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Obama chides GOP on debt limit: 'We are not a deadbeat nation'

President Barack Obama ratcheted up pressure on congressional Republicans to authorize an increase in the nation’s debt limit, warning of potentially
U.S. President Barack Obama faces reporters during his first news conference since he was re-elected, at the White House in Washington November 14,  2012. (Photo by Larry Downing/Reuters)
U.S. President Barack Obama faces reporters during his first news conference since he was re-elected, at the White House in Washington November 14, 2012.

President Barack Obama ratcheted up pressure on congressional Republicans to authorize an increase in the nation’s debt limit, warning of potentially catastrophic results for many Americans and the overall economy if the U.S. were to default on its obligations.

“The issue here is whether or not America pays its bills,” Obama said at a press conference on Monday, the last of his first term in office. “We are not a deadbeat nation.”

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BREAKING: President Obama comes out against "dine and dash" #DeadbeatNation #ObamaPressConf— Ed Schultz (@edshow) January 14, 2013

President Obama has to remind GOP twice: "We are not a deadbeat nation" #DeadbeatNation— Ed Schultz (@edshow) January 14, 2013

Here's the Boehner remark the President just referenced thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/0… the exact same is still true. #ObamaPressConf— Ed Schultz (@edshow) January 14, 2013

President Obama explaining debt ceiling very slowly... think house GOP is listening? #ObamaPressConf— Ed Schultz (@edshow) January 14, 2013

President Obama: "We can't finish the job of deficit reduction thru spending alone"— Ed Schultz (@edshow) January 14, 2013