Biden says he was surprised there was so much criticism of Obama in last night's debate

[lapucelle]

66. My point is that neither narrative is supported by facts,

whether the narrative concerns the president acquiescing to a vice president who was really running the show or whether the narrative asserts that the Democratic president and vice president

[were] willing to sacrifice Social Security and Medicare for a slightly better short term budget deal

I reject that story line both on principle and on facts.

Final wrangling over defense spending almost sank the deal, but on Sunday afternoon, officials reached a compromise. At 8:15 p.m., Mr. Obama called Mr. Boehner to ask, "Do we have a deal?" There was a pause, then the president said, "Congratulations to you, too, John." White House aides listening in exhaled.

Over the final stretch, Republicans made clear that tax increases couldn't be in the mix for the initial cuts or triggers. And Democrats insisted that cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits would have to be left out as well. The committee can look at those issues later.

Moments before Mr. Obama announced the long-awaited debt deal, Mr. Boehner began to sell it to his restive troops. "The White House bid to raise taxes has been shut down," he said.

Why would anyone frame these negotiations as a "willingness to sacrifice Social Security and Medicare for a slightly better short term budget deal" when that is clearly not the case.

And any suggestion that President Obama was simply a figurehead and somebody else's "yes man" in his own administration is frankly disgusting.

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