Both Sides Wary of Blowback Over Stimulus

Obama, Dems want GOP buy-in, Repubs seek constraints
By Gabriel Winant,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 27, 2009 2:00 PM CST
Both Sides Wary of Blowback Over Stimulus
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with congressional leaders at the White House, Jan. 23, 2009.    (AP Photo)

As President Obama and congressional Republicans fight over the outline of an economic stimulus package, each side is wary of catching blame for a botched effort, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Obama can’t guarantee the $825 billion plan will actually work and seeks public GOP buy-in; Republicans want to rein in spending while avoiding the appearance of stubborn obstructionists.

To avoid turning the bill into a knock-down partisan fight, and to make it harder for the Republicans to vote against it, Obama is assiduously courting their support and seeking their input. “We don’t have pride of ownership,” says his press secretary. On the Republican side, “The idea is just to limit it some,” a spokesman says. (More Obama administration stories.)

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