Reid On Stimulus: We Have The Votes

On Wednesday, Democratic senators were saying that they didn't yet have the votes to pass an economic recovery package. A day later, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that they have the numbers -- or at least, they will in time for a vote today.

"We hope to have a vote today," Reid told reporters.

"Do we have the votes? We believe we do. We believe we can find two Republicans of good will" to back the plan and override a Republican filibuster, Reid said.

"The president made very clear that he wants the bill, that he wants it this week and that it needs to be of sufficient size to do the job," added Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who has been working with Democrats on a bipartisan deal.

Comments

[Gotcha54]

It's a shame - here we were all set to straighten out the ills of the last 8 years with a President who we all believed in. Then we turn over this first piece of legislation to the other "leaders" of the party Reid and Pelosi and what do they do. Blow up all the good will Obama had by cowering in the corner afraid to get in front of the microphone and defend the bill they put together! What a shame!

[democratUSA]

These are some of the items Senators Collins and Nelson wanted off the bill-
Eliminations:
Head Start, Education for the Disadvantaged, School improvement, Child Nutrition, Firefighters, Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard, Prisons, COPS Hiring, Violence Against Women, NASA, NSF, Western Area Power Administration, CDC, Food Stamps

Food Stamps? Child Nutrition? COPS Hiring? CDC?
Who cares about ordinary citizens as long as the Executive pay isn't capped. Let the adults die of starvation while the kids get fat, let everyone get shot or robbed or maybe die of TB, bird flu or a STD.
As long as the guy in the corner office keeps his leather chair and his mansion.

[TommyMcCarthy]

This is a VERY familiar tune "democrat usa"......­..it's been on the radio constantly for the last eight years ....if not the last thirty!

If it benefits the top tier it's a "targeted incentive for growth"

If it benefits ordinary working people it's "wasteful government pork"


Get 'er done Harry....p­ass the bill......­. and quit kissing Republican Butt....th­ey're marginaliz­ed,...they­'re regionaliz­ed.......a­nd hier threat of a fillibuster is largly just "talkin dirty".
If one of them DOES have the unmitigated GALL to publicly stand up and "fiddle" while America burns why he/she might just as well announce his resignation today and save the voters the trouble of turning them out ,

Lead, follow, or get out of the way!
tm

[Liberalforsure]

I have an idea for the Dems, pretend like its a bill about corporate tax cuts and tax cuts for the rich only and it allows for oil drilling and it will pass overwhelmingly with the rethuglicans! No need to thank me.

[pupbayer]

Then vote today, Harry.

[SurrealPumpkin]

Reid needs to go. We should start a drive to replace him. Best choice would be a Senator from a "safe state", preferably who just won re-election. Practically, this means someone from California or the North East. Kennedy is out, his health is not good, Kerry is out, he'd be no better then Reid. Rhode Island gives us Whitehouse. Connecticut gives us Dodd, New York gives us Schumer, New Hampshire is Shaheeny, a first term Senator. Vermont gives us Patrick Leahy, California gives us Boxer and Feinstein. To return to Vermont, we have Bernie Sanders, I.

Schumer and Dodd are possible if perhaps a bit brasher then would be good. Whitehouse is good, either Boxer or Feinstein would be good. Leahy would also be good. My favorite Bernie Sanders, he isn't a Democrat, which is a problem, but he is a Socialist. The entertainment factor of watching the Republicans froth at the mouth would be worth it.

Suggestion? Let's see if we can get a grassroots effort going to replace Harry Reid. There are undoubtedly strong Senators from other states who wouldn't be at risk for re-election.

[Mediated]

WE have the votes. Good own it- Harry. Own this crap sandwich as 2010 is right around the corner and the scam of the stimulus bill and prolonged recession will be exposed over time and enough to swing electorate away from the social democracy that is bankrupting the country and keeping a permanent underclass in a welfare state slavery. Jobs are created from a free market. The huge government build up underway is unaffordable. printing money has dire consequences.

[SpendBabySpend]

Why are these people pushing borrowing with interest a 1 Trillion dollar loan, that has only $27 billion, of what was promised, infrastructure, 3%...in the middle of the night..Thi­s is like getting laid off and writing a home equity line check for vacation. Break it up, give $300 billion for infrastrac­ture..can we agree on that? Then do another one for 200 billion for unemployme­nt..then tax cuts...no immediate cost..That would be stimulus..­without junk.

[weatherwaxx]

http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/PressSummary01-15-09.pdf

This is what the Republicans want to cut as "waste."

AMERICAN energy:
* $32 billion to transform the nation"s energy transmission, distribution, and production systems
* $16 billion to repair public housing and make key energy efficiency retrofits
* $6 billion to weatherize modest-income homes--fuel's wasted when poor people can't afford to weatherize. This will save energy and healthcare.

Education for the 21st Century: ...classro­oms, labs, and libraries.­..
* $79 billion in state fiscal relief to prevent cutbacks to key services..­.

YOU THINK EDUCATION IS EXPENSIVE? TRY IGNORANCE!

CREATE JOBS WITH CLEAN, EFFICIENT, AMERICAN ENERGY

* GSA Federal Buildings: ...$6 billion focused on increasing energy efficiency­...

Scientific Research
* National Science Foundation: ...$2 billion for expanding employment in science and engineerin­g... 21st CENTURY JOBS

Department of Defense Facilities
* Medical Facilities: $3.75 billion...


LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS
* Health Information Technology: $20 billion to jumpstart efforts to computerize health records to cut costs and reduce medical errors.
-- Insurance companies won't do this; they raise their rates. Are medical errors a good way to spend money?

thanks to Mr Already On the Job for info

[kgdr24]

All I can say after hearing Pres. Obama speak to his caucas tonight is "DARN that felt good!" Finally finally he found his voice and spoke for the millions who voted for a break from the failed ideas of the Republicans. His tenativeness this last week made me long a bit for Hillary's conviction. Tonight, Obama showed us the strength we've been craving. One thing I didn't like in his speech is that he kept justifying his decisions with references to leading economic experts. America trusts Obama, not a bunch of anonymous talking heads. He doesn't need to justify his ideas. To do so makes him seem less reliable. Obama should just come out and state directly- "After evaluating all options, this is the direction America must take in order to recover and grow." I don't really care how many economists agree because there are just as many that can be found that will disagree- look at the many scientists the Republicans drummed up to "disprove" Global Warming! Obama needs to trust in his own political capital. When he shows that he believes in his ability to lead, Americans and eventually the Republican legislators, will follow.

[mocha59]

Yes.

[WildElf]

I trust Obama BECAUSE of his reliance on economic experts and their knowledge of proven facts and economic studies. I don't care what spineless lobbyists with PhDs Republicans are able to muster on any given issue to put out a counter point. The trust in Obama isn't that he can point to a single expert, but that his course of action has a foundation of overwhelming data and facts.

I haven't heard the speech, so I'm not sure if the justification was or wasn't necessary, but I'll be extremely disappointed if he looks to ideaology to determine policy instead of research, rigor and reason. I trust the man because of those things, and because he has the ability to lead with those ideas behind him.

[SpendBabySpend]

The problem is..HE didn't write the bill...he let Congress do it..

[kgdr24]

I agree that Obama is trustworthy because he consults experts. He is a refreshing break from "Go with Yur Gut" Bush. However, his insistence that his recovery plan is credible because "experts" agree was repetitive and almost apologetic in tonight's speech. We look to Obama to lead, not his advisors. Of course, that is my opinion. I understand that yours might be different. However, I am a bit surprised, given your expressed preference for relying on fact rather than opinion, that you did not actually watch the speech before giving yours.

[weatherwaxx]

The text of the speech is on Huffpo front page. He points out that the country has tried it their way for the last 8 years and we're swirling around the toilet on the way down. He put it more elegantly, of course.

[Pharos]

Virtually all economists agree there is a crisis. Most of the Republicans keep saying what crisis. It's important to consult experts and the disagreement is far less than the neocons would have you believe.

[Rockville]

A question - if the Democrats have enough votes to pass this, but not enough to block a filibuster, why don't they allow the Republicans to filibuster??! That would indeed illustrate to the American people that it is the Republicans who are the roadblock to progress. Let them keep the Senate in session as long as possible while they do whatever they can to waste time.

Why are Democrats against a filibuster by the Republicans??

[SpendBabySpend]

I don't know, could it be that they don't want the responsibility for all this waste that will come out? They'd rather say there was bi-partisan support..a little CYA?

[Pharos]

No waste, what are you talking about?

[RonPaulus]

Who said that all Democrats will vote for this bill? And then House and Senate Dems need to get identical bill for the President. The reality is that the Dems are the ones that cannot decide on a final package - it keeps growing and carries opposing measures - some which help and other which hurt the economy. And remember - how will any of this spending nonsense require companies to start hiring again?

[Pharos]

You pay a company to build something. How are they going to build it? Twitch their noses? They need people to do the work. If the job is big enough they won't have enough employees and will need to hire. Did I misunderstand your question?

[weatherwaxx]

"Spending nonsense" was what happened when Bush's tools threw big bucks to their buddies with no strings and no accountability.

This is about doing things that will help Americans.

You're a GOOD parrot -- go ask Rush for a cracker.

[localfood]

I completely agree Rockville. Make them filibuster for more taxes for the rich, et al. They will lose what they have left of their constituency. It only takes 50 votes plus Biden to pass this bill.

[grata2ude]

Because there is no time to waste. The republicans have spent the last two years filibustering every attempt by the Democrats to get anything done.

This recession is real, the road to recovery is long and they have to start soon to go down this road.

[Lemeritus]

Well, actually, Republicans threatened to filibuster so often that, in the end, all it took was a cross look from Frist or McConnell to make the Democrats pick up their marbles and leave the game.

While I'm on the side of getting this party started, I think Rockville may have a point. If it becomes apparent tomorrow that we do not have the votes to pass the bill or overcome a filibuster, the bill is dead anyway. I say, force a filibuster -- let the constituents of those obstructing the bill know who is standing in the way of recovery and what it means to them personally. I can't think of a better way of taking control of the debate.

[K-Dog76]

If 80% of the funds won't be spent in the first 18 months, what do you mean there is no time to waste? At least half a trillion won't creat jobs until mid to late 2010. Thats hardly stimulus.

[clearenergy]

What was the president supposed to do other than come out swinging? He's tried the bipartisanship route and it has not worked. It's a game of tag and the republicans are it. They can't leave the playground now. There's too much at stake.They­'d run the risk of seeming not to care and there is too much at risk. It's all a political game. If I were the President I'd strip all the pork and dare the republicans not to vote for the bill. I like this game. It's interesting.

[Ghostzapper]

If he strips the pork, Repubs will pass it and lots of Dems will go nuts

[Jonni Rae]

What pork? there are no earmarks in this bill. What exactly do you want out? Be specific.

[weatherwaxx]

http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/PressSummary01-15-09.pdf

This is what the Republicans want to cut as "waste."

AMERICAN energy:
* $32 billion to transform the nation"s energy transmission, distribution, and production systems
* $16 billion to repair public housing and make key energy efficiency retrofits
* $6 billion to weatherize modest-income homes--fuel's wasted when poor people can't afford to weatherize. This will save energy and healthcare.

Education for the 21st Century: ...classro­oms, labs, and libraries.­..
* $79 billion in state fiscal relief to prevent cutbacks to key services..­.

YOU THINK EDUCATION IS EXPENSIVE? TRY IGNORANCE!

CREATE JOBS WITH CLEAN, EFFICIENT, AMERICAN ENERGY

* GSA Federal Buildings: ...$6 billion focused on increasing energy efficiency­...

Scientific Research
* National Science Foundation: ...$2 billion for expanding employment in science and engineerin­g... 21st CENTURY JOBS

Department of Defense Facilities
* Medical Facilities: $3.75 billion...


LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS
* Health Information Technology: $20 billion to jumpstart efforts to computerize health records to cut costs and reduce medical errors.
-- Insurance companies won't do this; they raise their rates. Are medical errors a good way to spend money?

thanks to Mr Already On the Job for info

[SpendBabySpend]

Here are the people on tape that caused this problem for Obama..

Thank Them:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5z9lD4C2Io&annotation_id=annotation_391038&feature=iv

[RonPaulus]

So which political party controlled Congress (for the most part) during the 1970's and 1980's? And which political party was in power from 1994 to 2006 - during a period which Clinton described as the longest expansion of the US economy in history. During which party's control of Congress did the stock market, people's investments, 401Ks skyrocket in the 1990s up to 2007?

So how is Obama different than Bush - he also supports small business tax cuts, is expanding Bush's faith based initiatives, will not increase taxes on wealthy as he initially promised, backed down from opposing free trade and Nafta, will drastically expand the military presence in Afganistan.

[Helzapoppin]

I just love how Republicans like to say when you have a Republican President and a Dem Congress, the President is responsible for all the good and the Congress is responsible for all the bad. . . and when you have a Dem President and a Rethug Congress, they say the exact opposite.

Give it up. The Republican Party is morally, intellectually and politically DE AD.

[RonPaulus]

I just point out a different side that what is drummed up in here. L

Obama opposes Gay Marriage, favors Bush's faith based initiative, tax cuts, employs lobbyist or near-lobbyists, favors increased govt spending like Bush - if Bush ruined the economy - how is Obama handling it differently? - he will outspend him by the end of his 1st year. The tax code will not change much (will stay screwed up)

The only advantage is his campaign war chest and saint like image. Great popularity but no substance - just like JFK (even though Kennedy would be considered a neocon today)

[K-Dog76]

Helzapoppin,

hmmm we have a Dem congress and president, not sure what country your in...

keep up the hatin' its good for America.

[theone718]

We DON'T have the votes. Reid just closed down the congress because he believed he didn't have the votes to pass tonight. That's troubling.

[Ghostzapper]

What? Harry said that he had the votes.....

[SpendBabySpend]

Remember..­back in the fall Pelosi said she had the votes too..fools­..there are a number of Dems voting against this bill..Why can't they take time and not screw it up like last fall..this passing of a 600 page bill so fast..with only 38% of the people for it..are they rushing..j­ust to get the pork in before approval gets down to the dumbest 20%?

[Dialogue]

Tomorrow, the Labor Department will release the nations unemployment rate. Being this early in the new Administration, let's hope the number does not get sugar-coated. What possible benefit can be gained, by reported on Friday, the sixth of February, that unemployment rose in January to 7.6%, when an 8.5% rate is a more reflective number.

[DuVal Dem]

Thank you President Obama, Get on those Repugs....­They're trying to take us back to the SAME failed policies of the last 8 years. You WON!!!! The American people Won with your election.

2010 we'll remember the Republicans that tryed to be obstructionists and not support the American people.

[K-Dog76]

DuVal_DEm

get over yourself, yeah Obama won, yeah the Dems control congress..­.

NOT ALL THE DEMS SUPPORT THE STIMULUS PACKAGE

So its not the Republicans being obstructionists. Things like adding 10% to the national deficit with less than a month in office, thats a little scary, whether or not its going to work. Choosing how to wisely spend the largest single spending bill in history should take more than a week or two... thats not obstructionist.

[mrfreeze]

Americans have the shortest attention span of all mammals! Let me explain:

1) The Political Right and their policies brought us to this critical economic spot. Period.... End of discussion. Trickle-down, voodoo economics is the MO for the right.
2) The Political Right and their lies involved us in an unnecessary war. Don't bother trying to debate yourselves out of that. Let's see, that little incursion has already cost us well over $1 Trillion dollars. Please explain why that "pork" works but spending on "domestic pork" won't.
3) Democrats, not Republicans are in control of Congress and the Legislative branches of Government (if you don't know what those are, please go back and take your 9th grade civics class over).
4) It wasn't too long ago that the leadership of the Right bragged that they would have a permanent majority in government. It was the right that shut out debate and even attempted to suspend fillabusters by the democrats. What? You mean the new administration shouldn't lead the way it wants to?
5) If you're unemployed now, just remember what political party was in power for the last decade and why, after working harder than ever, your wages are stagnant, your health care costs rise 28% per year and your 401k is worth 40% less than it was.

The bottom line here to all you trolls: We're not listening any more. We don't care what you think. We only want to succeed without your obstruction, nihilism and stupidity.

[Ghostzapper]

Pass the bill already, Reid has the votes so go for it.

[ohio4obama]

You lost me at "The Political Right".

[mrfreeze]

Those are the conservative jerks who destroyed the economy in Ohio....Co­me to think of it they ruined a lot of other nice places in America. Do I need to spell it out for you people?

[SCG]

Well said.

As far as the GOP goes, if they wish to isolate themselves further, far be it from me to save them.

[ManyColored]

Amen.

[SpendBabySpend]

Here is the lie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZVw3no2A4&annotation_id=annotation_918789&feature=iv

[ohiomark]

When Bush and Congress were trying to push through the original $700 billion bailout package, they said that is was essential to pass it NOW or the economy would collapse. So, they pushed it through and nothing improved and half of that money is gone.

Now Obama and the Democrats want to push an even bigger bill through without debate that will bankrupt the country and saddle our children and grandchildren with unspeakable debt.

It's clear that the more light that is shed on this "pork bill", the more people don't like it, but Obama wants to ram it through regardless of what the public thinks because he is smarter than the rest of us.

When Obama says that the "time for talking is over, it's time for action", it sounds alot like Al Gore saying the "debate is over" on his global warming hoax.

Beware of the fear mongering.

[paulalex]

What was that again? I couldn't see through the fog of delusion.

[vjoseph]

Hahaha, that's a good one