Obama Says He Doesn’t Regret Negotiating with Boehner in 2011 But Won’t Do So Again

Obama Says He Doesn't Regret Negotiating with Boehner in 2011 But Won't Do So Again

OBAMA: In 2011, I entered into good faith negotiations with John Boehner. He had just won the speakership. It was at a time because we were still responding to the recession, deficits were high and people were concerned about it and I thought it was my obligation to meet him halfway. And so we had a whole series of talks and at that point at least, nobody had any belief that people would come close to potential default. I don't regret those negotiations and we came fairly close. And whenever I see John Boehner to this day, I still say should have taken the deal I offered you back then, which would have dealt with our long-term deficit problems and would not have impeded growth as much and really boosted confidence. But at that time, I think House Republicans had just taken over and they were feeling their oats and thinking we don't have to compromise. And we came pretty close to default. And we saw the impact of that. I would have thought that they would have learned the lesson from that as I did, which is we can't put in the American people and our economy through that ringer again. So that's the reason why I’ve been very clear we’re not going to negotiate around the debt ceiling.”