by Peter Nicholas
President Barack Obama has abruptly changed tactics in his bid to revive the economy, setting aside his bipartisan stance and pointedly blaming Republicans for demanding what he cast as discredited "piecemeal measures."
Obama's comments Wednesday were a marked departure from the conciliatory tone he has maintained as he courted Republican votes for his stimulus package through compromise. Against the wishes of his own party, Obama crafted a plan that relied heavily on tax cuts rooted in Republican economic doctrine.
But in an unusual op-ed piece in today's Washington Post, and in remarks he made at two White House appearances, the president Obama seemed to acknowledge that his approach wasn't working.
The shift in message comes amid signs of trouble for Obama's $800-billion-plus stimulus bill. Not a single Republican voted for the measure last week in the House, and even some moderate Democrats in the Senate have expressed discomfort over the escalating cost.
Moderates from both parties have complained about spending projects, such as smoking-cessation programs, that don't seem geared to giving the economy a jolt.
(See the president's Op-ed essay below)
While signing a children's health insurance bill in the East Room of the White House, Obama referred to the results of last November's election. It was a reminder to Republicans -- and perhaps even some wayward Democrats -- that Obama won solidly and still enjoys a high approval rating.
"Now, let me say this," Obama said. "In the past few days, I've heard criticisms of this plan that frankly echo the very same failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis in the first place -- the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems, that we can address this enormous crisis with half steps and piecemeal measures and tinkering around the edges, that we can ignore fundamental challenges, like the high cost of healthcare, and still expect our economy and our country to thrive.
"I reject these theories," he continued. "And, by the way, so did the American people when they went to the polls in November, and voted resoundingly for change."
Obama also sought to sway public opinion in his favor through his newspaper column, reiterating many of the same points.
"In recent days, there have been misguided criticisms of this plan that echo the failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis -- the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems," Obama wrote.
That was a clear jab at the Republicans, who have an alternative proposal to jump-start the economy that depends primarily on tax cuts.
Obama's partisan turn entails a calculated risk. He cannot afford to see the stimulus bill fail. Without it, he warns, an already painful recession will worsen. With the stimulus in place, he says, the nation will create or save up to 4.million jobs.
Briefing reporters on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs did not rebut suggestions that Obama was the president is opting for a more combative tone.
By failing to take dramatic action, "we'll find ourselves worse off than where we are now," Gibbs said. "We have to take those bold steps."
As he publicly ratchets up pressure on the opposition, Obama is doing some private arm-twisting. He met Wednesday with two Senate Republicans and a Democrat considered to be key moderates: Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both Maine Republicans, and Sen. Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat.
The three are part of a group of senators seeking to "scrub" the bill to remove programs that are not likely to give the economy an immediate boost. Snowe, who spoke with reporters afterward, said there may be $100 billion in programs that would have to be removed before some of the moderates could support the measure. Obama was "very amenable" to her suggestions, she said.
Politically, the stimulus is the first major test of Obama's presidency. The bill is likely to pass because of the overwhelming Democratic congressional majority. A defeat, however, would end a political honeymoon that already may be foreshortened because of the dust-up over a trio of Cabinet nominees with tax problems.
But if Obama wins by eschewing the bipartisanship he preached throughout his nearly two-year campaign, he could jeopardize prospects for a healthcare overhaul, energy transformation and other projects he is planning.
For the moment, the Democrats are looking to recapture momentum. In the Senate, Republicans have been mounting a drive to replace the bill's spending programs with tax provisions. On Wednesday, the Senate approved a GOP-backed amendment for a tax credit of up to $15,000 for home buyers.
The credit doubles the tax break under existing law, which applies only to primary residences -- not to second homes. Proposed by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.)Ö, the credit is expected to cost about $19 billion.
As the Senate debate continued, Democrats parried GOP efforts to cut spending in favor of more tax breaks.
"American public opinion is seeing this for what it is: a spending bill, not a stimulus bill, and I think it's swinging in our direction," Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told FOX News.
Obama wants the Senate to vote before opposition hardens. At one time, proponents of the bill had hoped it would be passed and ready for him to sign when he was sworn in Jan. 20. Now, Obama hopes Congress completes action before a recess at the end of next week.
In virtually every public appearance, Obama tries to convey a sense of urgency.
"A failure to act, and act now, will turn crisis into a catastrophe, and guarantee a longer recession, a less robust recovery, and a more uncertain future," he warned at another White House appearance.
The White House this morning has circulated copies of the Op-ed appearing in the Washington Post, which notes, "The writer is president of the United States:''
By now, it's clear to everyone that we have inherited an economic crisis as deep and dire as any since the days of the Great Depression. Millions of jobs that Americans relied on just a year ago are gone; millions more of the nest eggs families worked so hard to build have vanished. People everywhere are worried about what tomorrow will bring.
What Americans expect from Washington is action that matches the urgency they feel in their daily lives -- action that's swift, bold and wise enough for us to climb out of this crisis.
Because each day we wait to begin the work of turning our economy around, more people lose their jobs, their savings and their homes. And if nothing is done, this recession might linger for years. Our economy will lose 5 million more jobs. Unemployment will approach double digits. Our nation will sink deeper into a crisis that, at some point, we may not be able to reverse.
That's why I feel such a sense of urgency about the recovery plan before Congress. With it, we will create or save more than 3 million jobs over the next two years, provide immediate tax relief to 95 percent of American workers, ignite spending by businesses and consumers alike, and take steps to strengthen our country for years to come.
This plan is more than a prescription for short-term spending -- it's a strategy for America's long-term growth and opportunity in areas such as renewable energy, health care and education. And it's a strategy that will be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability, so Americans know where their tax dollars are going and how they are being spent.
In recent days, there have been misguided criticisms of this plan that echo the failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis -- the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems; that we can meet our enormous tests with half-steps and piecemeal measures; that we can ignore fundamental challenges such as energy independence and the high cost of health care and still expect our economy and our country to thrive.
I reject these theories, and so did the American people when they went to the polls in November and voted resoundingly for change. They know that we have tried it those ways for too long. And because we have, our health-care costs still rise faster than inflation. Our dependence on foreign oil still threatens our economy and our security. Our children still study in schools that put them at a disadvantage. We've seen the tragic consequences when our bridges crumble and our levees fail.
Every day, our economy gets sicker -- and the time for a remedy that puts Americans back to work, jump-starts our economy and invests in lasting growth is now.
Now is the time to protect health insurance for the more than 8 million Americans at risk of losing their coverage and to computerize the health-care records of every American within five years, saving billions of dollars and countless lives in the process.
Now is the time to save billions by making 2 million homes and 75 percent of federal buildings more energy-efficient, and to double our capacity to generate alternative sources of energy within three years.
Now is the time to give our children every advantage they need to compete by upgrading 10,000 schools with state-of-the-art classrooms, libraries and labs; by training our teachers in math and science; and by bringing the dream of a college education within reach for millions of Americans.
And now is the time to create the jobs that remake America for the 21st century by rebuilding aging roads, bridges and levees; designing a smart electrical grid; and connecting every corner of the country to the information superhighway.
These are the actions Americans expect us to take without delay. They're patient enough to know that our economic recovery will be measured in years, not months. But they have no patience for the same old partisan gridlock that stands in the way of action while our economy continues to slide.
So we have a choice to make. We can once again let Washington's bad habits stand in the way of progress. Or we can pull together and say that in America, our destiny isn't written for us but by us. We can place good ideas ahead of old ideological battles, and a sense of purpose above the same narrow partisanship. We can act boldly to turn crisis into opportunity and, together, write the next great chapter in our history and meet the test of our time.
Comments
Funding for ballet troupes will stimulate the economy!!
Posted by: johnnee | February 5, 2009 7:51 AM
YES! If he could flip off Hillary to take the race, then he sure as heck BETTER flip off the repugs!
YES!
And while he's at it
ARREST BUSH! ARREST CHENEY!
AND CONGRESS---GET IN GEAR!
We need another Church Comission to find out what the spy community and the business auxiliary has been up to.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090216/scahill_video?rel=hp_currently
Posted by: go get 'em Obama!!!!! | February 5, 2009 8:08 AM
Isn't it just amazing how this has to be done so fast? How there can not be time for reasonable debate.
I thought it was Republicans who were accused of using fear for political gain. But all we get from Obama are words like "catastrphe" and statements about how if we do not act right now "....it will be to late to save the economy".
Posted by: Heather | February 5, 2009 8:35 AM
The Messiah doesn't need a single Republican vote to pass his porkulus bill except on cloture in the Senate. If it's such a great bill, why is he hesitating to ram it through "for the good of the American people?" After all, you Dems won, so why not wield the power you are so quick to remind us that you now hold.
Answer: Because this bill is not good for America and the Boy Wonder knows it. It's only good for lib politicians and the cronies they're trying to pay off. Obama and Pelosi are DESPERATE for Republicans to provide them with political cover by somehow transforming this grotesque partisan monstrosity into a "bipartisan" effort. Good luck, big guy.
Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspirator | February 5, 2009 8:48 AM
Obama's tone is very concerning to me. He projects a "my way or the highway to doom" voice that is neither mature nor effective. He sounds hysterical and very, very angry.
Posted by: lil | February 5, 2009 8:48 AM
Well now.. boy wonder is showing his true ..er..... form..
like any politician when they say they want bipartisanship what they mean is ....they want the other side to cowtow to them or else they are the badguys. ...never mind this bill has more porkbelly spending than any other in history. All the pet projects of the dems that have been stored up for years are in this bill. If of course someone opposing it speaks up a bout the pork they are going to cause the downfall of the American economic system.. this guy is a joke.. always hasbeen and alwayswill... I give him a few weeks before we see the dems in maxcackle with forcing their programs at us. What a embarasement this political arena has become. Almost every politican this guy has brought in for his cabinet has some issue. Of course in Washington I am sure it would be hard to find a politician with a clean white cowboy hat...
Posted by: bubba | February 5, 2009 8:49 AM
Exactly, VRWC. My response to Obama: So pass it already, then. You won, remember?
Posted by: Jeff | February 5, 2009 8:51 AM
660,000 jobs lost last month and Heather and the remaining ankle biters want to fiddle (politics) while Rome burns.
Posted by: bill r. | February 5, 2009 9:06 AM
There seems to be only one thing that will convince the right about the stimulus bill..........................a pink slip!
Posted by: bill r. | February 5, 2009 9:27 AM
I e-mailed DIck Durbin to practically BEG him to ask for slowing down of this porkfest. It will cripple our economy for generations to come. I know it was foolish, as he's Barack's big bud, but I felt I had to at least make the effort. I've read statements that this complete travesty of a bill will be Obama's "Iraq War." Unfortunately, as in that ill-conceived war, those who pay will not be those who started the proceedings.
Posted by: Beth | February 5, 2009 9:33 AM
The Pork and Reelection Act is down to 39% support so that really represents basically the lefty herd in favor. Does he not understand that is not campaign rhetoric but real governing, and the American folks are skeptical? If they do not "scrub" the non-stimulating aspects of this bill, Republicans should all vote no. Let the Dems. rule. Obama is going to ask for up to 2.5 trillion in new debt for 2009. We better get real serious. Obama and the lefty Congress are still rubbing the magic oil lamp awaiting the mythical genie to give us all their wishes.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | February 5, 2009 9:33 AM
Lil wrote: "Obama's tone is very concerning to me. He projects a "my way or the highway to doom" voice that is neither mature nor effective. He sounds hysterical and very, very angry."
Actually I think it's a bit of both. The reason OhBummer is using words like "urgent" and "catastrophe" is because he knows that time is working against him politically. The longer the American public has to learn about this porkulus package, the less they like it and the more public support for the bill erodes. He's trying to ram it through in spite of growing public opposition, because he knows that if the bill fails he will look like an impotent partisan buffoon. Heaven forfend.
Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspirator | February 5, 2009 9:46 AM
The tax benefit for first time home-buyers is a waste of time. It's a loan, not a credit and it's not that much to make a difference. No one feels sure enough to sign a 5 year car loan, not to mention a 30 year mtg loan that will amortize to $385K.. People are too scared to do that. If there are no buyers, how will that stimulate the economy?
Money for ballet dancers (and the crews and the caterers and the travel and ticket sales all generates $$$$) and for smokers (therapists) as well as basket weavers (and reed growers) and bread makers (and farmers and truckers) and whatever you are, and you, and you and you...
We pay OURSELVES,
WE get money
WE get jobs!
We spend the money and that stimulates the economy.
Got to spend some to make some, eh?
Time to try something new.
Posted by: muhranda | February 5, 2009 9:50 AM
Every democrat I have heard talk about this bill have expressed a strong desire to get rid of the pork and only keep those items that honestly have the potential to create jobs. Even Gov Randel of PA insisted that while some programs allocated money in this bill were worthy causes, they weren't stimulus. Obama needs to stop taking the criticism so personally and look into this bill himself and see the pork. The real truth is if this bill is passed as is and doesn't accomplish what he wants to happen, he has then foolishly damage the US even further just to be stubborn and insist everybody agree with his bill. Even if republicans and moderate democrats sign on to this bill it won't prohibit it from being a failure. All that happens is the blame gets spread out between both parties. Personally this bill needs a major overhaul and Obama the agent of change should be the done demanding it.
Posted by: Susan | February 5, 2009 10:39 AM
It’s just more BS from repugs, they consider any spending that’s not a tax cut, to be pork. You know we let those morons cut taxes for 8 years and this is the economy we got for it, and cutting more taxes will only prolong and deepen the recession we’re in now. The repugs seem to be listening to Limbaugh, and only want to throw us into a depression so they can blame the Democrats, when it was their economic policy that pushed us into the hole we’re in now. President Obama, and Democrats in Congress should get rid of all tax cuts for anyone that makes over 100k, and small businesses that make 1 million or more a year, put the tax cut savings from the original bill into more infrastructure spending that will actually create job. For all you repugs that will cry “socialism”, get off your BS bandwagon and under stand that nether pure capitalism, nor pure socialism is what this country was founded on. We have always been a mixture of both, remember “give me your tired, your poor, .. Etc... Each time this country has been in a financial problem, it was created by the capitalists trying to separate themselves further from the rest of us, to make themselves the ruling class, and us, the servants.
Posted by: Rory M | February 5, 2009 10:41 AM
As noted, the Democraps and Obama do not need a single Republican vote to get this irresponsible bill passed. Democrats have wide margins in the House and Senate. So, if it's such a great bill and one we need NOW, then pass it Dems! But, Sen. Nelson from Nebraska is against it. So is Kent Conrad from North Dakota. Seems like there are a few Dems who are uneasy with spending a $1 TRILLION on junk.
Posted by: John D | February 5, 2009 10:57 AM
This stimulus package seems to just be an awful amount of spending that is not 100% focused on housing, which is where this problem started.
I read a very interesting article today that was highlighting all the different avenues of where the spending is going.
See where the stimulus money is going here:
http://www.gotoguy.com/2009/02/05/stimulus-catastrophe-end-of-the-usa/
Posted by: CA | February 5, 2009 11:11 AM
Hey Republicans - you're the last people anyone should listen to on the economy. Your policies got us into this mess! Just like your policies got us into the 1992 recession. Democrats are always cleaning up Republican messes. Until a Republican leaves office with the strongest economy in history (like the last Democrat did) - SHUT UP!
Posted by: Paul | February 5, 2009 11:44 AM
Listen to the Republican whiners. If Bush #43, put forward this package, they would be drooling all over it, telling all how great it is. We are in the mess we are in because of George Bush and the failed, incompetent policies and mismanagement of he, his administration, and the rubber stamp Republican Congerss.
Posted by: Doug R. | February 5, 2009 12:14 PM
No, Doug, if Bush 43 put forward this package, conservatives would rail against him for spending like a commie lib, just the way we did when he was pushing the original bailout. Public opinion was overwhelmingly against that bill, just the way public opinion is increasingly against this one. The problem is that our so-called "representatives" ignored the will of the people then, just as they're doing now. It wasn't right when Bush did it, and it's not right now. Socialism is socialism, and needs to be rejected regardless of whose idea it is.
Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspirator | February 5, 2009 12:42 PM
Lefties, tax cuts do not cause recessions or depressions. Bush tax cuts did not cause our current problems. Reagan's policies got us out of the Carter Recession, which resulted in an economic boon through much of the 1980s. In fact, from 1982 until 2008, the U.S. had two minor recessions: 1991-92 and 2000-2002, which was enhanced by the Sept. 11 attacks. And Doug and Paul, if the Republicans are to blame for the 1992 and current recession, then Clinton is to blame for the recession that began in 2000, right? You know the one that got its start when the tech bubble burst?
Posted by: John D | February 5, 2009 1:01 PM
I get the impression Obama is coming down on CEOs who want gigantic bonuses AND help from the government...SOMEONE has to call them on their gluttony!
Posted by: Mary | February 5, 2009 2:01 PM
Ok, John D, I'll accept your proposal. Clinton will be blamed for the 2000-2001 recession (before 9/11), and we get to blame the pugs for this one. Glad we agree on something.
Vast right winger, you seem to have an identity crisis going on. Most, if not all pugs were FIRMLY behind the TARP bailout, so don't ramble on about how bush 43 was not a pug. He just wanted even more power and less oversight than the other pugs. If you really hate your party that much, then please, switch parties to the Libertarians or something, but don't come on here and try to revise the history of the pugs.
Posted by: Xcellentform | February 5, 2009 2:02 PM
Fear not, pugs. Obama is just doing as he promised, offering your worthless leaders a chance to get on the bus, but when they don't, he'll turn the bus into a steam roller and roll right over them. This "jobs bill" will pass and you all will have to cry about how its not working yet-on fri. of next week. You folks are not handling your irrelevance well at all and I am loving it. Keep crying and moaning, it's shear joy to my ears. Wah wah!!!
Posted by: FrankK | February 5, 2009 3:23 PM
Its pretty pathetic how so many democrat supporters look at this issue as a power play, i.e. we won, republicans are to blame.
Just look at the bill. Its horrid and shouldn't be supported.
Posted by: Pedro | February 5, 2009 4:23 PM