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Biden Stunned Stimulus Is Working So Well

VP: 'If it doesn't work, I'm dead'

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 25, 2009 2:15 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The $787 billion economic stimulus package is working better than expected, Joe Biden said yesterday in a conference call with state governors. “In my wildest dreams, I never thought it would work this well,” Biden said. “Thank you, thank you.” Biden held  the conference—which included every governor in the country except Louisiana Republican Bobby Jindal—to urge state officials to report on how many jobs had been created or saved by the stimulus before next month's deadline.

The vice president said the reports were needed to "provide the public with more information on how their tax dollars are being used," the Hill reports.  He told the governors that the stimulus plan would work, "knock on wood," and audibly knocked on wood. When Missouri governor Jay Nixon thanked him for his interest, Biden quipped that he was acting out of "pure self-interest. If it fails, I’m dead.”

Vice President Joe Biden holds up his fists while speaking earlier this week about proposed health care reform at Leisure World in Silver Spring, Md.
Vice President Joe Biden holds up his fists while speaking earlier this week about proposed health care reform at Leisure World in Silver Spring, Md.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Vice President Joseph Biden waves as he walks off stage after speaking on health reform at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners annual conference .
Vice President Joseph Biden waves as he walks off stage after speaking on health reform at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners annual conference .   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Vice President Joseph Biden gestures while speaking on health reform earlier this week at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners annual conference in National Harbor, Md.
Vice President Joseph Biden gestures while speaking on health reform earlier this week at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners annual conference in National Harbor, Md.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
nick
Sep 26, 2009 1:02 AM CDT
It takes time to clean up the mess of 8 years of George Bush's failed economic policies. In Nov 2007, the unemployment rate was 4.8% and had climbed to 8.9% when Obama took office Feb 2009. At least now, the country is on the right track. Geez, what poor memories you righties have.
awase61
Sep 25, 2009 12:46 PM CDT
Palin was the one person the Republicans could put up to make Biden look good. I mean check out this site about Bidenism some of these quotes could be from Palin. http://www.slate.com/id/222887...
Doctor-Zaius
Sep 25, 2009 12:39 PM CDT
Joe's not dumb, on foreign policy there are few sharper. But being a Senator for 30 years has given him the idea that he can say whatever he wants. While this can create some silly phrasing it is refreshing to have a politician who doesn't always give a politicians answer to everything.
Politics • Money • US

 
Joe Biden • vice president • governor • economic stimulus package

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