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The Stimulus Battle Is Just Getting Started

Succeed or fail, look for it to be the focus of the 2010 elections

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 16, 2009 12:21 PM CST
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(Newser) – At $790 billion, the stimulus package that Barack Obama signs into law this week carried enormous economic risks. But as the Washington Post reports, the political stakes of the stimulus are nearly as large. By denying the president a single vote in the House, the GOP is betting that the recovery package will look like a failure in 2010, when midterm elections offer a chance of a comeback.

The Obama team is launching a PR effort tomorrow to highlight new jobs that the stimulus will create—and looking to FDR and Bill Clinton for examples of how to reap political gain from a recession. But the Republicans have pledged to shift the debate toward worry about the growing deficit, which they'll use to push for more tax cuts.

With the president's record-busting plan, the US is marshaling resources against economic catastrophe in ways not seen since Franklin Roosevelt put the New Deal in motion.
With the president's record-busting plan, the US is marshaling resources against economic catastrophe in ways not seen since Franklin Roosevelt put the New Deal in motion.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
House Minority Leader John Boehner, right, and Rep. Dave Camp, left, listen as House Minority Whip Eric Cantor speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2009.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, right, and Rep. Dave Camp, left, listen as House Minority Whip Eric Cantor speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
In this Sept. 29, 2008, file photo, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, listens as Rep. Eric Cantor speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington.
In this Sept. 29, 2008, file photo, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, listens as Rep. Eric Cantor speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
In this Jan. 21, 2009, file photo President Obama speaks to his senior staff to assert expectations on ethics and conduct on the White House campus in Washington.
In this Jan. 21, 2009, file photo President Obama speaks to his senior staff to assert expectations on ethics and conduct on the White House campus in Washington.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
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If a few years from now people don't feel like the economy's turned around, folks are still unemployed, our health-care system's not more efficient, then, you know, you guys won't applaud me the next time I come down here. - Barack Obama in Fort Myers, Fla.

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Guest
Feb 17, 2009 2:34 AM CST
Wonder who keeps voting for the voodoo economics?
freethemall
Feb 16, 2009 10:01 PM CST
The GOP tax cut enacted early in W's administration is responsible for the return of deficits after the budget was balanced in the Clinton administration. So now the republicans want to balance the budget with more tax cuts? Doesn't make a ;ick of sense to me!
woodyTX
Feb 16, 2009 4:41 AM CST
My Senator (John Cornyn (R) TX) didn't even vote on the Stimulus Bill. He was "busy at a fundraiser". This is how to have it both ways in the world of politics as usual. Grandstand for the cameras against it but then vanish into the night when it comes time to stand up and vote. That way there is no smoking gun on your voting record when it is successful in the end. Way to go John. Where's the recall option when you need it ? It's going to be a long six years.

The political calculus of the stimulus
American Spectator

Obama's big victory comes with a cost
Reuters

 
Barack Obama • economic stimulus package • House Republicans • Obama administration • Eric Cantor • financial crisis • Election 2010

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