Obama warns Democrats of veto over bailout funds

[TheSarge]

WASHINGTON – Tested before taking power, President-elect Barack Obama privately delivered a pre-inauguration veto threat to fellow Democrats on Tuesday, saying they would not deny him use of the remaining $350 billion in federal bailout funds.
Obama coupled his threat with a promise to revise elements of the original bailout program that have drawn widespread criticism, pledging that billions will go toward helping homeowners facing foreclosure. Several Democrats said his commitments, to be made in writing, would be enough to prevent an embarrassing pre-inauguration drubbing for the president-elect when the Senate votes this week.

"This will be the first vote that President-elect Obama is asking us for. I'll be shocked and I'll be really disappointed if he doesn't get it," said Sen. Joseph Lieberman, an independent Democrat from Connecticut.

"This is a new beginning."

Behind closed doors, Obama also urged lawmakers to act quickly on the massive economic stimulus measure that his aides have been negotiating with congressional officials. The legislation will blend federal spending with tax cuts, and could reach $1 trillion in size, a measure of the nation's economic woes.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090114/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_economy

[Happy Fun Ball]

"I find your lack of faith disturbing."

[Chris_]

"I find your lack of faith disturbing."

Ok, that was funny.  H5

[formerlurker]

Lord he's a rookie.   

[DumbAss Tanker]

Let the games begin!

 

[Hawkgirl]

   He really believes he is the Messiah!

[Airwolf]

For someone so smart he forgot that Congress has the power to over rule his ass if they want.

[Baruch Menachem]

Well, the hard part to admit is that he is showing more leadership than W ever did.

[rich_t]

Well, the hard part to admit is that he is showing more leadership than W ever did.

Except he isn't.

[Sam Adams]

This was someone who preached unity. He can't get his own party to be united to him.

[formerlurker]

Well, the hard part to admit is that he is showing more leadership than W ever did.

No he isn't at all.   They are showing him who really runs things.  His attempt at flexing his muscles to the press was probably met with  by the senior members of his party. 

They will slap him good.   His response to that is what we political junkies are waiting for. 

[TheSarge]

Well, the hard part to admit is that he is showing more leadership than W ever did.

Who knew you had such a sense of humor.

[DumbAss Tanker]

For someone so smart he forgot that Congress has the power to over rule his ass if they want.

Power and the guts to use it are two entirely different propositions with that organization, given its current leadership.

[USA4ME]

This is nothing more than his attempt to pad his "I'm really a centrist" lie.  He's trying to be clever by half, and it stands out like a sore thumb.

.

[miskie]

I think its a major political miscalculation on his part. He is trying his best to own the bailout - he is convinced it is the right thing to do, so he is positioning himself to reap the benefits. The thing is, I don't think there will be anything but failure and wasted money left behind.

[Lacarnut]

This is nothing more than his attempt to pad his "I'm really a centrist" lie.  He's trying to be clever by half, and it stands out like a sore thumb.

.

Correct: Rush nailed it when he stated that Obama is basically two faced. What he espouses is not necessarily what he believes. His blather about unity and giving conservatives a voice is so much bullshit. However, some of them will fall for it.

Obama will have his 6 to 9 month honeymoon with Congress. When he starts stepping on Democ. chairman's toes, the crap will start flying. He will sign whatever bailout bills are passed by Congress, and Repubs will roll over and play dead the first year of his Admin.

[Baruch Menachem]

Who knew you had such a sense of humor.

I think Bush did at least one Veto.  Maybe two.

I think Obama is too full of himself to be aware of just how much a tool he is, but he does have the power to slow things down.

And he can ask Bill for lessons in triangulation.  Like Stalin and Hitler, he gets to play the moderate who calms down the crazies in his own party.  Rohme and Trotsky made themselves notoioius and disliked, so when they got theirs, there were none to mourn them.  I think the same thing would happen to Nancy and Harry.

[Sam Adams]

Obama can't seem to unify his own party. It seems to me his leadership skills are very poor. He needs Pelosi and Reid more than they need him, and he had better wake up to some harsh realities. The campaign is over. A great speech is not going to help him now.