Reply #1: *stands and applauds* I am so proud of him!

[ObamaKerryDem]

I am in complete agreement and commend him for coming out and saying it, even if it may put him at least somewhat at odds with the WH (though I think the President was far stronger than he had been in his remarks today--THAT's the Obama I want to see!). This whole process WAS a form of extortion and it's a damn shame Congressional and Senatorial Democrats were put in this position. Particurally Senate Democrats as I think it was a bit easier--both politically and just overall logistically--for the House Democrats to vote their conscience on this, as we have such thin numbers now (unfortunately..) in the Senate. So I completely understand why the Senator voted for it--there was little, if any other choice!

It really stinks, though, that the two issues: raising the debt ceiling and the deficit, were fused together like this. Really wrong, IMO.

I cannot wait until we can toss these Tea Party clowns out next year! I think Obama will be that much more effective with a better Congress, though I agree he needs to be tougher on them. I hope the Obama who spoke today stays on board. More like the Campaign Obama than what we had been seeing lately, IMO.