Budget tricks helped Obama save programs from cuts

[Peacetrain]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110412/ap_o...wn_details


As a result of the legerdemain, Obama was able to reverse many of the cuts passed by House Republicans in February when the chamber approved a bill slashing this year's budget by more than $60 billion. In doing so, the White House protected favorites like the Head Start early learning program, while maintaining the maximum Pell grant of $5,550 and funding for Obama's "Race to the Top" initiative that provides grants to better-performing schools.

Instead, the cuts that actually will make it into law are far tamer, including cuts to earmarks, unspent census money, leftover federal construction funding, and $2.5 billion from the most recent renewal of highway programs that can't be spent because of restrictions set by other legislation. Another $3.5 billion comes from unused spending authority from a program providing health care to children of lower-income families.

[There Is No Spoon]

Where's that bombastic populist orator selling this accomplishment? I mean really selling this. I guarantee that if you asked 100 people on the street, you'd be lucky if 1 person knew these facts. Democrats who aren't "plugged in" don't know the details of this budget bill. If you win a battle, but don't tell anybody, did you win? Winning is getting re-elected.

[Born_A_Truman]

(04-12-2011 07:45 AM)There Is No Spoon Wrote:  Where's that bombastic populist orator selling this accomplishment? I mean really selling this. I guarantee that if you asked 100 people on the street, you'd be lucky if 1 person knew these facts. Democrats who aren't "plugged in" don't know the details of this budget bill. If you win a battle, but don't tell anybody, did you win? Winning is getting re-elected.

TINS, most people's eyes glaze over when it comes to budget details and picking saving Planned Parenthood as the focus was something most people could "get". The media is so busy fawning over Ryan and trying to hype up the next looming battle (debt ceiling vote), they aren't interesting in hearing what really happened. It was all about the showdown!

[DFLforever]

(04-12-2011 07:45 AM)There Is No Spoon Wrote:  Where's that bombastic populist orator selling this accomplishment? I mean really selling this. I guarantee that if you asked 100 people on the street, you'd be lucky if 1 person knew these facts. Democrats who aren't "plugged in" don't know the details of this budget bill. If you win a battle, but don't tell anybody, did you win? Winning is getting re-elected.

Also, too, crowing over your victory doesn't help get your budget passed through a GOP controlled House nor does it help Boehner sell the deal to hostile t-partiers.