From NBC17 Rep. Brad Miller:
What Wall Street wanted to hear tonight is that we’re going to hand them the nation’s wallet and say “just take what you need.” That’s not what the American people wanted to hear, and that’s not what I wanted to hear. President Obama understands the severity and urgency of our economic crisis, and that by itself is an important change. Our nation has come through tough times before, and we will again, but we can’t flinch from what needs to be done.Gov. Bev Perdue:
President Obama was very clear tonight about his plans to rebuild America’s economy and to put our financial house in order. He spoke forcefully about the challenges we face, as a country and a people, on the pathway to recovery,” Gov. Perdue said.
I applaud the president’s leadership and willingness to make tough decisions while also focusing on progress in the 21st century – investment in energy technology and education – the seed-corn of the new century.U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington):
“Tonight the President laid out a comprehensive plan to address the economic and fiscal crises we face, and to rebuild and recover the nation. The President was frank in assessing the tough challenges we face, but he reminded us that as Americans we always overcome our difficulties. Our challenges are interrelated – we cannot just address one, we must address them all if we are to return to a path of sustained growth.
“I was pleased to see the President speak about the role that education will play in our economic recovery. If we are going to emerge from the economic crisis a stronger nation, we must invest in our future workforce, our students. Education is an investment, not an expenditure – what we spend on investment now will bring us great dividends in the future.
“We face serious economic problems. We must confront the long-term challenges we face, and take steps to provide fiscal stability and to grow our economy over the long term. We must invest in our priorities, like reforming the health care system, making our country energy independent and strengthening our education system. While we must make investments, we must also make hard choices. Responsibility means spending wisely. The President will send his budget to Congress on Thursday, which calls for cutting the deficit in half. I look forward to working with the President to return our country to a course of budget discipline.”
U.S. Senator Kay Hagan:
“We are facing the most serious economic crisis in a generation. North Carolinians need action now to put people back to work, free up credit for consumers and businesses, help stabilize our housing market, and reform our financial system. President Obama recognizes that these challenges are interrelated and I agree that we cannot return to a steady course without addressing them all. But President Obama also acknowledges that our fiscal problems are not happening in a vacuum, and other issues such as health care, education reform, and green energy sustainability cannot fall by the wayside.
“I was struck by President Obama’s tone. No one, least of all our President, disagrees that the issues we face are great. But collectively, our ability to tackle these issues and move our country forward only serves to strengthen our resolve and our nation. At a time like this, when there is much to be concerned about, President Obama’s hopeful and confident tone is greatly appreciated.”
“I was also pleased to hear President Obama speak forcefully about the need for increased accountability and transparency. Yes, we have inherited this financial mess, but that fact alone does not justify denying the American public the accountability they deserve. It is high time that members of government remember that they are here to serve the people of this country, not their own devices. I am looking forward to receiving President Obama’s budget proposal, which will be released later this week. As a former state budget writer myself, I am pleased that he has decided to do away with the common budget gimmicks that often mask actual federal spending including the use of supplemental, “off-the-books” spending which costs taxpayers billions of dollars. I know that a budget that includes transparency, fiscal restraint, and investments in priorities that will move America forward is possible and I look forward to working with the Administration to ensure its passage.”
U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina):
“From the economic crisis we are facing to the continued threats from those who wish us harm, our nation is confronted with many tough challenges. President Obama rightly noted many of these challenges tonight. I agree with the President that our nation can best overcome these challenges by working together. I believe the best way to turn around our economy and create good paying, long-term jobs is to let Americans keep more of what they earn in the first place. By empowering individuals, families and small businesses–not expanding the government–we can more quickly and more effectively strengthen our economy.
“I applaud the president’s call for fiscal responsibility, and I couldn’t agree more. The out-of-control spending in Washington has got to stop. Unless we come to grips with our spending, our economy will be no better off, and Americans for years to come will be facing either massive tax increases or severe cuts in federal programs to pay off the enormous debt we have accumulated.
“Finally, I was pleased to see that the president spoke about the growing epidemic of the declining high school graduation rates. Currently, only 70% of our nation’s high school students graduate on time. This is simply unacceptable, and we must address it. That is why I introduced the Graduate for a Better Future Act earlier this year to help public high schools across the country improve their graduation rates.
