Obama calls out GOP hypocrisy for ‘going to ribbon cuttings for...projects that you voted against.’

[ProSense]

Obama calls out GOP hypocrisy for ‘going to ribbon cuttings for the same projects that you voted against.’

President Obama appeared before the House GOP retreat in Baltimore today to offer a defense of his agenda while making good on his State of the Union promise to welcome ideas from the opposition party. In his introduction, Obama gave a strong defense of the stimulus package — which most economists agree has worked — saying, “there’s not a single person in here” would who would not be “going home to more laid off teachers,” firefighters, and police officers. Obama also chided Republicans for taking credit for the benefits while also bashing it:

And then the last portion of it was infrastructure, which as I’ve said, a lot of you have gone to appear at ribbon cuttings for the same projects that you voted against. Now I say all this not to re-litigate past, but it’s simply to state that the component parts of the stimulus are consistent with what many of you say are important things to do — rebuilding our infrastructure, tax cuts for families and businesses, and making sure that we were providing states and individuals some support when the roof was caving in.

Watch it:

Every single House Republican voted against the stimulus package, but as ThinkProgress has documented, many have gone on to tout the benefits it is having in their respective districts. For instance, Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) sent multiple press releases publicizing “imperative]” stimulus funds awarded to his state, without mentioning where the money had come from. In December, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) called the stimulus a “large-scale failure,” only to praise a stimulus-funded program as “critical” a few weeks later. Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY) sent two press releases out on December 16th — one saying the stimulus had “failed” and the other hailing $1,044,140 in stimulus money for the Carroll County school system.

[eleny]

1. Today's event is a treasure trove of golden nuggets

[BOSSHOG]

2. A classic example Bobby Jindal in Louisiana

He railed against any kind of stimulus spending but went around the state of Louisiana handing out big checks (money from the stimulus) to local towns with his name on them. And of course his base (fake patriots with conservative values) lapped it up.

[liberalmuse]

3. Here's Daddy!

I love what I'm hearing from President Obama lately. Earlier today in the GOP spank...meeting, he was definitely playing Daddy to a bunch of naughty kids, but he was more the 'Father Knows Best' type of daddy. I think everyone in that room knew who was wearing the daddy pants. By the end, he was the only one wearing the pants, because the Republicans pissed theirs. I think this will play well with those Americans who want a strong leader. President Obama's left no doubt about who's running things.

[quiet.american]

4. You know, one of the worst qualities of the GOP is that they are incapable of embarrassment.

They railed against the stimulus, went to the ribbon cuttings, and now are back railing against the very help from the stimulus that's probably going to keep them in office.

And not a shred of conscience about it.

[DrToast]

8. Yep, they lack the embarrassment gene. (nt)

[Skinner]

5. This is a brilliant line of attack.

We should milk this for all it's worth in November.

[ProSense]

6. There are probably enough photos and videos for some great ad campaigns. n/t

[NoFace]

10. I think Nov will be too late. Americans have the attention spans of the proverbial fruit fly. NT

[ProSense]

12. Actually, the timing is perfect

The effects of the stimulus continue for another six months. The assessments will still be rolling in for a few months beyond that.

[hvn_nbr_2]

7. If Dems have any guts, the last couple days are a mother lode of campaign ads.

Yeah, I know. Big "if".

[bigwillq]

9. Great line.

:thumbsup:

[fooj]

11. Funny that.

Almost like the "faux" outrage Obama shows towards the SCOTUS ruling on corporations. He certainly didn't seem to mind when he benefited from corporate perks and cash. How soon we forget the greek columns and the "gift bags" with the Pepsi logo plastered all over them at the Dem convention. I'm afraid we are surrounded by hypocrites, aren't we?