The Obama administration has fought back against Standard & Poor’s decision to lower the US credit rating outlook, arguing that there is no danger of a downgrade and that a deficit reduction deal in Congress is within reach.
“I believe that Democrats and Republicans can come together to get this done,” Barack Obama, US president, said in a speech at a community college in Northern Virginia on Tuesday. “It won’t be easy. There are going to be some fierce disagreements?.?.?.?But I’m optimistic.”
As the president addressed a domestic audience to sell his deficit plan, Tim Geithner, US Treasury secretary, made three appearances on financial television programmes to talk up the creditworthiness of the US.