By Eliza

Jul 25, 2011 3:16pm

Obama tempted to go it alone–if only he could.

ABC News' Jon Garcia and Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) report:

What do the deficit negotiations and immigration reform have in common? President Obama says thinks he’d have a much easier time getting what he wants if only he could do it all himself.

“Believe me, the idea of doing things on my own is very tempting. I promise you not just on immigration reform. But that's not how our system works,”

Obama said at the annual meeting of the National Council of La Raza in Washington DC. “Neither party is blameless for the decisions that lead to our debt, but both parties have a responsibility to come together to solve the problem and make sure the American people aren’t hurt on this issue.”

He reiterated that he is willing to “cut spending that we don't need in historic amounts … But we can’t just close our deficits by cutting spending. … Not only is it not fair if all of this is done on the backs of middle-class families and poor families, it doesn’t make sense. It may sound good to save a lot of money over the next five years, but not if we sacrifice our future for the next fifty,” Obama said.

“That’s not who we are, we are better than that … we are people who look out for each other,” he said.

And of course even though Obama was pushing for tax increases for deficit reduction, the plan now being offered by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., contains NO tax increases. And the White House has indicated that the President will sign it.

Obama did not address Republicans in Congress directly on the matter, though before his speech, Obama’s press secretary, Jay Carney, posted to his twitter account: “House GOP risks our economy by refusing to compromise. #Speaker walked away twice from fair deals backed by the public. THAT’S indefensible.”

On immigration, the President said he was disappointed that Republicans in the Senate blocked his reform package last year but contended that getting The Dream Act passed is still the right thing for which to fight.

“It was heartbreaking to get so close and see politics get in the way,” he said. “They've walked away … So let’s be honest. I need a dance partner here — and the floor is empty” leaving the President “enforcing flawed laws in the most humane and best possible way.”

The solution, he said, was to rally the voices outside Washington for change. And to keep the pressure on Republicans, though he didn’t mention them by name.

“This is a city where "compromise" is becoming a dirty word, where there's more political upside in doing what's easier for re-election, what's easier for an

attack ad than what's best for the country,” Obama said. “The Democrats and your president are with you. Don't get confused about that. Remember who it is that we need to move in order to actually change the laws.”

User Comments

“That’s not who we are, we are better than that … we are people who look out for each other”
Exactly. And we don’t need a government doing the looking out for us! That’s what Obama doesn’t understand. To him, it’s all about control from a government perspective, but that’s not what America is. This is why he is meeting such fierce resistance to his policies.

Posted by: J.R. | July 25, 2011, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm

“House GOP risks our economy by refusing to compromise. #Speaker walked away twice from fair deals backed by the public. THAT’S indefensible.”
=======
There is nothing more hilarious than one side blaming the other for refusal to “compromise”. The president cannot produce his supposed “deal”, the use of the word “fair” is entirely his own appraisal, and the idea that it was backed by the public is fantasy, considering nobody knows what the “deal” was.
This is pure partisan hackery from Jay Carney, White House spokesman.

Posted by: MayBee | July 25, 2011, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm

“what’s easier for an attack ad than what’s best for the country…Remember who it is that we need to move in order to actually change the laws.”
This man has no shame. Attempting to rise above all the rhetoric in Washington in the first half of his sentence while going after republicans in the second half. Unreal.
” where there’s more political upside in doing what’s easier for re-election”
Our campaigner in chief is well aware of this tactic and employs it often.

Posted by: J.R. | July 25, 2011, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm

Another words, Obama would be a dictator if he thought he could get away with it.

Posted by: win | July 25, 2011, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm

Sing with me: If I were the King of the foreeesssttt.

Posted by: wheresmymoney | July 25, 2011, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm

he speaks so well and looks shiny, lets just let him be our dictator so that we can have some more hope and change

Posted by: independent minded | July 25, 2011, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

“The president said the White House offered more than $1 trillion in cuts to discretionary spending, $650 billion in cuts to entitlement programs and, in return, asked Republicans for $1.2 trillion in additional revenues by eliminating loopholes and engaging in tax reforms.”
======
Slim- Tapper, of all people, has pointed out that Obama’s deal is very ambiguous.
Saying “Oh, I’ll agree to spending cuts” isn’t a deal anybody can agree to until they understand which spending cuts, when.

Posted by: MayBee | July 25, 2011, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm

Huh, that’s odd. Back when George W. Bush took the Clinton surplus, the largest the country had ever seen, and turned it into the largest deficit the country had ever seen, the Republicans were all chanting “Deficits don’t matter!” I wonder what changed?
Oh, that’s right. Now there’s a Democrat in the White House.
So, don’t worry. I’m sure that when a Republican returns to the White House, deficits won’t matter again.

Posted by: doubting thomas | July 25, 2011, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm

Damn! If only I were King!

Posted by: LongT | July 25, 2011, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm

The dems will present a bill and we’ll learn what’s in it AFTER it passes — just like Obamacare.
Our Campaigner-In-Chief spent his time as a Junior Senator running for President. He has spent his time as President — ‘running for President’. He is not qualified to do his job.
Democrats took control of Congress in 2006. They took control of our White House in 2008. They have no problem governing AGAINST the will of the American people.
Obama, Pelosi, Reid and the other liberals, along with the biased media, Soros, Unions, Acorn, etc., based the entire 2008 campaign on lies. They simply cannot be trusted.
NO MORE CLOSED DOOR MEETINGS!!! Hold meetings on the floor where they should be held! So WE THE People can see for ourselves…who is serious! Closed door meetings looks like “business as usual” and obama is slick! The Republicans come out looking like the bad guy!!! That’s what the dems do! All the dems are just
words and image! Let us see and hear what is going on!!
We need to replace the Dems ASAP. God help us all!

Posted by: OBAMA VS. AMERICA | July 25, 2011, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm

Posted by: doubting thomas | Jul 25, 2011 5:09:49 PM
Clinton never had a budget surplus. Trust funds were borrowed to make it appear the government had income. In other words, the myth was based on an accounting trick. The reality is the national debt NEVER WENT DOWN under Clinton. Even in Clinton’s best year, there was a $17.9 billion deficit. (Source: US Treasury Department).
Democrats never had any problems with Bush’s spending. They did, however, often complain loudly that he didn’t spend nearly enough.
Bush’s tax cuts increased federal revenues, all of which were spent and then some. Just like they were during the Reagan years. Democrats gleefully participated in deficit spending during both presidencies. They took deficit spending to hysterical levels when they controlled both chambers of Congress under Obama.

Posted by: Chuck | July 25, 2011, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm

“The solution, he (pres Obama) said, was to rally the voices outside Washington for change. And to keep the pressure on Republicans, though he didn’t mention them by name.” – ABC News
S T U N N I N G !
I’m in awe of how out of touch Barry really is.
W O W !
Our President might need a Default to smack him right between the eyes in order to wake him up.

Posted by: Noz | July 25, 2011, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm

“It was heartbreaking to get so close and see politics get in the way,” he (b.h. obama) said.
It’s all politics, especially in obama’s case.
As we get closer to 2012, obama will need every malcontent he can lay hands on. He will appeal to liberal racists and leftist ideologues- standing with them against the contracting number of folks who still make the country work.

Posted by: bluecollarbytes | July 25, 2011, 8:01 pm 8:01 pm

I’m in awe of how out of touch Barry really is!
Posted by: Noz | Jul 25, 2011 7:36:04
The President is right in line with the large majority of Americans who want a combination of spending cuts and tax increases to address the deficit.

Posted by: Billy | July 25, 2011, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm

Posted by: Larry | July 25, 2011, 10:16 pm 10:16 pm

“The President is right in line with the large majority of Americans who want a combination of spending cuts and tax increases to address the deficit.” -Billy
Those in favor of paying more taxes are free to do so. The IRS won’t object if you want to sign over 100% of what you make.
Posted by: Larry | Jul 25, 2011 10:16:50 PM
You really think big oil is going to turn over a penny of its billions in profit – unless its mandated to do so?

Posted by: Sally | July 26, 2011, 2:00 am 2:00 am

That is why we have 3 branches of government. Checks and balances and not a dictator.

Posted by: rebecca2656 | July 26, 2011, 10:10 am 10:10 am

And this hubris idiot is supposedly a constitutional lawyer???? OMG! Obama needs to be impeached!

Posted by: Pol Cat | July 27, 2011, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm

Posted by: sumunownguy | July 27, 2011, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm

Why not use the 14th amendment? It is just too tedious to purt up with this wrangle! Pledges on taxes!! These people are terribly unsophisticated!

Posted by: emoore | July 27, 2011, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm

Another way to read this is: “The President risks our economy because he refuses to compromise.”
I mean, why are the Repulicans the ones who have to compromise? Hmmm? After all, they did win the majority of House seats in the last election, so the publics interests ARE being followed by the last majority elected…

Posted by: Troy | July 27, 2011, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

So, the supposed “constitutional scholar” is tempted to become a dictator. Obama is CLEARLY insane. He needs to be immediately removed due to being mentally unfit.

Posted by: Illogicbuster | July 27, 2011, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm

Obama, a third-generation America-hating communist, is a clear and present danger to the country. November, 2012, he doesn’t get 35% of the vote.

Posted by: WilliamPenn | July 27, 2011, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm

More taxes more taxes who in their right mind would want more of their money given to the government? Fools thats who complete idiots! All the more tax screamers are part of the 52 percent of the bums that dont pay any taxes it aint gonna affect these losers and jake tapper give me a break this should be the presidential spokesman i have never heard him ask a tough question what a joke

Posted by: Idiots | July 27, 2011, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm

I want to know why no one is saying anything about his speaking before a racist group like LaRaza, which has as a motto “for the race,everything, for those outside the race, nothing”.
If Boehner went to a Klan meeting the press would be having a cow, but LaRaza is just as racist and evil. Not a peep.

Posted by: TheMaster | July 27, 2011, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm

Sally – The Big Three oil of America paid over $400 Billion in taxes last year. GE made just as much profit as one of those big three and paid ZILCH! We cannot blame big oil. They make 3 cents a gallon off of gasoline and around $4 a barrel for oil. The government makes big profits from the taxes they impose on comsumers when it comes to gasoline. Get your facts right before you start blowing hot air.
People are not employed by poor people. They are employed by people with money. The people who own business will be hosed with higher taxes. We are in a major economic meltdown and raising taxes is not the answer. It will only prolong this disaster.
The big problem is Government. They overspend and turn everything to crap. It’s like giving someone an increase in credit when they cannot pay their bills already. Does not make any sense. It’s time for everyone to tighten their belts and get this country back on track.

Posted by: Jermon-O-Rama | July 27, 2011, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm

People who blame the GOP are ill-informed. The democrats have not produced a budged in well over 800 days. The Dems had control from 2006-2010…. what did they do? The dems still control the Senate and they still cannot get their act together. The GOP has introduced bill after bill — the dems have not.
This is just the Sail Alinsky model of bringing down America. Obama is doing a great job at that and I voted for this clown. The joke is on all of us and I am not laughing. No wonder his approval ratings are in the dump.

Posted by: Jermon-O-Rama | July 27, 2011, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm

The Master – La Raza is a very racist group and only want entitlements because they feel that Texas and the southwest was stolen from them.
That brings me to another thing. Texas is bringing all the business in and have a great economy. Don’t you think we should be following a model that works… Texas works. They are doing something right there and that is low taxes. Low taxes equals more jobs and more jobs lead to bigger tax revenues. Half of the country does not pay taxes… it’s time to get those people working.

Posted by: Jermon-O-Rama | July 27, 2011, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm

To you lame liberals trying to distract with comments about bush.I never heard Obama say during the debates that he’ll TRY to make the economy better. I never heard him say he’ll TRY to get congress to act effectively. he never said if I can get us out of this Bush mess I’ll TRY to fix the deficit.
No Obama promised he would, he ran on a platform and in 3 yrs he has done NOTHING. No success based on HIS efforts whatsoever. The man of hope and change is an empty suit and he’ll go home in shame after this next election a 1 time loser. This man has lied his way to the top and has failed us as a country. Too bad liberals care more about not admitting they were wrong than they do our nation. He is a failure pure and simple.

Posted by: John | July 27, 2011, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm

The serpent rears it’s ugly head, he’s now making his attempt in setting himself up as a banana style republic dictator. Let us see if he can pull it off prior to the start of impeachment proceedings

Posted by: blagostwin | July 27, 2011, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm

In so far as obama addressing la rasa who would expect anything different? No surprise whatsoever. That’s his new voting constituency. Why is this statist so easy to predict?

Posted by: blagostwin | July 27, 2011, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm

In so far as obama addressing la rasa who would expect anything different? No surprise whatsoever. That’s his new voting constituency. Why is this statist so easy to predict?

Posted by: blagostwin | July 27, 2011, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm

When did compromising become a characteristic to be admired among leadership? How did it go from refusing to sell out to now not wanting to compromise.
NEWS FLASH: We are in this shape –14 TRILLION in debt–specifically because of comprimising.

Posted by: the courage | July 27, 2011, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm

Anyone who actually listens to Ron Paul speak, watches the countless youtube videos of him consistently railing against the status quo, or reads his books will realize that he is a shining beacon of integrity in a world full of soul-less sellots.
If you care about this contry, you will make an attempt to see through the fog of our political system. Congress is too blame. They have been absolutely derelict in their duties. Just follow the money and you’ll see to whom they owe their allegiance.

Posted by: the courage | July 27, 2011, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm

We have to get this ideologue out of the WH! Everybody line up to buy your 56mpg car! Can’t wait!

Posted by: tnchick | July 27, 2011, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm

It would be easier for him to do this himself al la Augustus or Caligula…which is of course, the point of the inherent structure of the US constitution.

Posted by: Ed Gibbon | July 27, 2011, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm

Our checks and balances finally working to stop the economic terrorists in the Whitehouse.
We know we can’t keep the Ponzi scheme going and the republicans are trying to stop it, but the administration will stop at nothing in destroying our way of life.

Posted by: jake | July 27, 2011, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm

The prez said he thinks all the money should come from “the rich”. Nobody under 200K will pay more in taxes. How is that a balanced approach?

Posted by: jason | July 27, 2011, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm

Losers compromise.

Posted by: Jason | July 27, 2011, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm

Have you petted your pet liberal today?
Wasserman-pig accuses opponents of imposing a dictatorship, when she and her marxists control 2/3rds of government.
Then you have representative stumble bumb Claybourn demanding Obama use the 14th amendment to increase the debt without congress.
Go ahead! Set the stage! And we will impeach you. And you can take that to the bank.

Posted by: Cogito | July 27, 2011, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm

Go ahead Obama…….do it. We want to get you out as fast as we can and this would be a sure way to boot you out of the White House.

Posted by: Terry Moore | July 27, 2011, 7:56 pm 7:56 pm

Obama is flirting with out and out treason. Those that support that had best remember that there are millions of former servicemen such as myself that take our oath to “preserve, protect and defend” the U.S. Constitution. Now we have a usurper in the oval office who cannot prove he is a natural born citizen telling a racist group (LaRaza)that he is “tempted” to become an outright dictator. Arrogance from a narcissist is expected. But when that narcissist holds the nuclear football, that makes him a very dangerous man. Time for America to wake up and put Obama and his socialist cronies in their place… federal prison.

Posted by: Dave | July 27, 2011, 8:03 pm 8:03 pm

The only thing this man has ever done on his own is vote “present” … not exactly a leader.

Posted by: FN Cee | July 27, 2011, 8:14 pm 8:14 pm

How bout if Obumber buys himself a small third world country somewhere that he can live in and dictate to the people there, to his heart’s content.
And we could all go about rebuilding what he’s torn down here, in the best country in the world.

Posted by: FedUPntx | July 27, 2011, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm

“This is a city where “compromise” is becoming a dirty word, where there’s more political upside in doing what’s easier for re-election, what’s easier for an attack ad than what’s best for the country,” Obama said.
Uh, Barry, please tell us what compromises you made when you rammed Obamacare down our throats and told the repubs and anyone who didn’t agree with you to get out of the way…..

Posted by: steveh3 | July 27, 2011, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm

I say…give him his third world country……isnt that what all dictators want? After that, he will leave and then we can blow his happy backside up…..LOL
Good riddance…..ASAP!!!!! Send the Kenyan home and take his stinky furniture and lifestyle with him. And please try to take Michele with you……sheesh! What a &&&&&
TOTAL JERK!

Posted by: Tim | July 27, 2011, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm

Of course it is tempting to be The King…
But this is still a Republic, where We The People rule.
God willing, in 2012 we will send that arrogant fellow to retirement.

Posted by: Mooshoo | July 27, 2011, 11:35 pm 11:35 pm

GE made BILLIONS in 2010, yet paid 0 (ZERO) taxes…
Now it moves some of its business to China.
And the funniest part is that its CEO is Obama’s Jobs Czar…
What an administration…
Makes Nixon look like Honest Abe, in comparison…

Posted by: Mooshoo | July 27, 2011, 11:43 pm 11:43 pm

Can we say ‘Dictator’? That is what Obama and the democrats are if Obama makes decisions for the country.
I believe that would make him a traitor.

Posted by: Deb | July 28, 2011, 12:20 am 12:20 am

ROBINHOOD OBAMA has arrived to save us! All he seeks is to rob the rich, and give to the poor. What more could we peasants want from an imposter gallavanting leader roaming our forests????

Posted by: wisconsinAmerican | July 28, 2011, 12:52 am 12:52 am

Well, Obamao is the POtuS and this article makes me wonder if he did indeed read the book that Hugo Chavez gave him?
“Visions of grandeur” … President for life … this guy wants it all.
Gawd, when will we get smart and encourage the dimwits who voted for this guy to study history or NOT VOTE at all?

Posted by: RodMiller | July 28, 2011, 1:25 am 1:25 am

Go ahead and tempt Congress into impeaching you too..
A Recession is when your neighbor loses his or her job.
A Depression is when you lose your job.
A Recovery is when Obama loses his job.

Posted by: ChuckTX | July 28, 2011, 2:23 am 2:23 am

Treasonous piece of garbage. He pretty much admits to wanting to be a dictator while speaking before a group that openly expresses a desire to take back the southwest by force. I dream of his entire administration becoming “strange fruit” and lining Pennsylvania Ave.

Posted by: xg4bx | July 28, 2011, 2:29 am 2:29 am

The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president.
The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America . Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.
The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president.

Posted by: Golfendude | July 28, 2011, 5:22 am 5:22 am

Yeah, that’s it Obama! Pull a Hugo Chavez or a Robert Mugabe and just take over!

Posted by: Rico | July 28, 2011, 5:56 am 5:56 am

Obama is an ignorant fool and a national. You fools that voted for this arrogant piece of crap should be ashamed.

Posted by: HJ | July 28, 2011, 7:03 am 7:03 am

Obama gives a “I wish I were Dictator-for-Life but the system won’t let me” speech to a Hispanic supremacist group, and nobody says anything. But if some Republican were to give a speech to a white supremacist group, and call for a White Power dictatorship, they’d have him (or her)head on a platter. That’s rich.

Posted by: Rational | July 28, 2011, 7:28 am 7:28 am

THE MEDIA SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR THEIR COVERING FOR THIS JERK. THEY ARE NO LONGER A MEDIA, THEY ARE A CHEERING SQUAD FOR THE PROGRESSIVE, AND DO NOT REPORT OR MAKE UP STORIES ABOUT HIM. THEY COVER FOR HIM. THAT INCLUDES ABC,CBS,NBC,CNN,MSNBC(I KNOW MSNBC ISN’T NEWS, BUT PROPAGANDA). PROPAGANDA IS ALL WE HAVE HEARD FROM MOST MEDIA OUTLETS SINCE HE BECAME DICTATOR.

Posted by: hadenuf | July 28, 2011, 8:23 am 8:23 am

Don’t you just love the way Madam Pelosi says they will not allow social security or medicare to be cut, when THEY cut medicare $500 billion to pass that communist healthcare bill, and social security recipients haven’t been given a cost of living increase for the last two years? Talk about two faced! I don’t know how someone with her lack of brains ever made it into the congress. Same with Sheila Jackson Lee.

Posted by: hadenuf | July 28, 2011, 8:26 am 8:26 am

hadenuf- It’s amazing how delusional you are and how blatantly your delusions are fueled by the toxic psychic poisons of hate and paranoia. Not a single accusation or thing that you posted is factually true. Like the republican party, everything you say is a lie. Where are the facts?

Posted by: Robert | July 29, 2011, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm

Dance partner, huh? I think we know who will be leading.

Posted by: ralph lane | July 29, 2011, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm

Ya,right,Like he could go it alone,first off he can’t do that because everything has to be aproved by the senate and congress.Secondly there’s no way he could go anything alone because he lacks the most important thing it would take to do so and thats experience.He has virtualy zero experience in everything

Posted by: Charles Queen | July 30, 2011, 12:00 am 12:00 am

We have a great President, I wish the Republicans would stop being so anti-Obama and work together and not constantly opposing the Government. President Obama would go down in history as being the BEST this country has ever seen for a President. The man has character and heart. The republicans are all about getting richer and keeping the middle class and poor poorer.

Posted by: Sally | July 30, 2011, 12:04 am 12:04 am

I’m waiting for the day when the “tea party” cult shows up in the senate all wearing brown shirts.
If anyone is guilty of treasonous behavior, its them.
Its a giant, unspoken item that there is a reason that the tea party Nazis and their republican interlopers are so single-mindedly against anything that this president does or says. There is a reason they passed debt ceiling raises non-stop from the beginning until they saw this president’s face. Something about the way this President looks that makes them adamant about not accepting anything he says. I’ll let you think on that.
Now the President Bush financial debacle is placed on President Obama’s head and they are howling for ANYTHING, however bad, to happen before they will give him what he needs to solve this crisis.
The GOP Speaker and the GOP Whip (I call them “Thelma and Louise”) are driving this herd of lemmings off the cliff in the name of ideological purity. I don’t mind that, I just don’t want them taking America with them.
On Health Care, America is about 50th in average life span compared to other countries, Our corporate oriented health care culture has a per-capita cost about double the next highest countries in line. We have BY FAR, the highest percentage of people who have declared bankruptcy or lost their home due to medical costs. This is literally unheard of in Europe, but in here its called the free market. If the tea party brownshirts have their way, and someone has a heart attack, the ambulance will have to see some form of insurance or cash payment before they render assistance. Anything else would be called socialist.
They love to derisively call it “ObamaCare”. At least it has the word “care” in it. The Republicans version of health care is for you to just die. For them, “E Pluribus Unum” be dammed.
John from Gretna La.

Posted by: Cajun_Dude | July 30, 2011, 8:23 am 8:23 am

“Go it alone.” Wasn’t that what Hugo Chavez said to the people of Venezuela?

Posted by: john | July 30, 2011, 8:34 am 8:34 am

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Obama tempted to go it alone–if only he could.

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