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Obama Targets Gov't Contract Fraud, Waste

Vows to save money

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2009 1:46 PM CST
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(Newser) – Barack Obama today announced a plan to clean up waste in federal contracts, a set of reforms he believes will save taxpayers up to $40 billion a year, the Washington Post reports. Flanked by spending hawks John McCain and Carl Levin, Obama said his budget manager is drafting “dramatic” new procurement rules to open more contracting jobs to competition, and clamp down on the “massive cost overruns” and “outright fraud” common today.

“We are spending money on things that we don't need, and we are paying more than we need to pay, and that's completely unacceptable,” Obama said. He noted that contract spending had more than doubled during Bush’s term, to more than $500 billion. Obama said defense contracts were particularly prone to abuses, and that he rejects “the false choice between securing this nation and wasting billions of taxpayer dollars.”

John McCain looks on as President Barack Obama makes remarks on government contracts reform, Wednesday, March 4, 2009.
John McCain looks on as President Barack Obama makes remarks on government contracts reform, Wednesday, March 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama, followed by John McCain, exits after remarks on government contracts reform, Wednesday, March 4, 2009.
President Barack Obama, followed by John McCain, exits after remarks on government contracts reform, Wednesday, March 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama, flanked by Carl Levin and John McCain, makes remarks on government contracts reform, Wednesday, March 4, 2009.
President Barack Obama, flanked by Carl Levin and John McCain, makes remarks on government contracts reform, Wednesday, March 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
AdaptAndOvercome
Mar 4, 2009 3:58 AM CST
John McCain is a whore who sold his soul to the Karl Rove GOP party and now is kissing Barack Obama's rear end to be seen as fighting for the people. John McCain is the biggest 2 face liar-next to Rush, but then again they are both members of the same party. Arizona is slotted to receive quite a big chunck of his so called "earmarks" and he knew that a long time ago. Maybe somebody convinced him to run again in 2012 with Rush as his side kick or maybe like Sarah Palin--he just won't go away.
Snowleopard
Mar 4, 2009 3:27 AM CST
Northeast, I've also heard that these earmarks are only 2% of the bill's spending. Can you post a link to the 8.3% figure you quoted?
northeast
Mar 4, 2009 3:17 AM CST
Few issues...first, evidently there was an issue, as now Obama's re-treading that ground. Second, I'd hotly contest that 2% figure, as even House Dems are quoting figures like 8.3%. Third, nobody says biotch anymore. It's 2009. Get with it, honky.

Obama calls for review of how contracts are awarded
New York Times

McCain slams Obama over earmarks
San Francisco Chronicle

 
Barack Obama • John McCain • Carl Levin • government contracts • Obama administration • budget reform • defense contractors • Peter Orszag

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