Pawlenty accuses Obama of scaring Americans into higher taxes
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty responded Tuesday to comments President Obama made in an interview with CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Scott Pelley on the status of debt negotiations with Republicans.
Pawlenty, a Republican presidential contender, accused the president of scaring Americans "into agreeing to higher taxes and spending."
Mr. Obama told Pelley he could not guarantee Social Security and other government checks after August 2nd, a deadline set by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner for a debt ceiling increase.
"I cannot guarantee that those checks go out on August 3rd if we haven't resolved this issue," Mr. Obama said. "Because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it."
Mr. Obama also told Pelley "this is not just a matter of Social Security checks. These are veterans checks, these are folks on disability and their checks. There are about 70 million checks that go out."
In a written statement, Pawlenty called it "unconscionable" the president "would be proposing higher taxes and more spending, but not surprising coming from the same man who gave us the failed stimulus and ObamaCare."
The Republican presidential candidate statement continued: "I would use the debt limit as a moment to stop out-of-control government, and force real spending cuts and balance the budget."
Pelley's full interview with Mr. Obama airs on the CBS Evening News Tuesday.
