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Obama: 'Nobody can get 100 percent of what they want'

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    President delivers remarks on 'fiscal cliff' standoff

  • Duration 7:02
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This transcript is automatically generated

-- this is great good afternoon everybody.

The last few weeks I've been working with the leaders of both parties on a proposal to get our deficit under control.

The board tax cuts.

Her -- more tax hikes.

The middle class.

And to make sure that we can spur jobs and economic growth -- balance proposal that cut spending but also asks the wealthiest Americans pay more.

Proposal that will strengthen the middle class over the long haul.

And gore economy over the long -- During the course of these negotiations.

I offered to compromise with the Republicans in congress.

I met them halfway on taxes and I met them more than half way on spending.

And in terms of actual.

Dollar amounts were not that far apart.

As -- today I am still ready and willing.

To get a comprehensive.

Package done.

I still believe that reducing our deficit.

Is the right thing to do for the long term health of our economy and the confidence of our businesses.

I remain committed to working towards that goal whether it happens all wants or whether it happens in several different steps.

But in ten days we face a deadline.

In ten days under current -- tax rates are scheduled to rise.

On most Americans.

And even though Democrats Republicans are arguing about whether those rates should go for the wealthiest individuals.

All of us every single one of us.

Agrees that tax rates shouldn't go up.

For the other 98% of Americans which includes 97% small business.

Every member of congress believes that.

Every Democrat.

Every Republican.

So there is absolutely no reason.

Not.

Not to protect these Americans from attack site.

At the very least let's agree.

Right now on.

What we already agree on let's get that done.

I just spoke to speaker Boehner.

And I also met with senator -- The next few days -- -- leaders of congress to work towards a package that prevents a tax hike on middle class Americans.

Protects unemployment insurance for two million Americans.

And lays the ground work for further work on both growth and deficit reduction.

That's an achievable goal that can get done in ten days.

Once this legislation's agreed to I expect Democrats and Republicans to get back to Washington.

And have it passed both chambers and I won't immediately signed that legislation into law before January 1.

Of next year.

It's that simple.

Averting this middle class acts like is not a democratic responsibility or a Republican responsibility.

-- their votes the American people have determined that governing is a shared responsibility.

Between both parties.

In this congress.

Walls can only pass with support from Democrats.

And Republicans and that means nobody gets a 100% of what they want.

Everybody's got to give a little bit.

In a sensible way.

We move forward together.

Or don't move forward at all.

So.

As we leave town for a few days to be -- our families.

For the holidays I don't it gives her -- and prospective.

So -- to cool off.

-- but it can.

For -- meg not.

Have some Christmas cookies.

Send sinks them Christmas carols.

Enjoy the company of loved ones.

Man I'd ask every member of congress while we're back home to think about that think about the obligations.

We have of the people who sent us -- Think about the hardship that so many Americans -- -- -- if congress does nothing at all.

Just as our economy.

Is.

Really starting to recover and we're starting to see optimistic science and we've seen actually.

Some -- statistics.

From a whole range of areas including housing.

Now's not the time.

For more self inflicted wounds.

Certainly not those come from Washington.

There's so much more work to be done in this country on jobs and on incomes.

Education and energy.

We're a week away from.

One of the worst tragedies.

In memory.

So we've got work to do on gun safety.

Host of other issues.

These are all challenges that we can make.

Not challenges that we have to me if we want our kids to grow up in America -- full of opportunity.

And possibility.

As much opportunity and possibility is America that our parents our grandparents left for us.

We're only are going to be able to do it together.

We're gonna have to find some common ground.

And the challenge that we've got right now is that the American people.

Are a lot more sensible.

And a lot more thoughtful.

And much more willing to compromise.

And give and sacrifice.

And act responsibly.

Then they're elected representatives.

That's a problem there's a mismatch right now between.

Our body else is think about these problems Democrats and Republicans.

Outside of this town and how folks are operating here and we've just got to.

Get battle line.

We've only got ten days ago.

So.

I hope that every member of congress is thinking about it.

Nobody can get a 100% what they -- And this is not simply a contest.

Between parties.

In terms of who looks good and who doesn't.

The real world consequences to what we do here.

And I want next year to be a year of strong economic growth.

I want next year to be a year in which more jobs are created and more businesses are starting.

And we're making progress on all the challenges that we have out there are some of which by the way.

We don't have as much control over as we have in terms of shaping a sensible budget.

This is something within our capacity to -- It doesn't take very much what.

We just have to do right there.

So.

Call me a hopeless optimist.

But I actually still think we can get it -- And when that I want wish every American -- Merry Christmas.

And you know because we didn't get -- done -- will see you next week.

All right well.

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