Obama: GOP tactics hold middle class 'hostage'

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Ten days before a possible government shutdown, President Obama said Friday that congressional Republicans are more interested in politics than in managing an economy to benefit the middle class.

"They're focused on trying to mess with me," the Democratic president told a crowd of auto workers at an assembly plant near Kansas City. "They're not focused on you."

Obama spoke shortly after the Republican-run House passed a temporary spending bill that would -- in theory -- keep the government open, but which would also de-fund Obama's health care law.

Obama has pledged to veto the bill, though it is highly unlikely to pass the Democratic-run Senate in any event.

Some congressional Republicans have also pledged to block an increase in the debt ceiling unless funding is pulled from the health care law.

Stressing that debt ceiling allows the government to borrow money to pay its bills, Obama said a failure to increase the limit would lead to a government default. That would be the "height of irresponsibility," Obama said, wrecking the economy and turning the United States into a "deadbeat" and a "banana republic."

With the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30, the two sides must agree to a new spending plan or face the prospect of a government shutdown.

The White House and congressional Republicans also face a potential impasse over the $16.7 trillion debt ceiling. The Treasury Department said the ceiling needs to be raised in October, or the government will lost authority to pay its bills.

The speech wrapped up a week of economic-themed events for Obama, timed to the fifth anniversary of the financial meltdown as well as the specter of a government shutdown and a new debt ceiling dispute.

As in previous days, Obama talked about his economic efforts since his 2008 election, emphasizing the auto bailout as a key part of an ongoing recovery.

"Five years ago, plants like this one were closing their doors," Obama said.

While things are getting better, Obama said the economy could go into a "tailspin" over a government shutdown and/or a default.

Said Obama: "It's important that we get it right in Washington."