GOP Stimulus Stonewall Spells Trouble for Prez

Barack Obama's failure to snag a single vote from House Republicans for his economic stimulus package underlines the tough task the president faces in winning bipartisan support for his plan, notes Politico. Obama aides were surprised by the vote but expressed confidence that some Republicans will eventually come around.

"I don't think this is the final reckoning on this bill," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Another aide was more candid about the GOP lawmakers' likely stance on the final version of the package. "They can vote against it the first time to act like fiscal conservatives, and then vote for the conference report to brag about what they're getting for their districts," he predicted. (More Obama administration stories.)