C-SPAN has the goods:
Stocks on Wall Street fell today as Congressional leaders failed to work around the debt ceiling stalemate. Hopes for a solution before the Asian markets opened were frustrated after House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) told House Republicans that there was no way to reach a deal with President Obama. Instead, the Speaker called for House GOP members to return to Washington for a strategy meeting today.
...According to the AP, the Speaker said the plan was not "Cut, Cap & Balance" -- the deficit reduction plan passed in the House on Tuesday and killed in the Senate on Friday. The new plan is "going to require some of you to make some sacrifices," he is reported to have cautioned his rank-and-file.
Can we assume that by "rank-and-file," he means the Tea Party tantrum throwers who have either pledged to not raise the debt limit or otherwise sold their souls to Norquist? Oddly enough, that remonstration is absent from Boehner's letter to his caucus regarding the talks, but this was interesting:
During these discussions -- as in my earlier discussions -- it became evident that the White House is simply not serious about ending the spending binge that is destroying jobs and endangering our children's future.
A deal was never reached, and was never really close.
In the end, we couldn't connect. Not because of different personalities, but because of different visions for our country.
The President is emphatic taxes have to be raised. As a former small businessman, I know tax increases destroy jobs.
So not only can Boehner not keep his timeline straight, he can't even sort whether or not a deal was close at hand.
Maybe Cantor can lend some insight:
Unfortunately, time and again these talks have reached an impasse for one reason: the Democrats’ insistence on raising taxes on small businesses and working families. We must get Washington’s fiscal house in order, but with millions of Americans out of work, the worst thing Washington can do is to raise taxes on those we need to start hiring again.
...Contrary to news reports, a deal was never reached with the White House and a deal was never close with the White House – especially after the President insisted on more tax revenue after the Gang of Six plan was released.
Guess he didn't get the "tough choices" memo, either. But he does appear to have received the ones about "we weren't really coming to a deal" and "Dems want more taxes." Too bad this one didn't get through to him: we the people want more taxes, too.
And what does Reid have to say?
“Republicans have once again proven unable to overcome their ideological opposition to ending taxpayer-funded giveaways for millionaires, corporate jet owners and oil companies. I applaud President Obama for insisting that any deal to reduce our deficit be balanced between cuts and revenues. We must avert a default at all costs, so it is time to reengage in bipartisan talks on an agreement that at least accomplishes that goal.
“I agree with President Obama that a short-term extension is unacceptable.”
I'm loving the dem messaging on the GOP loving them some millionaire tax breaks and refusing to indulge this circus again in six months.
So the only statement missing is Pelosi's which is, apparently on right now!
Update: Shorter press conference: Jobs, dammit!
They're on fire. Hats off the DWS on the group's messaging.