Reaction to US Credit Downgrade Is Volatile

Reaction to the first-ever downgrade of the nation's AAA credit rating:

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"The dysfunctional status of Washington has resulted in the first ever downgrade of the credit rating of the United States' debt by Standard and Poor's. Only time will tell whether this will have an adverse effect on prevailing interest rates paid on new U.S debt. If it does, it will only serve to compound our current economic challenges and longer-term fiscal outlook." — Former Comptroller General David Walker.

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"The action by S&P reaffirms the need for a balanced approach to deficit reduction that combines spending cuts with revenue-raising measures like closing taxpayer-funded giveaways to billionaires, oil companies and corporate jet owners. This makes the work of the joint committee all the more important, and shows why leaders should appoint members who will approach the committee's work with an open mind — instead of hardliners who have already ruled out the balanced approach that the markets and rating agencies like S&P are demanding." — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

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"This is a wake-up call for Washington to get serious about fixing our debt problem. Many of us have long argued that Congress must make the hard choices to address this issue immediately, and I can only hope this helps others in Washington and around the country understand our urgency. Substantial, meaningful reform that results in a pro-growth tax system, entitlement reforms and spending reductions must be implemented as soon as possible." — Republican Sen. Chris Chambliss of Georgia.

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"The deal Congress just passed over conservative objections has already had its obvious effect, the loss of America's credibility around the world. The deal was not a serious attempt to solve our spending and debt problem, it was a political solution meant to kick the can down the road. The only real solution to our spending and debt crisis was Cut, Cap & Balance that the president rejected out of hand." — Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina.

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"As S&P stated, 'The transparency and accountability of institutions bear directly on sovereign creditworthiness because they reinforce the stability and predictability both of political institutions and the political framework.' The American people are watching to see if the bipartisan Joint Committee will develop a plan to responsibly reduce the deficit in a balanced way while promoting economic growth and creating jobs." — House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi.

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"Tonight's decision by S&P to downgrade our credit rating to AA+ is a historically significant and serious event for the United States. The United States has had a AAA credit rating since 1917. That rating has endured the great depression, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the terrorist attacks on 9/11. This president has destroyed the credit rating of the United States through his failed economic policies and his inability to control government spending by raising the debt ceiling." — GOP presidential candidate Michelle Bachmann, a Minnesota congresswoman.

"America's creditworthiness just became the latest casualty in President Obama's failed record of leadership on the economy. Standard & Poor's rating downgrade is a deeply troubling indicator of our country's decline under President Obama. His failed policies have led to high unemployment, skyrocketing deficits, and now, the unprecedented loss of our nation's prized AAA credit rating." — GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor.