Quotebox: Obama to vow to tame deficits in address

NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Barack Obama is expected to emphasize a commitment to taming the record U.S. budget deficit when he delivers his State of the Union address on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. (0200 GMT Thursday).

Here are some comments from analysts and investors on the U.S. budget deficit.

DAVID WYSS, STANDARD & POOR'S CHIEF ECONOMIST

"As you put it off, you've got a looming, bigger problem from all the entitlement programs as baby boomers start to retire."

"If we haven't done anything to reduce the deficit and the entitlement problems, the problem explodes."

ON A BIPARTISAN PANEL:

"Appointment of a panel is minor. Investors are feeling skeptical. This is just a side show intended to deflect from the fact that nothing will get done," he said.

"The problem is getting a bipartisan panel to agree on anything in this atmosphere. I think it's going to be darn difficult. The key is getting the right people who have the clout and who are willing to compromise with other side. Does that combination exist in Washington today?"

"It's a good idea, both politically and economically. I'm just not sure it can be done."

"Let's face it. The U.S. may be a sick pony, but it's still the fastest horse in the race," Wyss said, noting weakness in Greece and Europe. "How much money can you put in sterling or Canadian dollars?"

MARGARET PATEL, SENIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGER AT EVERGREEN INVESTMENTS

"Obama certainly will address the budget and finance issues because it's paramount in investors' minds," Patel said. "I would expect to hear some kind of plan that over time reduces the deficit."

The U.S. sovereign rating is "pretty solid over the next year," she said. "When you look around the world at other countries, "we aren't in any danger of losing our triple A."

ON TREASURIES:

"We've never had so much issuance for Treasury bonds so it really will be a market that is attractive. You will attract demand from a wide variety of buyers."

"It will still be attractive in the first half of the year," Patel said. "Over the short term, it will be hard to do much about the deficit. As the economy picks up, the economy will surprise on the upside and we will have more growth. With faster growth next year, that can help with raising tax revenue."

ANDREW HARDING, WHO OVERSEES ABOUT $20 BILLION AS CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER FOR FIXED-INCOME AT ALLEGIANT ASSET MANAGEMENT IN CLEVELAND

Harding worries about the massive amount of public debt that the United States has built up, which may begin to reach a critical level.

"I don't think we're at the breaking point, but there is a breaking point at some point," he said.

(Compiled by Walden Siew; Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)