Bush Open To Stimulus Package If Dems Drop Opposition To Colombia Free-Trade Deal

WASHINGTON -- The struggling auto industry was thrust into the middle of a political standoff between the White House and Democrats on Monday as President-elect Barack Obama urged President Bush to support immediate emergency aid.

Mr. Bush indicated at the meeting that he might support some aid and a broader economic stimulus package if Mr. Obama and Congressional Democrats dropped their opposition to a free-trade agreement with Colombia, a measure for which Mr. Bush has long fought, people familiar with the discussion said.

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Comments

[gap08]

Well, love him or hate him, the time is coming near to say goodbye to George W. Bush. I would like to extend an invitation to anyone who has something to say to this President to post an open letter to GW at http://goodbye.us . This is a project to essentially create a time capsule of feelings and thoughts about the outgoing administration. So please, check it out and share!

[Badfickle]

Did you see Obama patting Bush on the back. It was almost like "Don't worry George. This will all be over soon. The adults will fix this big mess and you can go back to your ranch and play."

[DarkWitch]

Good ol' GWB, a real d*ck right up to the end.

[georgiaR]

This is a lie - didn't happen. The Obama people came out and said so

[wsblake]

Love the photo. Bush still smirkin' and struttin' like he's just about to leave the greatest presidency in history. What an arrogant jerk.

[Bendersky]

So inspiring when one's leader attempts to blackmail the incoming leader to pass a bit of legislation or he'll let the car companies go belly up. This guy should be imprisoned. I hope Obama is smart enough to not be sucked in.

[applehead]

don't make a deal with the devil. under no circumstances could it ever behoove one to do so.

[bbrecht]

I just read about the additional 2 trillion dollars given to the banks (ontop of the 700 billion), and Bush has to make a deal to help the auto companies? Impeach now and prosecute for war crimes. Then do a complete accounting of every tax dollar. Count the silver too. We are being fleeced....

[solarwindmilly]

The last economic stimulus did nothing for our economy. Why not invest renewable energy and create jobs and have a lasting effect on our economy and society???Energy Independence needs to be included in the realm of our economic issues. Our dependence on foreign oil impacts every aspect of our society and economy. This past year is a testimony to that fact. Jeff Wilson has a great new book out called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is worried about our economy and interested in seeing our country become more energy independent.

[Bitsko]

Good luck with that, George.

"If I could place a message on the desk of the incoming president, it would have just one word: Jobs." -- Bob Herbert, NY Times November 10, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/opinion/11herbert.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[MissingAmerica]

I just saw on the news that if even one of our auto manufacturers folds, it will mean the loss of 3,000,000 jobs! Bush should not be trying to cut any deals other than the one where he tries to negotiate a lower prison sentence for himself and his Bush-whackers!

[hesnotforme]

lol all this pie in the sky green stuff is laughable, people cant afford to pay a mortgage were the heck will they get money for NEW car loan. yes lets just completely retool a broke industry and everyone will run to the american dealerships and buy a new car.

[DenveRockwell]

The alternative is sinking money into failing companies and technology, where cars are still being manufactured and not purchased. Genius.

We can't do everything, so let's not do anything. Neocon dogma.

[panderwatch]

Read the real deal re: what the two talked about in their meeting yesterday at the White House. A sound guy from the press pool caught this exchange between Obama and "The Advicer":

http://panderwatch.wordpress.com/2008/11/11/bush-and-obama-at-white-house-private-conversation-caught-on-tape/

[Retrofuturistic]

Obama, don't do it.

[JiminNC]

Obama to Bush - Let's not.