President Barack Obama held a press conference late this afternoon announcing he is optimistic that Congress can still reach an agreement to avoid the fiscal cliff deadline. If an agreement is not met, President Obama is going to ask Sen. Harry Reid to bring to the senate floor a basic bill that will make sure unemployment insurance is available for two million people and that taxes do not go up on middle class families on Jan. 1.
“America wonders why it is that you cannot get things done in an organized timetable. The American people are not going to have any patience for a politically self-inflicted wound.” President pointed out many think the
He described meetings he held today with Senate leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell as constructive today. An apparently frustrated president said he is moderately optimistic something will get done.
He did not answered shouted questions as he departed.
