GUESS WHAT? The deficit is $300 BILLION smaller today than when Obama took office!!!!!READ THIS!!!!

[BigBearJohn]

The wrong issue for the wrong candidate

To add a little historical context to this, over the last four decades, only two presidents have reduced the deficit this much, this quickly: Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Despite this fact, the new Washington Post/ABC News poll shows President Obama leading Mitt Romney on every major policy area except one: deficit reduction . It's an advantage the Republican is eager to exploit.

First, Obama, whether the public realizes it or not, has a record he can brag about when it comes to deficit reduction -- very few president in American history can boast about having inherited a massive deficit, then cutting it by nearly a fourth in just one term.

Second, while Romney's correct to note that the existing budget shortfall is still quite large, it's worth appreciating the fact that the main drivers of the remaining deficit are Republican policies. Indeed, Romney's own running mate was largely responsible for creating the mess Obama is trying to clean up.

But perhaps most important is the detail that's gone largely forgotten: Romney doesn't have a deficit-reduction plan. It simply doesn't exist. If you go to the Romney/Ryan "issues" page , you'll see 29 links. One mentions "spending," but there are no references to "deficit" or "debt."

SOURCE: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/10/15/14452120-the-wrong-issue-for-the-wrong-candidate?lite:

[gateley]

1. That's all O has to say.

[Incitatus]

2. And how much lower would it be if the Republicans

didn't block raising taxes on the rich?

[Tennessee Gal]

3. And how much lower would it be if the Republicans

didn't block jobs bills that would really stimulate the economy and tax revenues?

[Tx4obama]

4. Great graph! n/t

[pokerfan]

9. yep

[LeftInTX]

5. I never knew this

I knew repukes only made a big deal about the deficit when dems were in power, but I did not know that it had gone down.

Why isn't Obama promoting this. Sure it's not all that impressive, but heck they're saying he doubled the deficit.

I thought it had gone up some, but I didn't know it had gone down.

wow!!

[renate]

6. I know!

In so many ways Obama has a great team, but this is the kind of thing they should be hiring skywriters to advertise. Why do we have to hear it from someone else 22 days before the election?

[msongs]

7. O to R: are you going to congratulate me on the 300 bil deficit reduction I have accomplished? nt

[B Calm]

8. Obama needs to speak up about this! eom

[BigBearJohn]

10. It sure would be nice if we could generate some loud chatter about this. It is SO important!@#$!!

[Rustycup]

11. The issue should be how

republicans explode the debt. Not what was cut or reduced. Just the last few republican presidents exploded the debt. Rinse repeat. This is the only thing Obama needs to say tonight.

[BigBearJohn]

13. I think a comparison between the two would be appropriate. Obama SHOULD get credit for reducing it.

[madokie]

12. When I think of robme and lyan ryan

Pig in a poke comes to mind