Bennet draws line on new stimulus spending

[The Northerner]

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) broke with President Obama on Wednesday, saying he would not support any additional stimulus spending.

Bennet, who was endorsed by the president in Colorado but is facing a tough reelection fight, rejected the $50 billion public works program proposed by Obama earlier this week.

“I will not support additional spending in a second stimulus package," Bennet said in a statement.

The statement is a sharp pivot for Bennet, who voted for the initial $787 billion stimulus plan backed by Obama in February of 2009. The freshman senator sounded more like a Republican than a Democrat on Wednesday, calling for any new spending to be funded through unspent stimulus dollars.

"Any new transportation initiatives can be funded through the Recovery Act, which still contains unused funds," he said. "Public-private partnerships that improve our infrastructure are a good idea, but must be paid for, should not add a dime to the deficit, and should be covered by unused Recovery Act dollars. We must make hard choices to significantly reduce the deficit."

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/117653-dem-sen-bennet-rejects-obamas-new-spending-bill

[n2doc]

1. Shame he survived the primary

Sure was worth it to go all out in supporting him, huh white house?

[Esse Quam Videri]

2. Romanoff should

have been the nominee.

[Myrina]

3. "We must make hard choices to significantly reduce the deficit.""

... and which military contractor/useless project would you offer up first, Senator?

[Me.]

4. God, Another Tiresome Dem Who Won't Stand With His Party

Or help the people of this country

[Freddie Stubbs]

11. When exactly did 'his party' decide that more stimulus spending was warranted?

What method did the party use to make this determination?

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

13. Bingo

[Me.]

16. Well Let's See

The President, the head of the party, determined that it is necessary. Is the president wrong? Why won't Bennett stand with his president and the leader of his party? President Obama supported him when Bennett needed it.

[Freddie Stubbs]

17. So, the President decides all policy matters and legislators are supposed to

fall in line without question?

[Me.]

18. When The Country Is Hurting Like It Is

He should damn well do what he can do to help. And in fact jobs and infrastructure help is needed as much in Colo. along with everywhere else in this country. He was happy enough to accept the president's help to win the dem primary and now he should man up and do what's right rather than what's politically expedient. I'd also like to know if he expects the party to ante up cash. Quid pro quo Senator.

And in point of fact, it's customary for the president to set the agenda for his party. That doesn't mean all dems will vote with him on everything but lately we've had a lot of take but no give from far too many dems, blue dogs specifically.

[trumad]

19. You're not taking the reupblican line are you...

or am I reading you wrong?

[girl gone mad]

5. It's unfortunate that the White House ceded so much ground to deficit terrorists.

They never should have gone along with that bogus rhetoric.

[democrat_patriot]

6. They are paid for; Dumbass Bennett.

[napi21]

7. So tell me again why so many blame the President for not

getting the things we all want done? Obama DOESN'T have a MAJORITY!!!!

[zipplewrath]

8. This was "his guy"

He supports people like this, as oppose to his primary opponent, which if I recall correctly was supported by Bill Clinton. Go figure.

[Hannah Bell]

9. wow. party loyalty...

[zipplewrath]

12. Huh?

It was a primary. There's no "party loyalty" in a primary. They're ALL democrats.

[Hannah Bell]

15. i meant bennet's betrayal of those who supported his candidacy.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

10. He is not a good leader, hence people do not follow him

[girl gone mad]

14. For one thing..

Obama chose to make deficit reduction a priority, for whatever foolish reason. That makes it difficult for him to aggressively stand up to this kind of nonsense.

[mmonk]

20. He backs these people instead of progressives?

[napi21]

22. It seems to me that mot politicians always back the candidate who

is already in office (of their same party). I think it's a courtesy thing. Look at both parties. They both do it. Even thenedia makes a big deal out of it if they don't, like the LA. Gov. isn't backing Sen. diaper boy (or at least hasn't so far) and several cable news shows today made an issue out of it.

[spanone]

21. then fuck you mr bennet. that is the democratic platform. you ask for their help then piss on them.

[Arkana]

23. Asshole.