Pelosi and Reid: Which One Got Sneaky?

(NEWSER) - President Obama listened to Republican gripes about his stimulus plan today, then calmly reminded them that "I won," Politico reports. The GOP is seeking more middle-class tax cuts, among other things, and says the spending package is too large. Further negotiations are planned, but Dems appear to be in control. Asked if he worried about GOP resistance to passing the bill by Feb. 14, Harry Reid replied, “No.” More»

President takes more hands-on approach to legislation

(NEWSER) - President Obama is growing more assertive on Capitol Hill. Since he took office, the president's supporters have criticized him for not exerting enough control over the details of legislation, instead letting Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi hammer out specifics—even on major administration goals, like the health care bill. On legislation this week concerning the Gulf oil spill and financial regulation, Obama has switched to a prescriptive style, reports Politico . More»

Pelosi, Obama get slight boost; Reid continues race to bottom

(NEWSER) - The passage of health care reform hasn’t been a huge boon for Democrats, but it hasn't been a disaster, either. Overall approval ratings have remained stable for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi since January (46% negative, 42% positive), and President Obama got a boost of 5 points on his handling of health care reform, to 48%. Not so fortunate was Harry Reid, whose numbers continued to slide. Overall approval for the Senate majority leader fell to 29% from 35% in January. More»

She doesn't seem to be on the same page as Reid

(NEWSER) - It was a little thing. After Tuesday’s powwow with the president on Afghan strategy, Harry Reid emerged from the White House with Nancy Pelosi and announced: “Everyone said that ‘whatever decision you make, we will support it,’” as the House speaker rolled her eyes. Though she maintains she's "not upset," it's clear that the question of whether to send more troops to Afghanistan is a decisive issue among Democrats, notes Politico. More»

Republicans court Blue Dog Dems to fight further spending

(NEWSER) - Talk of a second stimulus proves the first one isn't working, Republican leaders said today in blasting the possibility. “We don't even know what was in the first stimulus yet,” one senator said, while Minority Leader Mitch McConnell noted that Congress had spent “$1 billion an hour” so far this year. Republicans tell Politico they aim to lure discontented Dems in their fight for fiscal restraint. More»