The Era of ‘Blame Bush’ Is Over: National Debt Increased More Under Obama Than Any Other President

It was announced today that the national debt has grown $4.939 trillion in the three short years since President Obama took office, the largest increase in debt under any president in our nation’s history. It tops the $4.899 trillion debt acquired under President George W. Bush’s two terms in office. President Obama and Congressional Democrats have often blamed President Bush for our national debt issues, claiming the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Medicare prescription drug program are to blame for our current debt crisis.

“Looks like the president and Congressional Democrats can no longer play the ‘Blame Bush’ game to wipe away their responsibility for our debt crisis,” stated Westmoreland. “Today’s numbers show it is their reckless ‘spend now, pay later’ policies that have driven this country into more debt than any other president in our nation’s history. And that’s not even the full picture because we are just three years in to this president’s first term. If he were to win re-election and his budget proposals were actually approved, our debt would reach $20 trillion by the end of his presidency – an increase of more than $9 trillion. Or to put it another way, if he were to serve as president for two full terms and spend money the way he wants, he will have increased the national debt almost 100 percent since taking office.”

President Obama’s budget proposal for FY2013 expects the national debt to continue to rise throughout his presidency, without seeing a balance through the ten year projections. However, his disregard for the national debt is a change of tune from his 2008 campaign. Then, the president repeatedly spoke out against the debt acquired while President Bush was in office.

“And how does President Obama feel about a president who acquires so much debt? Well, in his own words, he describes that president as both ‘irresponsible’ and ‘unpatriotic,’” stated Westmoreland. “Look, we have absolutely got to get our debt under control. Whether the president or Congressional Democrats like it or not, they can’t keep writing checks for their favorite pet projects that this government cannot afford to cash. Numbers like these released today should serve as a wakeup call to all Americans, no matter their political affiliation, that it is time reform the way Washington spends money before it’s too late.”

Click here to view the video of President Obama referring to President Bush as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘unpatriotic’ for increasing the debt $4.899 trillion in eight years – less than what President Obama has increased the budget in only three short years.

Westmoreland: The State of Our Union Is Divided

On Tuesday, the president gave his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. The speech covered a multitude of issues, including energy, immigration, education, national defense, and taxes. The speech is a constitutional requirement on the presidency and has become a way for the president to announce his agenda for the coming year. Below is Representative Westmoreland’s reaction to the president’s speech.

“What struck me the most was the president’s complete disconnect with reality. He promised job creation and announced the need for an all-of-the-above energy plan – an idea instituted by Republicans back in 2008 – yet only two weeks ago he killed the Keystone Pipeline, a construction project that would have created tens of thousands of direct jobs and helped America decrease its reliance on oil from the Middle East. He discussed the damage a tax increase would have on our fragile economy, yet in the same speech advocated for raising taxes on American job creators. He even invoked President Lincoln, stating ‘that government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves, and no more,’ while at the same time pushing for more regulations of our energy and financial industries. I didn’t think the gap between what the president says and what he does could get much larger – until he actually contradicted himself in the same speech.

“Yes, the Campaigner-in-Chief unfortunately gave the speech that I was expecting: one full of rhetoric that painted the rosy view of our country rather than the actual state of our union. And why wouldn’t he? He’s running for president after all. And his reelection bid is based on his ability to convince the American people they aren’t worse off under his leadership.

“Well, like my grandmother always said, ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.’ And Mr. President, you aren’t fooling me this time.

“This was the same speech we’ve all heard before. Promises of comprehensive immigration reform, education reform, tax breaks for college tuition, job creation, tax breaks for American companies, and energy independence. All promises the president has broken. The president’s speech tonight was nothing more than a laundry list filled with lofty promises, but short on actual policy.

“While I agree with him that the American spirit is one that can lift this country back to the prosperity we are capable of, we can’t do that with crushing debt, overly burdensome regulations, and higher taxes on small businesses. And while that’s the president’s agenda for 2012 the House passed legislation to address all of these issues that were stalled in the Senate last year. This administration's failed policies have driven our economy to the brink, and his State of the Union only solidified his intent to continue down this same path.

“The true state of our union is one of divisiveness, brought on by the president’s continued insistence on of pitting Republicans against Democrats, rich against poor, haves against have nots. This president seems to thrive on chaos and we all can remember what his former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said, ‘You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.’ Our country is facing serious challenges right now and leaders in Washington must put aside political rhetoric, roll up their sleeves, and come up with real solutions to help the American people. Unfortunately, we didn’t see that,” stated Westmoreland.

From Georgians with Newt:

Just a few weeks ago many of you headed north to Iowa to help in our efforts before the Caucuses. Now, it is time to deploy to South Carolina.

Starting on Monday, January 9th, and continuing through the Primary on Saturday, January 21st, we have created a rolling deployment plan to make sure the people of South Carolina know where Newt stands when it comes to protecting this country and to share Newt's bold solutions to defeat President Obama.

There are opportunities to join people from all over the country in phone banking, walking door-to-door, waving signs, and many other exciting campaign activities!

If you are interested in traveling to South Carolina please contact Ella Krivitchenko at ellak@newt.org to let her know your availability and preferred dates of travel. In addition, please copy Sonya Harrison at sharrison@newt.org.

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