1977, Carter (D) took office: | $62,725 |
1981, Reagan (R) took office: | $90,154 |
1989, Bush (R) took office: | $225,093 |
1993, Clinton (D) took office: | $356,858 |
2001, Bush (R) took office: | $133,285 |
2009, Obama (D) took office: | $1,885,104 |
2011, last reported: | $1,228,717 |
Change in the deficit (red indicates a reduction, black an increase):
Change | Per year | |
Carter (D) | $27,429 | $6,857 |
Reagan (R) | $143,939 | $16,867 |
Bush (R) | $121,765 | $30,441 |
Clinton (D) | $213,573 | $26,697 |
Bush (R) | $1,751,819 | $218,977 |
Obama (D) | $656,387 | $328,194 |
So, we see massive increases in the deficit under Republican presidents and decreases under Democratic presidents, which argues that it's the Republicans who want to spend without paying for it and Democrats who want to stay within budget. More damning is the rate of change. Clinton cut the deficit at a rate almost equal to what Bush increased it at, and faster than Reagan was increasing it. Bush increased the deficit at a record rate, while Obama has been cutting it 50% faster than Bush increased it.
Conclusion: if you want to balance the budget, put a Democrat in office. If you want to run up massive unpaid bills, elect a Republican.