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We're focused on doing the things that make the economy perform well, and as you do that, reduce deficits, for one, very important; secondly, keep growth rates high, very important.

What's really important to me is that we have fiscally responsible balanced budgets.

When the economy is growing, there's a lot that can be done to deal with the deficit.

My hope is that we're going to be more strategic and focused as we look for a way to address the long-term deficit and debt issues that are affecting this nation.

We have to reduce the burden placed on our economy by years of deficits and debt.

Yes, it is long past time we get serious about tackling the nation's ever-growing deficits. But the average American family drawn into serious debt cannot just threaten to stiff its creditors. It must cut its spending in the future, but also take responsibility for the debt incurred in the past.

Everybody has to agree that the best thing we can do to start reducing the deficit in this country is to put people back to work.

Our priority must be to build a path towards balancing the budget, and we cannot tolerate growing deficits.

We have to deal with two issues. Spending and taxes.

I am prepared to discuss the things that I believe we need to do not just to raise the debt limit. Raising the debt limit is the easiest thing. That's one vote away. The hard thing is to show the world we are serious about putting our spending in order so we can show people we'll able to pay our bills down the road.