Tonight’s State Of The Union: Let’s Be Honest

Remember When He Pledged To Cut The Deficit In Half?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “And that’s why today I’m pledging to cut the deficit we inherited in half by the end of my first term in office.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At The Fiscal Responsibility Summit, Washington, D.C., 2/23/09)

REALITY: ‘A Deficit Of More Than $1 Trillion For Every Year Of Obama’s First Term’

“…the United States recorded a deficit of more than $1 trillion for every year of Obama’s first term…” (“CBO Projects $1.08 Trillion Deficit, 8.9 Percent Jobless Rate In 2012” The Hill, 1/31/12)

·         “The deficit was $1.4 trillion in 2009, $1.3 trillion in 2010 and $1.3 trillion in 2011.”(“CBO Projects $1.08 Trillion Deficit, 8.9 Percent Jobless Rate In 2012” The Hill, 1/31/12)

·         CBO: “The federal budget deficit was about $1.1 trillion in fiscal year 2012, CBO estimates…” (“Monthly Budget Review,” Congressional Budget Office, 10/5/12)

‘The Most Rapid Increase In The Debt Under Any U.S. President’

$5.87 trillion added to the debt since January ’09. (“The Debt To The Penny And Who Holds It,” U.S. Treasury Department, Accessed 2/11/13)

·         $16.49 Trillion – The national debt as of January 3, 2013. (“The Debt To The Penny And Who Holds It,” U.S. Treasury Department, Accessed 2/11/13)

CBS: “The most rapid increase in the debt under any U.S. President.” (“National Debt Has Increased $4 Trillion Under Obama,” CBS News, 8/22/11)

‘United States Cannot Sustain The Federal Spending Programs That Are Now In Place’

CBO: “With the population aging and health care costs per person likely to keep growing faster than the economy, the United States cannot sustain the federal spending programs that are now in place…” (“Choices For Deficit Reduction,” Congressional Budget Office, P.6, 11/12)