Where McConnell is coming from:
In the nearly two-hour-long White House meeting Monday afternoon during which leaders reviewed savings found last month by a group led by Vice President Joseph Biden, McConnell asked only one question, according to a Republican source familiar with the talks.
“How much does the Biden plan actually cut from next year’s discretionary spending budget?” the Kentucky Republican asked the room.
Obama’s Office of Management and Budget Director Jacob Lew told him, “$2 billion.”
A second source close to the original Biden group confirmed this number.
UPDATE: Because a commenter asked, the Ryan budget would cut non-defense discretionary spending by $69 billion in FY 2011, and by $1.8 trillion over the next decade. (Total spending would decrease by $5.8 trillion over the next decade).
Unreal. I want to see Obama and Biden's report cards. Math was not their strong subject, was it?
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusedisgusting.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuseit's all over...goodnight
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo, the dolt from Kain-tuck is justly lost in the Wales of Owain Gwenned, i.e., Allegheny.
Boy, that 2 billion clarifies everything. Instead of airing that figure publicly, and showing how unserious the WH is on this, the dolt from Kain-tuck decides to tuck his shriveled tail between his legs and save a little "face" on the NYT and WP op-ed pages.
He instills confidence at least -- in his single digit brain-cell count.
He tongue-tied himself, YET AGAIN. This time, it buys him a primary challenge. He deserves ONE primary vote for EACH of his brain cells. So, 0-9.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis is exactly why you don't make "deals" or "compromise" with this group of democrats. They were never serious about the cuts now or later. They haven't passed a budget for over 2 years! Take our medicine now before we are too sick for it to make any difference.
Loved both my captcha double cross and see red
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLOL...that's a rounding error. Heck, we need to borrow $188 Million per hour to cover our deficit spending. And as anyone w/ half a brain knows (hmm, wonder if Biden qualifies) the real money is not in the discretionary part of the budget.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePlease God. Let me negotiate with the GOP just once. I'll never ask for anything ever again.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDisgusted beyond words.
And to think that McDonnell proposed to give the president a carte blanche with his ridiculous "Contingency Plan" after hearing this non-sense?
Even more disgusting. We keep giving the GOP "just one more chance", and they keep blowing it. Time for a 3rd Party.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuseand a second Obama term ...
quit being childish ...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRight, it is so childish to actually want to save our country from financial ruin before it's too late.
You seem to the think that the Tea Party only purpose is to further the GOP's electoral chances.
Think again.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGo ahead, drain off conservative voters and help Obama to get re-elected in 2012...that's really going to 'save the country'.
You seem more interested in winning the next battle even if means you lose the war. Sorry, I'd rather win the war than lose it by being out-maneuvered.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI guess the Republicans were childish when they took over for the Whigs.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf the Republicans can't demonstrate that they will be better stewards than the Democrats, than a second Obama term may not be the worst possible outcome.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis is what the GOP should be shouting from the rooftops....PLEASE explain to the public the difference between the national debt and the yearly budget deficit. The 4 trillion Obama "proposes" to cut over 12 years is a joke. So what, the national debt in 12 years will be 26 trillion instead of 30? And we're worried about defaulting now???
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDateline: Washington, D.C.
July 12, 2012
"Today, amid ongoing budget negotiations, the senate minority leader from kentucky sent a very loud signal throughout the country:
"His party's most ardent supporters are now free to permanently disassociate themselves from the GOP once and for all."
"He signaled today that he takes pomp, pride, and his wooden senate 'desk' far more importantly than he does his obligation to help steer this country toward a more sane and sustainable fiscal course."
"His message to conservatives is basically this:"
'America, over the last two decades, i and my party have helped to guide this country into a fiscal crisis. Recently, I learned that the president and his chief sycophant are not serious at all in negotiating a sustainable path forward.'
'So, NEITHER AM I! You know what, folks? i'm getting old. i'm tired. i'm not very good with public debate. In fact, i can barely speak without sputtering. Every debate i've led, i've lost.'
'You -- conservatives -- made our party's resurgence possible after Watergate, and in the mid-1990's, you brought our party out of the quicksand all over the country at the state level, and into prominence in the nation's capitol for the first time in one half century.'
'And every time, the crusty politicians who care more about good friendly convivial meals over white bean soup in the senate dining room have let you down.'
'So, i now propose today to let you down once more. The president is SO unserious about taking the lead or even following in regards to the fiscal mess i helped to cause.'
'i'm taking a powder. i'm making sure you get royally disappointed yet again. And i'm ensuring that the nation's fiscal crisis continues apace.'
'Gotta go. My ugly cuff-links need a polish. See you next election, where i expect to have your support once more.'
'You have no where else to go.'
"That's the version of 'leadership' that prevails in Kentucky these days."
"And General George Rogers Clark, his brother William, Captain Bowman, and Davey Crocket would be SO appalled!"
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusedavy crockett was from Tennessee...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAnd then Texas ... :')
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDan, just for comparison purposes, what does the Ryan budget cut from next year's discretionary spending?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDaniel: Do you have any idea why the House doesn't move HR 421? I suggested in a comment to a post by Rich earlier today that the GOP pass legislation in the House and propose identical legislation in the Senate to require Treasury to use tax receipts to pay interest and Social Security. Another commenter said this was essentially Rep. McClintock's Full Faith & Credit bill. Why wouldn't the GOP try to put Democrats in a box on this? Either pass the bill or be seen to vote against a bill that would avoid default.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNO ONE believes that Obama would comply with this law. He ignores every other law he disagrees with, like Obama is not enforcing the illegal alien laws.
But in this case Obama wouldn't NEED to break the law. He would just submit some phony smoke & mirrors "cuts". So this would just give away the candy with nothing in return.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse