Ladies and gentlemen, good evening.  A few years ago, an unprecedented thing happened.  Republicans in Congress risked the full faith and credit of the United States of America by threatening to not raise the debt ceiling.  The debt ceiling is an imaginary number that, in the past, has solely been used for political grandstanding of the highest order with the full realization of all involved that the debt ceiling MUST be raised lest America suffer the gravest of financial catastrophes.  I say to you now that the debt ceiling will never again be used as a weapon to be brandished to force political concessions like it was in 2011.

Congress has two choices before it.  Raise the debt ceiling.  Repeal the debt ceiling.  Nothing will be given in return for either of these options.  It’s time for Congress to prove that it can be part of the solution and not just part of the problem.

Regardless of Congress’ action or inaction on this issue, I promise the American people this:  The debt ceiling is the gravest of National Security concerns.  It affects our government’s ability to function and our ability to effectively defend ourselves.  I will do everything in my power to protect America from this crisis.  As this crisis looms ever closer, there are many options available to me and I promise to use any and all of them to ensure to America and the world that the full faith and credit of the United States is sacred and shall not be infringed.

Thank you and good night.

A guy can dream, can’t he?