Obama Rips GOP’s “Radical Vision” For US

President Obama appears to have finally given up on negotiating with Republicans.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, President Obama ripped into Republicans for their lack of compromising and for the first time mentioned his likely Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, by name.

“This congressional Republican budget is something different altogether. It is a Trojan Horse. Disguised as deficit reduction plans, it is really an attempt to impose a radical vision on our country. It is thinly veiled social Darwinism. It is antithetical to our entire history as a land of opportunity and upward mobility for everybody who’s willing to work for it; a place where prosperity doesn’t trickle down from the top, but grows outward from the heart of the middle class. And by gutting the very things we need to grow an economy that’s built to last — education and training, research and development, our infrastructure — it is a prescription for decline.”

Full transcript of President Obama’s speech to the Associated Press luncheon.
… Continue Reading

Obama:Fraud, Middle East Conflict, Driving Up Gas Prices

President Obama says many of the factors that are driving up gas prices are out of our control such as unrest in the Middle East. However, he points out there are some things that are in our control such as fraud and manipulation that can cause prices to spike even further.

“For years, traders at financial firms were able to game the energy markets, distort the price of oil, and make big profits for themselves at your expense. And they were able to do all that because of major gaps and loopholes in our regulations. When I took office, we did something about it.

“The Wall Street reforms I signed into law are helping bring energy markets out of the shadows and under real oversight. They’re strengthening our ability to go after fraud and to prevent traders from manipulating the market. So it’s not just wrong, but dangerous that some in Congress want to roll back those protections and return to the days when companies like Enron could avoid regulation and reap enormous profits, no matter who it hurt. ”

Transcript of President Obama’s weekly address … Continue Reading

Obama Makes Case For Alternative Energy

President Obama talks about an all-of-the-above American energy strategy at a Daimler manufacturing plant in North Carolina that’s making trucks that run on natural gas.

Transcript of President Obama’s energy speech … Continue Reading

Obama:Tax Reform Like “Pulling Teeth”

President Obama speaks to the Business Roundtable in Washington DC. He says:

“And if you’re a CEO that’s willing to bring jobs back to America, we want to do everything we can to help you succeed. That means working together to reform our tax system so that we are rewarding companies that are investing here in the United States, making sure that we are able to cut our tax rate here but also broaden the base. That is going to be a difficult task. Anybody who has been involved in tax discussions in any legislature, but especially Congress, knows that it’s like pulling teeth. But it is the right thing to do for us to become more competitive.”

Full transcript of President Obama’s speech to the Business Roundtable. … Continue Reading

Israel-US United Against Iran Says Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu uses his photo op with President Obama today to talk up how the US and Israel are united against Iran, which is suspected of trying to create a nuclear bomb.

“The alliance between our two countries is deeply appreciated by me and by everyone in Israel. And I think that, as you said, when Americans look around the Middle East today, they see one reliable, stable, faithful ally of the United States, and that’s the democracy of Israel. Americans know that Israel and the United States share common values, that we defend common interests, that we face common enemies. Iran’s leaders know that, too. For them, you’re the Great Satan, we’re the Little Satan. For them, we are you and you’re us. And you know something, Mr. President — at least on this last point, I think they’re right. We are you, and you are us. We’re together. So if there’s one thing that stands out clearly in the Middle East today, it’s that Israel and America stand together.

“I think that above and beyond that are two principles, longstanding principles of American policy that you reiterated yesterday in your speech — that Israel must have the ability always to defend itself by itself against any threat; and that when it comes to Israel’s security, Israel has the right, the sovereign right to make its own decisions. I believe that’s why you appreciate, Mr. President, that Israel must reserve the right to defend itself.”

Full transcription of remarks from President Obama and Israeli Prim Minister Netanyahu … Continue Reading

Obama:Military Force Against Iran Possible To Thwart Nuclear Program

President Obama warns that “loose talk” of war was only helping Iran, while pushing back against charges from GOP presidential contenders that he has been less than a loyal ally to Israel. Speaking to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington on Sunday, President Obama said:

“I have said that when it comes to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, I will take no options off the table, and I mean what I say. (Applause.) That includes all elements of American power: A political effort aimed at isolating Iran; a diplomatic effort to sustain our coalition and ensure that the Iranian program is monitored; an economic effort that imposes crippling sanctions; and, yes, a military effort to be prepared for any contingency.

“Iran’s leaders should understand that I do not have a policy of containment; I have a policy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. (Applause.) And as I have made clear time and again during the course of my presidency, I will not hesitate to use force when it is necessary to defend the United States and its interests. ”

Complete text of President Obama’s speech to AIPAC … Continue Reading

Obama: US Using Less Foreign Oil

President Obama renews his call to end the $4 billion in tax breaks that oil companies receive each year while collecting record profits. The President asks everyone to tell their elected officials to stop this corporate welfare and fight for a clean energy future that is within our reach.

In his weekly address President Obama says: “Take a look at this chart. Six years ago, 60% of the oil we used was imported. Since I took office, America’s dependence on foreign oil has decreased every single year. In fact, in 2010, for the first time in thirteen years, less than half the petroleum we consumed was imported. Part of that is because we’re producing more oil here at home than at any time in the last eight years. But we can’t just drill our way out of this problem.

“While we consume 20 percent of the world’s oil, we only have 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves. We’ve got to develop new technology that will help us use new forms of energy. That’s been a priority of mine as President. And because of the investments we’ve made, our use of clean, renewable energy has nearly doubled and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.”

Energy theme of Obama’s other speeches this week. … Continue Reading

Obama Calls Rush Limbaugh’s Victim

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney talks about a conversation President Obama had with Georgetown Washington student Sandra Fluke, who has been a target of hate speech from talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

Fluke testified to congress in favor of religious schools providing birth control as part of their health care plans. On his radio show, Limbaugh called Fluke a “slut” and a “prostitute”.

Transcript of White House press conference on President Obama’s phone call to Sandra Fluke. … Continue Reading

Obama, Governors To Find Common Ground In “What Works”

President Obama expects to find “common ground” with the nation’s governors as he meets with them today.

Last night he told the National Governors Association
“I want you to know you have a partner in the White House. We’re not going to agree on every single issue, every single day. But the thing is about governors is by nature and by nature of the position you end up having to be pragmatic because you have to figure out what works. And that’s why I’m confident that we’re going to be able to find more and more common ground going forward.”

He offered a toast to the Governors and their spouses and noted that when President Andrew Jackson invited the public to the White House, things got so rowdy that they had to pass barrels of whiskey and ice cream out the windows to get the crowd to go out on the lawn.

The President said they had barrels standing by tonight.

President Obama Signs Payroll Tax Extension

On Wednesday, February 22, 2012, the President signed into law: H.R. 3630, the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012,” which extends through December 31, 2012: (1) a reduction in employment tax rates for employees and the self-employed: (2) an initial eligibility for emergency unemployment compensation and 100 percent Federal funding for extended unemployment insurance benefits: and (3) a Medicare physician payment update delaying a rate reduction for physician services. Also extends assistance for needy families through September 30, 2012.