Labor Group Launches Radio Ads Thanking Specter, Collins, Snowe, Nelson
Americans United For Change, the labor-backed group that has run attack ads tying anti-stimulus Republicans to Rush Limbaugh, now has a set of new positive ads thanking Senators Ben Nelson, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins and Arlen Specter for their work in writing the compromise bill. Here’s the radio ad praising Specter:
“Fortunately, Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter is providing the leadership we need to get the job done,” the announcer says. “Senator Specter has with President Obama to reach agreement on a plan that has support from a broad range of groups — including the US Chamber of Commerce and organized labor.”
Obama Arriving Back At White House
President Obama and his family spent the weekend at Camp David, and are scheduled to arrive back at the White House at 5:30 p.m. ET
McCain: Parts Of Plan “Fundamentally Bad For America”
Appearing on Face The Nation this morning, John McCain affirmed that he will not support the current stimulus package — and seemed to be saying that the package is even bigger than the New Deal. “I think it’s a massive — it’s much larger than any measure that was taken during the Great Depression,” said McCain. “I think it has policy changes in it which are fundamentally bad for America.”
Van Hollen: We’ll Hold The GOP Accountable For Opposing Stimulus
Appearing today on Fox News Sunday, DCCC chairman Chris Van Hollen said that the Democrats will be going after Republicans for their opposition to the stimulus plan. “Well, we’re certainly going to hold people accountable for their votes and explain to the American people what the consequences are,” said Van Hollen. “When you’ve got millions of Americans losing their jobs, it’s hard to defend the position that you don’t want to get the economy moving again.”
Cornyn: Pelosi Wrote The Stimulus Bill
Also on Fox News Sunday, NRSC chairman John Cornyn laid out the GOP’s case that the stimulus plan, in its current form, will be tied entirely to Nancy Pelosi. “But this bill is not the president’s bipartisan plan. It’s Nancy Pelosi ‘s plan,” said Cornyn. “And she said, ‘We won the election. We’re writing the bill.’ And that’s what happened in the — in the House.”
Sanford: America Moving Close To “Savior-Based Economy,” Like Russia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe
Appearing on CNN, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) said that America should have to work through the current economic problems without government intervention, as opposed to what he sees as a movement to a “savior-based economy.” Sanford added that the current economic interventions are “what you see in Russia or Venezuela or Zimbabwe or places like that where it matters not how good your product is to the consumer but what your political connection is to those in power.”
Summers: New Bailout Package Coming, Aimed At Increasing Credit Flow
Larry Summers told George Stephanopoulos this morning that the White House’s revamped financial rescue package will be rolled out this week — Summers appeared to confirm a target date of Tuesday — with the delay happening because of the need to focus on the stimulus package. “The focus will be on increasing credit flow with transparency, accountability and consistency we haven’t seen so far,” said Summers.
Steele Fires Back At Washington Post
In an appearance on This Week, Michael Steele lambasted the Washington Post for an article questioning payments to his sister by his 2006 Senate campaign, saying the payments were legitimate reimbursements and that he is getting to the bottom of it. “We’re going to take it to the FBI. I’m not going to wait for them to come to me,” Steele said, adding: “This is not the way I intend to run the RNC with this over my head.”
