NBC’s Curry: ‘Disastrous’ to Not Raise Debt Ceiling, Asks Obama if GOP is Just ‘Bluffing’
In an interview with President Obama on Tuesday's NBC Today, co-host Ann Curry fretted over Republican calls for spending cuts before raising the nation's debt limit: “Do you think they're bluffing, given how financially disastrous it would be for the United States not to have the debt ceiling raised? And are you willing to make deep spending cuts?” Obama laughably claimed: “Well, keep in mind, we've already made deep spending cuts. I mean, I've proposed a freeze on federal spending, during the last threatened government shutdown we made some really tough cuts…” He then used the opportunity to bash the GOP: Republicans are very resistant to any kind of revenue and would rather see us make some sacrifices in programs that the vast majority of the American people think are really important. Making sure that seniors on Medicare have the kind of security and protection that they need, for example, or making sure that, you know, government functions like food safety or weather satellites are still up there, making sure that our veterans are properly cared for. You know, you can't pay for those things unless we have some additional revenue. Earlier in the interview, Curry questioned Obama about the stalled economy but seemed to place more of the blame on businesses rather than the President: “The New York Times just this past Friday reported that since the recovery began, businesses have spent just 2% more on hiring people, while at the same time spending 26% more on equipment. So why at a time when corporate America is enjoying record profits have you been unable to convince businesses to hire more people, Mr. President?” Curry failed to point out that the very North Carolina business Obama was visiting on Monday, Cree LED Light Company, has hired more employees in China than the United States. In the second part of her interview with Obama aired on Tuesday's Today, Curry worried about the toll the presidency may be taking on the First Family: “I've been wondering, in the non-stop intensity of being President of the United States, have you ever thought to yourself that maybe one term was enough?” Obama laughed and
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on June 14, 2011. Filed under