Clearly the man does not lack political courage. Therefore, the only possible conclusion is that he likes this sort of spending.
Well yes, that could be ONE interpretation, or it could also be a political calculation of what he has to give up to win enough swing votes in close states to assure reelection. Not really any different than Tom Delay making a decision of what he has to give in to and give up in order to get enough support to push through his really important legislation.