Whiplash: Conservatives Play Politics with Stimulus Spending

During the debate on the President's economic stimulus proposal, conservatives argued passionately about how tax cuts had far more economic impact and created far more jobs than government spending. When that was defeated they reversed field by doubling the proposed spending in the bill for highways and more than quintupling funding for the Army Corps of Engineers, programs they had eliminated in the previous substitute. Even more remarkably, the vast majority of the 170 members who voted for the first substitute also voted for the second.

The convoluted and conflicting messages that conservatives presented in debate over the stimulus package conveyed more than just confusion on their part. What they demonstrated was that they will adapt to whatever philosophy they find most tactically useful in blocking their political opponent -- the new president. It is doubtful that either history or the American people will judge those efforts kindly.

Analysis of the two conservative substitutes can be found in recent column entitled Whiplash.

Scott Lilly is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.

Comments

[AnnfromCA]

I prefer to see spending in the infrastructure rather than a lot of the pet projects stuffed into the bill. On this issue, Republicans make more sense to me.

[McChimp]

You mean the same Republicans who led us into this mess with their tax cuts and lax regulation on banks?

You mean the same Republicans who spent like sailors on the Iraq war, but complain that this stimulus is necessary spending?

So much for being a Hillary BlueDog, if this was Hillary's bill you'd be praising it.

[Shortyfuse]

I'll say it again for all the brainwashed of America.
IF IT WAS A BILL TO SPEND MONEY IN SOME THIRD WORLD RAT HOLE, THE REPUBLICANS (CORPORATE WHORES) WOULD BE FALLING ALL OVER EACH OTHER TO PASS IT. HOWEVER SINCE IT IS A BILL FOR AMERICA THEY SAY "LET THEM EAT CAKE."

[lisa12345]

We would all like to see infrastructure spending, and spending that will lead to job production. We just need to make sure that it can be absorbed. Too much infrastructure spending could be a mistake. It is a balance. And of course, different articles analyze the topic in a way such that it can be hard to tell how much is a good idea.

[curledup]

It's maddening watching the GOP flail about with whatever seems to be the opposite of whatever the new administration. Doesn't matter they're pushing obviously failed favorite policies or spouting exact 180-degree positions from those they railroaded through in the middle of Bush's admin. Remember all that jibber-jabber about how the Dems were being "obstructionist" on trying to stop outrageous Bush-driven neo-con proposals and appointees? Um, yeah...

[dreamsmasher]

So you're saying that the Democrats always reached across the table to find common ground both when they were in the minority and after taking control of Congress?
You're dillusional! The Democrats threatened the Republicans at every turn, staged fillibusters and demanded that they have their way, yet they were never told "I won, your guy lost".
Why don't you take the time to read some of the bill, you might change your mind. If this was an actual "stimulus package" and not a pork bill I guarantee it would pass with a near unanimous vote in both houses!

[Rogan]

So, you've read the bill?

[dreamsmasher]

How is it that the Republicans are playing politics with the economy and the Democrats are not?
First of all this is not a "stimulus package" it is a PORK BILL!
Second, a majority of Americans do not want a pork bill they want a stimulus package. (this means the Republicans are more in tune with the American public than the Democrats)
Third, President Obama said that there would be no pork (earmarks) in the stimulus bill and yet his very own party created a bill that is nothing but pork!
Fourth, why does it even matter? The Democrats can pass this bill totally without any Republican votes but they won't because they know it is going to cause a backlash and they will not be able to blame the Republicans for their failure as they have always done.
And finally, don't you remember Obama himself saying "I won, your guy lost" and then the Republicans were told that things will be done the way the Democrats want it, so who is playing politics? NOT THE REPUBLICANS!
Like it or not the Democrats are wrong and now they are running scared because they are finally going to be held accountable for their actions, the Democrats wrote it, they voted for it and they own it.
If this bill fails, NOT ONE SINGLE DEMOCRAT WILL STAND AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY I guarantee it!

[Geoffreys]

Yes, Yes, yes. We get it. Democrats always Bad. Republicans always Good.

Got anything else in that bag of tricks?

[dreamsmasher]

I never said that and never will say that Republicans are always good, the Republicans are at fault many times but right now the Democrats own the stage and are showing their true colors and the Republicans have finally learned to sit back and watch the show rather than get involved.
With the Democrats "culture of corruption" plainly in view, who needs a bag of tricks? The Democrats are doing this to themselves.
Biden said when talking about "Joe the plumber" that it should be patriotic to pay your taxes, I guess this means that the Democrats are UNPATRIOTIC.
Tom Daschle said in 1998 on the Senate floor that "when people cheat on their taxes they are cheating the country and the IRS should follow the letter of the law" so I want to know when the trials will begin for Geitner, Daschle, Rangel, Killner (I believe thats how it's spelled) and Richardson and this is just the beginning how many more Democrats think they don't have to pay taxes?

[lisa12345]

Well, many liberals are complaining about the stimulus bill, at least from what I can hear. I am all for spending over tax cuts, and have been from the start. If we are wrong, hey, I'll own it. My problem with the stimulus bill is similar to the problem other libs and progressives have with it--we just don't like what the spending will go toward. Simply put, I agree that the many programs they want to fund, like family planning, have a place. Yet it is not in this bill. These programs need their own legislation. So does the block aid to states for welfare--yes, it needs to happen, many are signing up for help for the first time in their lives. It needs its own legislation. I agree with spending on infrastructure and anything that creates jobs. When the Repubs first came out against the bill, we immediately said, "what do they want to spend it on?' That would include them in the decision-making. So my point here is that many of us are opposed to where the money was initially going, and said so. It was not just Republicans that questioned this.

[dreamsmasher]

Yes you are absolutely correct.

[Shortyfuse]

If it was money to be spent in some third world rat hole they would be falling over each other to pass this package, but since it is America , let them eat cake.

[momof3inGA]

Yep.