Representative Jackie Speier (D) on Budget and Energy Issues

Highlights

• Voted yes to increase debt ceiling
• Politics in the vote- she says she's for budget cuts, but voted otherwise
• Medicare cuts- says not going to cut Medicare
• Avoiding default- have to cut 35% of budget- says it can't be done
• They wanted up and down vote on debt ceiling- response? See above.
• Hoyer to President- no deal without us.  
• Caller described as Republican- didn't sound that way to me.
• Democrat caller - fear talk- speech making.
• Speier is senior Democrat Whip
• Independent caller - raise my taxes- spending cuts yes- Medicare leave alone.  Response? tax cuts blamed
• caller says stop playing blame game- response- tax cuts bad

Most of this program is callers after the short intro.  I leave it here.  My impression is that inflexible positions are being taken, this is not helpful.  Have to have some give and take.