President-elect and House Republicans Bond Over Transparency; Biden Says Economic Crisis Means Congress Must Act As if “We’re At War”
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Democratic and Republican sources tell ABC News that President-elect Obama’s meeting with the bipartisan congressional leadership of the House and Senate went well with some quick agreement on the need for expeditious action as well as oversight and transparency for the pending, yet-to-be-drafted multibillion dollar stimulus package.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, argued that public dissatisfaction with the Troubled Asset Relief Program money to help stabilize the nation’s financial systems and the way it was rammed through the Congress demands more transparency and accountability with the stimulus bill.
"I agree with you," the President-elect said, adding later that he would "demand complete transparency and accountability in doing it." ·
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Vir., suggested said the bill should be put on the Internet a week before Congress votes on it.
Mr. Obama smiled and said something along the lines of, "maybe if I was better at faking it , I’d say, ‘Great idea — we’ll take you up on that.’ But we’ve actually talked about this idea."
Obama turned it over to incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel who essentially said they would do the Republicans one better. They’re planning a Google-like search function to show every program funded by the stimulus package, whether it comes in under or over-budget, whether it is meeting its intended purpose, and how many jobs it is creating.
"Tell you what," Obama said, "we’ll still call it the Cantor idea."
A different note was sounded by Vice President-elect Joe Biden, who remains a senator, who pushed his colleagues to move quickly. Biden pointed out that Congress is perfectly capable of functioning swiftly when it needs to — he cited the 9/11 attacks as an example when the House and Senate worked concurrently instead of first the House then the Senate. The economic crisis demands the same type of speed.
"We’re at war," Biden said, "this is that type of moment."
– jpt
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So Biden played straight man to some of the comic relief offered by Obama. They play off each other well.
Posted by: kat | January 5, 2009, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
I agree with the Obamacrat. Barack Obama doesn’t take on Washington politics, he takes on Republicans. He knew Gov. Blagojevich was selling his Senate seat, and he said nothing. When Gov. Murkowski bought a private jet for the Governor’s office with taxpayer money, Sarah put it on eBay. Gov. Richardson was giving away state government contracts in exchange for campaign contributions, and in exchange for his endorsement in the Democratic Primary, Barack Obama nominated him for Sec. of Commerce. When Sen. Stevens brought home $300M in federal pork for the Bridge to Nowhere, Gov. Palin said “thanks, but NO, thanks.” I’m a Democrat that supports Sarah Palin because unlike Barack Obama, she doesn’t think her party can do no bad.
Posted by: Sarahcrat | January 5, 2009, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
I’m sure Sarah Palin has a brilliant grasp of the problem and should be flown to the lower forty eight to offer her input.
Posted by: kat | January 5, 2009, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
“The Cantor idea”: Too funny!!!
Posted by: Cameron | January 5, 2009, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm
How dare you people criticize the GREATEST PRESIDENT ever before he takes office!
Posted by: Holier Than Thou | January 5, 2009, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
How about a new sitcon — “Are you smarter than Odummer”. Probably out draw the current fair.
Posted by: bill-tb | January 5, 2009, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
Somebody needs to remind Biden not to talk.
Posted by: Sluggo | January 5, 2009, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
So now Biden has declared “war” o the economy! Well LBJ had a “war” on poverty, Reagan had a “war” on drugs… Looks like the ONLY Government does is create and subsidize problems INSTEAD of actually solve them. But why should they, since every problem gets thrown MORE of YOUR money at it! If they fixed it, they wouldn’t have a JOB! Thanks BIG GOVERNMENT!!! Ugh!
Posted by: please! | January 5, 2009, 7:54 pm 7:54 pm
Does that mean everyone has to be afraid and must accept everything they say? I’ve already gone through that for the last eight years.
Posted by: Angry Black Man | January 5, 2009, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm
Oh so Rahm has a voice again. Thats nice to know.
Posted by: BertieW | January 5, 2009, 8:29 pm 8:29 pm
“We’re at war” in our own country will help push that HR 393 through…and reduce the unemployment problem to boot!
And speed reduces the opportunity to scrape out the pork.
Sounds like politicians’ dreams come true, and more like a nightmare for the rest of us every day.
Posted by: Laughing Cynic | January 5, 2009, 9:29 pm 9:29 pm
Plugs Biden declares war!!
That’s a hoot!! This man is a TRUE coward and HE declares WAR!!
If the POTUS and VPOTUS were serious about this they would get to the bottom of who started this, who allowed this to continue and start tossing Congress and Senate BUTTS in the Federal Prison system and collect every penny back from those criminals!! Sell all their property and assets! Stop all the photo-opts and the posturing…..You all make me sick! It is way past time to bring those responsible to the table and make ALL (everybody) criminals confess and restore faith back into the system, be you Republican or Democrate!!
Posted by: commrat72 | January 6, 2009, 8:15 am 8:15 am
Someone should tell “Blood & Guts” Biden that if your at war, you need to identify the enemy first.
That means one of the first orders of business is to remove Barney Frank from the Chair of the House Financial Services Committee.
Posted by: Mike_C | January 6, 2009, 9:52 am 9:52 am