Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


 ANALYSIS 
0

On Stimulus, White House Kept Congress Close

Prez still didn't get much GOP support

Share

(Newser) – President Obama promised a new spirit of cooperation in Washington, and in his relationship with Congress, he did his best to deliver, the Wall Street Journal reports. Obama left congressional leaders wide leeway in crafting the stimulus bill and stayed in close touch with members. Joe Biden stayed on pivotal senators like Susan Collins, calling her back repeatedly in rural Maine.

When the president sought to mollify centrist senators by hacking out billions, the Congressional Black Caucus revolted in defense of school construction funds. Obama accommodated them, too. But ultimately only a few Republican senators, and no representatives, voted for the bill. The lesson? Says Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel: “He has an open hand, but he has a very firm handshake.”

Led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, center, lawmakers announce agreement on the $789 billion stimulus, Feb. 11, 2009. Reid is joined by Sen. Susan Collins, left, and Sen. Arlen Specter.
Led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, center, lawmakers announce agreement on the $789 billion stimulus, Feb. 11, 2009. Reid is joined by Sen. Susan Collins, left, and Sen. Arlen Specter.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
President Barack Obama kisses Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the Capitol, Feb. 12, 2009. From left are Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., House Minority Leader John Boehner, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
President Barack Obama kisses Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the Capitol, Feb. 12, 2009. From left are Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., House Minority Leader John Boehner, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Obama, and Sen. Evan Bayh walk up the stairs of Air Force One at Michiana Regional Airport in South Bend, Ind., Feb. 9, 2009, leaving a town hall meeting in Elkhart, Ind.
President Obama, and Sen. Evan Bayh walk up the stairs of Air Force One at Michiana Regional Airport in South Bend, Ind., Feb. 9, 2009, leaving a town hall meeting in Elkhart, Ind.   (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Don't give me that 'Mr. Vice President.' If you want to call me that in public, fine, but when we're on the phone, it's 'Joe.' - Joe Biden to Sen. Susan Collins

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

256 Stories

OPINION


 GOP Traffic-Jam Ploy 
 Is Snarling Senate 

Stalling tactics are making Democrats turn on each other

Nov 19, 09 9:43 AM CST
(Newser) - Senate Democrats are starting to turn on each other like angry drivers stuck in rush-hour traffic thanks to Republican obstructionism, writes EJ Dionne. Republican senators are eating every word they once said against filibusterism and are stalling even legislation that they support in a Machiavellian effort to keep the Democrats... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Congress • Senate • Senate Democrats • Senate Republicans • legislation • filibuster • health care reform

 Dems Switch Focus to Jobs 

House aims to have job creation package ready by Xmas

Nov 17, 09 7:35 AM CST
(Newser) - House Democrats hit by accusations they've been focusing on health care at the expense of employment plan to tackle job creation in the coming weeks. There's no consensus on whether the move will come as one big package or a series of smaller measures but Democratic leaders plan to have... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Nancy Pelosi • Harry Reid • unemployment • House Democrats • economic stimulus package • job creation • unemployment rate

(Newser) - Sarah Palin has returned to her Facebook soapbox to reinvigorate the "death panels" meme she helped popularize. "We had been told there were no 'death panels' in the bill," says an essay posted to the former Alaska governor's page. "But look closely at the provision mandating... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Nancy Pelosi • Alaska • Republican • House of Representatives • health care reform • House Democrats • Bart Stupak • speaker of the House • House Republicans • Sarah Palin • death panel

256 Stories


Obama's key ally in the Senate: Republican Dick Lugar
Bloomberg


Politics  •  Opinion 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
Nancy Pelosi • Barack Obama • Congress • Senate Democrats • Senate Republicans • House Democrats • economic stimulus package • bipartisanship • House Republicans • Obama administration • Congressional Black Caucus • financial crisis

from our news partners