>>>
the battle over the
federal budget
slogged through another day today. and the president used
home field advantage
, that podium in the
white house
briefing room to press his side of the argument with republicans on the hill and the stakes for the
u.s. economy
could not be higher with that
august 2
deadline looming.
chuck todd
is among the questioners and is with us from the briefing room.
>>
this one we know, this debt ceiling is likely to get raised. but this idea that somehow there was going to be a grand bargain, deficit reduction, entitlements, all tied together with this debt ceiling and the president today acknowledged that's all but dead. after a week of talks and no deal,
president obama
used his second press conference of the week to make one last pitch for the so-called grand bargain, we have a unique opportunity to do something big. we have a chance to stabilize america's finances for a decade, for 15 years, or 20 years. if we're willing to seize the moment.
>> reporter:
still with a large deal out of reach, the president lowered his sights. balanced deficit reduction will be a part of any deal.
>>
i think the
american people
expect more than that.
>> reporter:
a sticking point all along has been raising taxes which has put republicans in washington at odds against some of their own supporters.
>>
the clear majority of republican voters think that any deficit reduction package should have a balanced approach and should include some revenues.
>>
our stand on the debt limit has been cleared. there will be no tax hikes because hacks tyhikes destroy jobs.
>> reporter:
the president is confident that voter also see it his way.
>> reporter:
as for the heated debate that reportedly took place between the presidentric cantor th is week, the president played that down.
>>
i'm not interested in the aspect of who said what and did somebody's feelings get hurt.
>> reporter:
the president did say what he would support as a means of entitle mment. he said he would support means tests when it cams to medicare for wealthy americans.
>>
days to go,
chuck todd
, thanks from the briefing room.
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