While the president is backing the provisions publicly, however, behind closed doors the White House may be working to fight some of the spending in the bill that might be considered pork.
In an interview with Liberadio that was picked up by the Nashville Post, Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper of Tennessee said he was encouraged by the Obama administration to fight against some of the bill's more controversial provisions when it was in the House.
"I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but I actually got some quiet encouragement from the Obama folks for what I’m doing," said Cooper, a relatively conservative "Blue Dog" Democrat who opposed the stimulus bill. "They know it's a messy bill and they wanted a clean bill."
Cooper added that he "got in terrible trouble with our leadership because they don’t care what’s in the bill, they just want it pass and they want it to be unanimous."
"We’re just told how to vote," he continued. "We’re treated like mushrooms most of the time."
The White House "want[s] to keep the Speaker happy and the traditional Democratic leaders, but they've let them know privately they're not interested in all this pork," he said. - CBS Story
Now if this is true, then Obama has his priorities out of order. He doesn't work for Nancy Pelosi. He works for the American People. He would really see his approval ratings skyrocket if he would come out and say what in the bill he likes and doesn't like. If he were to show that he truly wants a stimulus bill and not a pork bill he would gain support across the board with the American People. When you have high approval numbers people jump on board. Nancy Pelosi and Congress do not have high numbers, so why is he publicly stepping in line with them? Be a leader, take charge and show us what you want to do. Don't have everyone else doing your work. You do it and show us leadership.
According to the Washington Post, Senate Democrats lack the 60 votes needed to both pass the plan and avoid a Republican filibuster.
In an interview on CNN, Mr. Obama signaled a willingness to drop items that "may not really stimulate the economy right now." He also signaled he'll try to remove "buy American" provisions in the legislation to avoid a possible trade war. - CBS News Story
"I'm sure that Democrats, or at least the president, is embarrassed by some of this," said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
In a series of skirmishes Tuesday, the Senate turned back a proposal to add $25 billion for public works projects and voted to remove a $246 million tax break for movie producers. Both moves were engineered by Republicans who are critical of the bill's size and voice skepticism of its ability to create jobs. - CBS News
"At no point did any member of President Obama's staff encourage me to vote against the House economic recovery bill. I told them I believed that the bill had too much long-term spending and didn't meet the president's goal of getting 75 percent of the money into the economy within 18 months. After the conversation, I felt encouraged that the administration understood those concerns and shared my longstanding commitment to fiscal responsibility," he said in a statement.
Cooper was one of about 55 House Democrats to sign a letter criticizing Pelosi for suspending debate and committee rules on the fiscal package.
"They don't mind the partisan fighting cause that's what they are used to. In fact, they're really good at it -- and they're a little bit worried about what a post-partisan future might look like," Cooper said during the radio interview. "If members actually had to read the bills and figure out whether they are any good or not. We're just told how to vote. We're treated like mushrooms most of the time." - FOX News
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