Research Briefing

Obama Says Americans Are More Interested In Who Is Getting Things “Done,” Ignores His Own Do-Nothing Record On Deficit Reduction

Obama: “I Think What The American People Are Paying Attention To Is Who Seems To Be Trying To Get Something Done, And Who Seems To Be Just Posturing And Trying To Score Political Points.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At White House Press Conference, Washington, D.C., 7/15/11)

SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT PASSED A BUDGET FOR 807 DAYS AND COUNTING…

807 Days: Senate Democrats Have Not Passed A Budget Since April 29, 2009. (S. Con. Res. 13, Roll Call 173; D 53-3, R 0-40, I 2-0, 4/29/09)

OBAMA CAN’T PROVIDE SPECIFIC #’S ABOUT DEFICIT REDUCTION BECAUSE YOU CAN’T “ESTIMATE SPEECHES”

CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf Says Obama’s Latest Budget Is Too Vague To Be Scored. REP. PAUL RYAN: “The president gave a speech on April 13^th, where he outlined a new budget framework that claims $4 trillion in deficit reduction over 12 years, have you estimated the budget impact of this framework? ELMENDORF: No, Mr. Chairman. We don’t estimate speeches. We need much more specificity than was provided in that speech for us to do our analysis.” (Committee On The Budget, U.S. House Hearing,, 6/23/11)

Obama’s Supposed Budget Proposal Was Nothing More Than A “Reelection Speech.” “President Barack Obama gave a terrific reelection speech Wednesday. It wasn’t billed as that. It was supposed to be a number-packed speech about budgeting and spending and all manner of fiscal gobbledygook.” (Roger Simon, “Barack Obama To Soak Rich, Please Democrats,” Politico, 4/13/11)

BUT DID PROPOSE TRILLIONS MORE OF NEW SPENDING IN HIS FEBRUARY BUDGET

Obama’s FY2012 Budget Would Spend $46 Trillion Through 2021. (“An Analysis Of The President’s Budgetary Proposals For Fiscal Year 2012, Congressional Budget Office, April 2011)

• Obama’s FY2012 Budget Adds $13 Trillion In New Debt Through 2021.  (Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Of The U.S. Government, Office Of Management And Budget, 2/14/11)
• The Deficit This Year Is Slated To Reach A Historically High $1.65 Trillion. (“Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Of The U.S. Government”,  Office Of Management And Budget, 2/14/11)

AND UNDERMINED HIS OWN COMMISSION THAT HE TRIED TO TAKE CREDIT FOR

Obama Didn’t Endorse Any Of The Deficit Commission’s Proposals. “President Obama reacted cautiously. He praised the commission for its work and promising to closely study its proposals, but didn't endorse any of them.” (Andrew Taylor, “Deficit-Cut Plan Fails To Advance To Capitol,” The Associated Press, 12/3/10)

• The New York Times: "With the budget he is to unveil Monday, President Obama has not opted for the bold, comprehensive approach to reining in the fast-growing federal debt that his own fiscal commission has said is needed, now."  (Jackie Calmes, "A Cautious Approach Seeking Bipartisan Appeal," The New York Times, 2/13/11)

After Shelving Their Recommendations, NBC’s Chuck Todd Asked The President “What Was The Point Of The Fiscal Commission?” ( The President’s News Conference, Washington, D.C., 2/16/11)