Two questions about the deficit. Were any politicians, pundits, economists, etc., talking about the

[raccoon]

deficit before Obama was elected?

Second: If (FSM forbid) a Republican president is s/elected in 2012, would anybody be talking about the deficit?

[karynnj]

1. Many were, but most often just in "serious" places, like the Finance Committee and other committees

and the floor of both Houses. It also came up on various talk shows. (Cheney spoke of deficits - he said reagan proved they didn't matter - the same Reagan now quote by the tea party to gut every social service they can think of - or vaguely "everything" to which they then make a long list of exceptions.

As to politically, in 2004, Kerry often spoke of the unaffordable tax cuts for the wealthy and the elimination of the estate taxes. Not to mention, he wanted the war costs paid for by rolling back the tax cuts on those making more than $200,000 - and then made a protest "no" vote on the Republican version which added it to the debt. Howard Dean referred to the deficit and called for rolling back ALL the Bush tax cuts - this at a point where they were relatively new. Kerry and Dean both quoted an economist (I think Krugman) who said that there was no precedent in our history of cutting taxes while at war. I know Kerry and I think Dean spoke with concern about the amount of our debt held by China.

For that matter, in 2004, Edwards claimed that Kerry's far more extensive health care plan was unaffordable because it would add too much to the deficit.

So, yes it was spoken of well before Obama ran - the difference is that the solution offered by all these Democrats was to return at least some of the tax rates to Clinton levels. This when the economic picture was FAR better than 4 years later.

The difference is the Republicans ONLY speak of it when they are not in power - to argue for shredding any remaining security net.

[spanone]

2. to quote dick cheney 'deficits don't matter'

not that i agree with him, but imagine if joe biden said that today.