TPMDC
Trouble Ahead For Obama? Congress In Chaos Over Economy
Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 20, 2009, 9:11AM
Pres. Barack Obama
Share
Send to a friend!
President Obama is facing an uprising from some of his allies in Congress over the economy. The Washington Post reports on "a wave of criticism and outright anger directed" at the White House as unemployment numbers continue to rise.
Many of the strongest critics are among Obama's strongest allies on the Hill, and the growing furor threatens to derail Obama's plan to reform the financial sector.
The Post reports on the drama among Democrats:
The House [Finance] committee had been set to vote to send the final piece of its regulatory reform package to the House floor after months of debate. That is, until the committee's chairman, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), told a shocked committee room that passage of the bill would be delayed until Dec. 1 because the Congressional Black Caucus wanted the administration to do more to help African American communities suffering in the economic decline.
Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner, already under fire from Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), faced bipartisan attacks at a joint Congressional meeting on the economy.
Geithner was taking a beating as he urged Congress to pass regulatory reform as quickly as possible, arguing that delay would create uncertainty for businesses across the country. Lawmakers sharply criticized him for his role in the crisis during the tense Joint Economic Committee meeting. They were particularly critical of his involvement in the decision, as president of the New York Fed, to bail out AIG.
Republicans are joining the fight, too, with traditional Obama critics like Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) gladly joining with their colleagues across the aisle in attacking Obama on his handling of the economy. Many Republicans think it was the sudden economic collapse in Sept. 2008 that put Obama into the White House in the first place, and are eager to diminish Obama's reputation as a reformer. They point to the GOP victories in gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia earlier this month as evidence that concern over Obama's economic policies can be a winner for them in 2010.
Other Stories Featured at TPMDC
Join the Conversation!
Leave a comment
Follow us!
Most Popular
- Palin Advocates War With Iran After Apparently Misunderstanding Buchanan Column (VIDEO)
- Jon Stewart: Obama's Teleprompter Is No Match For Palin's 'Mavericky Notecard Hand-Scribbled Buzzwords' (VIDEO)
- Colbert: 'Sarah Palin Is A F--king Retard' (VIDEO)
- At A Whole New Level
- Cheney, Ridge Pioneered Miranda Attack On Obama
- Cheney, Ridge Pioneered Miranda Attack On Obama
- Backhanded Compliment
- What's the Deal with The Ryan Budget?
- Gibbs Mocks Palin And Writes Shopping List On Hand (VIDEO)
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Compares Job Losses Under Presidents Obama and Bush
- Gibbs Mocks Palin And Writes Shopping List On Hand (VIDEO)
- Palin Advocates War With Iran After Apparently Misunderstanding Buchanan Column (VIDEO)
- House GOP-ers: Start Over And We'll Come To The Table. White House: No.
- Bachmann: 'Wean Everybody Off' Social Security And Medicare
- Jon Stewart: Obama's Teleprompter Is No Match For Palin's 'Mavericky Notecard Hand-Scribbled Buzzwords' (VIDEO)
- Ben Nelson Helps GOP Block Obama NLRB Nominee
- Allegations Against Leader Cause Turmoil In CA GOP
- Cheney, Ridge Pioneered Miranda Attack On Obama
- Deconstructing Rush Limbaugh
- Super Bowl Commercials Throw Women to the Wolves
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2009 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Xantar
November 20, 2009 9:32 AM
I think Evan is really concerned, guys.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
sisterkevin
November 20, 2009 9:36 AM
We're sorry, but the President can't comment right now. You see, he's in China at a town hall meeting and will be busy tomorrow as he plans to make another one of his wonderful speeches. Jobs you say? Thought we covered that, I mean, just look at Wall Street, full employment, record bonuses. D'uh! You liberals are always whining about something. Get a life!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
dswx
November 20, 2009 9:37 AM
"(Republicans)point to the GOP victories in gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia earlier this month as evidence that concern over Obama's economic policies can be a winner for them in 2010."
LOL! Grasping for straws. The actual exit poll data from both states showed that Obama policies were not the issues in either case. By strong majorities. Leave it to the Repubs to make up a lie and repeat it enough so the MSM thinks it is true. How Rovian.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
felix
November 20, 2009 9:43 AM
I think this article was a bit over the top, but I do think Obama's rating are in decline. They'll get a bump when health care reform passes, but the Democrats political health depends solely on an improving jobs picture. Health care won't save them next fall if unemployment is anywhere 10 percent.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
kenga
November 20, 2009 12:30 PM in reply to felix
Not true - if Democratic leadership and other Democratic and progressive organizations can educate most of the country as to how we got into this situation and why it's going to take a long time to get out, they will make additional gains in both Houses, and in state contests as well.
They could even couch it in health-care related terms - i.e. "We all know that someone who has been binge-drinking for the majority of the last 30 years is not going to turn their life around overnight. Even if they get sober, serious health problems don't just go away even with the best treatment and care possible.
This, of course, must rely on the "liberal" media to allow it to happen, without taking potshots and using every possible opportunity to turn it into Jerry Springer.
But the reality of the past 30 years and our current situation very clearly put the Republican party and fellow-travelers at a distinct disadvantage if honestly addressed.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
lousgirl84
November 20, 2009 9:48 AM
Gee folks, how are those crystal balls working for you? What a bunch of losers, minus dswx that is.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dorn76
November 20, 2009 10:06 AM in reply to lousgirl84
Childish.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dorn76
November 20, 2009 10:07 AM in reply to Dorn76
....since we're making judgments about everyone.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
kenga
November 20, 2009 12:32 PM in reply to Dorn76
I am "juvenile", thank you very much.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
VivaAmerica!
November 20, 2009 10:04 AM
Trouble Ahead? 'cause its been smooth sailing so far? Nice to see the Dems are in a panic over 2010, but this is far from some kind of uprising.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Icon
November 20, 2009 10:18 AM
Because apparently if you're the President you have a dashboard where you can pull levers, push buttons and ring bells to change the economy.
Need more jobs? Just go over to the red lever on the left. Lower budget? That's the blue one. Higher consumer confidence? Hit the green button. Lower inflation? That's the purple bell high up on the right, but if you can't reach it, crack a whip and get it.
Idiots. If the economy is not improving it's because Congress hasn't passed adequate fiscal stimulus. But it has, and the indicators are all showing the economy is improving. The fact that employment lags behind the GDP is a normal and expected situation. The tune will be very different in six months.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jerryfatheart
November 20, 2009 10:49 AM
Hey, Congress! You worried about 2010? Then why wait for the president? Get your asses moving on a jobs bill and then see the GOPers complain and obstruct that at their own peril.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Ann Arbor
November 20, 2009 11:00 AM in reply to jerryfatheart
You beat me to it, and in many fewer words!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Ann Arbor
November 20, 2009 10:55 AM
Ok, so now they start on a more targeted jobs bill. Not a second stimulus, or at least you don't call it that, but whatever it takes to get a million or two million people working again asap.
And from today on, every Democratic refers to it at every opportunity as a jobs bill. Jobs bill, jobs bill, jobs bill!
So when it comes up for votes in Congress early next year, we can enjoy the spectacle of watching Republicans either cave and vote for it or squirm and have to justify a no vote on a jobs bill with the election staring them in the face.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ericf
November 20, 2009 11:32 AM
It's sheer stupidity to delay financial reform. One of the biggest criticisms of Obama and Congress so far has been that nothing has changed in the wake of the financial crisis.I hardly expected full-fledged reform in the midst of crisis, but we're past the crisis now. If this isn't done before campaign season hits full swing, failure to act will cost seats.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
johnmccsf
November 20, 2009 11:53 AM
It's the economy stupid
Financial reform won't be delayed. That's just the House throwing a tantrum
I think the Administration's got the message as well they should
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?