As David pointed out at the top of this morning's roundtable discussion, "just listening to Chairman Ryan and Senator Durbin, it doesn't sound like the election is actually going to solve anything that's going to lead Washington to govern any better."
In response to that specific question, House Budget Chair Paul Ryan dinged Democrats and said, "if the last four years is any indication of the next four years under current management, we'll keep kicking the can. We'll keep making empty promises to voters."
Senator Durbin, on the other hand, pointed to the now-stalled Simpson-Bowles debt reduction plan as a hope for bi-partisanship in Washington and attacked Paul Ryan for not supporting it.
"If we're going to compromise and give the American people an answer instead of a political speech or a soundbyte, we've got to get back to the same basic Bowles-Simpson principles that Paul Ryan and, unfortunately, the three House Republicans, refused to vote for."
There was also a lively debate on our roundtable about the personal attacks taking place on the campaign trail between President Obama and Mitt Romney.
Obama supporter, and Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker (D), said he was "uncomfortable" with the President's recent ad attacking Romney's record at Bain, and even defended the company.
"I'm not about to sit here and indict private equity. We're getting to a ridiculous point in America... If you look at the totality of Bain Capital's record they've done a lot to support businesses, to grow businesses."
You can watch the entire program on our website to hear more of our discussion with Sen. Durbin and Rep. Ryan; as well as our roundtable conversation that addressed the question: What would happen if the election were today?
Plus, don't miss PRESS Pass with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright about her new book, foriegn policy, and America's role in the world.
We'll be back next week. If it's Sunday, it's Meet the Press.
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Block Block Block.. Attack Attack Attack.
What else is new in politics
Embarrassing for media journalism. Ryan brings up point, Gregory intervenes for Durbin and then proceeds to another point so Durbin never has to answer about Senate refusal to pass budget or vote on blocked House bills. Very poor, should cause conservatives to avoid program. Gregory starts with the choice is 'for growth or austerity'... the question is why is it so tough to reduce the GROWTH of government spending from 4.5% to 3%. Voted for Durbin in past but no more...he is part of why government can not get anything done....the system works when the House passes something and the Senate passes something and then they compromise....Durbin has become part of the 'blockage'.
Austerity would be the worst thing for the Republicans, you saw what happened in Europe, the Conservative were voted out by an angry electorate. The Republicans will be voted out and the pendulum will swing way to the left...learn from Europe's mistakes...GREED is a temporary high!
Look at the mess in California. I know because I live here. The legislature has spent and borrowed money like crazy. Unemployment is 10.9% and we are in debt some 16 billion because the Gov. can't seem to master third grade math. Spending is not the way out of the jam. If it were, California would be the land of plenty. Europe is in their mess due to the exact same thinking.
I watched Ryan for about 2 minutes, until he refused to answer the question. I can answer it for him - Ryan's answer: Of course, we wil continue to block and stall until we get our way!
Paul Ryan can't even lie without grinning. Why aren't the Republicans talking about cutting oil company subsidies, agribusiness subsidies. Why does the American Middle Class have to pay taxes to subsidize tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% of Americans. I am a Middle Class American, I pay taxes and I want those taxes to go to the American Middle Class first, then the wealthiest 1% (they are also taxpayers), then the Military and lastly Corporate America....Why do make Middle Class Americans feel guilty about using their tax dollars for their security?
Ryan keeps on about Pres Obama increasing the debt, never mentions that his budget increases the debt A LOT MORE.
Giving TAX CUTS to the wealthiest 1% also increases debt. Mitt Romney has already announced his spending spree, which experts agree will increase debt. It is all BS!
well the founders tried to prevent this(big government) and sadly failed
I keep telling everyone don't vote for any one with a Dem. Rep. or tea party behine there name. This is the only way to stop this dead-lock. Billionaires need to pay the same in tax's as the working poor.
if high taxes balanced budgets...then california, new york and illinois would all be balanced...its just the opposite
Until Ryan and the Republicans admit that social security and medicare are only part of U.S. debt because they have BORROWED and SPENT the money and owe the money not because of social security and medicare policies, there won't be any progress! Get honest, Ryan! 2.8 trillion! Face up to it!
Great show today. The President had an opportunity to go with Simpson-Bowles. He didn't take it. He should have pushed for it. I really liked Corey Booker answers. He was very fair and reasonable. I like the way he and Gov. Christie work together. This is how Government should work.
Another unbalanced roundtable - a couple of corporate Democrats verses an establishment Republican and a right-wing member of the WSJ editorial board. Once again, no sign of real Democrats such as Paul Krugman, Bernie Sanders, or Dennis Kucinich to share the truth about what has worked before and will work again. Come on David, tell your military industrial complex advertisers to take a hike.
This is to David,
Out of the modern news era there will emerge the Newsman, the professional journalist who will research topics and report the facts.
The Newsman will have access to Presidents, Congressmen, corporate leaders, even heads of foreign governments that nearly all others will not have.
The Newsman will be bold and steadfast in his dedication to hard journalism.
The Newsman will never show a poll. We already know what we think.
The Newsman will avoid the turbulence of political discourse, leaving that to the politicians and the news programs that focus only on shaping opinion.
I can see you are looking for the formula that will distinguish Meet the Press for this and future generation.
Instead of only a weeks-long agonizing discussion cycle on raising the debt ceiling, how about a follow-up indepth discussion on the measurable results of raising the debt ceiling, as an example?
Be The Newsman, David. You have the knowledge and proven capacity to challenge any personality you are interviewing. This along with the resources granted your program to research neary any topic puts you into the unique position to approach this objective.
As The Newsman you can bring forth a weekly news offering that we have not seen yet and a credible reporting personality young people have never seen and sorely need in today's climate.
If not you, than who, David.
I am a contining admirer of your thus far stellar work on Meet the Press.
Good luck.
Eric
I disagree with your assertion to David that "You have the knowledge and proven capacity to challenge any personality you are interviewing". If you watch carefully over a period of time, you will see that he does fine with guests who are respectful of him and each other in debate, but as soon as he encounters an overbearing personality like Michelle Bachmann, he loses control of the interview. He seems to a nice guy and is obviously very smart on the issues, but he backs down very quickly when confronted by someone with an obnoxious disposition.
Bachmann would drive the Dalai Lama crazy and she talks over everyone's head with stupidity.
By reading the posts you can see how divided the country is, so anything the other side does or says is attacked. The economic situation is far to complex for ‘one liners’ but the average voter does not want complex answers but something simple. Blame government, Wall Street, big business, Republicans or Democrats just take your side. You can argue policy, but you cannot argue facts. It took 8 years under the previous administration to get to where we are today. Could the Democrats have done a better job over the last 4 years? Of course they could have but have the Republicans added to the problem and the answer is another ‘yes’. Even a 10 year old realizes there is far too much money in the game but that is coming from all sides and until a federal cap is put on campaign contributions nothing CAN change. This president has taken more attacks than any in my memory which covers over a half century and that is the simple truth. Suppose he had half cooperation from Congress, think of the things that could be accomplished; but those that are firm in their hate, interested in only what is good for themselves, and willing to sacrifice others to get it are a roadblock.
Today on Meet the Press the host exposed the GOP right wingers for what they really and truly are. A bunch of flunkies to the ubber-rich, oil-companies and every corporation that fuels their hatred for anything that's not a 1 percenter. Ryan tipped his hand by saying that even if President Obama is re-elected the GOP will continue to block and obstruct everything in order to keep the economy in the dumps. These right wingers need to be expelled from any elected office in the United States of America. They show their alliegence to their emperor G. Nordquist instead of the Constitution. And they preform treasonous acts such as holding the American people hostgage unless they have their way. Yet they attack any type of plans that the dems and this President try to accomplish. But for the life of me I have to ask any sane person, "How can you support this political Party"? Knowing that if their candidate Romney is elected he will follow both Ryans plan and G. Bushes failed economic policies once again... Explain that to me if you can....
Go figure, then go out and vote...
How about having Bruce Bartlett on the Meet the Press so America can be told the truth about Republican failed fiscal policies. Bartlett was one of Reagans economic advisors and he believes today's Republicans are nuts....and they are. Or maybe you could host millionaire author Nick Hanauer the Multi Millionaire American entrepreneur and venture capitalist and have a talk about how the rich don't create jobs. Yeah, I'd like the see the Republicans refuting an actual venture capitalist - not the vulture capitalist Mitt Romney is. Just for once, I'd like Meet the Press to host folks who would tell the truth.....not a bunch of yes people parroting failed Republican talking points.
David Gregory's bias was intolerable as he refused to ask Durbin about the Senate's failure to pass a budget. The liberal media continues to give the Senate a free pass when it comes to not passing a budget. How about a daily count on the evening new about the last day we had a budget. Instead, Gregory went after Rep. Ryan. Russert at least used to be good about pointing out hypocrisy on both sides, but Gregory only wants to go after Republicans. Shameful.
Mr. Ryan is another business man that spent millions for a job that he didn't need. He too is a millionaire congressman that is falsely representing the people of his district.