Obama Army's New Mission: Pass the Budget

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

(NEWSER) - President Obama officially unveiled his $3.8 trillion budget today, and as expected it draws a 2012 battle line, calling for higher taxes on the wealthy combined with spending measures intended to bolster the economy, the AP reports. "We built this budget around the idea that our country has always done best when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules," Obama said, according to CNN . "This is not about class warfare. This is about the nation's welfare." More»

President will meet with key lawmakers next week

(NEWSER) - Step aside, Joe. A day after congressional Republicans called off debt-reduction talks with Vice President Joe Biden, the White House announced President Obama will meet directly with key lawmakers next week, reports the Washington Post . Obama will meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday. More»

Not only is Obama caving to the GOP—he's 'celebrating' it, writes Paul Krugman

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama has left the building. Granted, with Republicans running amok, all Obama really has is “the bully pulpit,” but incredibly, “he’s using it to reinforce his enemies’ narrative,” writes Paul Krugman in the New York Times . Maybe he did have to make big concessions to avoid a government shutdown, but did he “have to celebrate his defeat,” applauding it as “the largest annual spending cut in our history”? Looking back at 2008, one has to wonder: “Who is this bland, timid guy who doesn’t seem to stand for anything in particular?” More»

He claims the president was not leading talks on spending cuts

(NEWSER) - According to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, President Obama had to be dragged “kicking and screaming to the table to cut spending,” he said on Fox News Sunday. Cantor says White House senior adviser David Plouffe is being dishonest in his claim that Obama was the one leading that discussion, Politico reports. Elsewhere on the Sunday dial:

• The president will make a major budget address Wednesday. He will lay out “his approach to long-term deficit reduction,” David Plouffe said on Meet the Press, adding that the president’s 2012 budget includes a plan to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion over the next decade. Meanwhile, Sen. Chuck Schumer said on Face the Nation that details on the spending cuts included in the budget deal will be posted online tomorrow.

Republican urologist's sign tells Dems to 'look elsewhere' for care

(NEWSER) - A Florida urologist is so outraged by the health care reform law that he doesn’t want to treat President Obama’s supporters. “If you voted for Obama, seek urologic care elsewhere,” reads a sign taped to Jack Cassell’s office door. “Changes to your healthcare begin right now, not in four years.” In the waiting room, patients can find photocopies of a Republican handout and a sign reading, “This is what the morons in Washington have done to your health care.” More»