TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Lieberman Pledges To Filibuster Public Option, Blames Its Supporters For Holding Up Reform
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) pledged to filibuster against the public option: "The government going into the health insurance business -- I think it's such a mistake that I would use the power I have as a single senator to stop a final vote." He also blamed public option-supporters for being the ones who are obstructing reform: "All of a sudden if you're not for this government health insurance company, you're against health care reform. I'd say to them, 'Don't stop us from getting something good and important done for the American people.'"

Boehner: NY-23 Election Part Of 'Political Rebellion Going On In America'
Appearing on State of the Union, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) addressed the situation in NY-23 by delcaring, "We're in the middle, I think, of a political rebellion going on in America," and said that the Republicans will work to earn the support of people coming into the political system. At the same time, he insisted that the GOP was not excluding moderates, in light of moderate GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava's withdrawal from the race: "We accept moderates in our party. We want moderates in our party. We cover a wide range of Americans."

Jarrett: NY-23 Shows GOP Becoming 'More Extreme And More Marginalized'
Appearing on This Week, White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett said that the NY-23 special election is a sign of the Republican Party becoming "more extreme and more marginalized". "It's rather telling when the Republican Party forces out a moderate Republican," Jarrett said. "And it says, I think, a great deal about where the Republican Party leadership is right now."

Jarrett: GOP Has To Decide If They Want To Be Constructive
Appearing on This Week, White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett put the blame on Republican leaders in Congress for a lack of bipartisanship. "He's [President Obama] constantly reaching out to Republicans, both he and his team, and he'll continue to do that. But ultimately, it's up to the Republicans to decide if they want to be a constructive force, and come to the table and work with us in a positive way. We want to hear good ideas, the President is known for listening most closely to those with whom he disagrees, so the door is always open."

Geithner: Government Must Reduce Deficit, But First Restore Economic Growth
Appearing on Meet The Press, Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner, said that budget deficits will have to come down, but not before the government has first stimulated the economy. "Now it's too high, and I think everybody understands this," said Geithner. "You know, we've got these two central imperatives: restore growth, create jobs. But make sure people understand we're going to have to bring those fiscal deficits down as growth recovers. First growth, though. Without growth, you can't fix those long-term fiscal problems."

Axelrod: White House At War With Those 'Who Represent Mistruths As Truth'
Appearing on Face The Nation, White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod denied that the White House is at war with Fox News -- sort of. "We're at war only with people who represent mistruths as truth," said Axelrod. "And that's true of any network whether it's Fox, CBS, or any other network. When errors of fact are stated or when opinion is offered as fact, we will challenge that."

Plouffe: 'We Should Thank John McCain' For Picking Sarah Palin
Appearing on Meet The Press, former Obama 2008 campaign manager David Plouffe "thanked" John McCain for picking Sarah Palin as his running mate, both for her detrimental role in the McCain campaign and for her efforts now to keep moderates out of the GOP: "Well, I think we should thank John McCain for picking her, in terms of how it helped us win in 2008, but I think we should doubly thank him now. What's going on in the special election in New York 23 I think is a remarkable phenomenon and could affect our politics for years to come."

Limbaugh: Obama May Be Destroying America On Purpose
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Rush Limbaugh accused President Obama of deliberately trying to hurt America. "I believe that the economy is under siege, is being destroyed. Anybody with any economic literacy would not do one thing this administration's done to try to revitalize the private sector. They're destroying it," said Limbaugh. "And I have to think that it may be on purpose, because this is just outrageous, what is happening -- a denial of liberty, an attack on freedom."