WASHINGTON — An exasperated President Obama likened his Republican rivals to the likes of Snooki as a nasty fight over the looming debt crisis has made the cast of “Jersey Shore” look distinguished compared to DC politicians.
“The American people are not interested in the reality-TV aspects of who said what and did somebody’s feelings get hurt,” Obama lectured — just days after reports that he stormed out of a White House meeting with GOP congressional leaders in a clash fit for The WB network.
But after five successive days of White House talks without outward signs of progress, the situation was looking so bleak that political Washington looked to be in need of an extreme makeover.
VIDEO: OBAMA STILL PUSHING FOR ‘BIG DEAL’ ON DEBT CEILING
Both sides postured yesterday over how to raise the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt limit while slashing spending in a brutal game of “Survivor” — with the 2012 elections threatening to throw any number of politicians off the island.
Obama urged lawmakers to “do something big” — still pressing for a grand bargain that would include closing corporate loopholes and other tax hikes that Republican leaders and Tea Party rank-and-file have disavowed.
Obama says that without the tax hikes, cuts on domestic programs would be too severe.
The president expressed some openness to other options if negotiators can’t agree on a major package of spending cuts and tax hikes while also raising the nation’s debt ceiling.
“Let’s at least avert Armageddon,” he said.
Dug-in Republicans announced plans to call up a bill in the House to institute spending caps without tax hikes, along with a constitutional balanced-budget amendment, as a condition for raising the debt limit.
But Obama condemned amending the Constitution, something that would stall in the Senate and take years to get ratified.
“We don’t need a constitutional amendment to do that. What we need to do is do our jobs,” Obama said.
But House GOP Speaker John Boehner countered that Obama has been “unwilling to put a real plan on the table.”
“Without serious spending cuts, without real reforms to our entitlement programs, this problem is not going to be solved.”
Despite the fast-approaching Aug. 2 deadline and ominous warnings from credit-rating agencies on the risks of default, Obama said both sides had a “unique opportunity” to start solving the country’s debt woes.
“We are obviously running out of time,” he said.
He said he wanted “for us to achieve a big deal” rather than fallback options — even though momentum toward such a comprehensive package appears to have collapsed.
“I always have hope. Don’t you remember my campaign?” he told reporters in a White House press conference. “Even after being here for two and a half years, I still have hope.”
Obama insisted he was willing to make tough decisions — and even said he would entertain unidentified “modifications” to Social Security and Medicare that would achieve trillions in savings.
Get with the program
It is a reality show, Mr. President. You’re just not seeing it that way . . .
“Dancing with the Stars”
In a dizzying display of political footwork, celebrity guest stars Barack Obama and John Boehner tango, rumba and cha-cha their way to victory. Both try to remain upbeat and focused despite stinging criticism from guest judges Mitch McConnell, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. Timothy Geithner hosts.
“Jersey Shore Goes to DC”
The cast teams up for a special Beltway edition, moving into the White House Cabinet Room. Initially expected to run just a few episodes, the explosive ratings magnet could be extended through August as Eric “The Situation” Cantor manages to tick off both the group’s top muscleman, John “Ronnie” Boehner and President Obama. Joe “Pauly D” Biden provides unintentional comedy as he tries to duck the spotlight, while resident cheerleader Michelle “Snooki” Bachmann courts it.
“Survivor XXVXX: Washington”
It’s the most controversial, outrageous, underhanded finale yet! After blindsiding teammates John Boehner and Mitch McConnell, will alliance-breaker Eric Cantor outwit, outlast and outplay the president? Time will tell.