Obama: Growth vs. deficit reduction a false choice Associated Press Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 3:13 am, Saturday, February 16, 2013 WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the U.S. doesn't have to choose between growing the economy and shrinking the deficit. In the Republican address, Rep. Martha Roby of Alabama says Congress must protect the military from devastating cuts by averting the automatic spending cuts set to hit on March 1.