Debt ceiling war of the words: Quotes that shocked, tickled and grabbed

As talks between President Obama and congressional Republicans over a deal to raise the debt ceiling grew increasingly partisan, their commentary became heated.

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"This process has been messy. It's taken far too long. Nevertheless, ultimately, the leaders of both parties have found their way toward compromise, and I want to thank them for that." — President Obama, on July 31, said in brief remarks at the White House.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

"I stuck my neck out a mile to try to get an agreement with the president of the United States. I stuck my neck out a mile. But a lot of people in this town can never say yes." — Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio), on July 29, spoke in favor of the rewrite and defended his earlier effort to cut a far-reaching debt-reduction deal with President Obama.

Alex Wong / Getty Images

"Grab a Gatorade and smoke a cigarette. You've earned it." — Freshman Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), third from the right, told Speaker John Boehner on July 31 he was ready to vote with the team.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

"Get your ass in line." — House Speaker John Boehner speaking to fellow GOP lawmakers in an effort to garner support for his debt ceiling plan.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

"The debt limit vote sucks." — House Majority Leader Eric Cantor used these words in a closed-door meeting with other Republicans.

Karen Bleier / AFP/Getty Images

"I've been left at the altar now a couple of times." — President Obama, on July 22, regarding his negotiations with House Speaker John A. Boehner.

/ AP

"I know you all love to write the soap opera here." — House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), left, joking about the Republican-Democrat split.

Harry Hamburg / AP

"The debt ceiling is a gut-check time for all Republicans on spending and size of government. ... Apparently, Governor Romney is still checking his gut to figure out where he should stand." — Alex Conant, spokesman for former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is a Republican presidential candidate.

Seth Wenig / AP

"We might as well do it now — pull off the Band-Aid; eat our peas." — President Obama, admonishing debt negotiators while speaking at a news conference on July 11.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

"It's time for tough love." — Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), right, speaking to a cheering crowd in Iowa over the weekend. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, center, greets the crowd as he campaigns for Bachmann.

Susan Walsh / AP

"We are at each others throats more than is necessary." — Jeffrey Immelt, third from left, chairman of Obama’s outside panel of economic advisers, calling the White House and Congress to strike a deal.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

"If Washington can get anything done, let us at least avert Armageddon." — President Obama, on July 15, pleading with Congress to come up with a compromise.

Larry Downing / Reuters

"What would Jesus do this weekend? Or Moses. Or Allah. Or anyone else?" — Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), who has made an impassioned plea to religious leaders to get involved in the debt ceiling debate.

Alex Brandon / AP

"Once again, the president is caught between 'Barack and a Hard Place.'" —Bill O'Reilly of the"The O'Reilly Factor," one of many pundits to poke fun at the president and Congress and add to the controversy.

Jeff Christensen / AP

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Debt ceiling war of the words: Quotes that shocked, tickled and grabbed

As talks between President Obama and congressional Republicans over a deal to raise the debt ceiling grew increasingly partisan, their commentary became heated.

Featured Photo Galleries