Boehner Says Obama Lacks "Guts" to Cut Spending

Trying the reverse psychology trick?

House Speaker John Boehner Tuesday repeatedly challenged the president's willingness to go against his own party on issues that include reforms to social programs and spending.

"I think he'd like to deal with it [fiscal problems], but to do the kind of heavy lifting that needs to be done, I don't think he's got the guts to do it," the Ohio Republican said in a meeting with a small group of reporters for nearly an hour Tuesday morning. "He understands there is a spending problem. He understands that we need changes and reforms, and we need to solve these problems."

When pressed about the severity of that statement, he modified, saying the president does not have the "courage."