Politico...
Democrats downplay prospect of short-term deal
By Jennifer Haberkorn & Matt Dobias
7/20/11 

Top congressional Democrats pushed back on the idea that President Barack Obama would support a short-term debt deal after meeting with him at the White House on Wednesday afternoon. 

The president “made it clear that he has not changed his position,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told reporters after the Democratic leaders returned to Capitol Hill. “He believes that a short-term debt ceiling extension is not in the best interest of our economy.” 

Durbin added that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner “feels strongly about it, too.” 

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said a short-term extension would “politicize” the process. 

“The president, rightfully in my view, sees that as simply further politicizing this process, which is not good for the country, the economy, jobs or the markets,” Hoyer told reporters. 

The Democratic leaders made their comments after White House press secretary Jay Carney suggested Wednesday afternoon that Obama might sign a short-term debt ceiling extension if he and Congress reach a larger agreement and just need more time to flesh out the details. 

“We would not support a short-term extension absent an agreement to a larger deal. That’s not acceptable,” Carney said. “Obviously, if both sides agree to something significant, we will support the measures needed to finalize the details of that.” 

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