Obama praises Nelson's (D-Ne) role in stimulus bill

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=3954&u_sid=10561749

BY JOSEPH MORTON
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama doesn't agree with all of the changes made to an economic stimulus bill by Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and other centrist senators, but he said the end result accomplishes the administration's primary goals.


President Barack Obama talks to the regional reporters Wednesday at the White House.


"I think some of the scrubbing that was done on the bill in the Senate made sense," Obama said Wednesday in a White House meeting with reporters from regional newspapers, including The World-Herald.

"In some cases, there were things that were added, not deleted, but my bottom line has always been: Is it creating jobs? And this bill creates jobs. Is it providing relief to states? It's providing relief to states. Is it laying the foundation for long-term economic growth? It is."

Obama made his comments in a nearly hour-long session in the Roosevelt Room. The president spoke shortly after an agreement was reached on a compromise $789 billion bill designed to create millions of jobs in a nation reeling from recession. Obama could sign the measure within days.

The emerging legislation is at the core of Obama's economic recovery program. It includes help in the form of expanded unemployment benefits, food stamps, health coverage and more, as well as billions for states that face the prospect of making deep cuts in school aid and other programs.

FULL story at link.

[Muttocracy]

1. K&R nt

[ejpoeta]

2. well, he could have been like the republicans

who refused to participate and then whined that they were blocked from participating. so, at least he tried to make it 'better'. i hope to hell that people see just what the republcians who are refusing to be involved because they can't have their way are doing and the republicans get hammered for it. i mean, i may not agree with the cuts made in that bill, but at least the people involved were working in good faith to get a bill more to each side's liking. they didn't just pretend to want to be involved and then vote against it even after they got some things they wanted.

[mmonk]

3. They don't have to. The Blue Dogs will put in the tax cuts

and cut some of the spending. If it fails, they can say see, we told you so. If it is successful, they will say it was because of the tax cuts and removal of wasteful spending. A win win situation for them in the propaganda wars.