Boehner walks, Obama talks

Boehner explains in a letter to his colleagues. A bit:

During these discussions – as in my earlier discussions – it became evident that the White House is simply not serious about ending the spending binge that is destroying jobs and endangering our children’s future.

A deal was never reached, and was never really close.

In the end, we couldn’t connect. Not because of different personalities, but because of different visions for our country.

The president is emphatic that taxes have to be raised. As a former small businessman, I know tax increases destroy jobs.

The president is adamant that we cannot make fundamental changes to our entitlement programs. As the father of two daughters, I know these programs won’t be there for their generation unless significant action is taken now.

For these reasons, I have decided to end discussions with the White House and begin conversations with the leaders of the Senate in an effort to find a path forward.

Obama went on live TV to give his take. I haven't found video or a complete transcript yet but Politico has a live-blogged version here. A portion:

Obama indicated that it has proven more difficult than he expected.

“I’ve been led to the altar a couple of times,” Obama said.

I think he actually said "left at the altar."

"The question for House Republicans is 'can they say yes to anything?'" Obama said.

 “I have not seen the capacity for the House Republicans in particular to make those tough decisions,” Obama continued.

The question for Republicans, Obama said, is “how serious are you about debt and deficit reduction?”

“Or do you simply want it as a campaign ploy going into the next election?”

Gee, why can't they get anywhere with President Obama?

As for saying "yes," the Republicans, and even a few Democrats, did so just this morning to the Cut, Cap and Balance bill. I guess that doesn't count.

***
Excellent analysis from Bryan Preston:

Update: Obama sounds “impotent and frustrated,” says NYT reporter. When you try leading from behind, or not at all, impotence and frustration seem like they would both be very likely outcomes. Who couldn’t have seen that coming?

Only the man scolding everyone else for not being serious.

Update: Now the president is claiming that Americans, including Republicans, write letters to him full of Democrat talking points about “balancing the budget on the backs of seniors,” talking points that are about 40 years old. Does he expect anyone to believe that he really gets these letters?

Now he’s getting angrier and angrier. Are we about to see the President of the United States crack up before our eyes? All I can say is, thank goodness the markets are closed. This rant might rock them.

Update: Funniest line of the presser: Obama said “Sometimes if you wanna be a leader, you have to lead.” And then in typical Obama fashion, he walked out of the room.

Some leader. We’re seeing what happens when someone with zero executive experience gets elected to the most difficult job in the world. Barack Obama is in over his head.

To recap a bit of history, Barack Obama has been president going on three years. In that time, he has proposed one budget, which was such a fine document that the Democrat-controlled Senate shot it down 97-0. His party has failed to move on a budget for more than 800 days. Even now, they have no plan for the debt ceiling crisis. None. The only real plan has come out of the House, where it passed. The Democrat-controlled Senate killed it on a party-line vote today.

Read the rest.

Here's the video:


Complete transcript here.

Boehner press conference:



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