Bill Clinton: “But the main thing we have to do--let me just say this--the main thing we have to do is to get health care costs more in…”

“But the main thing we have to do--let me just say this--the main thing we have to do is to get health care costs more in line with inflation and continue to control other spending. We have brought the deficit down a lot. We can bring it down some more, but we need to do in a way that is really--that is fair and disciplined. That's why I've challenged the Republicans: Let's work together on this. Let's try to--you want to help now. We had to do it all alone with one party for 2 years; now we can do it in a two-party way, and I think it will be good. Mr. Brokaw. But in your speech the other night and most remarks from the Republican side as well, they say, ``Well, Medicare will be off the table. Social Security will be off the table.'' We've learned in the last couple of weeks about what a hot button, for example, veterans' benefits are. We can't get to where we need to get to without dealing honestly with these entitlements, can we?”