In his first live interview since the campaign ended, former GOP Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan said President Obama is not willing to work together with Republicans in Congress.
Ryan charged that the president's actions and statements between election day and now lead Ryan to believe that Obama is "thinking more of a political conquest than political compromise."
The House Budget Chairman also warned of the impending fiscal crisis and argued that the president is not concerned with solving problems, but instead, getting political victories. "I don't think that the president thinks we actually have a fiscal crisis," he said, later adding, "my concern is the president may be focused on political ends, you know in 2014, versus actually moving to the middle."
One of those political battles is set to take place over the $1.2 trillion in sequestration cuts that were delayed three months as part of the fiscal cliff deal. Ryan believes the cuts will happen, and blamed Democrats in Congress for unwillingness to compromise.
"We think these sequesters will happen because the Democrats have opposed our efforts to replace those cuts with others and they've offered no alternatives," he said.
As for 2016, Ryan said it was "premature" to think about running for president and that he would "decide later."
You can watch the entire program on our website featuring our roundtable discussion about the president's second term as well as NBC's Ted Koppel on the foreign policy risks that lie ahead in the next four years.
For more on foreign policy, be sure to watch our PRESS Pass conversation with former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, now foreign policy director at the Brookings Institution Martin Indyk.
We'll be back next week. If it's Sunday, it's Meet the Press.
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It seems by Mr. Ryan's rhetoric, that we can expect exactly the same BS for the next four years as we experienced in the last four years. Republicans refused to use the word, "compromise", ditched multiple meetings with Obama, actually said that they would be willing to compromise so long as democrats did exactly as republicans wanted, etc., and it all started with Republicans blaming Obama for not compromising. Get ready for the re-run of the 112th.
The Republicans have lost their collective mind if they think the cuts they propose are going to get anywhere. This is an opportunity for Strong Proud Democrats to win a great victory for the middle class and poverty class citizens. The only thing the GOP has is the blame game, and that is easily tuned out when their is a groundswell campaign of truly American budget priorities like the President's. If as Charles Krauthammer says My President Barack Obama has the capability of being the Reagan of the Democratic Party, then I say let's go out and win one for the Gipper!! Defeat the GOP Budget priorities!!!!
We borrow more from our children’s futures than we invest. Paul Ryan speaks the Republican line extremely well but read between those lines. Looks like he will feed at the gov. trough for many, many years to come.
Don’t have a good explanation for why a US ambassador was killed in a CIA operation…Go Aggressive! “What difference, at this point does it make now…” Really? Nothing like being Lied to at election time! The Demo. Panel kissed the ring & the Repub. Panel was laughable. BTW Since when does the SoS NOT read emails etc. from an ambassador in a front line war torn area? Plausible deniability?
Notice she said she “did not read”… Not that she did not Know of the request for more security, etc! Also notice she stayed away from the talk shows, Congressional Hearings, etc for over 4 months! (A lifetime in election politics). This thing stinks to the highest levels! Let us not speak of it again! Hillary 2016!
Press Foreign Policy / N. Africa to the forefront if you like but the next national issue: Obama Care starts in Oct. Get healthcare or pay a fine! I read that the rates will be COBRA rates with subsidies for the lower incomes. I can tell you I can not/will not pay $400 a month for healthcare and will not willingly pay a fine! I hope millions will rebel with me! Supreme Court, get ready for it!
Paul Ryan's ideas on curbing assistance to U.S. citizens who are unemployed, on medicaid, or any U.S. citizen who susist marginally is extremely mean spirited, and in my opinion extremely capitallistic rather than democratic given the state of the economy and current affairs. The latest pork barrel spending again appropriates money or provides tax credits to companies having political connections.
The recent fiscal cliff budget included subsidies and tax credits to the wealthy like Nascar, the film industry, bio-tech company Amgen (who was recently fined). I was cheering David on when he tried to interject some of these ideas; however, David stopped short and did not pursue special interests groups and lobbyists who continually burden the tax payer by using their monies to more support their self-serving interests rather than the U.S. economy.
Ryan should put his efforts toward eliminating pork barrel spending, lobbyists influences, and tax credits to large companies who have political clout before going after the disenfranchized who can't measure up to his conservative standards of what it is to be American in this economy, and in an atmosphere where corporations continue to use more American tax dollars without providing any substantial benefit to Americans or the economy.
Stop hating!! And Im soooo sick of this "borrowing from our childrens future" nonsense. Lyin Ryan and the rest of his cronies werent worried about the debt and deficit when they were running it up.I challenge you and the rest of the dummies that believe what this loser and his party says to come and join us in the real world.I mean lets face it without thier dirty schemes like gerrymandering and trying to rig the electorial map they are just going to be an irrelivant party.
Hate Ryan's ideas all you want, "He (Obama) doesn't think we have a budget problem" this has been clearly stated by Obama. He thinks Al Quida has been decimated and we can lead from behind while "the world is becoming more dangerous" according to Hillary.
I would feel much more confident if our leader seemed to be seriously focused on the most important problems that are facing our country. I know he doesn't like republican ideas, ok where are his?
This whole show seemed to be obsessed with the republican as obstacle and unreasonable political foe and yet what really emerged is the obvious fact that we have big troubles and no one seems to know what our leadership is planning to do about them. The media is interviewing the wrong people and asking the wrong questions.
The best question of the day "Do we have a real policy approach?" The fact you had to ask Says it all Mr Gregory.
JUCSB... I would be willing to wager a guess that your primary source of news is Fox. Otherwise you would have learned more about what the President has proposed so far ("nothing" ...according to Fox) and the obstructionist attitude from the right. If all else fails... just google it. Hard right-wing blogs tend to mirror everything on Fox News, also. To get a clue as to what Fox News *really* is just check out the admission:
"But in my heart I do believe that democracy was harmed by my network and others on November 7, 2000. I do believe that the great profession of journalism took many steps backward."
- Roger Ailes, President of Fox News Channel
You suggest I only get my news from Fox News on a board discussing Meet the Press and David Gregory? I am confused, I admit to watching Fox News, but I also watch MSNBC and CNN regularly. They all have their bias. Yes, Obama has plans (raise taxes on the 2%), he also has priorities as we learned in his inauguration speech, deficits and international unrest don't seem high on his list. Didn't get that from Fox news, got it from reading the speech and listening to him campaign for two years. You can go on obsessing with the evil Fox news and republicans, as long as you're convinced they are the problem Obama will keep getting a free ride. Gregory panel today all warned that the Middle East and the economy need serious strategic thought. Obama won the election convincing everyone he would have fixed everything if those republicans didn't prevent it, the election is over time to govern Mr. President.
JUCSB
If you want to talk about hating, just go back and read the vitriol comming out of extremes in the Republican Party describing Obama. Paul Ryan has talked about reducing deficit when we have Democratic administration. Where was he when during Bush era, republicans squandered Clinton era surplus and jacked up deficit? Remember, he was in Congress. Politicians on either side wants to get elected and in order to do that they have to play politics. Don't take Paul Ryan at his face value. He does not care about the country or you. He went to bed with Romney who was pro-abortion, pro-gay, anti-gun, created his own Romney care just few years ago when he ran for and was a governer for Massachusetts. What are you thinking or thinking at all my friend!!!!
Why when I ask what Obama is doing all I get is accusations and questions about Romney and Ryan? They are both insignificant now, we have problems and I am looking for leadership and direction. Ok I get it republican ideas are repugnant, as Hillary would say what does it matter? The important thing is what are we going to do? What are you thinking my friend?
what i find outlandish is the way the gop calls it compromising when it's actually getting everything their way.
When they use the word compromise, they mean that the Democrats are compromising and giving the Republicans 80% of what they want. Isn't that what Boehner said last year when President Obama gave away the store before the non-negotiations began?
"my concern is the president may be focused on political ends, you know in 2014, versus actually moving to the middle." Paul Ryan.
This is so rich. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Since when did Ryan EVER suggest anything that remotely resembled he and his ilk actually moving to the middle? Let's see some action on the Republican side and then this is worth talking about.
way to hotheaded, way too inexperienced, way to hidden agenda,, no vote for him
Repulicans are so extremely oppositional towards this president - who is suggesting the SAME things that Clinton did. Their policies put us in a near Depression. They need to work with this guy for the good of the country!
I agree with most comments so far. Ryan sounds like he's pretending to know what the people want, as opposed to what his actual agenda is... which is exactly what we *don't* want. ...Sounds a little 'Romney-esque'; saying what he thinks we want to hear.
Sorry, David Gregory but I relished turning off your show at airtime. You may be Comcast’s corporate executive’s dream, but your efforts at collateral damage control for your Republican idols are more than transparent. Ryan’s agenda like Mitch McConnell’s was to blatantly block any idealistic efforts of President Obama and thereby ensure a one term presidency. Now that that was a failure, these obstructionists need airtime lest they become as irrelevant as Ms Palin. As the active-voting population rapidly evolves to those less easily duped by strategists, the smoke and mirror days are over for that upper 1% that currently fuels the Republican talking points.
Yes, Kemarman, you are mostly right. However, we are a nation that does like to hear both sides of the argument and giving the Republican ('the stupid') Party airtime is both a First Amendment right and a fair and balanced platform for us to make intelligent decisions. Besides, this gives them more rope to hang themselves, which they are totally capable of doing on their own. :)
The problem is that the MSM has been frightened by the Republicans from doing their job. They have drunk the Kool-Aid that they were "too liberal" and one-sided. This was never true - as evidenced by a true one-sided "media" outlet: Fox News.
Mr. Ryan is a politician. He could probably dance his way around any question, as we have seen him do. There should not be a lack of courage, or a wish for "balance," that stops David Gregory from challenging his answers with known facts.
Laura the motive for my ire was that it has always been the function of the “moderator” to clarify/question/elucidate, the information presented by the guest (remember Tim Russert and predecessors), that is no longer the MTP agenda. In its current iteration, we (along with the moderator) listen as cleverly crafted political "mistruths" go unchallenged. Now while many viewers such as yourself are politically savvy, you are in the minority. Were you not, then the masses of middle-class republican voters would not be clamoring to support continuing lower tax rates (via lobbied loopholes) for the very wealthy [overseas] "job creators", as their own taxes rise while safety-net benefits are decimated.
Kemarman, you have hit the nail on the head..many Sunday's I've ended up talking to the TV..trying to make Gregory open his mouth..It became clear through election cycle that Gregory is in full support of GOP..thereby losing many MTP watchers..Mr. Gregory needs to read his job description or move along because he is doing a disservice to a great show and all the past moderators.
Finally, the Republican Party is getting the message. They are finally taking into consideration the Spanish and Latinos in the United States, it was about time; and they will need to do so if they wish to keep the Republican Party alive.
Beware of the wolf in sheep's clothing. Talk about rhetoric. If he didn't just place his hat in the ring for 2016 I'll eat mine. The conservatives must have come up with a great plan last week when they met to strategize: Let's run the same campaign with the same ideals only tell people how much we care about those that are the "takers." Was it that long ago that we had an election...?
Yes, I do want to hear both sides of the issues, however Paul Ryan lived on social security as a child and went to college on the goverment because his father died. Who now wants that to be taken away from future generations. Is questioned by the host and let off by saying he was "greatful" I personally felt anger. I and my parents paid for my college. I never begrudged my friends who lost parents were paid for by SS until that moment. Ryan took the assistance.Now Ryan states how greatful he is as long as no more lazy people have it? That is what I understood him to say. I cannot understand such selfish, hardhearted, bigotry'yet the host did not persue and call him out. Dissapointingly one sided to let Ryan get away by saying he was greatful.
Ryan continues to insist that the Republicans should have won the election . . . but they didn't. He continues to insist that Republican economic austerity policies would have saved the economy . . . but they would have created a downward spiral that would have sunk us into a 30's-style global depression. He doesn't understand the difference between a family's budget and a nation's economic policies. He doesn't understand the difference between policies that will result in the creation of middle class jobs for Americans who will rebuild our country's deteriorating infrastructure, and policies that will result only in the creation of more wealth for a privileged class of super rich who have done nothing to earn the wealth they inherited. He does everything he can to block the efforts to pull us out of the economic hole Republican policies have buried us in, and then argues that the President's policies aren't digging us out of that hole fast enough.
Ryan
continues to insist that the Republicans should have won the election . . . but
they didn't. He continues to insist that Republican economic austerity policies
would have saved the economy . . . but they would have created a downward
spiral that would have sunk us into a 30's-style global depression. He doesn't
understand the difference between a family's budget and a nation's economic
policies. He doesn't understand the difference between policies that will
result in the creation of middle class jobs for Americans who will rebuild our
country's deteriorating infrastructure, and policies that will result only in
the creation of more wealth for a privileged class of super rich who have done
nothing to earn the wealth they inherited. He does everything he can to block
the efforts to pull us out of the economic hole Republican policies have buried
us in, and then argues that the President's policies aren't digging us out of
that hole fast enough.
Did Eddie Munster and his party forget that the American people rejected thier ideas mainly because they dont work? And what is he proposing? More of the same bull@!$%# and more of the same bad ass ideas. Last I looked President Obama was re-elected not Romney. They wouldnt even have the house if it wasnt for gerrymandering and now they are trying to rig up the electorial college THEY KNOW THEY CANT WIN!!!
The Republican Party should not confuse fiscal conservative values small "c" with the dismantling of the Social Contract, "We the People" are not going to give up Social Security, Medicare or ObamaCares. The American Middle Class is not going to move forward and leave the poor behind. Taking care of those that cannot care for themselves is a "MORAL" imperative. "WE" are engaged and the technology of the 21st Century keep us informed. "WE" all know who Ayn Rand is, we have done our research and we reject her vision of "SELFISH SELF RELIANCE" we are America build on Judeo/Christian value, "We are our brothers keeper" Jesus Christ "NEVER" turned his back on the poor, sick or disenfranchised" and neither will America! The GOP would be better served to choose a spokes person or leader that has not been tainted by Ayn Rand philosophies!
Where's the 4th estate now-a-days? Gregory tries, but doesn't challenge people on MTP enough. "They" haven't submitted a budget in 4 years..... They are you, Mr. Ryan. It's dishonest-Congress hasn't passed a full budget since 1997. Why was the Bush administration running the gov't on continuing resolutions for 8 years? Where's Mr. Ryan's outrage for the entire war effort being off the books funded by "emergency" appropriations bills - for 7 years!
Political theater! Enough of it - get back to work, make the necessary compromises and pass real legislation - that's Mr. Ryan's job. Stop holding the American economy hostage.
The fact is - Mr. Romney lost the election - "if we won the election..." is a bad way to govern. Mr. Gregory pointed this out and reinforced the fact that the Republicans were stonewalling until they "won" in 2012.
As Gov Jindal points out "It's time for the Republican Party to stop being the 'stupid' party". Other prominent Republicans have voiced similar concerns-so it's not only liberals stating the obvious. The problem Mr. Ryan and Mr. Demint don't seem to grasp is that the Republican Party has deep rooted, not just cosmetic, beliefs that have to change.
Lastly, America has always been a debtor nation from the revolution to today. We have always serviced our obligations. To even suggest that a political party can willfully destroy America's good faith and credit amounts nearly to treason.
'nuff said!
Whether you like Congressman Paul Ryan or not is beside the point. Mr. Ryan offered two key items that we as a nation must be concerned with and focused on fixing in the very near term:
1. The President does not see there is a problem with our present spending.
2. Our Congress has not passed a federal budget for four years.
Most households cannot exist very long without a guiding financial plan and neither can this nation.
If some of you would check your facts this President has spent less than any President in recent years, including Clinton. He was left with a 10 trillion dollar debt. Since Obama has taken office it is 16 trillion. Of that 6 trillion 1.6 trillion was Bush's wars, and a medicare prescription drug program, 1.4 trillion is just the interest for these wars, and 1.6 trillion in revenue was lost over 10 years by the Bush tax cuts for the rich, 2 of those years belong to Obama because he extended them to get a debt ceiling deal with the Republicans. So no there is not a problem with our present spending, the problem was with our past spending. But as most economists will tell you, right now we need to be investing, at these low interest rates, to move this country forward. You cannot deal with the debt or deficit until the economy is strong again. We saw what austerity did to Europe and especially Greece. It doesn't work and Republicans just don't get it, they want to go back to the same old supply side demand, it didn't work under Reagan, or the Bushes and it will never work. They need to move on or get out. Ryan wants to privatize SS, and end medicare and when he says anything different he is lying. And he wants to run in 2016, and he will never be President, in my opinion.
Thanks for that Bette! Let us never forget that it was Paul Ryan, Jim Demitt, Eric Cantor and Newt G. who met on the night of President Obama's first inaugural. End of discussion! Evil obstructionists, they had and have no intention of ever working with the President. I'm so sick of hearing their constant B.S. about how Pres. Obama won't work with Republicans. The Republicans don't want our country to be a country of takers..Well then create some g-d damn jobs, you job creators have had tax breaks for years now and nothing new has come out of them. Corporate wealth & investment wealth has increased with the Bush/Republican policies not for the average American. Obama's policies are trying to change these things. But let us also NOT forget, the President can only introduce solutions, Congress has to act on them and for the last 4 years thanks to the group of evil obstructionists being the party of "No", they have passed very little except a LOT of hot air. And a LOT that smells!
Medicare eligibility age should change to reflect increased life expectancy. When Medicare began, it paid for 2-8 years. Now, it pays for 11-16 years. Things change, so should Medicare.
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----- Life expectancy -----
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1965 male:67, female:73
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2010 male:76, female:81
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Yes Medicare should change as time has changed as Wee argues, but so should taxes people pay. Try to get health insurance and you would find out that it is unaffordable by most American working family if you consider median family income and a family of four. You simply can't afford health insurance if not covered by your employer.
A median household income of a senior citizen is $29000 according to one estimate. If you have a pre-existing condition, the premium per person could be $2500 per month per person. I bet most senior citizens have a pre-existing condition. Do the math. How many senior citizens can afford healthcare even with voucher program that Paul Ryan advocates.
As a society, we have to decide if do we have an obligation to the senior citizens of this country to provide health care or leave them on their own after providing voucher. This is a valid debate, but the debate has to be honest. There has been no honest debate but political talking point. It was very obvious when Romney and Ryan dropped the subject during their presidential campaign. Republican has used this argument to beat up Obama as their only goal had been to limit Obama to one term and win the election. The proof of their insincerity to tackle deficit lies in the fact that during republican administration during Bush era, they squandered the surplus and build up deficit. Their fiscal policies led to financial melt-down. Paul Ryan oversaw this debacle as a congressman.
He used Social Security benefits to his advantage after the sad demise of his father, but than he read Fountain Head. Give me a break. He did not even have courtesy to acknowledge the fact during his campaign. And yes if your job involves labor, can you work until you are 70 years old until Social Security benefits kick in.
I do not understand the very same JESUS that Republican Party uses to get votes of a middle class or poor Americans would say about cutting funding for poor, children, education, senior citizens, but give tax breaks to rich people. JESUS was the biggest socialist the world has ever known
If the argument is that Lowe taxes would stimulate the economy and job growth, thereby helping poor, someone hast to actually present historical proof that that has happened. When President Reagan lowered taxes, the taxes were 70% and it made sense. Even though, the corporate tax rate in our country is the highest in the world, no one pays that. The effective tax rate because of all the loopholes is around 16%.
@Ash: The Affordable Health Care Act resolves the pre-existing condition and hopefully the markets created by the act will lower costs. I would have preferred a single payer system, but that's not how the legislative compromises worked out.
If a state refuses (some have) to create the market exchanges, then the Federal gov't will do it for them.
re: taxes - Here's my take. The IRS sends you a bill - you sign it and send it back or, you amend it, sign it and send it back. It's absolutuely rediculous to have all businesses and investment organizations report income, then have Americans transfer that information to another piece of paper, then have the IRS review the information again.
What about credits and adjustments? Well, they already know that you own a house or attend school. If life changes (new house, new student, military, new child...) - amend and return. It wiould be far less expensive in the long run to collect and account for revenue. All income is the same, I disagree that investment income should be taxed at a lower rate or that rental income is different. If a person owns more than one home, they only get one mortgage deduction - there should be no benefit for being affluent.
.....Anyway
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Paul Ryan is for destruction of jobs, the middle class and our social structure to increase profits and the price of companies stock in effect making the rich richer with little or no paying forward. What a wonderful and proud achievement. The end result....a two class society of haves and have not's . The American dream is in shambles. The major victims will be the mostly white, hard working middle class people of the tea party who unknowingly are cutting their own throats.
Prescription eye drops cost twenty dollars 2 years ago, and today the same eye drops cost sixty dollars (with an insurance plan). If these keeps up, I could lose my car or my house. Bigger and richer business/industry without gov't oversight just isn't working. I guess that is why some gov't officials "sneak" in tax cuts and subidies during budgeting, cheating democracy. The gov't oversight that allows this behavior should be improved.
OK, I’ve had it. Goodbye, Meet the Press. The right-wing bias of the program since Mr. Gregory became the host has become too blatant. Paul Ryan as featured guest? He LOST, didn’t you notice? He was thoroughly DISCREDITED, or haven’t you kept up with reports of his weak command of details and his shameless willingness to misrepresent them? He has become largely IRRELEVANT, certainly nationally but within his own confused party as well. Perhaps Meet the Press wants to shore up his diminished status by making a show of taking him seriously. But don’t worry--if NBC finds that too many viewers are abandoning MTP, you will surely be able to find a slot at Fox.
Well said. My wife and I are fed up with his blatant bias and adoration of "Mr Speaker" as he addresses buddy Newt, and his abrupt interruption of junior Democratic guests often overwhelmed by his partisan bias in selecting powerful Republican opposing panel members who often monopolize the taped broadcast. ----
The man who always sought the facts and truth - Tim Russert must be rolling in his grave.