GOP Stimulus Stonewall Spells Trouble for Prez

Obama team surprised by unified Republican opposition in House

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 29, 2009 1:43 AM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama's failure to snag a single vote from House Republicans for his economic stimulus package underlines the tough task the president faces in winning bipartisan support for his plan, notes Politico. Obama aides were surprised by the vote but expressed confidence that some Republicans will eventually come around.

"I don't think this is the final reckoning on this bill," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Another aide was more candid about the GOP lawmakers' likely stance on the final version of the package. "They can vote against it the first time to act like fiscal conservatives, and then vote for the conference report to brag about what they're getting for their districts," he predicted.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

The White House is illuminated as the sun sets yesterday as President Barack Obama waits to hear the House vote on his stimulus plan on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gestures during a news conference on stimulus legislation yesterday on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Barack Obama speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington between his meetings Tuesday with House and Senate Republicans. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama waves as he concludes his brief remarks to the press following his meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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I do believe that there will be people in districts all over the country that will wonder why, when there's a good bill to get the economy moving again, why we still seem to be playing political gotcha.
- White House Press Secretary
Robert Gibbs

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 6 comments

Doctor-Zaius

Jan 29, 2009 6:05 AM CST

The GOP must like it in the minority, the way they are playing this they will be spending a long long long time in that position. Who knew Karl Rove's plan for a permanent majority in congress would work so well. The only change to his plan was which party would be the permanent majority.

Mad

Jan 29, 2009 4:57 AM CST

Hopefully, this will awake Obama to the fact that republicans look on bipartisanship as weakness, and not even try to please the GOP in the future

Mr.C

Jan 29, 2009 12:28 AM CST

^^ no one said anything of value.

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GOP Stimulus Stonewall Spells Trouble for Prez