President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress on Thursday was simple, direct and underscored with ideas taken from both parties. But do Obama’s opponents (or even those in his own party) agree with the allegedly bipartisan proposals? We take a look at the post-speech reactions and find out.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio: “The proposals the President outlined tonight merit consideration. We hope he gives serious consideration to our ideas as well.”
GOP presidential candidate and Texas Gov. Rick Perry: “President Obama’s call for nearly a half-trillion dollars in more government stimulus when America has more than $14 trillion in debt is guided by his mistaken belief that we can spend our way to prosperity. Like the president’s earlier $800 billion stimulus program, this proposal offers little hope for millions of Americans who have lost jobs on his watch, and taxpayers who are rightly concerned that their children will inherit a mountain of debt. America needs jobs, smaller government, less spending and a president with the courage to offer more than yet another speech.”
House GOP freshman class president, Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., "After three years of putting up roadblocks, the President believes that yet another speech can solve the problem. We don’t need another speech, we need the President to undo three years worth of anti-growth policies and allow American businesses to do what they do best, work.”
Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.,“More targeted spending and gimmicky tax breaks won’t give the private sector the confidence or the stability it needs to create jobs.”
House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va.via Twitter: "President's speech had policies that both sides can work on: unemployment insurance reform, small biz tax relief, streamlining regulations."
Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., “I don’t hold the President responsible for the economy he inherited, but I do think it’s fair to hold him responsible for making the economy worse. His policies have thrown a big, wet blanket over job creation in this country and, unfortunately, I didn’t hear much in his speech tonight that will change that.”
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