President Obama Uncut: Blasts Republicans For Stonewalling With Federal Budget; Insulting Intelligence

Thinking that reporters were out of the room, President Obama opened up Thursday night about the recent budget talks with Republicans and what he called their efforts to sneak in attacks on Planned Parenthood and his health care bill.



"I said (to Republicans), 'You want to repeal health care? Go at it,' " Obama told backers in a private meeting with an open microphone.


" 'We'll have that debate. You're not going to be able to do that by nickel-and-diming me in the budget.' "


He said he added: "You think we're stupid?"


Obama took questions from political donors after a press pool had been dismissed. But a microphone remained on, and Mark Knoller of CBS News took notes.
In what amounted to his most extended remarks on talks with House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and others, Obama said he protested GOP efforts to add items to the budget bill under discussion.


That included efforts to cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood.


"Put it in a separate bill," Obama said he told Boehner and his staff. "We'll call it up. And if you think you can overturn my veto, try it. But don't try to sneak this through."


Obama also had some choice words for Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who chairs the House Budget Committee:


"When Paul Ryan says his priority is to make sure, he's just being America's accountant ... This is the same guy that voted for two wars that were unpaid for, voted for the Bush tax cuts that were unpaid for, voted for the prescription drug bill that cost as much as my health care bill -- but wasn't paid for ... So it's not on the level."