Not only did they meet with the three moderates in the GOP, they targeted their states with their unemployment numbers, Obama will also be visiting areas in these states next week. Leaving nothing left to chance, Snowe, Collins and Specter apparently thought they were bargaining in good faith, I think not. The dems jumped on their agreement and then attacked them.

Read through a couple of articles in Maine papers this morning. Comment sections were showing quite a few disgruntled folks up there, Collins suffered the worse.

And yes, Larry, there is now a tentative agreement, no vote yet, and nothing coming until Monday or Tuesday. Bit different from what Reid has been promising. Hope constituents in the three states can scare some sense in the three that went wobbly in the knees.

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The word “stimulus” is so vague; most of the spending package will provide *some* level of stimulus. The real issue worth debating is whether any given project would have normally passed the appropriations process (and whether emergency measures are needed)

In my estimation, 1/3 to maybe 2/3 of the package would likely pass appropriations, and the rest is special interest pandering (in other words, I smell bacon!) Especially considering that most of the money in the package isn’t going to be spent immediately, I think most of the projects should go through the appropriations process. If we feel the need to sneak them to the “head” of the line for early consideration, I won’t object too loudly. There’s no good reason (other than partisan ramrodding) to force this crapburger down our throats!

What really gets my goat is that in order to get enough GOP support, big level Dems met with “moderate” Reps in secret meetings to secure enough votes for passage. So much for transparency and “sunlighting!”

Equally galling is this: the House of Representatives is supposed to reflect the will of the people, so how can the House pass a bill that the people overwhelmingly oppose? I can see the Senate going against public opinion if they (the Senate members) believe they are doing the right thing, but not the House! That’s specifically why we have the two different houses of Congress – to balance the opinion of the majority with the rights of the minority. I know that this may not be the best time for political theory, but it has been a thorn in my side for many years.

JV

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Before getting more tax payer money they should at least prove some relation between the bailout and some some good done by it in the credit markets.

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Tentative stimulus deal:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/02/62499443/1

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With all that splash in the pan yesterday and last night in Obama’s take it to the public media blitz, what happened? In between the big O’s events Harry Reid said he had the votes….he does have the votes?…….right?……did have? Who knows? Anybody know what’s rattling about in our Senate leader’s head?

Next day arriving on the scene, without the sizzle, party or AF1 is reality, this thing is dropping like a lead balloon.

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Pease, don’t just doooo something! Sit there!

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Gad what a puss. Sometimes doing nothing and letting things heal on their own is the best course. This boondoggle will stimulate the economy about as well as tying kittens up in a sack and throwing them in the river teaches kittens to swim.

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No. He was sprinting through the woods with his unicorn. Rainbows and flowers were out in force.

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great picture…how did you catch the Halo Effect?
Was he walking on water at the time?
My leg is still tingling…

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