By Simone Götesson
President Obama outlined the importance of reducing the deficit and said he was optimistic that Democrats and Republicans can eventually come together around one plan during a town hall meeting at Nothern Virgina Community College Tuesday, the first stop in a three-state swing to promote his message.
“There will be those who say that we’re too divided, that the partisanship is too stark. But I’m optimistic, I’m hopeful,” Obama said on the Annandale-based campus.”We had a good start a few weeks ago, when both parties came together around a compromise that cut spending but also kept the government open and kept vital investments in things that we care about.”
Obama explained that his budget plan aims to find savings “wherever we can find it,” and he pointed to the $400 billion savings that the government managed to find in the defense budget. “I believe we can do that again,” he said.
He also said that he is not willing to make budget cuts to education or infrastructure, and spoke to both Democrats and Republicans when saying:
“Yes, I’m serious about reducing the deficit; yes, I want limited government; yes, I want reductions in spending — but I do think that we’ve got to make investments in basic research and infrastructure and education, and so let’s do it in a balanced way.”
“If we do that, we can come up with a compromise that is effective, that puts America’s fiscal house in order, but also allows us to win the future. That’s my goal,” he added.
Later this week, the President will hold similar events in California and Nevada.