Political Perceptions: Stimulus Tests Republicans’ Clout

President-elect Obama’s stimulus package will be an indication of how much clout Republicans still have, writes Washingtonpost.com’s Ben Pershing . “The GOP’s influence over the upcoming stimulus bill rests on two thin reeds. The first is the one or two Republican senators — depending on the still-unresolved outcome of the Franken-Coleman race in Minnesota — who prevent Democrats from having a filibuster-proof majority in the chamber. The second is Democrats’ unwillingness to push a massive, budget-busting bill through Congress without the cover of at least nominal GOP support. On the latter point, Democrats made soothing noises Monday about ‘cooperation’ with the minority, but will that cooperation last longer than a week or so if Republicans aren’t rushing to sign off on a deal? Democrats could then just seek to pick off a few GOP moderates in the Senate, but will the majority be willing to move such a massive, budget-busting bill on such a partisan basis?” CLICK HERE for the rest of ... (link)