Obama vows help to governors
By Liz Sidoti
PHILADELPHIA — President-elect Barack Obama promised swift action Tuesday on an economic plan "to solve this crisis and to ease the burden on our states," and he cast governors as his partners in crafting a recession-rebound strategy.
"This administration does not intend to delay in getting you the help that we need," Obama said as he met with the chief executives of most states and sought to rally bipartisan support for an economic stimulus.
The president-elect has set a goal of saving or creating 2.5 million jobs to boost the economy, which experts say has been in recession for the past year.
His aides and congressional leaders have been discussing the outlines of a measure that could exceed $500 billion over two years. Congress wants to have it ready for his signature shortly after his Jan. 20 inauguration.
Incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said that in a private portion of the meeting, Obama and the governors agreed that the measure must include money for infrastructure as well as bureaucratic reforms to make it easier to complete programs without having to cut through piles of red tape.
"The top priority is to invest in these areas," Emanuel said, listing roads, bridges, high-speed rail, water-treatment systems, schools, medical information technology, broadband networks, transportation systems and "green" technology.
"The governors see that as essential to their own economic recovery in their states, and we see it as essential to the economic recovery of the country," Emanuel said.
Emanuel was noncommittal on whether the legislation would contain exactly what the governors seek, $136 billion more for infrastructure projects and at least $40 billion to temporarily increase the federal government's contribution to the Medicaid program for the poor and disabled.
"We're going to review all that," Emanuel said.
The measure is expected to blend money for those priorities with tax cuts, a temporary increase in food stamp payments and investments in renewable energy projects and other "green jobs" initiatives.
"We have to have something that's robust," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday, though he declined to talk specifics until Obama rolls out his plan. Obama did say that any package should have significant money for infrastructure development.
Republican and Democratic governors, nearly all of whom are struggling with budget deficits at home because of the recession, sat at desks in Congress Hall, with no separation by party.
In brief public comments, Obama called the meeting the start of a partnership, and said he will go beyond asking governors to implement the economic plan that will include tax cuts for "hard-pressed middle class families" and increased federal spending.
"I'm going to be interested in you helping to draft and shape that economic plan," Obama said.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden told the governors that he hopes they will not criticize the incoming administration for raising the deficit as it tries to help them. "I know none of you would do that," he said jokingly. Most states have constitutions that prohibit deficit spending.
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Comments
Jimlslander (anonymous) says...
I just love Obama. Sometimes, late at night, I think about him and I just get goose bumps all over. I have his picture hanging in my bathroom by my bath tub. The firm, strong lines of his face look so masculine by candle light. He makes me proud to be a man and glad I am a homosexual.
December 3, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Jimlslander;Although I wasn't aware of it till now, I feel relieved to know your are a homo since it lessens the possibility of your dysfunctional genes infecting another generation while simultaneously explaining your completely miserable outlook on life.
Maybe you should notify Obama of your attraction to him.
Who knows, you might be offered a position on Barney Franks wet dream team.
As for the plans Obama Ben Baden and company are coming up with to solve the financial difficulties the governors face; just more of the blind leading the blind at our expense.
The Democrat party is the "big tent" party that encourages folks afflicted with your abnormality. Not to be outdone, the Log Cabin Republicans are alive and "well".
Doesn't that just give you "goose bumps"?
December 3, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
Infrastructure investment makes more sense that the stimulus package that went from the Government, to Walmart and then to China and the Bank Bailout which seems to have done nothing at all, or saved the world, depending on who you ask. We have plenty of Federal WPA projects built in the 1930s that area still serving us today, such as the Santee Cooper project and the Dock Street Theater. These projects are true investments.
December 3, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
JimIslander: What a sick, pathetic bed wetter you are...
December 3, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
Osama can't promise anything with monopoly money
December 3, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
I_Love_d_Peninsula (anonymous) says...
Too Much Information, Jimlslander.
Having said that,
Barack Obama is the smartest man I know.
Yird: How many Summa Cum Laude ivy league graduates do you know? None I suppose.
Your post always sound so stupid.
There's an old adage that says: It is better to remain silent and have people think you are a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
December 3, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
exorcist_pencocky4u (anonymous) says...
JimIslander -
December 3, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
I_Love_d_Peninsula;You Know Obama? Gee,I'm impressed!
How do you hear my posts? Psychic also?
Maybe you should take your own advice,"It is better to remain silent and have people think you are a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt".
You and Jim I Slander Everything make a lovely couple with your mutual worship of "The One", and maybe a few other shared similarities.
December 3, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kaipo (anonymous) says...
"The president-elect has set a goal of saving or creating 2.5 million jobs to boost the economy, which experts say has been in recession for the past year."
WTF does that mean? Which is his goal? Is he going to save 2.5 m jobs or create 2.5 m jobs????
December 3, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
"Recession" is not a matter of opinion, There is an actual definition.
"Experts say...." is not evidence of an objective survey of the facts, instead, it suggests opinions outside the actual science of economics.
Nearly 10 million jobs have been created in the past 6 years, looks like Obama plans to be an underachiever!
December 3, 2008 at 10:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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