I would very much appreciate if points are made based on facts, not based on spin. Let me be specific:

If you are arguing that candidate A will be spending less than candidate B and you derive this from the spending records of candidate B, you should include the records for candidate A as well. Then everybody can compare the numbers for themselves. Attempts to pass half truth as the complete story are insulting to many - even if you make your decisions based on spin you should consider that many people are fully capable of critical thinking.


Quote Originally Posted by gugi
Quote Originally Posted by Hutch View Post
At the start of George W. Bush's term the deficit was $5,674,178,209,886.86 as of the last full numbers in 2007 it was $9,007,653,372,262.48. George Bush on his own has raised the deficit greater than the total defict of all other Presidents combined. The US is paying over $300 000 000 000 just to service the debt and spending $10 000 000 000/month on Iraq.

So yea lets make light of it and worry that Bill Clinton, who actually reduced the deficit, got a hummer from a consenting adult.
For completeness could you quote the deficit when Clinton took office, as well as the source. I would rather see the numbers myself.
Since I never got answer on the national debt let me post the numbers that are available at the website of the US treasury Government - Debt to the Penny (Daily History Search Application)

01/04/1993 4,167,872,986,583.67 <- start of Clinton 1st
12/31/1996 5,323,171,750,783.19 <- start of Clinton 2nd
12/29/2000 5,662,216,013,697.37 <- end of Clinton 2nd, start of Bush 1st
12/31/2004 7,596,142,802,424.14 <- start of Bush 2nd
9/4/2008 9,668,194,123,052.30 <- latest data

For complete picture don't forget that the ligislature is the one who controls the spending, the executive can only request funding and can veto it.