Obama: Proposed budget not his ‘ideal plan’

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Confronting bipartisan criticism, President Barack Obama is conceding that his proposed budget is not his “ideal plan.” But he says it offers “tough reforms” to the nation’s benefit programs while closing loopholes for the wealthy.

Obama argues his approach will provide long-term deficit reduction without harming the economy.

In his first comments about a budget he is to release next week, Obama says he intends to reduce deficits while providing new spending for public works projects, early education and job training.

Obama says in his weekly radio and Internet address that he’s willing to compromise to move beyond what he calls “a cycle of short-term, crisis-driven decision-making.”

In the Republican address, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says that ideas for fixing the federal government are coming from the states.