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Top Talker: The Debt Divide: 7 days to go

 With August 2nd deadline a week away, President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner each took their cases to the American people last night.  Speaking in
President Barack Obama addresses the nation from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 25, 2011, on the approaching debt limit deadline.
President Barack Obama addresses the nation from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 25, 2011, on the approaching debt limit deadline.

 

With August 2nd deadline a week away, President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner each took their cases to the American people last night.  Speaking in the East Room of the White House, the President made it clear he does not approve of Speaker Boehner's plan to raise the debt ceiling.  He said "Republican House members have essentially said that the only way they'll vote to prevent America's first-ever default is if the rest of us agree to their deep, spending cuts-only approach."     

Reminding Congress that they must find a compromise, President Obama also said he could back Senate majority leader Harry Reid's plan, noting that it would ensure the same debate would not return in six months  like Boehner's plan. Towards the end of his speech, the President asked for help from the public.  He said, "I'm asking you all to make your voice heard. If you want a balanced approach to reducing the deficit, let your Member of Congress know. If you believe we can solve this problem through compromise, send that message."     

White House Communications Director, Dan Pfeiffer, later tweeted that the servers on Capitol Hill crashed after the President made his plea.  Following the White House address, Speaker Boehner offered a response, saying the President has failed to lead on cutting government spending.  Boehner said the President wanted a "blank check" six months ago and still wants one today. He added, "The solution to this crisis is not complicated: if you're spending more money than you're taking in, you need to spend less of it."