Out of Touch and Out of Options, Democrats Deny Debt Crisis

NRCC - White House Press Secretary Jay Carney yesterday joined House Democrats in reiterating the White House’s out of touch position that it is somehow “a dangerous, risky idea” to tie an increase in the debt ceiling to meaningful spending cuts and deficit reduction that will put America on sounder fiscal footing:

WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY JAY CARNEY: “It is a dangerous, risky idea to hold hostage any other -- hold hostage, rather, raising the debt ceiling, a vote on raising the debt ceiling, to any other piece of legislation. The commitment this President has to moving aggressively towards a comprehensive deficit reduction plan is clear.” (“Press Gaggle By Press Secretary Jay Carney,” The White House, 4/27/2011)

114 HOUSE DEMOCRATS RALLY AROUND BLANK CHECK FOR FUTURE SPENDING. “As the New York Stock Exchange dropped sharply this morning in reaction to a report that Standard & Poor's downgraded America's long-term credit outlook to negative, Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the names of 114 House Democrats in support of raising the debt ceiling without conditions.” (“As Stock Market Drops Over Worries About US Debt, Welch Leads 114 Democrats in Demanding A Clean Extension of Debt Ceiling," Office of Rep. Peter Welch, 4/18/2011)

Poll numbers out yesterday, however, show an overwhelming 82 percent of the American people disagrees with Democrats’ position, with a plurality siding with the GOP’s argument that any increase in the debt ceiling should be tied to spending cuts:

47 PERCENT SUPPORT RAISING DEBT LIMIT “IN EXCHANGE FOR CUTS” WHILE 35 PERCENT OPPOSE ANY DEBT LIMIT INCREASE. (“National Survey of Registered Voters,” Resurgent Republic/American Action Forum, 4/17-20/2011)

ONLY 11 PERCENT AGREE WITH DEMOCRATS THAT DEBT LIMIT SHOULD BE INCREASED WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS. (“National Survey of Registered Voters,” Resurgent Republic/American Action Forum, 4/17-20/2011)

49 PERCENT SAY SUBSTANTIAL SPENDING CUTS WOULD MAKE THEM “MORE LIKELY” TO SUPPORT DEBT LIMIT INCREASE. (“National Survey of Registered Voters,” Resurgent Republic/American Action Forum, 4/17-20/2011)

This comes amidst other numbers showing that Democrats’ attempts to demagogue GOP spending plans have failed miserably, with seniors voicing support for the GOP FY 2012 budget plan over the framework being pushed by President Obama:

DESPITE MEDISCARE TACTICS FROM DEMS, SENIORS SUPPORT GOP PLAN OVER OBAMA PLAN: “A new Gallup/USA Today poll contains a counterintuitive finding: the age group most receptive to House Budget Chair Paul Ryan's plan to deal with the budget - seniors. The poll finds 48 percent of seniors (those 65 and over) support Ryan's plan over President Obama's plan, while 42 percent back the president.” (Josh Kraushaar, “Gallup: Seniors Most Favorable To Ryan Budget,” National Journal’s “Hotline On Call” Blog, 4/27/2011)

Americans recognize the growing urgency of addressing the nation’s debt crisis—an awareness that has only been compounded by a flood of reports stressing the economic urgency of swift debt reduction, with harsh consequences if spending cuts do not occur:

BLOOMBERG GOVERNMENT STUDY: “PRICE OF INACTION: INFLATION OR A DEBT CRISIS.” (Dr. Christopher Payne and Dr. Ted Buckley, “Price of Inaction: Inflation or a Debt Crisis,” Bloomberg Government, 4/21/2011)

STANDARD & POOR’S WARNS LAWMAKERS TO GET DEFICITS UNDER CONTROL: “For the first time, Standard & Poor's lowered its long-term outlook for the federal government's fiscal health from ‘stable’ to ‘negative,’ and warned of serious consequences if lawmakers fail to reach a deal to control the massive federal deficit.” (Paul Wiseman, “S&P Warning: Fix Deficit Or Risk Credit Downgrade,” Associated Press, 4/19/2011)

Rather than coming to terms with these mounting warnings about the unsustainable debt, Democrats are in denial. The refusal by Obama and Democrats to budge on their out of touch big government agenda is earning them poor marks from voters, who continue to trust Republicans over Democrats to handle budget issues by solid margins:

USA TODAY POLL: GOP HAS 12-POINT ADVANTAGE OVER DEMOCRATS ON BUDGET, 5 POINT EDGE ON ECONOMY. “Republicans hold a 12-percentage-point edge over Democrats as the party better able to handle the budget, and a 5-point edge on the economy in general.” (Susan Page, “GOP's Gamble On The Budget Pays Off, So Far,” USA Today, 4/26/2011)

NEW YORK TIMES/CBS POLL: PLURALITY TRUSTS GOP OVER OBAMA TO MAKE RIGHT DECISIONS ON FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT. 44 percent trust Republicans, 39 percent trust Obama to handle budget deficit better. ("New York Times/CBS News Poll: 2012 Republicans, Obama and the Economy," The New York Times, 4/21/2011)

59 PERCENT DISAPPROVE OF OBAMA'S HANDLING OF FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT. ("New York Times/CBS News Poll: 2012 Republicans, Obama and the Economy," The New York Times, 4/21/2011)