Senior Dem Leadership Aide: Congress And Obama Aiming To Pass Stimulus Package Before Obama Takes Office
Dem Congressional leaders are working with Obama officials to create and pass a massive stimulus package before Obama takes power on January 20th, a senior Dem leadership aide confirms to me.
The timing is significant because it means Obama could sign it the first day he takes office.
"We come in January 6th and Obama is sworn in on January 20th," the leadership aide emails to me, adding that the timing "gives both of us a month and a half to work on a plan that could be taken up in House shortly after we come in and sent to the Senate before January 20th."
The crisis has forced Obama to walk a tricky balancing act: He's under tremendous pressure to show that he's acting on the economy, in order to calm the markets, while not appearing to step on the current president's toes.
Hence the leaks from Obama's team last week about his choices for economic advisers -- leaks which rallied the markets on Friday -- and, now, his team's behind-the-scenes work to get a stimulus package prepped and ready for him in advance.
Moving so quickly on the planned package, which some reports say could top $500 billion, could carry some risks. Jake Tapper, who first reported the stimulus package timing, notes that some Dems worry that getting it passed so fast could prove too ambitious, given that GOPers still have the numbers necessary to block it with a filibuster.
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November 24, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Some Dems worry". Sigh. Will this theme ever die a deserved death?
Isn't this a little presumptuous of Obama?
November 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
The need for irony! :)
November 24, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would LOOOOVE to see the Republicans try and filibuster the Obama stimulus package. You think their approval ratings are low now? America is DESPERATE for action and ideas. If there is even a HINT of Repukelicans standing in the way of progress, Americans will blame them for the impending financial collapse.
November 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah,... IF the Democrats actually make the Republicans filibuster. But is that likely? Frankly, Senate Democrats have been cowardly wimps in the past. They don't actually make Republicans filibuster. They just accept the vote that Republicans COULD filibuster, if they really wanted to.
If the Democrats don't have the votes to cut off debate, they just shrug their shoulders and cave. They don't make the Republicans debate, so it doesn't get the kind of press it should. If you really want to show obstructionist tactics (for something as important as this, especially), then you have to play your hand. But Democrats won't do this. Or, at least, they've shown no sign of this kind of determination in recent years. Leopards don't change their spots. Are Senate Democrats still cowardly wimps?
November 24, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Never have I seen a president elect leading a shadow administration. This is pretty amazing; McCain was wrong Obama was ready before day one even got here.
November 24, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Darn tootin'.
November 24, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
More than amazing ... This is what intelligent leadership is. Big laughs from the Repubs about Obama being a Community Organizer ... wonder who's laughing now. His belief that you build from the ground up is his absolute strength and success. You better believe this man is ready to lead ... confident, yet respectful in his endeavor.
November 24, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama: The Pre-Quel!
November 24, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
What will be interesting to see, since there will be some of the Repubs who will want to block this, is whether the Repubs will be act as unified group. In order to filibuster in the Senate, they need everyone of them to fall in behind the leadership. And who knows whether there is even a unified view as to how to approach Obama's efforts within the Repub leadership.
November 24, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, I don't foresee a filibuster being successful. The dems will have 5 or more republicans in their corner. The two maine senators, voinovich of ohio, martinez of florida, gregg of new hampshire, and possibly specter of pa not backing a filibuster. Other than the maine senators, the rest are up for reelection in 2010 in states that went heavily for obama. I don't see the filibuster working for repubs for a while. Can you imagine? The economy in the toilet and playing politics in blue states? Nah.
November 24, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not so sure they're smart enough to effectively evaluate their precarious position and act accordingly ... some real PARTY voters. Look how many times they voted for lgislation that failed over and over and over just because they were Republicans. This is why they were so accurately nicknamed "SHEEPLE".
November 24, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know. They are politicians and have seen the hammering the republicans have gotten in congress the last two cycles. Their own self interest might trump falling in line behind mr. chicken man. I remember gordo crying about iraq after the 06 election and look what that got him. Voted out in 08. I hope that they fall in line. I guess we shall see.
November 24, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
If the GOP looks like they're going to block this it will give Obama an immediate opportunity to try out his online grassroots network to organize people all over the country and rally massive support to scare the bejeezum out of the politicians who want to be obstructionists. I believe it will be unlike anything those nitwits and hacks have ever seen before.
Community organizers know how to make life miserable for politicians when they have to. A president who views the nation as one big community needing to get organized will be very effective - especially at a time like this when people are broke and pissed off.
November 24, 2008 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here are the Repub Senators from swing and blue states that are up for re-election in 2010:
Christopher Bond, MO
Chuck Grassley, IA
Judd Greg, NH
Mel Martinez, FL
John McCain, AZ
Arlen Specter, PA
George Voinovich, OH
These could well be the ones who are the most concerned about being seen as blocking Obama, real reform and economic recovery.
November 24, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, I don't see the filibuster working for some time. There are too many republicans that don't want to get hammered in 2010.
November 24, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
It will be interesting to see how Collins and Snowe from Maine go on these issues. From Collins website:
November 24, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
On issues that the american people want, like universal healthcare and further economic stimulus, I see them voting with the dems. They really are moderate senators. The only thing separating them from the dems is the R beside their name and they have bucked the party in the past, unlike specter.
November 24, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lookin' good!
November 24, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't forget Richard Burr of NC. I'm not holding out much hope that we'll get any votes out of him, but seeing his state go for Obama and Elizabeth Dole kicked out this year has to be a little unsettling for him.
November 24, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who cares about stepping on toes? Tap dance on those mothers, everyone hates Bush, he is practically gone already...let's have a leader already!
November 24, 2008 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
That would be a site to behold. Obama gets sworn in, walks (more than likely drives) to the White House and the first thing he does, with all the cameras flashing and videos rolling, is sign an economic stimulus package that is FOR MAIN STREET.
November 24, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
If Repubs have a substantial imput (they will get there tax cuts and no raised taxes) on the plan then they will be on board to pass the bill. If this can be passed with broad support it would raise the rating for both houses in congress and Obama. This could work out for everyone because it will be seen as bipartisan, working hard and most of all ACTION!
November 24, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
And don't forget all those executive orders he's also going to undo ASAP!
These folks will give a whole new meaning to "hitting the ground running." Maybe they'll just fly it in!
November 24, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Too bad W has 2 more months in office. We may think Obama is running a Shadow Adminstration, and are rightfully fired up about the prospects for the future. But let us not forget what is happening RIGHT NOW. The Administration is on a full fledged campaign to loosen Environmental standards before they leave office. This is real stuff that will take years to undo. Just a sampling...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=49&entry_id=32898
November 24, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink