President Obama is about to step into the East Room to begin the final news conference of his first term. This was announced only this morning, two hours ago...
The intent is to frame the next round of "fiscal cliff" talks with Congress, namely a debate over raising the debt limit. Expect post-Newtown gun questions, as well as questions about US military support for French military action in Africa last week.
As we await the start of the news conference, CNN is showing a shot of the front of the White House, complete with the path down to the presidential reviewing stand in front all set up for next Monday's inaugural parade...
RT @TheFix: MSNBC saying Obama press conference is now at 11:40 am. Come on! (Gob Bluth voice).
CBS Radio White House reporter Mark Knoller, who keeps detailed records, says, "This'll be Pres Obama's 21st formal, solo, full-scale WH news conference out of 108 press avails since taking office."
Here comes the president...
Starts his opening statement by saying, "It's been a busy and productive four years, and I expect the same for the next four years."
"We are poised for a good year - if we make smart decisions ... and as long as Washington politics" don't get in the way, says president.
Harking back to campaign, talks of his belief in a "balanced approach" to solving budget and deficit ills...
Obama talks up spending cuts he has already made over the past two years... and savings on top of that from "winding down" wars in Iraq and Afghanistan...
"The fact is, though, we can't finish the job of deficit reduction with spending cuts alone," says president.
Obama says that means spurring more economic growth, modest changes with entitlements, and closing tax loopholes. Says that will achieve deficit-reduction without sacrificing investments. Says American people agree after "having listened to a year's worth of debate over this..."
"They want us to get out books in order in a balanced way," Obama says of American people. "That's what I want, as well."
Transitioning to debt ceiling, president says raising debt ceiling does not allow more spending, only "paying for spending Congress has already committed to."
Obama says Americans cannot afford another debate "about whether they should pay the bills."
Obama says to "even entertain" that happening "is irresponsible, it's absurd."
He then quotes Boehner saying as much two years ago...
"But they will not collect a ransom in exchange for not crashing the American
economy," president says of congressional Republicans.
"Let's finish this debate," president says, saying it will foster business certainty.
President says that will allow him to move to things like gun control. WIth that, on to first question. First to Julie Pace, the new Associated Press White House correspondent...
Pace asks about gun control, specifically opposition to an assault weapons ban...
Obama says VP Joe Biden will present results of his study on behalf of the president today and later this week. "My starting point is not to worry about the politics; my starting point is to focus on what makes sense, what works," says Obama.
Says public can count on stronger background checks, keeping large-capacity clips out of hands of people who shouldn't have them.
"Will all of them get though Congress? I don't know," says president, but he will try whatever he can.
Second to NBC's Chuck Todd: He asks about Harry Reid asking for executive action on debt-ceiling issue...
Todd asks, what about using the 14th Amendment. "Are you considering a Plan B, and if not, why not?" says Todd.
President says issue is whether country pays its bills. "We are not a deadbeat nation," he says.
If Congress wants to give him that authority, so Congress doesn't "have to take tough votes," he says he's "happy to have it."
But he says there are "no loopholes."
Obama adds: "There are no magic tricks." He has been very tightly messaging this today...
President says to follow-up that this is a two-part issue: Congress agrees to let country pay its bills, and then he and the House and Senate debate deficit-reduction and spending controls issues.
On GOP, while they don't want to cut defense spending or hurting the vulnerable, you can't do it without drastically cutting entitlements. "The math doesn't add up," says president
"If the goal is to make sure that we are being responsible about our debt and our deficit, ... I'm happy to have that conversation," says Obama.
"What I will not do is to have THAT negotiation with a gun at the head of the American people," says Obama.
Chuck Todd has now asked a second followup, eliciting a similar answer from POTUS.
Obama says it's simple concept, not unlike paying check after eating dinner at a restaurant.
If Congress wants to debate not going out to dinner, or eating somewhere less expensive, "that's fine." But you still have to pay the bill at the restaurant where you've already dined.
Third question to CBS newsman Major Garrett... He notes president, as senator, voted against a debt-ceiling increase...
Garrett asks about "adamant desire" not to negotiate over raising debt ceiling, when you sought that as senator and prior presidents negotiated on issue. Obama says difference now is that "certain groups in Congress took such an absolutist position" and brought country to brink of financial default...
President says Congress has set up "impossible" rules to reach compromise without harmful spending cuts, so he will not negotiate over raising debt ceiling...
President says Congress out to send him something "that's sensible."
"I don't think anybody would consider my position unreasonable here," president says.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: We are live-blogging the president's final first-term news conference here: http://bo.st/UYZJdA #mapoliby Glen Johnson via twitter 1/14/2013 4:33:11 PM