Newsroom

Read:
Obama's Challenge

Learn More:
Fiscal High Road | Market Economy | Work Supports

---

More by Robert Kuttner

Women on the Verge

Huffington Post | July 25, 2010

The Warren Drama

Huffington Post | July 18, 2010

Question for the Tea Party: Why the Free Ride for Republicans Protecting Bankers?

Huffington Post | July 11, 2010

---

A Presidency in Peril
The Inside Story of Obama's Promise, Wall Street's Power, and the Struggle to Control our Economic Future

---

Obama's Challenge
American's Economic Crisis and the Power of a Transformative Presidency

---

The Squandering of America
How Our Politics Undermines Our Prosperity

---

Inequality Matters
The Growing Economic Divide in America and Its Poisonous Consequences

December 7, 2009

Robert Kuttner at the White House Jobs Summit

With Robert Kuttner

At the White House Jobs Summit, Fellow Robert Kuttner ask President Obama the following question:

You know, most of the things that have been proposed today cost money. And there is this concern about the federal deficit. I hope that your administration will recognize, as I know you will, that it's possible, first of all, to reduce the deficit over time and sometimes in the short run realize that you need to increase the deficit. I hope the concern about the deficit in the long run doesn't crowd out the need for additional spending in the short run.

And I also think that some of these programs that increase jobs and increase GDP are probably the fastest way to get the economy back on a track that will reduce the deficit over time. It's certainly a better way to reduce the deficit than putting ourselves into a debtor's prison, and assume we can deflate our way to recovery.

Watch the video to see Obama's response. Also, be sure to read Kuttner's account of the exchange on the Huffington Post.

View More