PRESIDENT OBAMA: "History is scattered with the stories of those who held fast to rigid ideologies and refused to listen to those who disagreed. But those are not the Americans we remember. We remember the Americans who put country above self, and set personal grievances aside for the greater good. We remember the Americans who held this country

Lawrence O'Donnell, MSNBC Host: "I understand that he had to teach some basic things about this to the general public, but he doesn't get another chance at this, does he? The national address over the stalemate on the debt ceiling. if he was going to make news about it, wasn't he going to have done it here?" Chris Matthews, MSNBC: "I think there

Charles Krauthammer: "When I heard today that he was going to speak at 9:00, instantly I thought, 'we've got a deal.' Why else would the President request airtime? Then I hear he's just going to make his argument. I think the reason he's doing this is because -- three nights ago, there he was on television, summoning the leaders of the Congress to

"I want you to know I made a sincere effort to work with the president to identify a path forward that would implement the principles of Cut, Cap, & Balance in a manner that could secure bipartisan support and be signed into law. I gave it my all. "Unfortunately, the president would not take yes for an answer. Even when we thought we might be cl

(via The Right Scoop)

"For the last decade, we have spent more money than we take in. In the year 2000, the government had a budget surplus. But instead of using it to pay off our debt, the money was spent on trillions of dollars in new tax cuts, while two wars and an expensive prescription drug program were simply added to our nation’s credit card. "As a result, t

"We can't allow the American people to become collateral damage to Washington's political warfare. And Congress now has one week left to act. And there are still paths forward. The Senate has introduced a plan to avoid default which makes a down payment on deficit reduction and ensures that we don't have to go through this again in six months. I th

Chris Matthews on debt talks and committees on debt reduction: "This sounds like -- I spent two years in Southern Africa. Sounds like what the whites talked about doing. Eventually going into some circle, like Custard's last stand against the United States."

Harry Reid introduces the Senate plan for increasing the debt ceiling and cutting spending: "Unfortunately the Republicans who used to run Congress, the two Republican caucuses, are being driven by a radical rig

After reminiscing about the days of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and how he would make fun of them, Rush Limbaugh took a more serious tone when it comes to President Obama: "Today, there is plenty of stuff to ridicule and there's plenty of stuff to laugh at and there's plenty of stuff to make fun of. I must be honest, it's harder and harder to

“I’d like to say a few words now about the ongoing debt ceiling discussions. “I think the American people can be excused for being a little confused at this point as to what’s going on here in Washington, and a little bit frustrated. I am too, frankly. “There is no reason in the world that the American people should have had to wake

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement on the two-step approach for cutting spending and preserving the full faith and credit of the United States that GOP leaders discussed with their Republican colleagues today: “Republicans have put forward a responsible, common-sense proposal that meets our obligations to the Amer

"As you heard from the Speaker and the Leader, this plan is not perfect. But it shows a great contrast to what the President's laid out. The President continues to pick politics over people. His only concern when you listen to him is he brings up the election. We're more concerned about the policies, and where this country is going. This plan today

"This is an offer that Republicans can't refuse. Make no mistake about it: The two-step plan outlined by Speaker Boehner is a dodge," Sen. Schumer (D-NY) said at a press conference this afternoon with Harry Reid.

From a nostalgic Chris Matthews on "Hardball" this evening: "With Bill in Treasury and Hillary Clinton still in State, President Obama would be in sterling state to hold the Democrats and bring confidence to the middle men perhaps given the weak political line-up. I recommend this appointment for the reason that the country needs a strong economic

Full address, as prepared for the President of the United States: Good evening. Tonight, I want to talk about the debate we’ve been having in Washington over the national debt – a debate that directly affects the lives of all Americans. For the last decade, we have spent more money than we take in. In the year 2000, th

“And I think one of the reasons President Obama has moved as far to the right as he has is he thinks he can go all the way and no one will stand up to him,” Sanders continued. “So, Tim I don’t want to tell you more than that but this is an issue I am – we are beginning to talk about a little bit.” (source:

"Senator Reid is going to put forth an offer that meets the Democrats' main criteria, going past 2012, and the two Republican criteria: Enough cuts to equal the amount you raise the debt ceiling and no revenues," Sen. Chuck Schumer said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

"Just remember, this is the United States of America. We write 80 million checks a month. There are millions and millions of Americans that depend on those checks coming on time," Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner told "FOX News Sunday." "Not just people that supply our military, but people who get Social Security benefits, Medicare [and] Medicaid

"The idea of doing things on my own is very tempting. I promise you, not just on immigration reform. But that's not how our system works. That's not how our democracy functions. That's not how our Constitution is written," Obama said at the National Council of La Raza's annual conference.

"Obama doesn’t want a short-term deal. He doesn’t want any deal that comes due before the election and he can’t get elected. If this happens, for instance, if this stuff is going on prior to an election, he can’t get possibly elected anyway. If they choose the right candidate, which is a big if, the fact is unless the Republicans get 100 pe

Gretchen Carlson, FOX News: "However, when you look at Senator Reid's plan from last night, he's not touching entitlements at all. I think most people would agree that long term, we have to touch entitlements because our country simply can't afford to continue at the rate that we have." Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC): "Well, the last time I checked S