Oct. 14, 2010
The Stimulus Strategy: Manchin and Obama on Job Creation
2010 Campaign Analysis: The Raese/Manchin U.S. Senate Race
By Huntingtonnews.net Staff
At the height of President Barack Obama's popularity during his first year in office, he pursued a bold plan to create more jobs in a country reeling from one of the worst recessions in modern times. A trillion dollar Stimulus Bill, passed exclusively by Obama and his Democratic counterparts in Congress, was to help create thousands of jobs immediately.
In its own way, the bill seemed similar to the WPA programs passed by FDR and a Democratic Congress during the Great Depression. Though it came at quite a cost, the Democrats felt that it was worth it. Government would become the engine of job creation in America, not business.
But now, a year later, few stimulus jobs are evident. But the spending on such measures as the trillion dollar Stimulus Bill is fueling much of the outrage seen in the activism of the Tea Party Movement and other Americans in both parties nationally.
"You ever order a really expensive dinner or attend a pricey concert?" asked Jack Ellis, Senior Political Analyst. "You're really looking forward to it, you've been told that it's OK to have your expectations for it at a fever pitch. And then....it's a dud."
"That's exactly how people feel about Obama's Stimulus Bill," said Ellis. "The country feels totally ripped off. We were told by Obama, Congressional Democrats, and even Governor Manchin that this Stimulus Bill was going to really help. Instead, it's been a rather continuous, intense migraine that adds to the out-of-control deficit spending at the federal level."
Manchin's opponent, Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Raese, has made a point to distinguish himself from Manchin regarding Obama's Stimulus Bill. Raese--already possessed of a strong, no-nonsense approach to restraining government growth--has made his claim to being more reliable on budgetary restraint if sent to D.C.
"It's an obvious issue for Raese to raise this year," said Ellis. "Take a look at what Manchin said at the time of the stimulus spending. He told Mannix Porterfield, reporter for the Beckley Register-Herald, that West Virginia didn't need Obama's stimulus dollars, but he also made it clear that he wasn't going to turn it down. To many voters' minds this year, that crystallizes the problem with career politicians. They spend taxpayers' money that even they know they really don't need to spend."
Manchin has oftentimes played the role of Presidential advocate in order to get Obama's agenda passed, first with the Stimulus Package, then with the President's Health Care Reform. Indeed, when it comes to the Stimulus Bill, Manchin has continued to be one of the spending measure's chief national advocates.
When asked if he agrees with those who believe the Stimulus Bill was a poor concept since the results have been less than anticipated, Manchin continued his defense of the measure. "I think it will make a big difference in the job market," said Manchin.
"To be honest with you, I think West Virginians, especially former supporters
of the Governor's, are in a state of disbelief," said Ellis. "Here was the
so-called conservative Governor they elected, always popping up on
national news to defend Obama on cap and trade, Obamacare, and
the Stimulus Bill. What happened to Joe, anyway? That's what I'm
hearing."
"What happened to Joe Manchin?" said Ellis. "I think as Robert Byrd's end came closer, Manchin got what they call "Potomac Fever." He saw himself as Byrd's heir apparent, and he thought he could change any position for Obama's support."
"Manchin's political friends thinks he's been used by Obama," said Ellis. "These days, a majority of West Virginians believe that Manchin will continue to be used by Obama if he goes to D.C. That's why they're voting for Raese instead. They know Raese won't be used up there. People were already thinking this before Raese began his rubber stamp TV ads. But those ads did confirm what people have already figured out here."
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
The Stimulus Strategy: Manchin and Obama on Job Creation
2010 Campaign Analysis: The Raese/Manchin U.S. Senate Race
By Huntingtonnews.net Staff
At the height of President Barack Obama's popularity during his first year in office, he pursued a bold plan to create more jobs in a country reeling from one of the worst recessions in modern times. A trillion dollar Stimulus Bill, passed exclusively by Obama and his Democratic counterparts in Congress, was to help create thousands of jobs immediately.
In its own way, the bill seemed similar to the WPA programs passed by FDR and a Democratic Congress during the Great Depression. Though it came at quite a cost, the Democrats felt that it was worth it. Government would become the engine of job creation in America, not business.
But now, a year later, few stimulus jobs are evident. But the spending on such measures as the trillion dollar Stimulus Bill is fueling much of the outrage seen in the activism of the Tea Party Movement and other Americans in both parties nationally.
"You ever order a really expensive dinner or attend a pricey concert?" asked Jack Ellis, Senior Political Analyst. "You're really looking forward to it, you've been told that it's OK to have your expectations for it at a fever pitch. And then....it's a dud."
"That's exactly how people feel about Obama's Stimulus Bill," said Ellis. "The country feels totally ripped off. We were told by Obama, Congressional Democrats, and even Governor Manchin that this Stimulus Bill was going to really help. Instead, it's been a rather continuous, intense migraine that adds to the out-of-control deficit spending at the federal level."
Manchin's opponent, Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Raese, has made a point to distinguish himself from Manchin regarding Obama's Stimulus Bill. Raese--already possessed of a strong, no-nonsense approach to restraining government growth--has made his claim to being more reliable on budgetary restraint if sent to D.C.
"It's an obvious issue for Raese to raise this year," said Ellis. "Take a look at what Manchin said at the time of the stimulus spending. He told Mannix Porterfield, reporter for the Beckley Register-Herald, that West Virginia didn't need Obama's stimulus dollars, but he also made it clear that he wasn't going to turn it down. To many voters' minds this year, that crystallizes the problem with career politicians. They spend taxpayers' money that even they know they really don't need to spend."
Manchin has oftentimes played the role of Presidential advocate in order to get Obama's agenda passed, first with the Stimulus Package, then with the President's Health Care Reform. Indeed, when it comes to the Stimulus Bill, Manchin has continued to be one of the spending measure's chief national advocates.
When asked if he agrees with those who believe the Stimulus Bill was a poor concept since the results have been less than anticipated, Manchin continued his defense of the measure. "I think it will make a big difference in the job market," said Manchin.
"To be honest with you, I think West Virginians, especially former supporters
of the Governor's, are in a state of disbelief," said Ellis. "Here was the
so-called conservative Governor they elected, always popping up on
national news to defend Obama on cap and trade, Obamacare, and
the Stimulus Bill. What happened to Joe, anyway? That's what I'm
hearing."
"What happened to Joe Manchin?" said Ellis. "I think as Robert Byrd's end came closer, Manchin got what they call "Potomac Fever." He saw himself as Byrd's heir apparent, and he thought he could change any position for Obama's support."
"Manchin's political friends thinks he's been used by Obama," said Ellis. "These days, a majority of West Virginians believe that Manchin will continue to be used by Obama if he goes to D.C. That's why they're voting for Raese instead. They know Raese won't be used up there. People were already thinking this before Raese began his rubber stamp TV ads. But those ads did confirm what people have already figured out here."
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
