Thread: Pawlenty: US Must Not Be the Next Greece

Pawlenty: US Must Not Be the Next Greece

Thursday, 13 Jan 2011 03:27 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says the United States followed Greece into democracy but should take steps so the country does not follow it into bankruptcy.

In a speech Thursday to start a book tour, the Republican criticized the economic policies of Obama, who may face a challenge from Pawlenty in 2012. Pawlenty says the United States needs to re-examine its economic, education and healthcare priorities or face grave peril.

Pawlenty says he has not decided whether he will seek the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. But his book tour is taking him to Iowa, New Hampshire, and Ohio — strategic states in a White House run. In strong language that will appeal to Republicans in early nominating states, he says Greece's economic crisis should be a warning for the United States.

http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/Pawl ... ode=B771-1

Fitch Cuts Greek Rating to Junk, Outlook Negative

Friday, 14 Jan 2011 12:49 PM

Fitch cut Greece's credit rating to junk on Friday, highlighting persisting doubts over the country's ability to pull itself out of a severe debt crisis that has shaken the euro zone.

The rating agency cut Greece's rating to BB-plus from BBB-negative and kept it under negative outlook.

Greek debt is now rated junk by all three major rating agencies.

"The downgrade acknowledges that while Greece's economic and fiscal performance under the EU-IMF program has in many respects exceeded expectations, its heavy public debt burden renders fiscal solvency highly vulnerable to adverse shocks," Fitch said in a statement.

The Greek finance ministry said the downgrade showed the need to revise how rating agencies operate in Europe.

http://www.moneynews.com/Headline/Fitch ... /id/382897