if Obama were a liberal

President Barack Obama stepped up to the podium, looked into the camera, and spoke:

“As many of you have known, I have, up to this point, resisted the urge to turn budget talks and economic issues into an ideological fight. The Republicans in the House, and to an extent those in the Senate, have been trying to make all of these debates into ideological fights. They have been very clear about what they believe. The government should be smaller, they say. The government should not regulate industry, they say. Only the private sector should be responsible for building roads and teaching our kids.

“Because I didn’t want to make this an ideological fight, I haven’t simply said, “You’re wrong.” Even though they are. For months, I’ve had the same conversation with Republican leadership. It goes something like this: I say what I’m willing to give up, and ask them what they are willing to give up. Then they tell me that they will not give up anything, because they disagree with me.

“Well, that’s not how it works. That’s not how it works, and I’m done playing. They have told me, with their actions if not their words, that they want this to be an ideological fight, not a practical one. They say that they are unwilling to compromise because they simply think I’m wrong.

“Is that really the fight you want? Fine. Then let me set some ground-rules.

“First, government spending is what keeps unemployment low during times of crisis, so I will veto ANY spending cuts that come across my desk until the recession is over. Spending cuts are bad for the country, bad for our people, and will destroy America. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong. And because they are wrong, I will not compromise. The Republicans have taught me that you shouldn’t compromise with people who are wrong.

“I will veto anything other than a clean bill to raise the debt ceiling. All other issues can be taken up separately. It is wrong to hold our credit rating hostage for conversations about budgets and taxes. And because it’s wrong, I will not compromise. The Republicans have taught me that you shouldn’t compromise with people who are wrong.

“The Bush tax cuts will expire, and will never be extended as long as I’m in office, so don’t waste your time with them. They started destroying our country 10 years ago and will continue to destroy this country until they expire. Anyone who says otherwise is either ignorant or willfully blind. And because they are wrong, I will not compromise. The Republicans have taught me that you shouldn’t compromise with people who are wrong.

“We will increase spending in the short term, in the same way that families across America take on debt when they take on their first mortgage. They are being smart, because they know that in the long-run, owning a home will cost less than renting for the rest of their lives. So we will increase our debt, and then pay it off by raising taxes on the people who can most afford it. To do anything else would be stupid, destructive, and wrong. And because it is wrong, I will not compromise. The Republicans have taught me that you shouldn’t compromise with people who are wrong.

“That’s the new playing field. I’m telling you this so that you don’t waste my time or yours putting anything else in front of me. From now on, I’m going to act on one simple rule: if I believe it will hurt the American people, then I will veto it. And it doesn’t matter what you believe. So, that includes spending cuts, that includes a budget without spending increases, that includes tax cuts for millionaires. So, what’s your next move?”

Image: President Obama Holds News Conference Discussing Tax Cut Deal