,000 and up? The GOP won't budge because Mr. Obama has asked them to get off their dead butts and compromise. Now if it were a white man the story would be different. But the day of the white, conservatives running America are over.
Virginia is using Bushs fuzzy math. You know, 1 + 1 = 5.
The Republican party is blackmailing America AGAIN! They're holding us hostage so the wealthiest won't contribute a dime to this country. The only good thing about this is that when they fail to pass legislation the fat cats will really start paying taxes again. The Pentagon will have the rug pulled out from under them too. But I suppose the right wing wackos haven't considered the consequences of blackmailing America.
I can't imagine a less patriotic scam to pull on this country. The GOP reminds me of Bernie Madoff! They only care about themselves and if you voted for these P.O.S. you should be held in jail until they compromise.
Where is Grover Norquist when the Republicans are acting like the babies? Oh, that's right he's behind this blackmail!
Obama reminds me of Bernie Madoff. Taking people's money, telling them it will be okay. When the house of cards falls, where will all the money have gone?
Obama is not to blame for Repubs who are so racially prejudice that they do not admit they lost the election. Theu are so racially charged that they would rather ruin the state of our nation than compromise.
Caggie, I hate to be a stickler but the GOP still has the majority in the House. The Constitution separates powers such that the presidential vote does not grant unrestricted powers.
BTW as a democratic voter I would probably have voted GOP this time if it was just about the economy. It is the GOP's social agenda that scares many swing voters like me.
Rich? I make $50k a year. What happened to not taxing the "middle class"? My taxes look to be going up $2,000-$4,000 per year. I have a wife, kids, a mortgage etc. This will really hurt us.
Bruce,
Obama says... Whitey must pay....
So pay up Whitey
You should send a thank you card to the Orange Boner and his band of tea stains! They want to screw 98% of the people to protect their rich buddies!
I am a white male in his 40s. I voted for Obama, healthcare and all. Lets go over the cliff!
You are a Sicko White...
Everything Obama does sticks it to Whitey, you have voted to screw yourself and children...
The GOP has already agreed to raise taxes on the Wealthy... Whats the problem Democrats?
Ah Obama doesn't want to cut the Food Stamps, Welfare and Obama Phones....
Liar
Un, no gumby. The Tea Stains in the House ABORTED Boner's "Plan B"...
Most Excellent come back Little Johnny but Sambo hasn't offered
any real spending cuts now has he?
shhhhhhhhhhhhhh......... johnny's obama phone is ringing....
I just watched the entire interview and look forward for NBC to do the fact checking on the President's assertions about the "trillions in spending cuts" that he's proposed. How much is rehashed things he's double-counting and how much is just not increasing spending.
He talked a lot about deficit reduction, yet I have not heard a single number to show that is true, i.e., reducing our deficit year over year.
Just open your ears partner.
No need for fact checking because President Obama doesnt bull s h i t
Johnnny, Are you suffering a belt buckle induced concussion?
Show us any source of real spending cuts when you pull your head out of....