President Obama's Weekly Address 12/21/13: Working Together on Behalf of the American People

WASHINGTON, DC— In his weekly address, President Obama highlighted the bipartisan budget agreement that unwinds some of the cuts that were damaging to the economy and keeps investments in areas that help us grow, and urged both parties to work together to extend emergency unemployment insurance and act on new measures to create jobs and strengthen the middle class.

Buono Campaign: Christie Out-of-Touch with New Jersey Values

New Brunswick, NJ - Buono for Governor Communications Director David Turner released the following statement in response to Governor Christie's new television advertisement: "On any number of issues important to New Jerseyans, Governor Christie has been out of step with the majority of the state. From opposing a woman's right to choose to vetoing marriage equality to siding with the gun lobby, Chris Christie has consistently taken right-wing positions that put his presidential prospects ahead of what's right for New Jersey." CHRISTIE'S BIPARTISANSHIP IS MORE ABOUT STYLE THAN SUBSTANCE John Nichols Of The Nation: Christie's "Bipartisan" Effort Were Often Gestures "About Style, Not Policy," And Contradicted By His Claim As A "Damn Good Republican And Good Conservative Republican." "WHEN Governor Christie was asked in mid-May about his political bona fides, he replied, 'I'm a damn good Republican and a good conservative Republican.' Believe what he says — especially the 'conservative' part. Sure, Christie goes out of his way to say nice things about President Obama, who worked closely with the governor to provide immediate and essential support to New Jersey communities battered by superstorm Sandy. And yes, Christie's been willing to call out some of the most absurd excesses of his fellow Republicans. But these gestures are about style, not policy. The first-term governor has been meticulous about positioning his fall reelection campaign as a "bipartisan" effort.." [Op-Ed John Nichols, Bergen Record, 5/20/13] CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION HAS REPEATEDLY BLOCKED IMPLEMENTATION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE DESPITE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, AND EVEN PRESSURED MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY TO REJECT Bergen Record Editorial: "From Maine To The District Of Columbia, New Jersey Is The Only Northeast Coastal State Refusing To Recognize Marriage Equality." [Editorial, Bergen Record, 5/9/13] 2/18/13: Christie Vetoed Same-Sex Marriage Legislation Six Hours After Passage. "Gov. Chris Christie Friday made good on his vow to swiftly veto a gay marriage bill that passed the Legislature this week, saying he'd only agree to a measure that would strengthen New Jersey's civil union law. Christie, a Republican, issued his conditional veto of the bill (S1) six hours after it reached his desk, and a day after the Assembly gave it final legislative approval. In a six-page statement, Christie said there is no fundamental constitutional right to same-sex marriage, but gay couples in New Jersey have all the rights and benefits of married couples through civil unions." [Star Ledger, 2/18/12] Christie's Administration Filed A Brief Defending State's Civil Union Act Called "The Most Incoherent Defense Of Heterosexual Supremacy Yet." "New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's administration filed a brief last week defending the state's 2006 Civil Union Act, which grants gay couples all the benefits of marriage yet bars them from actually getting married. The brief is Christie's first official legal statement on same-sex marriage. Given his apparent aspiration to be the next Republican nominee for president, it is especially too bad that the brief also may be the most incoherent defense of heterosexual supremacy yet." [Slate, 8/5/13] New York Times: Republicans Confessed They Fear Overriding On Marriage Equality. "Democrats need three more votes to override Mr. Christie's veto, which means they need cooperation from Republican lawmakers. But several Republicans have said privately that while they support same-sex marriage, they fear voting against the governor, who is famous for enforcing party discipline." [New York Times, 7/2/13] CHRISTIE VETOED VIOLENCE PREVENTION LEGISLATION THAT HAD WIDE SUPPORT IN NEW JERSEY AFTER BEING LOBBIED BY A NEW HAMPSHIRE PRO-GUN GROUP Star-Ledger Headline: "Poll: 3 Gun Bills Vetoed By Christie Have Wide Support In N.J." "New Jersey residents overwhelmingly support three gun control bills that Gov. Chris Christie last month either vetoed or refused to sign without significant changes, according to a new poll. The Rutgers-Eagleton poll of 925 New Jerseyans found that 65 percent either "strongly support" or "somewhat support" a bill to ban the .50 caliber Barrett rifle – which Christie proposed in April but vetoed when the Legislature sent a version to his desk. Support for the two bills Christie conditionally vetoed – meaning he recommended changes and sent them back to the Legislature – is stronger. Eighty-two percent support Senate President Stephen Sweeney's (D-Gloucester) "centerpiece" bill that would encode firearms purchase permits either on driver's licenses or a separate photo ID card, require gun buyers complete safety training to buy a firearm and expand background checks. Christie gutted that bill, removing its biggest provisions, and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said Wednesday that he did not plan to concur with Christie's veto. Eighty-five percent said they support another bill Christie conditionally vetoed that would require the state report information on lost, stolen and lost and discarded guns to federal databases (A3797). [Star-Ledger, 9/19/13] Asbury Park Press Editorial: Christie Vetoed Three Gun Control Pieces After Being Lobbied By Gun-Rights Group In NH Against New Laws, And A Former NJ Republican Governor Who Were Supportive, "Demonstrating Once Again He Is More Interested In Angling For The 2016 Republican Nomination For President Than In Keeping The Residents Of New Jersey Safe." "On Friday, Gov. Chris Christie vetoed three of four pieces of gun control legislation, demonstrating once again he is more interested in angling for the 2016 Republican nomination for president than in keeping the residents of New Jersey safe, including those in the capital. The vetoes came after a gun-rights group in the presidential primary state of New Hampshire had warned Christie that signing the bills passed by the New Jersey Legislature could have negative consequences if he runs for president in 2016. At the same time, Christie ignored the advice of two former Republican New Jersey governors to sign all four gun bills. His vetoes and the stated reasons behind them are based on faulty reasoning and the hope that the right wing of the Republican Party will accept his prior apostasy on guns." [Editorial, Asbury Park Press, 8/19/13] MSNBC: "The National Rifle Association Quickly Took Credit For Gov. Christie's Decision." "The National Rifle Association quickly took credit for Gov. Christie's decision. 'NRA members did a tremendous job contacting state legislators and the Governor,' reads a statement posted Friday on the website of the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action. 'Although anti-gun lawmakers ignored constituent messages and in some cases severely restricted public testimony, gun owners prevailed today as the Governor made the right decision on the three most consequential bills.'" [MSNBC, 8/18/13] CHRISTIE HAS CUT SUPPORT FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH DESPITE NEW JERSEY BEING A PRO-CHOICE STATE Christie Vetoed $7.5 Million In Family-Planning Services Funds, His 5th Rejection Altogether That Removed Services For Over 31,000 Female Patients. "That contrasts with what happened three days later, when Christie's office issued a Friday news release to announce that he had quietly vetoed nearly $7.5 million in funding for family-planning services. It was his fifth rejection of such funds during his term, which abortion-rights advocates say has resulted in the closure of six family-planning operations, including two sites in Burlington County and a Planned Parenthood office in Cherry Hill. Because of Christie, they say, the facilities now serve 31,000 fewer female patients statewide." [Philadelphia Inquirer, 7/14/13] Star-Ledger Editorial: Christie De-Funded $7.5 M From Family Planning Clinics, And Vetoed 5 Attempts To Refund It, That Led To A 24% Drop In Patients Since 2009, Six Clinics Closing While Others Cut Back Hours, And 30 Percent Less Criminal Breast Exams. "A group of female legislators is again asking Gov. Chris Christie to restore $7.5 million for women's health that he cut from the state budget. Perfect timing. If the governor vetoes this funding — for the fifth time — what will his argument be now? … As a result, family planning clinics saw at least 33,000 fewer patients last year than in 2009 — a 24 percent drop. The number of clinical breast exams fell more than 30 percent. Six clinics closed, and others had to cut back on hours or increase waiting periods. Fewer regular checkups mean higher health care costs in the future." [Editorial, The Star-Ledger, 6/18/13] Star-Ledger Editorial: A Christie Argument The State Cannot Afford A Program Was Hypocritical After Christie's Decision To "Blow" Millions For "Utterly Selfish Reasons" "On The Special Election — Just Three Weeks Before His General Election." The Star-Ledger wrote about Christie's $7.5 million in cuts to women's health. "We can't afford it? Please. Nobody can forget the millions more he just decided to blow on the special election — just three weeks before his general election — to fill the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg's seat. Christie doesn't want to share the same ballot as Democratic favorite Cory Booker, the Newark mayor who could increase his party's turnout, because Christie wants to win by an even bigger margin to enhance his image for the 2016 presidential campaign. So he's spending $12 million for utterly selfish reasons." [Editorial, The Star-Ledger, 6/18/13] 2011: Two Republicans Said They Would Join Democrats In Reinstating Funding For Women's Health. "State Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-12) said this afternoon that she intends to vote in favor of restoring $7.5 million in women's healthcare funding. Beck also urged her colleagues to vote in favor of the funding championed by state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-37) over repeated vetoes by Gov. Chris Christie. State Sen. Diane Allen (R-7) also said she intends to break in favor of the women's health bill." [PolitickerNJ, 5/23/11] Poll: Overwhelming Number Of New Jerseyans Support Pro-Choice Practices. "A new poll finds opinions on abortion have not changed much in recent years in New Jersey. Gov. Chris Christie brought the issue to the forefront when he spoke at an anti-abortion rally in Trenton in January. A Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released Tuesday shows 10 percent of New Jerseyans surveyed believe abortion should be illegal. Half support keeping abortion legal with restrictions and 37 percent believe abortions should be allowed in all cases. More than half of those polled said Christie's speech didn't affect their opinion of him." [CBS News, 3/15/11] CHRISTIE BRAGGED HE NEVER HAD A VETO OVERRIDE BECAUSE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE Christie Stated He Has Never "Had One Veto Overridden In Three And A Half Years" Because "Of The Strength Of The Republicans I Have In The Legislature." "You know, we haven't had one veto overridden in three and a half years—not one. And that's because of the strength of the Republicans I have in the legislature." [Christie Campaign HQ, 04/27/13] Christie Played Up "The Strength Of The Republicans I Have In The Legislature," As A Result Of The Party's "United Way Because We Believe In The Same Core Principles," Despite Disagreements. At the opening of his Campaign HQ, Christie said: "we have our disagreements between each other. We talk them through it and we come to compromises together. But then when we walk out—when we walk out to the business of the state done, we go out in a united way because we believe in the same core principles. We believe in a smaller government, and lower taxes. We believe in less regulation on business and empowering individuals in this state to reach their full potential, whether that's through a great education or getting the hell out of there way and let them run their businesses the way they want to run them, not [through] the government." [Christie Campaign HQ, 04/27/13] Christie: "Actually I Have to Amend That Last Statement: After June 30th, I Don't Care If They Get Off Their Rear Ends And Do Their Job Anymore. You Know What I Want? I Want A Republican Legislature." [Christie Campaign HQ, 04/27/13] CHRISTIE BROKE TRADITION BY REFUSING TO REAPPOINT A MODERATE JUDGE, IN ORDER TO NOMINATE A CONSERVATIVE JUDGE New York Times Editorial: Christie's Refusal To Renominate Judge John Wallace Was A "Case Of Political Overreach," And Was The First Time Since 1947 When A Judge Seeking Reappointment Was Not Renominated, "No Matter If They Were First Chosen By A Governor Of The Other Party. "When Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey chose not to renominate Justice John Wallace Jr. to the State Supreme Court in May, it was a case of political overreach. The situation is now a national disgrace, thanks to the governor, the State Senate president, Stephen Sweeney, and Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto. The integrity and independence of the court depend on a nonpartisan process for picking justices. From 1947, when the state Constitution was adopted, until this May, every governor has renominated every justice seeking reappointment, no matter if they were first chosen by a governor of the other party. The court is one of the most respected state appeals courts in the country. Governor Christie began a very different chapter when he chose not to renominate Justice Wallace, a sound jurist and political moderate who was the court's only African-American." [Editorial, New York Times, 12/15/10] Christie Bemoaned The "Historically Liberal Court As "Out Of Control" Over The Last Three Decades, Usurping The Roles Of The Governor And The Legislature In Setting Social And Tax Policies." "Speaking to reporters in Trenton, Mr. Christie had only kind words for Justice Wallace, but he described the historically liberal court as "out of control" over the last three decades, usurping the roles of the governor and the Legislature in setting social and tax policies." [New York Times, 5/3/10] New York Times Editorial: "Without Any Basis, The Governor Said That The Justice Had Contributed To "Out Of Control" Activism On The Court." [Editorial, New York Times, 12/15/10]  Associated Press: Justice John Wallace Was A "Moderate Justice." "New Jersey Democrats, furious with Gov. Chris Christie over his decision to replace a moderate justice on the state Supreme Court, vowed Tuesday to not even consider the Republican governor's nominee. Christie created a political firestorm Monday by failing to reappoint Justice John Wallace, the court's only African-American, and nominating Anne Patterson, a white private practice lawyer and fellow Mendham Township resident, as a replacement." [Associated Press, 5/5/10]

Ambitions over Bipartisanship

Yesterday Governor Christie once again put his national ambitions ahead of bipartisanship, critiquing the President of the United States... repeatedly.

President Obama's Weekly Address 7/13/13: Strengthening our Economy by Passing Bipartisan Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama said that two weeks ago, a large bipartisan majority in the Senate voted to pass commonsense immigration reform, which would add a big boost to our economy, strengthen Social Security, and modernize our legal immigration system to make it more consistent with our values. The President urges Congress to quickly take action to fix our broken immigration system and keep America strong for years to come.

The Star Ledger: "Gov. Chris Christie's illusion of bipartisanship"

In case you missed it, this Star-Ledger column highlighting the wide gulf between Governor Chris Christie's image as a bipartisan figure and the reality of his radical right-wing record. It's hard not to agree with the conclusion: "It is time we evaluate politicians for their merits and records, not on the illusion of bipartisanship through photo optics and headlines."


The Star-Ledger:

By Robert Weiner and Nakia Gladden

Everyone wants the Jersey Shore to succeed after Hurricane Sandy’s devastation.

Gov. Chris Christie has worked in a bipartisan manner on this issue to benefit the state — and continues to do so, as President Obama’s visit May 28 showed. Almost alone among Republicans, Christie chastised his own party and House Speaker John Boehner for delaying the vote for Sandy relief, saying, “Shame on Congress.”

The media have fixated on painting Christie as a bipartisan politician. While he has been rightly bipartisan concerning Sandy relief and recovery — which could help him in a presidential race — his overall record is staunchly conservative.

Now, after the death of New Jersey Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg, the governor eulogized that the two had “battles over philosophy and the role of government.” Christie had earlier called Lautenberg “an embarrassment” and “a partisan hack.” To choose a temporary successor, Christie said, “I do have a preference of one party.”

Yesterday, he named state Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa, a Republican.

From the moment Christie began his term, he embarked upon a deliberate war against labor unions. In 2011, he signed legislation that increased obligations by teachers, police and other public workers for pensions and health care while removing their ability to collectively bargain.

He appeared on television bragging that his state leads the nation in public layoffs because “government was bloated at every level. … In New Jersey, we’re not trying to break the unions; the unions are trying to break the middle class.” In other words, he was trying to break the unions.

Christie’s budgets cut social and economic programs. He included $500 million in cuts to education that the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional.

“The harm being visited is not some minor infringement of the constitutional right but a real, substantial, and consequential blow to the achievement of a thorough and efficient system of education” in the state’s 31 poorest school systems, wrote Justice Jaynee LaVecchia, a Republican appointee, in the majority decision.

Christie’s budget also eliminated after-school education for more than 15,000 low-income children and cut $21 million in elderly health services.

Between June 2010 and June 2011, six family planning clinics were closed due to budget cuts from the governor. Women around Burlington, Camden, Cherry Hill, Millville, Bayonne and Dover relied on these clinics. He vetoed four bills that would have expanded family planning. He also vetoed equal-pay legislation, saying it was “senseless bureaucracy,” and opposed legislation that would eliminate gender wage discrimination in public contracts.

Using the word bipartisan to describe Christie is highly misleading with his work with the Legislature. He vetoed more than 150 bills passed by his Democratic-led Legislature.

His vetoes blocked bills to allow marriage equality, raise the minimum wage and increase taxes on those making more than $1 million a year. He also twice vetoed a bill to make financing easier for consumers to rent or buy foreclosed properties as affordable housing.

The governor is also a part of the Republican team attempting to suppress the vote nationwide by minorities, youth and seniors (i.e. mostly Democrats), having vetoed a bill last month to allow early voting.

But make no mistake, Christie is very politically savvy. He recently announced his support for the Medicaid portion of the president’s health care law — a switch from his previous opposition — stating that Obamacare would be good for New Jersey because it will stabilize hospitals, benefit low-income families and save New Jersey $227 million in the first year.

The fact of the matter is Christie is up for re-election in a predominantly Democratic state. This move is a political necessity. It could pose a problem, however, in a national election in 2016. He will have to twist into as many pretzels as Mitt Romney did over the health issue in 2012.

It is clear that the media will try to push the narrative of Christie’s bipartisanship. According to the National Journal on May 28, Christie is conducting “winning politics.” However, his record tells a far different story. It is time we evaluate politicians for their merits and records, not on the illusion of bipartisanship through photo optics and headlines.

******************
Robert Weiner, a Paterson native, is a former spokesman for the Clinton White House and U.S. House Government Operations Committee. Nakia Gladden is policy and research analyst at Robert Weiner Associates.

MONMOUTHUNITED A Hurricane Sandy Relief Concert Celebrating Unity & Bipartisanship

For Immediate Release:
December 6, 2012

Monmouth United: Democrats, Republicans, New Leaders Council Unite for Sandy Relief Bi-Partisan Event Concert to Bridge Divide, Raise Money, Collect Clothing, Food Supplies

On Sunday, December 30th, the New Leaders Council - New Jersey will partner with the Monmouth County Republicans, Monmouth County Democrats, New Jersey Young Republicans and New Jersey Young Democrats sponsoring a bi-partisan Hurricane Sandy relief concert at the Stone Pony from 1 - 7 PM.

“Keeping with the goals of the New Leaders Council, we wanted to bridge the political divide by bringing people together to help make a difference for those in need,” said Justin Braz, President of the New Leaders Council - New Jersey.

NJ 101.5 has agreed to help with promoting the event and Kevin McArdle will serve as emcee for the event. The event will feature multiple bands with a speaking program in between each set featuring elected officials and dignitaries. Confirmed bands for the event will include the B Street band, The Pat Roddy Band, Joe Orlando and the Cryers, Vinny Pastore and the Crazy Horse Band and Back Up Jackson.

“This is an excellent opportunity for putting aside partisan differences to help our friends and neighbors begin putting their lives back together,” said John Bennett, Chairman of the Monmouth County Republicans.

“We look forward to working with Chairman Bennett and Monmouth County Republicans to assist all of our neighbors across Monmouth County who were affected by this horrible storm. Monmouth Democrats and Republicans share the hope and determination to rebuild and restore our great County and State,” said Vin Gopal, Chairman of the Monmouth County Democrats.

Attendees can also bring Food and Cleaning Supplies for donation to the Monmouth Ocean County Food Bank.

“This is a great chance for our organizations to combine efforts for a worthy cause that will benefit our community,” said Tony Howley, Chairman of the New Jersey Young Republicans.

All proceeds raised at the event will be donated to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

“We are proud to be a part of this effort raising awareness and funds to rebuild the Jersey shore and surrounding communities,” said Chris James, President of the New Jersey Young Democrats.

President Obama's Weekly Address 5/12/12: Congress Must Act on "To-Do List"

In this week’s address, President Obama called on Democrats and Republicans to come together and act on his Congressional “to-do list,” which will create jobs and help restore middle class security. In this make-or-break moment for the middle class, these five initiatives have bipartisan support and will help create an economy that is built to last. While some believe we should return to the same policies that led to the worst recession since the Great Depression, the President believes we must take action to speed up the recovery and ensure that our economy once again rewards hard work and responsibility as we keep our country moving forward.

President Obama's Weekly Address 8/13/11: Putting the American People First

WASHINGTON-- In this week’s address, President Obama told the American people that although the United States leads the world in new ideas, innovative businesses and creative entrepreneurs, too many Americans are still struggling to get by. It is time for Congress to act on the President’s proposals, including extending the payroll tax cut, cutting red tape, and getting our construction workers back to work, so that we can get our economy on firmer ground and ensure that anyone who wants a job can find one. President Obama believes the American people deserve more than political brinksmanship, and urges anyone who is frustrated by the gridlock in Washington to let their elected officials know that it is time to put aside partisanship and act in the best interests of the country.

President Obama's Weekly Address 8/6/11: Creating Jobs and Getting All Americans Back to Work

WASHINGTON—In this week’s address, President Obama called on Democrats and Republicans to work together to grow the economy and get Americans back to work. The President has outlined a number of steps Congress can take right now to spur growth and create jobs, including extending tax cuts for working and middle class families, cutting red tape to encourage new businesses to grow and hire, passing trade deals that will support tens of thousands of jobs, and giving our out-of-work construction workers opportunities to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure.

Get the Facts on the Debt Deal

I personally don't like this debt limit compromise and I commend both Middletown area Congressmen Rush Holt and Frank Pallone for having the conviction to vote against it. This deal will do little to restore fiscal sanity back in Washington while hurting many in the middle-class.

The principals of "shared sacrifice" do not exist in this deal and it will be the average joe that suffers in the coming months and years because of it.

The facts sheet below is posted over at Whitehouse.gov:

Bipartisan Debt Deal: A Win for the Economy and Budget Discipline

• Removes the cloud of uncertainty over our economy at this critical time, by ensuring that no one will be able to use the threat of the nation’s first default now, or in only a few months, for political gain;
• Locks in a down payment on significant deficit reduction, with savings from both domestic and Pentagon spending, and is designed to protect crucial investments like aid for college students;
• Establishes a bipartisan process to seek a balanced approach to larger deficit reduction through entitlement and tax reform;
• Deploys an enforcement mechanism that gives all sides an incentive to reach bipartisan compromise on historic deficit reduction, while protecting Social Security, Medicare beneficiaries and low-income programs;
• Stays true to the President’s commitment to shared sacrifice by preventing the middle class, seniors and those who are most vulnerable from shouldering the burden of deficit reduction. The President did not agree to any entitlement reforms outside of the context of a bipartisan committee process where tax reform will be on the table and the President will insist on shared sacrifice from the most well-off and those with the most indefensible tax breaks.

Mechanics of the Debt Deal

• Immediately enacted 10-year discretionary spending caps generating nearly $1 trillion in deficit reduction; balanced between defense and non-defense spending.
• President authorized to increase the debt limit by at least $2.1 trillion, eliminating the need for further increases until 2013.
• Bipartisan committee process tasked with identifying an additional $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction, including from entitlement and tax reform. Committee is required to report legislation by November 23, 2011, which receives fast-track protections. Congress is required to vote on Committee recommendations by December 23, 2011.
• Enforcement mechanism established to force all parties – Republican and Democrat – to agree to balanced deficit reduction. If Committee fails, enforcement mechanism will trigger spending reductions beginning in 2013 – split 50/50 between domestic and defense spending. Enforcement protects Social Security, Medicare beneficiaries, and low-income programs from any cuts.

1. REMOVING UNCERTAINTY TO SUPPORT THE AMERICAN ECONOMY

• Deal Removes Cloud of Uncertainty Until 2013, Eliminating Key Headwind on the Economy: Independent analysts, economists, and ratings agencies have all made clear that a short-term debt limit increase would create unacceptable economic uncertainty by risking default again within only a matter of months and as S&P stated, increase the chance of a downgrade. By ensuring a debt limit increase of at least $2.1 trillion, this deal removes the specter of default, providing important certainty to our economy at a fragile moment.
• Mechanism to Ensure Further Deficit Reduction is Designed to Phase-In Beginning in 2013 to Avoid Harming the Recovery: The deal includes a mechanism to ensure additional deficit reduction, consistent with the economic recovery. The enforcement mechanism would not be made effective until 2013, avoiding any immediate contraction that could harm the recovery. And savings from the down payment will be enacted over 10 years, consistent with supporting the economic recovery.

2. A DOWNPAYMENT ON DEFICIT REDUCTION BY LOCKING IN HISTORIC SPENDING DISCIPLINE – BALANCED BETWEEN DOMESTIC AND PENTAGON SPENDING

• More than $900 Billion in Savings over 10 Years By Capping Discretionary Spending: The deal includes caps on discretionary spending that will produce more than $900 billion in savings over the next 10 years compared to the CBO March baseline, even as it protects core investments from deep and economically damaging cuts.
• Includes Savings of $350 Billion from the Base Defense Budget – the First Defense Cut Since the 1990s: The deal puts us on track to cut $350 billion from the defense budget over 10 years. These reductions will be implemented based on the outcome of a review of our missions, roles, and capabilities that will reflect the President’s commitment to protecting our national security.
• Reduces Domestic Discretionary Spending to the Lowest Level Since Eisenhower: These discretionary caps will put us on track to reduce non-defense discretionary spending to its lowest level since Dwight Eisenhower was President.
• Includes Funding to Protect the President’s Historic Investment in Pell Grants: Since taking office, the President has increased the maximum Pell award by $819 to a maximum award $5,550, helping over 9 million students pay for college tuition bills. The deal provides specific protection in the discretionary budget to ensure that the there will be sufficient funding for the President’s historic investment in Pell Grants without undermining other critical investments.

3. ESTABLISHING A BIPARTISAN PROCESS TO ACHIEVE $1.5 TRILLION IN ADDITIONAL BALANCED DEFICIT REDUCTION BY THE END OF 2011

• The Deal Locks in a Process to Enact $1.5 Trillion in Additional Deficit Reduction Through a Bipartisan, Bicameral Congressional Committee: The deal creates a bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Committee that is charged with enacting $1.5 trillion in additional deficit reduction by the end of the year. This Committee will work without the looming specter of default, ensuring time to carefully consider essential reforms without the disruption and brinksmanship of the past few months.
• This Committee is Empowered Beyond Previous Bipartisan Attempts at Deficit Reduction: Any recommendation of the Committee would be given fast-track privilege in the House and Senate, assuring it of an up or down vote and preventing some from using procedural gimmicks to block action.
• To Meet This Target, the Committee Will Consider Responsible Entitlement and Tax Reform. This means putting all the priorities of both parties on the table – including both entitlement reform and revenue-raising tax reform.

4. A STRONG ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM TO MAKE ALL SIDES COME TOGETHER

• The Deal Includes An Automatic Sequester to Ensure That At Least $1.2 Trillion in Deficit Reduction Is Achieved By 2013 Beyond the Discretionary Caps: The deal includes an automatic sequester on certain spending programs to ensure that—between the Committee and the trigger—we at least put in place an additional $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction by 2013.
• Consistent With Past Practice, Sequester Would Be Divided Equally Between Defense and Non-Defense Programs and Exempt Social Security, Medicaid, and Low-Income Programs: Consistent with the bipartisan precedents established in the 1980s and 1990s, the sequester would be divided equally between defense and non-defense program, and it would exempt Social Security, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, programs for low-income families, and civilian and military retirement. Likewise, any cuts to Medicare would be capped and limited to the provider side.
• Sequester Would Provide a Strong Incentive for Both Sides to Come to the Table: If the fiscal committee took no action, the deal would automatically add nearly $500 billion in defense cuts on top of cuts already made, and, at the same time, it would cut critical programs like infrastructure or education. That outcome would be unacceptable to many Republicans and Democrats alike – creating pressure for a bipartisan agreement without requiring the threat of a default with unthinkable consequences for our economy.

5. A BALANCED DEAL CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESIDENT’S COMMITMENT TO SHARED SACRIFICE

• The Deal Sets the Stage for Balanced Deficit Reduction, Consistent with the President’s Values: The deal is designed to achieve balanced deficit reduction, consistent with the values the President articulated in his April Fiscal Framework. The discretionary savings are spread between both domestic and defense spending. And the President will demand that the Committee pursue a balanced deficit reduction package, where any entitlement reforms are coupled with revenue-raising tax reform that asks for the most fortunate Americans to sacrifice.
• The Enforcement Mechanism Complements the Forcing Event Already In Law – the Expiration of the Bush Tax Cuts – To Create Pressure for a Balanced Deal: The Bush tax cuts expire as of 1/1/2013, the same date that the spending sequester would go into effect. These two events together will force balanced deficit reduction. Absent a balanced deal, it would enable the President to use his veto pen to ensure nearly $1 trillion in additional deficit reduction by not extending the high-income tax cuts.
• In Securing this Bipartisan Deal, the President Rejected Proposals that Would Have Placed the Sole Burden of Deficit Reduction on Low-Income or Middle-Class Families: The President stood firmly against proposals that would have placed the sole burden of deficit reduction on lower-income and middle-class families. This includes not only proposals in the House Republican Budget that would have undermined the core commitments of Medicare to our seniors and forced tens of millions of low-income Americans to go without health insurance, but also enforcement mechanisms that would have forced automatic cuts to low-income programs. The enforcement mechanism in the deal exempts Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare benefits, unemployment insurance, programs for low-income families, and civilian and military retirement.

President Obama's Weekly Address 7/23/11: A Bipartisan Approach to Strengthening the Economy

WASHINGTON-- In this week’s address, President Obama discussed the urgency of Democrats and Republicans coming together to take a balanced approach to cutting the deficit to strengthen our economy and leave for our children a more secure future.

Obama, More Like Gandhi ?

Hendrik Hertzberg  has a great piece in The New Yorker titled Partisanship, By the Bye.  It talks about how President Obama is using bipartisanship as a political weapon:

"Fifty years ago, the civil-rights movement understood that nonviolence can be an effective weapon even if -- or especially if -- the other side refuses to follow suit. Obama has a similarly tough-minded understanding of the political uses of bipartisanship, which, even if it fails as a tactic for compromise, can succeed as a tonal strategy: once the other side makes itself appear intransigently, destructively partisan, the game is half won. Obama is learning to throw the ball harder. But it's not Rovian hardball he's playing. More like Gandhian hardball."

- Political Wire