There's a fine line in being too specific so you can't be too flexible, and being too vague in being specific and people not thinking it's meaningful.

Near-term deficits are temporary and manageable if - and only if - we keep spending in check, the tax burden low and the economy growing.

The budget is tight, and that is exactly where we want it to be and where we need it to be.

There will be fiscal issues that are appropriate to discuss.

There's a fine line in being too specific so you can't be too flexible, and being too vague in being specific and people not thinking it's meaningful.

There is no question we are having a difficult time rounding up the votes.

Certainly accountability of government is what people are clamoring for; they want to know that when lawmakers make a promise or a proposal, you can actually accomplish it.