Dems Breaking With Obama's Economic Plan

Dems Breaking With Obama's Economic Plan

Jeremy P. Jacobs
Hotlineoncall.com
September 9, 2010

In a sign that Democrats are not on-board with what was supposed to be a major cornerstone of their platform this fall, an increasing number of Democratic incumbents and candidates are criticizing Pres. Obama's economic plan.

Within 24 hours of Obama's major address in Ohio on Thursday, a Democratic senator, three House Democrats and another two Democrats vying for open House seats all distanced themselves from Obama's economic plan.

Their remarks indicate that it will be difficult for Obama to get his plan through Congress before the November elections. They also show that Democrats are increasingly on shaky political footing on the economy -- the top issue for voters this year.

On Thursday, Obama, along with the DNC, sought to regain control of the economic narrative. Obama unveiled a proposal that included $50B in new government spending on infrastructure projects and tax breaks for small businesses.

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), who is locked in a difficult race against Weld Co. DA Ken Buck (R), was the first to oppose Obama's proposal. "I will not support additional spending in a second stimulus package," Bennet said in a statement Wednesday.

Since then, House Democrats in competitive races have also voiced their opposition. Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI) said he supports extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, which Obama opposes. He also said he opposes the $50B spending plan. Peters is facing former state Rep. Andrew Raczkowski (R) in MI 09.

Rep. John Salazar (D-CO) also expressed doubts, saying he is "skeptical of new spending." Salazar is facing Scott Tipton (R) in CO 03, who also ran in '06.

And Rep. Jason Altmire (D), a perennial target for the GOP in PA 04, distanced himself from the Democratic leadership on the economy even before Obama's speech. "The president is going to come out on Wednesday with the new economic plan and we'll see what he has to say," Altmire told CNN.

"But I think that's one of the things that's making the public uneasy about the Democratic Party right now -- that there hasn't been a consistent message on the economy," Altmire said.

Other Democrats in running in conservative districts also distanced themselves from Obama. Stephene Moore (D), who is running for her husband's seat in KS 03, went so far as to release a statement opposing the plan, as did attorney Jon Hulburd (D), who is running against Ben Quayle (R) in retiring AZ 03 Rep. John Shadegg's (R) district.

Obama "released a proposal to spend billions of dollars on infrastructure and transportation projects," Moore said. "While transportation is very important, we cannot afford additional government spending on infrastructure during these tough economic times."

Update, 2:55 p.m.: Another Democrat in a competitive race, Rep. Mark Critz (PA) released a statement that went so far as to call Obama's plan "misguided."