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Why does Obama want the debt increase to go past the next election? I assume it’s because the debt is a losing argument for him. Personally, though, I think the history of the republicans regarding the debt is bad enough for him to answer any questions by simply saying, “they did the same thing.” All the pubbies could say is that weren’t quite as bad as him. I think the media would side with him, because they always side with him, and the people would hear nothing day-in-and-day-out other than “they did it too.”

I don’t think it’s a losing argument for him.

I think there’s actually a more basic answer for his reluctance to increase the debt limit beyond the election. I think he wants a lot of money in the kitty, so he can continue to spend like crazy.

I’d be sort of tempted to put the debt increase until after the election, but then I’d only put very little money in it that had to stretch much more.

Instead of 4 trillion until 2013 (or whatever their asking), I’d give them half that amount for that entire period and tell them they’re on a diet and they have to make it stretch.

Wouldn’t that be the same as a cut? Wouldn’t it force responsibility and look irresponsible if they didn’t do it?

Why does Obama want the debt increase to go past the next election?

Like you said, he wants more money in the kittey to buy more votes/influence his base/grow his base. He wants to get reelected.

Boehner/Repubs did propose a smaller debt limit increase which would have forced a new round of negotiations in 6 months or so. Reid/obama said anything that didn't go past the elections was DOA in the Senate, and even if it did pass, obama would veto it.

Reid made the statement that Repub's were trying to "embarass" obama by forcing another debate while obama was trying to get reelected.

"Embarass"? That's a strange word, but it's likely a word (or similar concept) of what obama told Reid.

Right now, obama owns Reid. Whether it's from favors Reid owes obama from his last election, dirt he knows about Reid....I don't know. But, it goes beyond merely a political alliance, IMO....it's odd.

Anyway, raising the debt ceiling enough to get past the election has been the one sticking point that obama refuses to give up on.