Democrats turn against Barack Obama over spending plans

Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | March 5, 2009 | Alex Spillius

[Schnucki]

Moderate senators from Barack Obama's Democratic Party are forming a bloc to argue against his high spending plans to revive the economy, as the administration is increasingly forced on the defensive.

As senior members of his economic team have been grilled by Congressional committees about the $3.6 trillion (£2.5 trillion) budget unveiled last week, a meeting of 14 Democrats was convened by Evan Bayh, senator for Indiana, to discuss how the president be might reined in.

"I do think that before we raise revenue, we first should look to see if there are ways we can cut back on spending," Mr Bayh told Politico.com.

"The American people and businesses are tightening their belts. I think we need to show that the government can economize as well."

Mary Landrieu, a Louisiana senator who attended the meeting, added: "We want to give the president a chance, but our concern is going to be on the budget, looking forward."

The nascent conservative Democrat caucus could spell big trouble for Mr Obama as he tries to force through not only the budget but other spending plans in the coming months. The budget requires a simple majority of 51 votes to pass, but other bills require a "super-majority"of 60.

On Wednesday, Tim Geithner, the treasury secretary, told the senate finance committee that the budget was "fiscally responsible".

But Republicans are increasingly bold in their opposition to Mr Obama's strategy, while the markets have yet to be convinced that he has the right answers to turn around the banking sector or spur investment. The Dow Jones index has fallen 17 per cent, to its 1997 level, since his inauguration on Jan 20.

During his meeting with Gordon Brown on Tuesday, the president dismissed Wall Street's reaction.

"What I'm looking at is not the day-to-day gyrations

[allmost]

It might happen. What the hell good does it do?

[Tex Pete]

[ChetNavVet]

I’ve got a good batch of popcorn, left over after the Dem primaries, because even the Congresscritter Dems forsee thier demise.
And only now is when they say “No” to some of the ependitures that will not advance thier constituency, and the’ll even be harsher to Federal spending measures, as witnessed and verifiable just on this story alone.

Is it Anarchy in the DMC? or in other words, You lied, and gave the opposition party a chance?

[TheThinker]

Since all the power is in the hands of the Democrats and they are power hungry in the extreme, it makes sense that they would attack each other. They also know Obama’s numbers are falling fast, despite what the media tries to say.

[freekitty]

I hope they realize we just can’t afford it.

[dr_who]

Time isn’t necessarily on Obama’s side. The more the public and moderate Dems learn about spending and Obama’s health plan, the harder it will be to pass these bills. Of course, if the country is in continuous crisis mode and every bill introduced gets to be an “emergency measure”, then it doesn’t matter and we might as well have a dictator.

[ApplegateRanch]

“Just because they’re Democrats, doen’t mean I can’t shoot them, just like any other enemy of the State!”

[CanaGuy]

"I do think that before we raise revenue, we first should look to see if there are ways we can cut back on spending,"

Sheesh! If THAT isn't a statement of the bleedin' obvious, I don't know what is.

[arthurus]

So they will “trim” 7.4 billion dollars from the budget and pass the “lean” budget bill that will be 5% larger than before they “trimmed” it.

[jamaksin]

There is a chance, slight yes, but still a chance, that in the next election cycle, now less than two years away, that the dim-0-cratic party will lose their controlling power in one or both houses of the United States Congress.

The reason will be simply - overplaying their hand in the on-going economic crisis.

Of course, this pre-supposes an opposition party rallies to the fore.

That party, is not the GOP.

Why?

You never get the time back.

[Torquay]

The dems think anyone will fall for this..., the good cop, bad cop routine?

[Need4Truth]

On Wednesday, Tim Geithner, the treasury secretary, told the senate finance committee that the budget was "fiscally responsible".

Another tax-cheat calls the Obama budget "fiscally responsible". Now I feel better. /s

[Happy Rain]

It’s Rush’s fault.

[Steely Tom]

Boulders. Think boulders.

[Son House]

too little, too late, the bail-outs and stimulus have already got their support, should have read the fine print

[Lady GOP]

On Wednesday, Tim Geithner, the treasury secretary, told the senate finance committee that the budget was "fiscally responsible".

This guy is TRAINWRECK.

[clueless_expert]

Now wait a minute! This bill was PUT TOGETHER BY CONGRESS! Now they're claiming that they need to "reign in" the President's spending?!?

Oh, that's right, this is last year's business.

They think we're a bunch of maroons.
C_E

[RU88]

“It’s Rush’s fault”

Think you just identified the latest and greatest rat psychological disorder. We’ve “progressed” from Bush Derangement Syndrome (BDS) to Rush Derangement Syndrome (RDS).