WHY THE SOUR PUSS? OBAMA RATCHETS UP RHETORIC

"President Obama challenged Republicans to deliver on their rhetoric about the nation's debt and deficit problems, insisting that "now is the time to deal with these issues."

"In a White House news conference just hours before he's set to meet again with congressional leaders on the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling, Obama warned that if Republicans failed to compromise on a solution, it could further depress the nation's already struggling economy and "throw millions of more people out of work."