Mike Johanns actually said...

We must pay our bills on time and in full; then we must carefully manage our future spending and bring down our debt to a sustainable level.

Default would also put the United States in the category of reckless debtor nations that have broken their word in the markets.

Let me be very clear: We need to meet our obligations and not create any uncertainty that we will do so--on time, every time.

Ordinary Americans will bear the brunt of the damage if our leaders do not prevent the United States from defaulting on its debt.