Obama’s opening debt deception: or, why $4 trillion isn’t really $4 trillion

Published April 13, 2011 4:00am ET



President Obama will shortly announce his debt reduction plan, and the White House has already told reporters the headline number: $4 trillion. But the trick is, that number is over 12 years – as opposed to the standard 10-year budget window.

This is a clear and deliberate deception by the Obama administration. His Fiscal Commission set the $4 trillion target last year, which Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., upped to $4.4 trillion in his plan.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.