Why are Congressional Dems being so quiet on the stimulus plan?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

I think, given the past 8 years, we have become so accustomed to Pelosi, Reid, et. al rolling over and playing dead for Bush and the Republicans that I'm sure many of us (including myself to some degree) are not altogether surprised at their silence surrounding the development of Obama's stimulus plan. It would seem to most people that the debate has largely been between Obama and the Republicans in Congress and the Congressional Democrats seem to have almost been completely cut out of the debate, particularly as evidenced by the disproportionate coverage given to Republicans vs. Democrats.

However, I'm beginning to wonder whether or not there is something else more complex going on here with them. Is it possible that they are purposely cutting themselves out of the debate until Obama and Congressional Republicans reach some kind of bipartisan agreement? Are they perhaps trying to cover their own political a**** by purposely NOT sticking their necks out for a stimulus plan until it appears that the Republicans are willing to sign onto a truly bipartisan plan? Could it be possible that Obama believes that he has a better shot (i.e. more "political capital") of convincing people (and hopefully some Republicans) to back him on his stimulus plan?

I'm just thinking back to the 1993 Clinton budget battle that was unanimously opposed by the Republicans and that many people believe led (at least in part) to the 1994 "Gingrich Revolution". NOBODY wants a repeat of THAT particular event, although I'm not sure how easy it would be for the GOP to rebound quite so dramatically in 2010 and maybe not even in 2012. Maybe I'm sensing something going on that isn't and I may be WAY off the mark here but, given what we've all learned about Obama since the campaign is that he has some kind of plan up his sleeve and there may well be more going on here than meets the eye in terms of how the debate is unfolding and who is participating in the debate.

What does everybody else think? Are Congressional Democrats purposely avoiding the spotlight on this stimulus package or are they, in fact, being shut out by the corporate media?

[rwheeler31]

1. Many Dems have spoken out.

[JamesA1102]

2. Since the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine and Equal Time rule

Dems cannot request equal time to get their message out. Thus, that gives the MSM all the power to shape the debate. They are the ones who decide what elected officials to invite on to their to discuss any issues and they invite mostly Republicans. Dems cannot demand to be invited on too. The result is it allows the GOP to get all their talking points without them being disputed.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

3. IT IS THE MEDIA MISINFORMATIONS FAULT

[CK_John]

4. IMO, the House plan is pork and not grand enough in design or scale and the GOP have

been very effective in letting Obama know he is just one of the power centers in DC.

[dkf]

5. Why can't we admit that the plan Pelosi and crew kicked out is NOT what

Obama prescribed.

Obama's plan made sense, but Pelosi and Obey stuck Dem wish list stuff in there and now the Repubs are laughing at us as we are hoist on our own petard.

I am pissed off that they think this is a pork package. Aren't they aware of how serious this is? Every dollar spent must be aimed like a laser beam at creating jobs because if we need to do this another time we will be utterly and totally screwed and will deserve to be kicked out of office.

[Muttocracy]

6. I'm pissed too. nt

[Undercurrent]

7. Boy, do I agree!

I'm getting really steamed about this.

The Congressional Democrats are overreaching. Off the rails. Drunk with power. Running amok like a bunch of kids in a candy shop.

Many of the proposed expenditures are good on their own merits, but they do not belong in a package designed to kick start the economy.

Yes, the lamestream media is playing their usual role, but the Democrats should have anticipated that, and planned to make enough newsworthy noise to override the media's showcasing the Republican propaganda machine.

While the Repubs have had everyone who could stop drooling long enough to slur a few words together all over the airways, the Dems have left the heavy lifting to Kerry, McCaskill, a few others. Now Obama will step into the breech, and go on national news to hopefully save the day -- in spite of the mess the Congressional Democrat's have made of things. Thanks goodness.

But it should never have come to this.