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GOP Leaders Seek Extensive Vetting of Stimulus Plan
The Hollywood Liberal — GOP Leaders Seek Extensive Vetting of Stimulus Plan Congressional Republicans objected yesterday to hurried consideration of President-elect Barack Obama’s emerging stimulus proposal, questioning the economic value of many of the projects being floated for inclusion and voicing support for a more methodical process that might delay the legislation’s… [image] [image] Obama Team Engages Public on Health Care DUBLIN, Ind., Dec. 29 — Dolly Sweet, 77, has battled cancer more than once. She’s a fighter. But when her doctor recently prescribed a medication that cost $35,000 a year, she felt she had no choice. [image] [image] [image] Blagojevich Lawyer ...

McConnell, Boehner leave the door open a crack
Political Animal — ... economic rescue package from Barack Obama was a foregone conclusion. The uncertainty surrounded the intensity of the opposition, whether it would be effective, and what, exactly, the GOP would say. For Democrats in Congress and the transition team, speed is critical. As they see it, the seriousness of the crisis demands immediate action, and it would be ideal for all of us if a stimulus package is on the Oval Office desk after Obama's inauguration. Yesterday, the Republicans offered an interesting response . Congressional Republicans objected yesterday to hurried consideration ...

Election Central Morning Roundup
TPM Election Central — ... Republican leaders are getting ready to hold up Barack Obama's massive economic stimulus plan, with House leader John Boehner and Senate leader Mitch McConnell calling for a thorough vetting of the proposal as it makes its way through Congress. "As of right now, Americans are left with more questions than answers about this unprecedented government spending, and I believe the taxpayers deserve to know a lot more about where it will be spent before we consider passing it," said McConnell. ...

What qualifies as news on a slow news day?
The Reaction — ... , and facing a court imposed deadline to finish. And because the Illinois seat of Barack Obama will remain vacant for a time, the Senate will have 57 Democrats, a majority short of being able to break a Republican filibuster. What would the Congressional Republican opposition target? Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) are already signalling that they intend to slow down any early passage of ...

McConnell Moving Goalposts on Obama Stimulus Plan
TPM Election Central — As the Obama team prepares an economic recovery package geared to win as many as 80 votes in the Senate, it's worth looking at the Republicans' counter-strategy. Their conference has grown more conservative since Election Day, so winning 20+ members from Mitch McConnell's squad will inevitably require concessions to his logic. And where does McConnell think the stimulus negotiations should start? He gave an interesting answer yesterday to Stephanopoulos ... If we want to do a bill immediately, again, my recommendation is the omnibus appropriations bill. It's ready. These were nine bills that were not passed by October when they should have been passed. ...