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Marco Rubio’s rise within the Republican Party, just two years since his election to the Senate, has played out at head-spinning speed.
The 41-year-old, Cuban-American junior senator from Florida, has carefully navigated a choppy political environment in the two years since he was first elected.
And now the Republican rock star gets his moment in the spotlight when he delivers the official response to the State of the Union address delivered minutes earlier by President Barack Obama – another political rock star whose meteoric ascent invites inevitable parallels for Rubio.
Virtually every step of Rubio’s budding career has been scrutinized closely for what it might mean for his future political prospects. And after maintaining a deliberately low profile for much of his first 24 months as a senator, Rubio has begun to embrace the spotlight, including Tuesday’s coveted job of delivering the official Republican response to the president.
Nicholas Kamm / AFP - Getty Images
Sen. Marco Rubio speaks at the BuzzFeed Brews newsmaker event in Washington on Feb. 5, 2013.
The intense focus on Rubio reflects the speed of his ascendancy within the Republican Party, an institution in search of a new, compelling leader after losing two consecutive presidential elections by wide margins.
The State of the Union response is generally sought by political leaders hoping to increase their national profile, even though the slot is more often fraught with the risk of political misfortune.
“Marco has to articulate a clear and optimistic vision for growth in America but at the same time present a clear alternative to President Obama's call for a big, centralized government,” said Ana Navarro, a Florida Republican strategist.
But accomplishing that goal could be difficult, even for a well-spoken politician like Rubio.
“It's an opportunity to be seen and heard by the nation but you run the risk that if you bomb, it'll be on your tombstone,” Navarro said. “Marco is an eloquent speaker, an extraordinary orator. But this is the toughest gig in politics, by far. Following the president of the United States at the [State of the Union], which is full of pomp, circumstance and tradition, it's not an easy task.”
Rubio’s importance to the Republican Party is practically assumed at this point. When reports emerged in June that suggested Rubio had been left off Mitt Romney’s short-list of running mates, the GOP presidential nominee had to hastily stage a statement to declare that the Florida senator was being “thoroughly vetted” for the job.
Now, the Floridian has a chance to add another notch his burgeoning political belt.
Rubio has most recently shouldered the burden of selling a comprehensive immigration reform framework – which he helped craft as a member of a bipartisan “Gang of Eight” senatorial group – to skeptical conservatives.
He has made the rounds on conservative talk radio to talk-up the plan, which includes a proposal to give undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship. A similar plan earned President George W. Bush a rebuke from the right. But many of those same critics are now praising Rubio for his work, even if they haven't endorsed the proposal.
Rubio is expected to address immigration in his State of the Union response, but as part of a broader discussion about growing the economy and helping the middle class, according to an aide to the senator.
"He’ll explain why President Obama’s call for big government is bad for the middle class, and why limited but effective government will grow our economy and create jobs," the aide said.
Democrats are casting Rubio’s expected speech as little more than a rehash of staid Republican proposals.
“While the president will offer new ideas and an agenda for the next year to continue to grow our economy and broaden opportunity for the middle class, Sen. Rubio and the Republican Party – despite their desire to learn to be a ‘happy’ party that just needs to smile more – will continue to offer Americans more of the same failed policies that were rejected by the American people last November,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.
The Gaggle debates if Sen. Marco Rubio is the answer to the GOP's problems.
Indeed, part of Rubio’s task involves advancing a broader Republican effort to make the party more appealing to a changing electorate, especially after Obama won 71 percent of the Hispanic or Latino vote in his re-election bid last fall.
Rubio’s popularity in Republican circles is undoubtedly tied to his status as one of the most prominent elected Latino officials in either party. Rubio is writing the remarks himself, per his aide, and will deliver them in both English and Spanish – the first time the same person has delivered the official response in both languages.
(Rubio will tape the Spanish-language version beforehand, and deliver the English version live on national television.)
Still, Rubio’s rise – and, with it, the speculation about whether he’ll run for president in 2016 – comes well before the next election. There are plenty of pitfalls and challenges to sustaining momentum awaiting the Florida senator in the next few years.
But a scant two years of federal experience hasn't always been a limitation when a politician is eyeing the presidency a full four years out from the next election. Just ask Barack Obama.
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Don't worry GOP, he will pull a Jingle and melt down at the appraised time. Can't you people find some valid candidates?
The last valid person you had that would have beaten Obama was Huntsman. But you threw him under the bus, and proved that you were, to the American people, a bunch of LIARS. You promised everyone Obama was to be a one term President. Gee, he was just sworn in to his 2nd term.
Until you can find someone that has a decent chance, you will keep losing. But hey, if you want to keep losing, keep trotting out the idiots you have done in the past. LMAO
If anyone is going to divide the GOP and T-Party further it will be Rubio.
Rubio is ... so far so good. Best of luck to the GOP push for diversity. But just a face [of Rubio] is not enough, and substance of policies to promote diversity is more important. We The People are not easily fooled.
"We The People are not easily fooled." Yea right Pigotry.
There will be post after post from liberals about how the GOP is done, that 2014 will be all Democrat, T-party this T-Party that blah blah blah. Hopefully they maintain that attitude through the mid term elections, and ignore the fact that most Republicans up for re-election in 2014 are widely popular in their districts. Sad that liberals feel the only way to achieve in Congress is not through compromise, but with control. Certainly not the best formula for helping the country. Liberals are hurting this country far worse then conservatives at least at this point in time. Liberals accept every excuse and always blame someone else for Obama and the Democrats failing to solve problems. Until liberals stop accepting the excuses, the excuses will never stop coming. It has been over 4 years, and so far none of Obama's blame or excuses has solved anything.
Marco Rubio, the GOP's newest 'face man,' straight from Central Casting. The latest puppet in a long string of puppets, another empty suit who will bend to the will of the GOP puppet masters and fake the low information voters into believing he's a good guy.
Another man, much like Mitt Romney, who at the core has no core. Another man who will say and do whatever he's told to win his party's support. Another flip-flopper who has no interest in political office beyond fame and power (and eventually big money).
Keep him, GOP. We don't want him.
The clown car continues to break down. Hey the problem isn't as much who you put up, and yes the Cuban would garner some Hispanic votes. But the GOP's hard swing to the right, their insisting on corporate welfare and their constant demonizing of others is what is wrong with the GOP. No longer are they the party of Lincoln, but have been hijacked by the party of stinkin'. The GOP has got to grow up and realize we live in a civilized society that has rules and regulations for a reason, that Social Security is not the problem, the over bloated military is the problem. And corporate welfare creates no jobs and instead ships them over sea's. In other words the GOP is doomed to its own philosophy.
Rick
It's a good thing that the GOP doesn't try to control the House... That would be a despicable thing for them to do.
Oh, wait, they do. Never mind.
This guy will run out of gas before he hits the highway. There is no there, there.
Besides being an empty suit he'll fizzle from overexposure by 2016. You just cant make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
Their party has no clue what it takes to attract ordinary everyday people to join them. Just look at them, he even has a rival speech tonight from another Tea Partier...Rand Paul. They just keep tripping over themselves like a bunch of clowns.
The Democrats and their Liberal media cohorts succeeded in demonizing Sarah Palin at the risk of alienating women in 2008.
Now their assignment will be to demonize Marco Rubio without alienating the Hispanics.
I'm sure they will be 'up to the task'. Having a media that is in 'lockstep' with the Democrats is a great advantage.
Good morning kiddies, nice to see you all up and around.
I have to respectfully disagree with the article. I think Rubio's meteoric rise is a sign of desperation by the GOP. It's that lipstick/pig thing. They are just going to put a pretty (hispanic) face on their same old dogma and try to sell themselves as the NEW, friendlier, gentler, all-inclusive GOP.
Remember "Compassionate CON-servatism?" Emphasis on the "con".
It's still the same old GOP pig with a new shade of lipstick. No offense Piggy.
Roy Wilson
Palin opened her mouth and the demons spewed forth. Liberals sat back and watched.
After Obama runs the National Debt from $9.986 Trillion at the end of fiscal 2008 to almost $25 Trillion in 2016, I don't think that the American people will be fooled any longer by the 'tax & spend' policies of the Democrats in 2016, so I suspect that the American people will be ready for a NEW "Change we can believe in".
And I never was too impressed with Huntsman.
The Republicans should just stick to two simple messages and keep repeating them;
1 - The skyrocketing Debt will be devastating to the future of our children.
2 - The massive increases in the money supply to fund the Deficits will result in massive Inflation, high Interest Rates, and more Unemployment.
These are simple messages that even the 'low information voters' will understand, and there is no doubt that we will have to deal with these problems in the near future.
Obama's own 2013 Budget projections show that the National Debt will increase from $9.986 Trillion at the end of fiscal 2008 to $20.392 Trillion at the end of 2016 (Obama's last year) - but President's budget projections are notoriously 'optimistic' - it will likely be closer to $25 Trillion in 2016. The Interest cost alone will be devastating.
The Chinese are no longer buying our Debt - in fact, they have quietly 'cashed in' about $200 Billion of their loans to us over the last year (they know inflation is coming), and the Federal Reserve has had to replace that money by effectively 'printing new money' - along with about $1 Trillion in new money to finance the Deficit. The money supply (M1) has increased from about $1.4 Trillion in 2009 to about $2.5 Trillion now. Every responsible economist will tell you that this is highly "INFLATIONARY" - ala the 14% Inflation and 18% Interest Rates under Jimmy Carter in 1980.
Even the far-left Liberal outlet The Huffington Post recognized this;
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sheldon-filger/federal-reserve-begins-ma_b_677483.html
Roy Wilson, you underestimate and insult Hispanics if you're thinking they'll all vote for Rubio, they wont no more than did all the women vote for Palin.
In his own state of Fl he hasn't much support from Hispanics to carry him to victory. He's a Tea Party candidate and Hispanics know they are not welcome in that group.....they are a lot smarter than that.
wilsonarden234
You're not supposed to advertize on this site.
Besides, those 'online auction' sites are a huge SCAM. They keep your money even if you lose the bid.
Dems didn't have to do a thing with regards to Palin, she opened her mouth and spewed garbage, and it was over, right there. Similarly, all Rubio has to do is open his mouth and start spewing the Repub line and it will be all over for him, as well. Dems wont have to do a thing, his own lies, obfuscations, misdirections and general confusion will spell his own end the Dems will sit back and watch, sometimes with pointed commentary that provides the FACTS of where he is lying and why he is wrong etc. Funny things, them facts, they pop up at the most inopportune times for the Repubs, who seem to be extremely fact adverse. In actuality, them facts come around to bite em in the ar$s too often for their own good.
With the Repubs trying to jettison the TPers and the Libertarians leaving the Repub party in droves because of that and their illegal/immoral treatment of Ron Paul, the Repubs are looking at a smaller and smaller base, no matter that they have Gerrymandered their State's districts so that they still control the House, they are alienating the very people that they thought that they had solidly in their pocket (and pocketbooks). That just Cannot go well for them.
Politicians never cease to amaze me. Their principles are set in stone....a stone sinking in quicksand.
Obama said raising the debt ceiling was a failure in leadership when a senator and now pushes for it with all his might.
Rubio was opposed to anything that looked like amnesty a while back, but is now for some forms of it.
Which way is the political wind blowing today?
hs - that is the Dick Morris influence on politics that really sprang to light under Clinton - wet your finger and stick it in the air to see which way the political winds are blowing and then make a decision.
Once upon a time, there were genuine conservative intellectuals in the Republican Party. No longer. Rubio is a lightweight, in the same league as Dan Quayle.
Until the G.O.P. can rid itself of this Tea Party cancer, and lightweights like Rubio, Jindal, and Haley, they will not be able to provide a meaningful counterweight to Democrats.
Gingerbread Mamma "Roy Wilson, you underestimate and insult Hispanics"
It's the Democrats that 'underestimate and insult Hispanics' by taking them for granted - making promises that they don't intend to keep.
Hispanics are warm and wonderful people who are far more 'in tune' with Republican social policies on such issues as family, religion, abortion and hard work than the 'liberal' policies of the Democrats.
Once they realize the connection, they are likely to switch their allegiances, which could be devastating to the Democrats in future elections.
Interestingly, surveys of Hispanics indicate that liberalizing immigration is not a high priority with Hispanics - they want the same thing as other Americans - JOBS and OPPORTUNITY, and on that score, the Democrats have a dismal record. Congress sets the policies that encourage economic growth and prosperity, and on that score, the record is clear ;
So let's take a look at the results for who controlled Congress over the last 31 years (1981-2011) (15.5 Congresses of 2 years each, during which time the Democrats had control for 12 years, the Republicans for 10 years, and there was a 'split' of the House and Senate for 9 years. The results, when looking at average growth rates for the economy, average debt increase, the average unemployment rate and the number of jobs created by political party are interesting. Here they are, for better or worse.
ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE (Average per year)
Democrats = 3.73% per year
Republicans = 5.56% per year
Split Control = 6.28% per year
TOTAL DEBT INCREASE ($13,892 Billion or $13.892 Trillion – 94% of total Debt)
Democrats = $7,601 Billion ($633 Billion per year) = 55% of the Debt
Republicans = $3,238 Billion ($324 Billion per year) = 23% of the Debt
Split Control = $3,052 Billion ($339 Billion per year) = 22% of the Debt
TOTAL NUMBER OF NET JOBS CREATED (40,630,000)
Democrats = 8,605,000 (717,000 jobs per year) = 21% of Jobs Created
Republicans = 23,239,000 (2,324,000 jobs per year) = 57% of Jobs Created
Split Control = 8,786,000 (976,000 jobs per year) = 22% of Jobs Created
AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
Democrats = 6.61% per year
Republicans = 4.96% per year
Split Control = 7.56% per year
I'll let you draw your own conclusions as to which party is best for economic/job growth and controlling debt, but these are the FACTS from official government sources over a fairly long period of time - 31 years – not a few 'cherry picked dates' to develop a 'spin'.
Roy, show a link to that data or admit that you just made it up!
All one needs to do is listen to what Rubio has to say and one quickly discovers Rubio is just another right wing Tea Party darling, who has learned to keep his loony hidden.
The republicans are having two Teaparty responses to Obama Ron Paul is a tea party response and they say that Robio is representing the republican but he is a true tea party one also.
Florida republican party is the most corrupt party in the USA a known medicare theif for a governor and both houses is republican and now state supreme court is trying to impeach our duly elected president . Its a toss up which state has the most corrupt government Arizone or Florida. Florida tried to surpress the democrat vote in Florida thats why it took so long to do the vote count
ROY WILSON-336103
The democrats didn't need a lot of help in demonizing Sarah Palin. If she was so great and so viable, she'd likely still have a position right now working to energize the base of the Republicans.
Now even her own party seems to dodge her, including the media part that is in "lockstep" with the Republican party.
I think Rubio will do fine, provided that he doesn't get attacked for making any gaffes. But who am I kidding, it's going to be the media covering it. The second he makes a gaffe, the Democrats will seize on it, just like the second Biden or Obama pulls a gaffe the Republicans are on top of it.
Same old dog and pony show.
B. Honest "Roy, show a link to that data or admit that you just made it up!"
There is no single link to this data, but I used official government records to develop the information (in layman's terms, I did the research), but you can easily do the same - if you spend the time like I did.
Sources - all from the government;
Economic Growth Rate – Obama White House Historical Tables (2012 Budget)
Deficits and Debt – Obama White House Historical Tables (2012 Budget)
Jobs Created – Official Government Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov)
Unemployment Rate – Official Government Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov)
Perhaps you should pick an easy one (like the unemployment rate) and 'run the numbers' for those 31 years to verify my results. In fact, I challenge you to prove me wrong.
Typical MSNBC misdirection....I thought the article WOULD ACTUALLY CONTAIN RUBIO's RESPONSE! What a disappointment........ I could care less about what the left says about Rubio.......
Rubio is merely a puppet and a pawn for the GOP to use to try to make inroads with Hispanics for their vote. Rubio himself knows this but is ok with being used because he feels that this will support HIS agenda which is to ascend to the White House. Problem is, while Rubio did indeed have a meteoric rise coming out of south Florida, he is of Cuban descent and south Florida is basically, for all intents and purposes, Cuba. So the support he enjoys is mainly from this sector. He has yet to make a dent farther up the east coast, the middle states or the west coast. Not to mention, he flip flops on his "beliefs" just like Robme! Rubio "beliefs" constitute whatever will get him to the top of his party. The Gop looks to him as the great brown hope. That's too bad. I think many people will see right through him for what he is. A guy with the hand of the GOP up his backside.
The difference between the Republicans and Democrats is the Republicans will let the best person speak no matter skin type or background. The Dems will put any idiot in front of the Camera because of skin type and background. No matter how silly or ignorant they are.
Rubio: different face, same message. NO THANKS..
I agree. The response to the State of the Union has not generally been a good vehicle to presidential candidates. It's a great vehicle to help members gain more visibility in the party and is a great political move to anyone in the lower tier or a rising star to move to the upper ten percent or whatever, but I don't see how it helps those already there.
If anything, it could hurt a person running for the presidency, since very few people if anyone in a short response by themselves alone can come across as remotely presidential compared directly to the president in an hour plus speech before a full session of Congress, the cabinet, the joint chiefs, SCOTUS, etc... Many people even skip the rebuttal and go right to the analysis of the presidents speech. Even the news for the many people who didn't watch the speech will get a wrap up and some sound bites of the speech but not much mention of the Rebuttal other than Fox News and Talk Radio who are just preaching to the choir.
Rubio Christie 2016
There is nothing new coming from the "Progressive" hacks. It just more tax and spend.
The Republicans do bring something new, graduated spending cuts and a moderately conservative Cuban-American politician that Latinos can hang their hat on.
He might be a new face to some of you liberals. But if you have ever heard him speak(without prejudice and with common sense). You'll find out this young man has some very good points.
None of the "serious" people who think Rubio will "save the Republicans" and grab Latino voters seem to comprehend that Rubio is Cuban, and is not very well liked by at least 75% of all Latinos. IMO, this is last stand by the Republican old guard to try and "save the vote".Putting words in their mouths: "IF Gerrymandering doesn't solve our problem, maybe Marco will!"
Rubio- All do respect no matter how many new laws that you or the GOP /LEFT create the fact is that this GOVERNMENT refuses to enforce them including this immigration problem this country is facing. Same old garbage. So I say to you Rubio and the politicians close the darn border first and keep it secured, the E-verify all the way to stop business from hiring law breakers. But the real problem is the both parties keep bending the rules to please their base which is a major problem. So I say to all of you law breakers go back home and wait in line like the rest of them are doing.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am tired as a tax payer of $$$$$$$$ supporting your needs. Also if you come to the USA speak englishssssssssss!!!!!!!.
Lol that's a good one.
FZknew "None of the "serious" people who think Rubio will "save the Republicans" "
I seem to remember that there were predictions that 'the Republicans are going extinct' after the 2008 elections, but then the Republicans had record gains in the 2010 mid-term elections and took control of the House (putting the brakes on the tax & spend policies of Obama). They also held on to virtually all of those gains in the 2012 elections, so predictions of the 'demise of Republicans' are wishful thinking by the Liberals.
Well, Roy, the closest I can find actually backs up your numbers to some extent, not quite in the same way, However, it goes on to show that it is the PRESENT House of Reps that is doing the biggest spending of all....in spite of all their rhetoric. The one site that tends to confirm some of your numbers, but puts a lot of doubt on the Repubs is this: http://spellchek.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/big-spending-era-of-congress-since-reagan-owned-by-the-democrats-but-the-gop-is-in-hot-pursuit/
However, without the historical data on unpaid wars, unpaid benefits (off budget items that President Obama later added back to the budget making his numbers look larger when the ACTUAL spending was on bush's term) it lacks the real impact of what has really been going on.
Also, the Repubs ONLY held onto the House due to their Gerrymandering of districts within their respective States, the Dems actually got a lot more votes than did the Repubs, just that the gerrymandering skewed results...also the voter disenfranchisement made a difference there as well, so, yeah, they held the House....by cheating!
So the President hasn't given his speech yet, but the Rethugs are already panning it as being irrelevant and they will concentrate on creating "jobs" for the middle class, even tho they have had ample opportunity in Congress for the last 4 years! Now where have I heard that before?????
I doubt you've ever listened to Rubio, for I don't think he could be considered a lightweight by most standards. And what about Biden, Pelosi, Reid, Maxine Waters, et.al?
Why must you all focus on tearing down the individual rather than argue issues? You know the old saying about using ad hominem attacks in a debate...
Marco Rubio is about as Hispanic as I am. Any minority in the Republican camp is either filthy rich or doesn't understand the rules of the game.
And second, I could never vote for him for anything. He reminds me of the kid who pee'd on floor and got beaten up in Kindergarten. He just looks like a loser. Something about the pasted over hair with the cowlick, and the stupid grin.
Could be the nicest guy in the world but that doesn't mean he's a leader in anything but the Republican's minds.
I got here a little late. Did Rick in post 1.4 actually say, that Liberals feel the only way to achieve in congress is not through compromise, but only through control? Did he really say that? Did he?
I'm going to cut that one out, have it laminated, and carry it in my wallet. Then, whenever some rightie disputes me when I say that Republicans have no grip on reality, I'm gonna' pull it out and ask them to reconcile that post with the Republicans record for the past 4+ years.
Grip on reality? And you're planning on laminating a post from a citizen on an MSN chat board and proclaim this random citizen as the arbiter of all Republican thought? Hmm, I think you should tighten you're own grip before lambasting that of your neighbor.
Marco Rubio got his best endorsement yet from Fidel Castro, Mr. Castro loves his anchor baby's, one for every state will do, Fidel says the people of Cuba are rooting for you Marco !!!
@ Roy Wilson:
I've reviewed your assessment and it is mostly accurate. The major point I would mention is you can't lump all Hispanics in the same social class. I live in Houston and drive by "Day Workers" daily. These are groups of guys hanging around busy roads waiting for independent contractors to pick them up for short term, "under the table" temporary jobs. They are overwhelmingly Hispanic and all low income. I could not guess nor would I attempt to guess how many are legally in the US. I also live in a prominent neighborhood, where quite a few of my neighbors are Hispanics and are middle class. Their political divide will always be social\economic vs ethnic\racial. I agree that on the religious side they would lean more right as a demographic population due to the high rate of Catholics amongst them. I do think that Rubio will capture a lot of Hispanic interest. Simply because he is Hispanic. Much like Obama received 92% of the black vote, because he is black.
#1.40: The Maestro Karl Rove even thinks the Republican brand needs "saving"- it is not liberals, but Republicans who are using Rubio and Jindal to "save face": http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/02/karl_rove_s_american_crossroads_is_attempting_to_prevent_the_wrong_conservatives.html
NOte the quote about the looming Senate race by a very serious Steve King (IA):
Can rubio's family be secret agent's for Castro's Cuba? What a good cover to come to America have a anchor baby who gains the trust of the American people only to work for Cuba.
It seems to me that institutionalizing a 'GOP Response' to the State of the Union is just another example of dysfunction rampant in our government. The State of the Union is by definition, where we are as a country presented by the elected president to the congress. This isn't the state of the democratic party that needs to be rebutted by the GOP. To me having the non-executive party offering a countering view of the state of the nation is nonsensical and distracting. If/when the GOP is leading the executive branch they will be responsible for presenting the state of the union for all Americans too.
Wow, the Whitehouse assasination crew got the order out fast; the lib lemmings are hard at it trying to destroy Rubio. Well, I can see why they would want to get rid of a guy who is so much more competent than the inept bungler currently "leading" the country.
B. Honest "Well, Roy, the closest I can find actually backs up your numbers to some extent, not quite in the same way, However, it goes on to show that it is the PRESENT House of Reps that is doing the biggest spending of all....in spite of all their rhetoric....However, without the historical data on unpaid wars, unpaid benefits (off budget items that President Obama later added back to the budget making his numbers look larger when the ACTUAL spending was on bush's term) it lacks the real impact of what has really been going on."
It's nice to see someone that actually does some checking, but I have to wonder about the highlighted part of your post, since the PRESENT House has absolutely no control of spending, since the Senate has refused to even discuss those Budgets passed by the House. All of the current spending is under 'continuing resolutions' that allow Obama to keep spending at the same elevated 'stimulus' level, despite the end of the 'stimulus' funds. That's why we still have $Trillion + Deficits, and that's why Harry Reid has refused to pass a Budget - he likes to keep up that high level of spending, and by using 'continuing resolutions', he gets to spend without having to explain anything.
As for the 'unpaid wars and off budget' spending, that is a complete fabrication. Every penny of the wars and 'off-budget' expenditures were included in Bush's spending and Deficits for each year. The misconception arose because Bush used 'Additional Appropriations' to fund the war costs (in effect, revised Budgets that Congress approved), but the actual costs WERE included in the final spending figures for each year.
Interestingly, Obama handled any extra war costs in exactly the same way - as the following link demonstrates, so 'blaming Bush' is a little like 'the pot calling the kettle black' (no 'racism' intended);
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/05/04-7
how about just the person..he is against immigration reform yet his parents were illegals.. mmmm
if you look closer at the man you will find some very suspicious info about his back ground invilving the law..
he did everything he could to make the state of Florida a place to live for the RICH only.. only the devil would ever vote for him..
also women remember he has become a man that believes woman's rights are in his and Ryans control..
@Roy, All you do is lie everyday and then quote from so-called sources and say that is it right. Let me show everyone what a FRAUD this guy is, but hell I think most people already done figure it out. Roy said,
I just went to whitehouse.gov and got the statistics for Obama 2013 budget and no where in there does it says this crap Roy is talking about. I mean hell, Roy even speculated further to say by 2016 the debt will be 25 trillion. According to whom, "Roy Wilson Projection". Laughable!! Anyway, here is the Accurate information along with the SOURCE that proves little Roy is nothing but a lying a$$ Obama hatin nut job.
Source:
So take your little FAKE stats and made up/cherry pick numbers and SHOVE it.. You obviously don't know anything about Federal Budgets or Deficits. When you source of information is "Roy's own Projections".
Anybody is better then the chump we got now,and in less then 2 years the Democrats will start to cannibalize them self's in a fight to try and win the Presidency.
Can't wait to see Roy dispute the FACTS about Projected Deficits that he claim came from Obama own budget projections. If anybody gonna have the President budget projections it sure as hell will be the Whitehouse (www.whitehouse.gov).
First there were Palin, Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, Rick Perry, then Herman Cain (and don't forget Newt). People we had not heard, brought out as the new, shiny, Republican candidates. One by one, they bit the dust.
Now, the Republicans roll out Rubio and Christie, until we get the full picture of them and toss them aside, just like the rest. Because the message stays the same: cut government down until the rich elite takes over....be happy if you do end up with a job......give corporate America enough to own the world, and a job might trickle down only if you are needed to make more for the job creators.
Roy, it's good to know you're back from Costa Rica, numbers and statistics in hand, telling us only what might support your point, leaving out all the rest of the story.
Jason797
The quote you have is about deficit, not about debt.
This is also a presidential budget or a "wish list", rather than something actually set in stone.
You may not agree with Roy's interpretation of the data, but he didn't make it up.
Marco Rubio is trying his best to turn the State of Florida street signs to Spanish, A vote for Rubio and you will see Fidel Castro driving down our roads and Cuba will be our next State, God forbid - Wake up America before its to late !!!
I see my link didn't go through so let me try this again,
For you Roy,
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/overview
TheMan-1285490 "@ Roy Wilson:I've reviewed your assessment and it is mostly accurate. The major point I would mention is you can't lump all Hispanics in the same social class.......... I do think that Rubio will capture a lot of Hispanic interest. Simply because he is Hispanic. Much like Obama received 92% of the black vote, because he is black."
I agree. Hispanics come from a variety of countries, and each have distinct characteristics, but the simple fact that Rubio is of Hispanic origin and speaks fluent Spanish will have an impact in the next election if Rubio is on the ticket. I thought that Romney should have chosen Rubio for VP, but he missed his chance and perhaps paid the price.
Hispanics made up an estimated 12.7 million (10%) of the votes in 2012, and Obama got a net of 5.9 million Hispanic votes, which was more than Obama's overall margin of victory of only 4.9 million votes. If those votes were evenly split, Romney would have won the popular vote (the effect on the Electoral Votes would have been less clear).
Rubio's Hispanic origins and the potential effect on the Hispanic vote in 2016 could be decisive - especially if they vote in a similar way to the vote by Blacks for Obama.
Repojam,
First all you didnt read Roy post all that clear. He said "Obama own 2013 Budget Projections".
So what he is trying to say is Obama budget projections will lead to higher and higher Debt. And according to whitehouse.gov that claim does not add up. If the budget projections next year, year after, so on, gets LESS then how can the Debt get Higher. 2018 Budget projection for that year is 500 billion. Not TRILLIONS..
Nice try attempting to save Roy but you failed as well..
The GOP is broken and fractured... By just putting an Hispanic/Latin in front of the microphone, won't change a thing... You need to change your platform and get rid of the idiots (right wing and tea party) that are destroying your party...
Rubio makes a nice appearance in front of the camera, but that does not make for a middle of the road politician...
Just what has the GOP done today towards women's right, immigration, gun control, wall street racketeering and bank rip-offs??? NOTHING!
Jason797 "@Roy, I just went to whitehouse.gov and got the statistics for Obama 2013 budget and no where in there does it says this crap Roy is talking about................So take your little FAKE stats and made up/cherry pick numbers and SHOVE it."
Tsk, tsk, tsk - A temper tantrum?
I said that the National Debt was $9.986 Trillion at the end of fiscal 2008, and that Obama projects it to be $20.391 Trillion at the end of fiscal 2016 - Here are the links to Obama's own 2013 Budget to confirm that my facts are CORRECT - see Table 7.1;
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/Historicals
Please calm down - I don't want you to have a heart attack.
Jason797
Every time we have a deficit, that adds to debt.
I don't always agree with Roy, in fact, I often disagree with the view he has from his data. My suggestion is check the website where you pulled your data, go to the section labeled "Historical Tables" and look at sheet 7.1 labeled "Federal Debt by End of Year 1940-2017". In that the projected debt is by 2016 is 20 trillion. He is suggesting that it's notoriously optimistic, which presidential budgets as wishlists tend to be.
That's where he pulled his number from. I know this because I actually reviewed the chart. Now I've told you where to find it, and you might want to see what point he's railing against instead of suggesting he's being intentionally deceptive. The part that I disagree with him on is a 5 trillion shortfall by that year.
GOP rock head
I live in Florida and I can tell you that Rubio is not as impressive as he thinks he is.
thank you JUST WRONG.. I live here also and and find Rubio to be almost as two faced as Mitt and Ryan..
he did all he could to run Florida into the ground while in state legislation.. his positions, and there are many, on immigration don't say anything his parents who came here from Cuba and were ILLEGALS for some time, next his run in with the law makes him a really NICE person NOT!!!!
How can that be for the Rubio's to come to the U.S. from Cuba on a Banana Boat as illegals and now the GOP are pushing Marco to be President of the United States of America, looks like the Republicans have Bananas in their heads for brains, this is not brainy of them to put Tea Fame Boy in front of their party !!!
Rubio is a chronic liar. I hope he runs in 2016 along with fat a$$ Christie.
Roy, actually, Bush DID keep the war expenditures off from the actual Budget, that is no fabrication at, all they were separate expenditures and no, Pres. Obama is NOT doing it that way, he has included all of that in his normal budget requests...and YES, Pres. Obama Has been issuing his Budget Requests, but the House keeps mangling them and trying to pass the Ryan Budget instead. On Reid and the Senate not passing the budgets that the Repub House send to him, they are not passing them because of the cuts to Social Services that they keep wanting to do, what they were handed is Ryan's Budget Proposal, and that will Just Not Fly, and the Repubs refuse to moderate their position. Thus, no passed budget. It is the same problems with the debt limit: the Repubs are DEMANDING things that they have no right to demand and then will not negotiate, whatsoever. So, no budget. Reid is NOT wanting higher spending just for the heck of it, THAT is a fabrication, he would much rather get the deficit in control, BUT, that requires the Repubs to come to the table and actually negotiate, which they steadfastly refuse to do. So, it is the Repubs in the House that are Not doing their jobs, they just keep trying to pass the same poison pill junk, and Reid and the Senate Dems are rightfully not passing it either.
Repub intransigence, arrogance and refusal to negotiate are the problems with the Budget, and no, it is NOT Reid's fault, that lies all with the House.
But Rubio is too young to understand the needs of this country, hence the GOP want to use him as their Boy Toy while manipulating the rest of us.
Rubio, I have listened to some of his speil, and unfortunately I find his words empty or predictable; as if being fed to him!
This man may be smart but too inexperienced and immature to understand our needs. Just because he is an AMERICAN CUBAN does not make him seasoned and intelligent over that of another puppet for the GOP!
Haven't we had enough puppets in office already, and the last one really screwed up ---I believe he even pulled his strings out of the puppeteer's hands while leaning in a drunken state on the podium!
@Roy
Oh now you wanna change some of what you said. You said earlier that it will have an additional 5 trillion by 2016 which pushes the Debt to 25 trillion. That extra 5 trillion is based on WHO? Roy Wilson, like I said before you try and post some stats and then add a lil bit of Roy flavor to it to make it seem worse than what it is. Second point, the Historicals section of whitehouse.gov is not totally accurate because the President n Congress still have not come to final decisions on Deficit Reduction.
So those projections are likely to change depending on what happen. I made my point clear early in my previous post, you tried to add 5 trillion extra to the debt by 2016 based on NOTHING but speculation from yourself.
BTW, I don't need to calm down because I am to busy laughing at your post. You copy n paste the same stuff over n over again which makes you look even more silly.
First Roy, 4.9 million votes is not "only". But that's the way Republicans like to give stats.
Only in Roy-land can this math work. If Obama won by 4.9 million votes, and if he ended up evenly splitting 5.9 million Hispanic votes (thus losing 2.95 million of those votes), Obama loses the popular vote??
Seems to me Obama still wins the popular vote by 1.95 million votes (4.9 million less 2.95 million).
And Roy, please read B. Honest's observation above (#1.73). Radical Republicans (see, we can use the same language Republicons use) love to say Obama never passed a budget but we see what really happened. It was the Radical Republican House that kept multiple budgets from being passed. Then they try to blame Democrats and call people dumb for figuring it out...probably, in large part, why Republicans lost the election. People don't like being played like that.
Lastly, a federal budget is done every year by the President. To think you can quote what the deficit will be in 4 years based on the current years' budget (optimistic or not) is inane.
Stopthecannibals,
Nice post, I see I'm not the only one who caught Roy in another attempt to fabricate numbers. You hit it dead on. There is no way he can't spin himself out of that one.
Rubio
GOP savior votes no on violence against women act... hours before state of the union response
He will never get the womens vote or ever have a chance to be President. a typical Republican, (the party of "no" and the stupid party).
Yesterday, (Monday, Feb.11, 2013), former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida " Jim Greer" pleaded guilty to 4 different felony charges in a Orlando court room for stealing G.O.P. monies, moments before he was to stand trial for these charges. (Reference the Palm Beach Post, Miami Herald or any other news paper in Florida).
One reason that most Floridians feel this plea deal came about at this short notice was that the center front and stage of the courtroom drama play out. Was the credit cards and that were passed out to the members in good standing of the G.O.P. by the Republican Party of Florida, during the time frame that former Gov. Charlie Crist and former state speaker, state Rep. Marco Rubio were elected to state office. Both men were members of this club.
The spending habits of the members of this club were to be center stage of this little love fest of former pals within the G.O.P.. With "HEARSAY" of fund raising junkets and hookers in the Bahamas. To high dollar hotel rooms around the country, on the G.O.P. credit cards that they had passed out for member use. Paper trails can be such a burden sometimes. There is no mention of either man having been in on these adventures
Mr. Crist hugged Mr. Obama in 2009 for stimulus monies in Tampa that he used to balance the state budget with and was promptly disowned by the G.O.P. for such a blatant disregard for not following the thugs rule policy of the G.O.P. and beat down of Pres. Obama who was to be a one term President.
Mr. Crist is now the candidate of choose of the Democratic party for governor of Florida and favored to win over our current Republican Gov. Rick Scott. Who has sold out Floridians on everything from Insurance reform, women's birth control, to voter suppression. It is fair to note he did this and more to the state with the help of and at the behest of the G.O.P. legislators. Sounds a lot like the G.O.P. at the national level doesn't it.
Mr. Rubio payed back a little over $5,000 to the state G.O.P. and he can still be the Spanish love child of the G.O.P.. Keep his name out of the courts system no matter who is in the spot light and that is the last we will hear from the courts about the credit cards and spending habits of these and many other high ranking G.O.P. members and friends elected to represent the best interest of Florida. Or is it?
Now that that portion of the court proceedings are over, the depositions ( Mr. Rubio, rumor has it, was disposed for these court proceedings ) will go public unless the judge seals them in the court file.
With the members of the G.O.P. trying to "Re-Brand" its tarnished image and doing its dead level best to suppress the voices from the past and their track record from years ago to the present, and the candidates they have produced so far, from Rick Scott, Palin to Mittens. Mr. Rubio is just the lip stick on the 400 pound pig in the middle of the room.
And I doubt he could get re elected in Florida today, tomorrow or in 2016.
The G.O.P. does not need any help gong down hill, they are doing a fantastic job of killing themselves all by themselves from the state level to the federal level. Remember former congressman "Allen West"? He would still have a better chance then Mr. Rubio at getting re elected.
From today, we have.
1 Year 8 Months and 24 Days,
Until the mid term elections and "We the People" of Florida will VOTE OUT each and every member of the G.O.P. we can. Republican governor Rick Scott is at the top of the list for the first one to go.
See at the polls and have a nice day.
@ROY WILSON-336103
You're confused if you think Marco Rubio is in any way representative of "Hispanics" in any general importance or influence. While the great majority of Hispanics voters in U.S. are Democrats, the great majority of Cubans vote Republican because of their own nationalistic agenda. There is no sympathy whatsoever between Cubans and the rest of Hispanics from say, Mexico, Central or South America and this will never happen here in the U.S. or anywhere else.
I hate to bust your happiness bubble but your dream will never happen. Look at it as the same dream you righties have when you claimed "Americans will come to their senses and vote Republican after 4 years of Obama". Helps you to get through the years, but just wishful thinking.
Now let me get this straight. Marco Rubio is giving the "official Republican response" to President Obama's State of the Union Message. And then Rand Paul is giving the Republican response to Marco Rubio's "official Republican response" to President Obama's State of the Union Message.
And some of you Republicans are still thinking you lost the last election because of voter fraud???
B. Honest "Roy, actually, Bush DID keep the war expenditures off from the actual Budget, that is no fabrication"
1 - A Budget is an 'estimate' of spending, but Actual is what is really spent, and the war costs were included in the Actual expenditures.
2 - The President only 'proposes' a Budget, which is typically ignored by Congress (witness Obama's 2012 Budget proposal which was rejected UNANIMOUSLY by the Senate - including by every Democrat).
3 - Congress passes the REAL Budget, so if costs were not included in the 'Budget', blame Congress, not Bush - but in hindsight, that is irrelevant because the actual costs of the wars WERE included in the final accounting.
4 - The Republicans pass a Budget in the House, and then the Senate debates and modifies it to their liking, and then a Joint Conference Committee resolves the differences - That's how it has always worked - until now, when Harry Reid refuses to even debate the Budgets - stopping the whole process. Harry Reid is the reason we haven't had Budget for the last 4 years - plain and simple.
Jason797 "@Roy Oh now you wanna change some of what you said. You said earlier that it will have an additional 5 trillion by 2016 which pushes the Debt to 25 trillion."
Perhaps reading lessons would be in order - here's my ACTUAL quote;
"Obama's own 2013 Budget projections show that the National Debt will increase from $9.986 Trillion at the end of fiscal 2008 to $20.392 Trillion at the end of 2016 (Obama's last year) - but President's budget projections are notoriously 'optimistic' - it will likely be closer to $25 Trillion in 2016."
That's quoting the FACTS, along with my CONJECTURE that Obama is being optimistic, which has been true of virtually every President's projections in the recent past (remember Obama projected in 2009 that the Deficits would be cut in half by 2012?).
StoptheCannibals-2908428 "First Roy, 4.9 million votes is not "only". But that's the way Republicans like to give stats....Only in Roy-land can this math work. If Obama won by 4.9 million votes, and if he ended up evenly splitting 5.9 million Hispanic votes (thus losing 2.95 million of those votes), Obama loses the popular vote?? Seems to me Obama still wins the popular vote by 1.95 million votes (4.9 million less 2.95 million)"
It seems that math is not one of your strong points. Obama won about 9.3 million of the 12.7 million Hispanic votes, vs only about 3.4 million Hispanic votes for Romney, for a net difference for Obama of 5.9 million votes, and Obama won overall by 4.9 million votes.
If the Hispanic vote had been split evenly, it would have deducted 2.95 million votes (half of 5.9 million) from Obama's total, and added 2.95 million votes to Romney's total, resulting in a net gain for Romney of 5.9 million votes. Since Obama won overall by only 4.9 million votes, such an even split of the Hispanic vote would have resulted in a 1 million net win for Romney in the popular vote.
Your calculation correctly deducted the 2.95 million votes from Obama, but failed to add the 2.95 million votes to Romney's total.
The same old tired GOP message will remain the same, regardless of who the messenger is.
The same old tired message like the Democrats borrow, tax, and spend?
Sorry Rick, but the GOP is the borrow and spend party, its historic, all you have to do is look at the history of the debt and you will find the truth. You won't find the truth on Fox.
Right Johntho. Democrats have been in control of the House for 46 of the past 60 years, and Democrats have been in control in the Senate for 40 of the past 60 years. Yet it has been over 40 years since a Democrat controlled Congress put forth a balanced federal budget. Spending was Bush's fault when the two largest budgets he signed came from Democrats in control of both Houses. Now spending problems are solely the problem of House Republicans because a Democrat is in the Oval Office. Clinton is praised for having a balanced federal budget, but it came from a Republican controlled Congress. Pull on your big boy pants Johntho, both sides are beholden to special interest groups, and both sides share the blame for the condition of the country. Neither side has all the answers, so try focusing on today and tomorrow, because yesterday is already in the history books.
Rick, you are full of it. The president has the veto pen. Reagan spent like a mad dog on the military, the democratic congress did pass the bills but not a peep out of Saint Ronny, as a matter of fact they passed his proposals and guess what, he raised taxes but not enough to pay for his spending proposals. Bush Sr. raised taxes. Yes, it was a democratic congress that passed his proposals. Clinton used the veto pen, not only shrunk government, and spending but raised taxes to pay for any spending that occurred on his watch. Then Bush, yes junior spent and spent and spent the first 6 years. Two unfunded wars and a drug benefit that we are paying for now. A tax cut that is still costing us today. You in my opinion are a lying POS. The democratic congress the last two years were paying for Bush's folly's, the tax cut that benefited the rich, and all the other spending. And if you stinking republicans had any kind of memory of what actually happened instead of makeing sh$t up, you would know that Bush's veto pen was lost the first 6 years and used sparingly the last two. You need to not worry about my big boy pants and worry more about your lies and little girl panties. The difference between republican special interest, and democrat special interest is republicans special interest are already rich greedy folks who only want to make more at the expense of the middle class and democrat special interest are unions and such, folks that work. Middle class, not your exclusive little club, like the club for growth that isn't. Now run along sonny, you got nothing but Fox.
By the way, Clinton might of had a republican controlled house but he shut down government rather then letting them cut programs away from those that need it to give to folks that quite frankly don't. Clinton balanced the budget by out toughing your borrow and spend republican congress.
Much of the spending you blame on Obama actually is paying Bush's bills.
Look at that Johntho, you failed to blame one without including the other. But you have yet to pull on your big boy pants, Obama is president now not Bush. Yet all the talk from Obama and not one single solution on the table for everyone to read about how to solve the nations debt and deficit problem. Obama didn't even embrace his blue ribbon debt commissions conclusions, he ignored them. Talk is cheap, and Obama has been all talk about the debt and deficit. Yet a funny thing happened on the Sunday talk shows, Nancy Pelosi announced that it is a false argument to say that DC has a spending problem. So are Democrats blaming Bush for a problem Pelosi says doesn't exist?
"Nothing is easier than blaming others for our troubles, and absolving ourselves of responsibility for our choices and our actions. Anybody can do that. Responsibility and leadership in the 21st century demands more." - Barack Obama - First United Nations Speech - September 23, 2009
Yet he blamed Bush at every opportunity.
“The fact that we're here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. Leadership means '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.”- Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill, Senate Floor Speech on Public Debt, March 16, 2006
So is Obama a failure as a leader based on his own principles?
Rick you are the dumbest rock in the pile if you don't or won't acknowledge that George W. Bush left this country in a terrible state of affairs and it has nothing to do with your little girls panties. "Obama is president now not Bush." That is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. Yes, Obama is president now, but it isn't like he inherited a surplus now is it? It is more like he inherited an economy headed into a dump, two unpaid for wars, a drug benefit and a ill advised tax cut. Back to the original subject. Historically democrats pay for their spending by cutting other things and raising taxes on those that can afford it most. Republicans just spend and must cover that by borrowing. Then they cut the taxes on those that don't need the money to further put us in debt. Look it up sucker, the truth is hard to bare when your caught on the other end of a lie, now isn't it?
No Hs, numbers. It is BUSH's FAULT, stupid. Coupled with an uncooperative house tea bags. He still has moved this country forward and guided it to a recovery. Despite how bad things were and how much he has been obstructed by the tea bags.
Ah Johntho, race card? Name calling? Insults? Is that all you have to offer? What Bush did is irrelevant at this point, and what Bush did seems to have Democrats confused. I think anytime we don't balance the federal budget is a mistake. I happen to favor term limits in congress and a balanced budget amendment. But Nancy Pelosi says Washington doesn't have a spending problem. So what Bush did is irrelevant, what is going on today is what matters. If you don't feel Obama is over spending then say so. But blaming Bush for something both party's have their fingerprints on is pretty naive. Obama is the only president we have today that can bring fiscal sanity to our nation, not Bush. Obama is only interested in getting his way, not compromising, and that is why he fails.
Bush spent too much, Johntho. President Obama is spending even more. What is your point?
Rick,
That is all the libs have. They name call, use the race card,and blame Bush. It works for them so far but I am starting to see some people even in the mainstream starting to question the king and his lack of understanding of the economy. That is why he is now so concerned with the social issues because he has nothing to offer. Certain libs and there crowd(Fiesty, pigs, Jobs1 etc.) would eat a pile of dung if Obama told them too and say it tasted good. They would then berate the republicans because they wouldn't try the dung.
Johntho,
What grade of cannibis are you on today?
Your posts show how biased and closed minded you are in pursuit of your liberal position. When will you learn how to discuss issues without becoming extremely defensive, then spinning the framework of the discussion, and concluding by hacking up the opposition with trite name calling.
It's like reading a badly written play.
Actually Bookem' Danno, Spending is down for each year of Obama's Presdicency. the deficit has been lowered each of his four years which are on record (2009-2011): here is a link from "investors.com, hardly a bastion of liberalism: http://news.investors.com/blogs-capital-hill/112012-634082-federal-deficit-falling-fastest-since-world-war-ii.htm
There's some numbers for you without name calling dr821!
Marco Rubio will deliver the GOP response being the tea movement and Fidel Castro's rising star and supported by his beloved buddies Michelle Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Palin and Paul Ryan, well it looks like hes in good company, now put the Dog and Show on !!!
Rand Paul will deliver the Tealibans response, will he be throwing rocks at our President like the insanity of Bachmannn did, another Tea party rising star ???
FZknew,
I just reviewed the GDP charts for the last 3 years to make sure I wasn't blowing any smoke. We just finished the worst quarter of GDP growth (2012) over the last 2.5 years and the GDP growth has been shrinking over the last 3 years. Our deficit (borrowed money) now stands at around $16.5 trillion. Our foreign debt is around $3.5 trillion and growing. Our current deficit over-spending has leveled off to about $1.2 trillion. Our current total deficit is now higher then our yearly GDP (income) of around $15.5 trillion. The U.S. still controls about 25% of the world GDP (that's why foreign countries still loan us money).
Is our economy and debt still salavagable? Yes, but it will take hard work, sacrifice and spending cuts along with increased taxes "on all" to turn this around. Prices on domestic items will rise especially on imported items. A renewed interest in new domestic business ventures to create more jobs would certainly help stimulate the economy.
I'm still having trouble seeing your numbers on a shrinking deficit unless you're possibly looking at the GDP strictly from differential terms. Don't know.
FZ, you are using defecit as a percentage of GDP, that is not total spending.
Total spending in FY 2009 was $3.3 Trillion. It was $3.9T in FY 10, $3.7T in FY11 and $3.8T in FY12. As you can see the numbers went up after the $3.3 T in FY09 (Bush's last budget year). This is actual spending, not budget numbers.
2.17: the numbers are not "mine" they come from the cbo: http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/43698-Nov-MBR.pdf
Don't forget, debt and deficit are two different hings: deficit refers to the annual amount of spending OVER revenue, debt is the overall debt the US owes (mainly in the form of Treasury Bills issued to our "creditors"). While the debt is going up, it is going up slower than it had been in 2009. Thus, your sentence needs some correction: "Our current total
deficitDEBT is now higher then our yearly GDP (income) of around $15.5 trillion", and that 15.5 Trillion becomes as accurate a number as there can be in terms of GDP.and 2.19- if spending goes up, but revenue increases, then, YES the total DEFICIT as a percentage of GDP is lower, year over year from 2009 to 2012. It is true my reply referencing spending, which was not accurate. I intended to show annual budget deficits actually were lowered, as the referenced article shows: From fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2012, the deficit shrank 3.1 percentage points, from 10.1% to 7.0% of GDP.
Finally, the US doesn't actually have a debt/deficit issue, we have a JOBS issue. There is plenty of money in Americas coffers, both public and private, however, politically, government(s) both state and federal are being forced into austerity measures by reducing "spending" on social programs but not on corporate welfare (in the form of tax subsidies to "Big Oil, Big Pharma, and Big Agribusiness" . While at the same time, US corporations and Wall Street are holding almost 2 TRILLION dollars on the side making zero attempts to input that money into the economy in the form of jobs or entreprenurial investment.
Here is an article from Fox's favorite liberal, Alan Colmes: http://www.alan.com/2013/01/28/krugman-focus-on-job-creation-not-deficit/
And from Krugman himself: http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/29/on-the-economics-and-politics-of-deficits/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/02/paul-krugman-deficit-feedback-loop_n_2600378.html
Republican "rising stars" have tended to have a short shelf live over the last few years. Sarah Panin --- gone, George Alllen -- gone, Rick Perry -- gone, John Ensign -- gone, Bobby Jindil -- on life support. Is Rubio the next??
shhhhhhhhhhhhhh
don't mention SP or RP. They might rise from the grave like zombies.
Hey Charlie, after the State of the Union, we have Marco Rubio response "Will it be in Spanish" ???
PS - will I need an interpreter, are we still the U.S.A. ???
The last election showed that the American people rejected the GOP's message. What remains now is the rejection of the messengers! So, never EVER believe what a Republican SAYS!! WATCH what they DO!
Tom in NH-294381
The last election showed that the American people rejected the GOP's message. What remains now is the rejection of the messengers! So, never EVER believe what a Republican SAYS!! WATCH what they DO!
They Lie; Tom.
Hey Beverly!! NOO!! REALLY??? Who woulda thunk it???? LMAO!
Too bad liberals don't apply the watch what they do approach to Obama. Maybe then liberals would stop accepting Obama's blame and excuses for a lack of solutions.
Because Rick, Obama is a MENCH! look it up if you do not know. Translation: a GOOD human being!
Too bad conservatives don't pay attention to anything other then Fox, Obama actually has accomplished a lot considering the attitude of the Republicans in congress was to make him a one term president. He is an accomplished leader that the people REELECTED because they felt he would do a better job for America then Mitt the unfit.
Tom in NH said,
"The last election showed that the American people rejected the GOP's message"
That's bovine fecal matter!!... The last election showed that the "politics of personal destruction" still works !!
Obeyme has only won elections when he has destroyed his opponent personal not through his ideas or polices!!
Obama won the elections because the PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES wanted him and not the RICH WHITE guy who was only worried about the upper 2 %. President Obama won the election fair & square despite the antics of Karl Rove and the Koch Bros. to BUY the election. Hey Foghorn Leghorn, get your head out of the sand and GET A LIFE....
Same message in a
newerdifferent package. the 48% will buy that.President Obama won the election fair & square despite the antics of Karl Rove and the Koch Bros. to BUY the election.
Yea, obama was broke, he had no rich supporters during the campaigning... Is too bad only republicans have money.
You're pretty damn ignorant.
Too bad conservatives don't pay attention to anything other then Fox
Your biggest mistake John is underestimating the enemy. I can guarantee you that there are a LOT of conservative independents such as I that rarely ever go to Fox, and that absolutely despise our president. But continue on being low information, ignorance is bliss and you seem pretty damn happy.
Maxx,
Obama's opponents destroyed themselves by having such a bad background that they were easy to discredit. As far as ideas -- I never heard a single specific idea from Romney / Ryan other than pure rhetoric.
When the R's/T's lay a real plan on the table and not just "the President has to tell us what he will do and then we will see if it meets our (unknown) criteria" then I'll be glad to review their "ideas". If they want to destroy "entitlement" plans then have them lay out what they really want to do. They / you always say the President doesn't have a plan (he does) but you never demonstrate that you guys have a plan (you don't, other than global verbal diarrhea).
Actually Natalie Rosen it is spelled MENSCH. But no problem we knew what you meant. Sad to think that your attempt would pass as acceptable in today's classroom. But being a good human being is hardly the sole qualification to be president. Still, I don't happen to agree that a person who does nothing but blame others, and makes up endless excuses for failing can be called a MENSCH.
I got to call bovine excrement on you Alex. You despise Obama because he is black man in a white house. He in all practicality is more conservative then you are.
This is the ony thing that you said that makes sense if you are talking into a mirror.
"You're pretty damn ignorant."
Rick, yours is a problem with responsibility, it IS others fault and yet this man you hate for being of color has accomplished much in his first four years and I expect much more from him the second. He works for people, you azzholes work for yourselves..
Johntho..."He is an accomplished leader that the people REELECTED because they felt he would do a better job for America then Mitt the unfit."
It never ceases to amaze me how liberals will rip Romney to pieces and then turn around and think beating such a totally unworthy opponent in an election means the entire world.
They still think Hispanics voted for Obama, instead of amnesty.
Johntho... "...this man you hate for being of color..." Digressing to playing the race card so early?
"He works for people, you azzholes work for yourselves.." Obama works for votes for Democrats. He doesn't care about the people. Remember how he jumped on the east coast hurricane victims plight BEFORE the election and said they would be taken care of right away? Well, he got their votes and many of them are still out in the cold.
Johntho how typical of you to play the race card. Maybe you are only seeing the color of his skin and not the quality of the job he is doing. Here is a link, take 30 minutes and watch a truly inspiring speech. Watch the expression on Obama's face change as the the speech continues. Dr Carson gave a speech at this years National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC that put Obama to shame. Yeah Johntho, when all else fails just play the race card and continue to fool yourself. Unlike you Johntho, if you watch the speech and don't like it, I will not call you a racist.
http://nj1015.com/dr-benjamin-carsons-amazing-speech-at-national-prayer-breakfast-video/
Johntho judges a person by the color of their skin and not the content of their character. Dr. King would be proud.
He can't do any worst than Bobby Jindal. I expect it to be very boring. I am more interested in Rand Paul's diatribe.
markinbecker
He can't do any worst than Bobby Jindal. I expect it to be very boring. I am more interested in Rand Paul's diatribe.
I can't either. It will be hilarious.
The results will be exactly like the response to Bobby Jindal in the never-ending GOP audition. Next...!
We Floridians don't want him ............ Many in the Hispanic community aren't behind him.
It's easy to look like an Eagle when you hang with Turkeys!!
GOP Turkey's?
Amen bro!!!!
Yo stupid peacenik!!!!! He has a 98% approval rating amoung mescans!!!
This will be the only part of the State of the Union sham circus which will be worth watching!
He's a YOUNG wet behind the ears JERK..... Middle Class -- DO NOT BE FOOLED. He is NOT about any of you!
And we have a President who had no experience, who has learned absolutely nothing in four years, is ignorant and can't pour piss out of a boot. But you just go right on supporting him you moron.
Learn to call names in the school yard did you? Guess you have not matured much since then. See that is what is wrong with the GOP no ideas just no and name calling.
Siestasis....LOL! "name calling". I thought you were commenting on Natalie calling Rubio names.
Gringo!!!!!!Amen brother...The losers and takers keep up the support!!!Lmao
If you lived in FL you would be leery of Rubio. Joined the legislature deeply in debt, left a millionaire. Continuously lies about when his parents came to the US, said they came to escape Castro but really came years earlier. The man is not to be trusted. But that is ok, hook yourself to this star but don't be surprised when he flames out.
And that is different from any other politician state or national level how?
And we now have the most mendacious president in the history and you trust him?
Yes, there some that are rich when they go in and some come out with the same financial situation that they had originally. So is your point that if some elected officials are crooked then we should turn a blind eye and say "oh well he is no more crooked than the rest". That is not a defensible position. I vote for the person not the party and if a person is dishonest in any way they do not get my vote. I understand that some of you party loyalists would vote for your party person no matter what but not me. I still, at 70, believe that there are people of integrity that can serve their community, state or country well and I will NOT vote for a dishonest person. And Rubio certainly qualifies as dishonest.
Siestasis "...and I will NOT vote for a dishonest person."
You must have a serious problem doing all the research needed to fulfill that oath. You most certainly did not vote for Obama if you hold to that principle.
seisiasis, I'm with you about voting for a dishonest person and we have a known theif as the governor and can't figure out why any one would vote for a known theif that had stolen millions from Medicare-the governor is one of the reasons its in trouble with the rich CEO's stealing from it. Now the Florida government is wanting to impeach a duly elected president
I can't wait to miss it........
Love your pic. John Wayne a ultra conservative would kick your azz up one street and down the other for using it being a left wing loon.
Little Marco lost what little credibility he had when he went on the bigot Limbaugh's lame show.
This is a "Typical Teabegger" who is still spewing the same old "Teabegger Tantrums." This individual has no respect for the Middle Class, the Working Poor, the elderely, and the disabled. "Rude Rubio" is Socially Sadistic, Economically Evil, Culturally Corrupt, and is a Political Punk. His voting record is for the support for the top 1% only, and the rest of our citizens are expendible. He has already made this very clear in his many speeches, and his record in Florida. "Rude Rubio" is a "Right Wing Reactionary" who has no clue of what 'compromise' means. The Teabeggers have a severe memory difficulty. "W" started Two wars that were never paid for, and were never planned in the budget. Then "W" passed a drug prescription plan that was never paid for either. Our nation needs to create jobs first, and this is the main issue.
Forward11...Love the name...Perfect for a douch!!!!
Marco Rubio's fresh pretty face is not enough to convince me that the Republican face is changing. I still see an ugly, ignorant, uncompromising party that I no longer want anything to do with. I left the party after 30 years and registered independent. He will need to successfully run for national office in 2016 because he and Rick Scott Are finished here in Florida.
Forget your medication today son?
And yet you probably added a silver tongue to a pretty face and threw Hillary under the bus in 2008 and then used the same "characteristics" to vote for the same in 2012. Interesting.
Talk to the Hand I don't know if our beloved theif Scott is finished here in Florida since he was known to be a theif and the republicans elected him over more decent republicans that had ran. Florida likes crooks. I have been a resident of Florida for thirty five years I love the state but hate the politians that has been trying to make the republican governor a dictator
You are no marine...The Marines hate Obama!!!!
Jeb Bush also did a good job destroying the state of Florida, now you have Rick Scott and Marco Rubio finishing Jeb's evil !!!
Jeb will go down in history as stealing the election from Al Gore, yes Jeb was a crook like his brother Jr. !!!
I thinks I smell fear in the left wing loon camp.
The fear you smell is the wind blowing your breath back in your face. LOL
No gringo, that smell is from your fellow pugbags. Why can't people like you realize your party leaders are jerking you around. Do you for one minute think the upper 2% is going to raise you to their level? If so, you do have a rude awakening coming at you.
Your complete war on women backfired, your beliefs about the minorites haven't changed, and your war on the middle class hasn't changed. Do you really think any of them will be voting for the GOP? If so, I suggest some mental health care for you and people like you.
There is no fear in the D's camp that I can tell, it's the R's camp that is having the fear. The fear that Hiliary just might run, and would become the first lady POTUS. We saw what happened with the GOP when they decided to have Sarah Pailin as VP, because they, yes they did, thought that Obama would select Hiliary as VP.
Talking about the dumb leading the dumb, as people won't forget that either. So really, what does the GOP have to offer me, a Independent voter, to vote for the GOP? You want to control my reproduction rights, and that isn't going to happen. You want me to give more money to the "trust fund babies" who have billions? You want me to hate people because of their skin color? Really, none of that will make me vote for the GOP.
You want to cut, or privatize my parents Social Security? You hate abortion, and you hate welfare mothers, and you expect me to go along with that?
I could give plenty more examples of why people should NOT vote for the GOP, because that is what your party platform stands for, and until that platform is changed and modernized, I will never vote for the GOP. This last election showed me the true colors of the GOP.
I thinks you need to change your shorts more than once a week.
All you Libs are Racists loons.Trying to keep the brown man down!
Does Rubio really relish the idea of being the GOP's front door Latino? What will he do when the bigot driven groups that are trying to obstruct a black president go after him for being "not white enough"?
Typical GOP. Rubio does not represent the Hispanic ethnicity. His family are Cubans who were not only welcomed to this country but given financial assistance and preferential treatment. Whereas as a Puerto Rican, an American citizen by birth not to mention service in the Armed Forces of the U.S., I have had to deal with prejudice and second class treatment for most of my life. Those Hispanics from other countries have even dealt with worse. By parading Rubio about the GOP is just rubbing salt into open wounds. They might get votes from Miami but not Orlando where many of us from the island now live.
So that's the reason Orlando is so screwed up. Go the heck back to your Island stop making this country as dirty as your stinky Island. If it was so great why did you leave.
They call it a "response". How can it be a response when it is written BEFORE the original speech is given. No, it is not a response it is the same old tired anti we are the party of NO. Get your act together GOP we need two strong parties in this country - not one strong party and a NO party. The party of old white impotent men will die if you don't get it together.
Calling Libs racists is like calling Tea Partiers liberal
Same BS different face. When are the republitards going to try something else other than their 50 shades of greed! Hopefully the mid term elections in 2014 will flush these bastards down the sewer of history!
I will bet he does not vote present all the time like the community organizer did.
Dang, that stings...lol
Please help me understand how Barack Obama has done better?
Unemployment is unchanged, the fact that it hasn't gotten worse is smoke and mirrors. Many have fallen off the rolls and that keeps the number down but we "hired" this President to fix it not sustain "as is".
Debt is increasing, ok we accept that he inherited a "deficit", but where is the reduction to that deficit? Again, blaming the other guy is an out. He was asked to "lead" us out of the mess and has after 5 years has not made a marketable difference. You can't seriously accept a leader constantly saying "the other guy did it and these guys won't let me fix it". Really?
I have no problem with anyone who believes in President Obama but none of you supporters of his have EVER called him out on anything that I can remember. Is it possible that this one man has never made an error in either judgment or policy? Why give him such a pass?
Libya was a disaster and from all appearances Mr. Obama walked away from that issue because of an election. How can this be ok? Did the DOJ run guns into Mexico or not? Who has been called out for that?
How many solar/eco failures must be sustained before some of you say, "Ok Mr. President enough of the green spending for now".
Just because you believe in his vision does not make the man infallible. Why after almost 5 years in we are just now "focusing" on the economy?
I'm a business owner and have a very real issue with the regulations and tax burdens from the federal government. Just the paperwork compliance requires a person to attend it.
Why has history shown that with every economic tax reduction, the economy has risen and with each tax hike economic activity subsided? http://taxfoundation.org/article/what-evidence-taxes-and-growth
This isn't an issue of one side being right and the other side being wrong, the answer lies in the middle and the President has to get us there. He can in my opinion, no longer point fingers and assess blame he needs lead us to the middle ground.
And have you ever thought that maybe we would not be in this mess if Congress would have voted YES or some of the things? The GOP House voted NO on everything, including their own ideas and plans that Obama submitted to them.
4 years of saying NO has helped keep us in this mess, and no lying GOP/bagger can prove different. Yes, taxes play an important part of the economic scene. Look at Clinton's tax rate. That is what Obama is trying to do, and the GOP, who still believes in 'trickle down', which we know doesn't work, is fighting Obama every step of the way.
Yes, it is an issue of being right and wrong. When the GOP and the Demo's can't work together, because one party wants that black man to fail, just what do you expect? And yes, he can and should point fingers to show everyone just who is saying NO to their own plans and the D's plans.
And those plans could have, would have gotten this country back on a faster track to prosperity. But oh NO, the GOP wants that 'uppity' man to fail. So we all get to live with it happening, because of a few idiots. Thanks GOP!
It is really funny, in a very sad way, that the Repubs/TPers on here think that president Obama has not tried to fix the economy. I guess that they are either forgetting or ignoring the large number ( around 400 Bills filibustered) of actual jobs bills and things that would have stimulated the economy by doing such things as infrastructure repair etc. that the Repubs in Congress have either set aside or filibustered with their fake filibuster Rule 22 in the Senate. And yet they blame Pres. Obama for not doing anything??
The FACT is that had those bills/programs made it out of Congress then our Nation would have been a lot farther along the path of Economic Recovery, however, as has been shown, quite clearly, the Repubs/TPers have held the entire nation hostage in their misguided and now failed attempt to make President Obama a "One Term President". This is very well documented and a very much proven Fact.
The Repubs/TPers keep going in their ideological meme that President Obama is a 'failed President' when it is THEY, Themselves who have not only broken the economy but stalled the economic recovery on purpose for political gain, which they did not get, and in fact, were strongly rebuked on in this last Presidential Election.
It is clearly time for the Repubs/TPers to get out of the way and actually allow the President's policies to finally and actually come into effect because Then we will see the economic recovery that those on the right, and left, have been clamoring for.
You folks on the right need to suck it up and admit that the policies of the right wing are the ones that are destructive to the nation, that you LOST this last election, badly, and that the ONLY reason that the House is still in Repub/TPer control is because of the massive cheating by way of Gerrymandering and voter disenfranchisement at the State level.
The Repubs/TPers continue to hold this nation hostage to their demands: Either cut taxes, again, for the Uber Rich or we will crash the Government to the ground by way of obstructionism and refusal to make any sort of compromise.
The actions of the Repub/TPers party is tantamount to Treason in the very fact that they are INTENTIONALLY harming a majority of the population of this nation in favor of giving those who already own WAY too much of the pie yet another large slice of it and further erode the safety nets that keep people from starving on the streets when they are thrown out of work by Corporations that decide they can make better money by off-shoring their jobs, those same Corporations that were pocketing Billions of dollars in profits annually BEFORE off-shoring jobs.
They further blame those who have lost their jobs, through no reason of their own, as being lazy and just wanting to be on Govt Assistance. Nothing can be farther from the truth. We have corporations, many of them, that are using "part Time Employees" that they pay minimum wage and no benefits, and expect the Govt to pick up the slack for them while they pocket billions of dollars a year in pure profits, profits that SHOULD be used to make sure that their employees do NOT need Govt Assistance int he first place. Yet they get tax breaks instead, which cost this Nation even more in lost revenues.
We need to remove Corporations from political power. Corporations do not care about people, the environment or the general economy of the Nation, they just want PROFITS, PROFITS NOW, "Full Steam Ahead and Damn the Torpedoes" (David Farragut) and to hell with anyone else once they have theirs. This is supposed to be a nation Of THE PEOPLE, By The People and For The people. Corporations are no where in there, and, in fact, the Framers of The Constitution were particularly wary of Corporations, such as the East India Trading Company, and wrote The Constitution in such a way as to make sure that The People, not Corporations, had the power of Government behind them.
On a side note, has anyone else noticed that Grover Norquist just happens to sit on the Board of the NRA?? Very Interesting, That.
To: Sam 1223262.....
Another GOP 'freeloader' complains about the billions in taxes they have evaded and how becoming a 'tax-payer' once more is eating at his loins and general hind area, thereof!
WELCOME BACK - TAX DODGERS!!! (We've missed ya!) Jajajaja.
(BTW: 8 years of TAX BREAKS for the RICH by the GOP - and two trillion dollar wars put on a Chinese VISA credit card by the Whitehouse 'Idiot Savant' Bushie and handed over to Obama in 2008 (To make minimum payments on because that's all we can afford!!!) - and the country is flat broke and living on Chinese food stamps and VISA credit card advances!)
Halleluyah GOP!!!!!
"Virtually every step of Rubio’s budding career has been scrutinized closely for what it might mean for his future political prospects."
Including his running personal expenses through party credit cards? What THAT should mean for his future political prospects is that he shouldn't have any!
I don't like republicans responding to a democrat state of union address and I don't like democrats responding to a republican state of the union speech. The way to make a state of the union speech is to win the white house. Rubio's job is to soften the conservative message. He is going to tell Hispanics that republicans have only meant certain parts of the hard things they have said about them and now that they lost their vote they are willing to reconsider their position. He is going to talk about how Obama's foreign policy is soft and that war is a better answer and then he is going to talk about how Obama and the democrat spending is breaking the nation. What he is not going to talk about is two decade long wars sponsored and ask for by conservatives that have gone nowhere and led to nothing but misery. He is not going to talk about the fact taxes were lowered and we didn't pay for them for the first time in history. He is not going to talk about the fact that conservatives believe that we should cut programs for the most needy in our society so that the wealthy don't have to pay anymore, primarily because the poor and elderly and disabled veterans deserve whatever they get and the wealthy are entitled to whatever they have. He will claim that creates jobs despite all evidence to the contrary. His argument will be that the democrats want to redistribute wealth with health care and social security. I don't intend to watch Obama's speech and I sure don't intend to watch Rubio's rebuttal. I have voted republican many times and if Rubio and Ryan are the new stars of the republican party they can quit worrying about the coming election and start worrying about their future for the next couple of generations.
Whooppee. the GOP's 'Great Latino hope' Rubio moves like King Tut and threatens to start a tsunami of Latino votes toward the racist GOP 'hate immigrants party of no' (Especially Latino's).
OMG! Rubio makes this Latino lose his erection and want to go kiss 'Pretty Boy' Rubio's butt - NOT!
Hell, Latino's in this country don't even consider these 'Spawn-of-the-Cuban whorehouse pimps of the 1950's and King Pins of the Cuban drug cartels, to be Latino's at all!!! I mean, what other Latino's are 'welcomed' into the US if they can 'only' put their foot on US soil after weathering the 90 mile trip from Cuba on a tin can, whale, or great White sharks back?
Yassar, this 'plastic' (sterofoam?) Latino may be loved by the retired Cuban pimps and drug smugglers that Papa Fidel (((kicked))) out of Cuba to bring decency back to Cuba... but guess what? The US Latino's will (((kick))) this 'Junior pimp' 'Spawn of Iblis' back into the shark infested Carribean and give him an eloquent: "Adios and 'hasta la vista' cabron!!!!" (As they did to ("Gonna build me a wall, a tall tall wall, an electrified wall, and keep my Mexican brouthers out!") ROB-ME last November!)
Jeezum, David, good post. "Cabron" is, well, accurate.