What About Simpson-Bowles?

Every Republican should endorse, and repeatedly remind the public of the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction plan. Obama has walked away from the recommendations of his own commission and should called to account for that omission. When detailed and specific actions are called for the President descends into generalities and banalities. Try to make sense of this incoherent gibberish as he attempts to evade a direct question.

Jake Tapper:“In the interest of transparency, leadership and also showing the American people that you have been negotiating in good faith, can you tell us one structural reform that you are willing to make to one of these entitlement programs that would have a major effect on the deficit? Would you be willing to raise the retirement age? Would you be willing to means test Social Security or Medicare?”

Obama: “We’ve said that we are willing to look at all these approaches. I’ve laid out some criteria in terms of what would be acceptable. So, for example, I’ve said very clearly that we should make sure that current beneficiaries as much as possible are not affected. But we should look at what can we do in the out-years, so that over time some of these programs are more sustainable. I’ve said that means testing on Medicare, meaning people like myself, if — I’m going to be turning 50 in a week. So I’m starting to think a little bit more about Medicare eligibility. (Laughter.) Yes, I’m going to get my AARP card soon — and the discounts. But you can envision a situation where for somebody in my position, me having to pay a little bit more on premiums or co-pays or things like that would be appropriate.”

In the video below Erskine Bowles, a Democrat and a member of the Clinton administration talks of how the commission report was received warmly by the White House economic team but deep six-ed by the political team. In other words, Obama voted "present".