Posted on 01/25/2010 8:47:27 PM PST by goldstategop
t didn't take long for the critics to come out in force -- and on YouTube -- against the Obama administration's just-leaked plan to propose a three-year freeze in discretionary, "non-security" spending as part of the upcoming budget.
Some Democrats scoffed at the idea, calling it the wrong approach during a time of deep economic recession. Republicans depicted it as a political gambit destined to be shot down by a non-compliant Congress.
One particularly tough attack, however, was delivered in Obama's own words -- in the form of a video compilation showing the president scoffing at just such a proposal in three successive presidential campaign debates. The video was posted quickly on YouTube.
"The problem with a spending freeze is you're using a hatchet where you need a scalpel. There are some programs that are very important that are underfunded," Obama says in his first debate against Republican candidate John McCain, who was pushing a spending freeze.
"That is an example of an unfair burden sharing," Obama says of McCain's proposal in the second debate. "That's using a hatchet to cut the federal budget. I want to use a scalpel so that people who need help are getting help and those of us like myself and Senator McCain who don't need help aren't getting it. That is how we make sure that everybody is willing to make a few sacrifices."
"It sounds good," Obama says of the proposal during the third debate. "It is proposed periodically. It doesn't happen. And in fact an across-the-board spending freeze is a hatchet and we do need a scalpel because there are some programs that don't work at all. There are some programs that are underfunded and I want to make sure that we are focused on those programs that work."
The administration's argument that it is not backtracking on a campaign pledge seems likely to rest on the use of the term "across-the-board." Obama's proposed cap for discretionary, non-defense spending would allow for some agencies and programs to get additional funding, on the condition that it comes from another agency.
"This is not a blunt, across-the-board freeze," said a senior administration official. "Some agencies will go up, others will go down; but in aggregate for those non-security agencies the total will remain constant."
As for the political dynamics, they clearly have changed since the campaign. Still stinging from the Democratic Party's loss of Ted Kennedy's Massachusetts Senate seat, the White House is apparently choosing to respond to a rise in anti-government sentiment by making a new show of commitment to fiscal discipline.
The president, a senior adviser said, made the decision to propose the spending freeze after consultation with many advisers, in which he came to the conclusion that the government "can't spend more money than it has; that it has to make some decisions about what is vital."
"Do I think this is going to win us lots of kudos among some on Capitol Hill?" the official added. "No."
Obama Scoffed At McCain's Spending Freeze Proposal During Campaign (VIDEO)
I didn't want to wait for Jim Rob to make an exception but this very good first class reporting on a liberal website. And the videos reveal Obama's mendacity in his volte face on spending. Clearly, the man has no shame at all. He makes McCain look principled and his vanquished opponent no doubt is having the final laugh tonight. The irony in the debate videos tells you everything you want to know about an Administration that has abandoned principle for crass political expediency.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
At the time Obama wasn’t planning a spending freeze. Now that he has embarked on the greatest spending spree in world history that will result in us adding $10 trillion to the national debt in 10 years, it is time for a spending freeze. Makes sense to me.
Obama never says what he means and never means what he says.
That is going to be cut for a GOP attack ad: one shot of Obama saying during the campaign he was against a spending freeze and a second shot of Obama saying now as President he is seeking a spending freeze.
The political value? Priceless! O Obama, thank you for putting your foot in your mouth!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
Is that what they’re saying? LOL!!!
Didn’t Carter do a spending freeze? Something like that is teasing my memory. Along with gas shortages etc. :-)
Well now he wants bring down the sledgehammer on the federal budget. And no apologies at all for having lied to the American people in 2008.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
He said he wanted to use a scalpel and McCain wanted to use a hatchet. What we need is a hatchet! I’m so tired of the amateurs in DC.
He was against the spending freeze as a candidate because he had not yet had an opportunity to spend the money. Now that he has put us in hock for many generations, he can advocate a spending freeze. We are dead broke. Actually we were the world’s largest debtor nation before Obama ever took office.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
It won’t be a spending freeze—it will be an “on budget” freeze. Watch what happens when they propose stimulus 2 (its coming) how do you reconcile that with a spending freeze? You take it “off budget!” There, see we froze the budget.
Usually when they talk about a spending freeze, it means no increases beyond that due to inflation. Obama wants to save $25 billion a year for 10 years. With close to a $4 trillion annual budget, this is not even a rounding error.
Brooks: GOP Spending Freeze Idea Is "Insane," Party Too Stuck On Reagan
That was almost a year ago. Back then Brooks dismissed conservative philosophy, especially small government philosophy as outdated. Now Obama has stolen it for his State Of The Union address. Folks, this is just too good! Rush Limbaugh is going to have a field day with this when he returns to the EIB microphone on Thursday!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
Boehner, House Republican Leaders Call for Federal Spending Freeze to Address Growing Budget Deficit
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II
I see that you found the spending freeze thing too. LOL
Here’s the liar bashing McCain for spending freezes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyr2noZ57Ww
I wonder if the MSM lackey’s will be able to find this??
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II
I just read on another thread that it will affect only 17% of the budget. Token gesture and he’ll get heat for it from both sides. What a clueless clown!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.