CBO estimates are that the deficit this decade will be higher than White House projections. Do you say we shouldn't believe them?
The government's numbers are constructed by professional economists and statisticians. I've known and spoken to a few of these guys over the years. They aren't told what to print.
No, if the CBO says the deficits will be higher than White House projections, they have a very good reason to believe that and they probably have it right.
I have not said that CBO EVER intentionally fudges numbers. I have no reason to believe that.
Nor did I say they are told what to print.
What I said, is they have to accept the numbers given to them by the President and Congress at face value. If the President says they will cut X dollars from Medicare, CBO has to use that number. If the President says they will raise X dollars from a tax increase, CBO has to use that number. CBO is required to score a spending plan according to the numbers in the plan. They are not allowed to substitute their own.