Obama: We Can't Afford to Wait

Obama defends stimulus, pushes health reform

(NEWSER) - The White House is cracking down on its critics—and on laggards within the Democratic Party, too. Republican naysayers on the economic stimulus and health care are getting the roughest treatment, Politico reports. After Kentucky Sen. Jon Kyl railed against the efficacy of stimulus spending, four Cabinet secretaries wrote to his state's governor saying, "If you prefer to forfeit the money we are making available to your state, as Sen. Kyl suggests, please let me know." More»

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama unveiled his Paul Volcker-led economic panel today and took the opportunity to make another forceful plea for his stimulus package, CBS reports. Today’s ghastly jobs report proved “the need for wise counsel and bold and immediate action,” Obama said. “It is inexcusable and irresponsible for any of us to get bogged down in distraction or politics as usual while millions of Americans are being put out of work.” More»

(NEWSER) - Just days ago, President Obama said it was time for “tough choices,” but Obama himself hasn’t made the tough choices on his stimulus package, Robert Samuelson writes in the Washington Post. Obama could have opted to bolster the economy, or he could have tried to pursue a political agenda; instead, he’s done both, in a move that’s “politically shrewd and economically suspect.” More»

...But warns that there's 'no quick fix'

(NEWSER) - There is “no quick fix” for the economy, Barack Obama said today in a speech at the White House, but his team is working on a new series of proposals to boost growth and hiring. Obama spoke following the Labor Department’s latest employment report, which showed that private payrolls had jumped a better-than-expected 67,000 in August but that the unemployment rate inched up from 9.5% to 9.6%, Bloomberg reports. More»

Team searches for ways to bolster economy

(NEWSER) - With economic recovery looking sluggish at best , President Obama is considering a national infrastructure program, alongside a wave of tax cuts for businesses and individuals. Up for discussion are additional tax cuts for small businesses, a possible payroll tax cut for businesses and individuals, and other tax breaks aimed at encouraging businesses to hire, sources tell the Wall Street Journal . More»