CNN

" ...you would know that the Republicans offered some great ideas, only to be brushed aside by the oh-so-bipartisan Democrats. ...

Where were their "great ideas" when they were running for office? When they were running the Country?

I remember Democrats physically locked out of GOP meetings: I remember "the nuclear option and the GOP threats to use it"

The GOP had their chance to prove their theories: The result is a deepening recession and the highest unemployment rate in decades.

The GOP just keeps presenting their failed policies – not a good ideas then – or now.

So far McCain has voted NO on every bill this year. Everyone! So has Kyl and Vitter. What does that say about McCain? He is a phoney liar.
But we all new that already.

This comment is waiting moderation, that I am sure of.

No the Dems and Obama don't have to negotiate or change a thing. You lost you old fart. Also, don't you remember how you were so for WiFi and high speed internet? On April 23rd 2008 you said, on video, it was good for US commerce. Now you recently said it was pork. Which is it? Just be quiet. Your guy Bush did not care what other people thought he just did it. Why can't the Dems do it as well?

KEEP LIKE THIS AND NO ONO WILL VOTE FOR YOU IN 2012.

If there is one thing that John McCain showed the American people during the election, it was that he knew almost nothing about the economy. Why would anyone care about anything he has to say about economics now?

Yes, of course he would. He votes against anything thats good for the people of the country and only supports big business. Just like all Republicans.

He needs to accept that they aren't in power anymore, get over it, and actually start representing the people like he's claiming to do.

Give America a break McCain...let Pres.Obama do his JOB and you, well you just sign on the dotted line... Please!

What a joke he is!

ted – please take your meds. Your statement is very wrong.

"Mike from Florida February 2nd, 2009 10:51 am ET
Ram it down the republican throats and ask if they want more."

Gee Mike, I'm glad to see they finally got internet service in your trailer park. Progress. Sometimes it's not all it's cracked up to be.

Now the conservative Republicans want to be fiscally responsible when for eight years they gave George W. the green light to spend this country into this recession. Do you think we are all stupid? This grandstanding will not save your hides in the next election cycle. People now see you as standing in the way of progress that will stimulate the economy.

Republicans think that they are still running the show........look they are the ones who were spending money like there was no tomorrow? Look at the deficit Bush put us in, spend spend spend and they accuse the democrats of being big spenders.........Just a pack of liers filled with hate and anger and they think they are the moral christians with all the values and the rest of us are all (what was it Palin called it) non american..........

Anyone expected anything else? This is all he has to say: no no no no no

It seems to me that some of the haters have been reading the right-wing nutjob chain emails instead of the news. I used to respect John McCain, but lately I question his grasp of the facts.

How do payroll tax cuts help if you're unemployed?

How do homeowners' tax credits help if you've already lost your home to foreclosure?

How do we know when the economy is starting to recover? When the top 10% of income-earners start to make obscene amounts of money again, or when everyone who wants to work to support themselves is able to do so?

Name-calling and nitpicking don't answer these questions. Actual good-faith negotiating might.

Could we put aside the Democrat/Republican, we won/you lost rhetoric long enough to determine if this stimulus package is really just that? We can sit around and put the blame where we want, but in the end we have to get out of this mess. One party did not get us here and one party won't get us out. I've got three sons that deserve better than what my generation has planted for them. It's everybody's fault we're here and everybody's responsibility to get it fixed. Have a great day America!!!

All I can say is I'm tired of my hard earned money (more every year) being taken from me and my family and given to lazy, inmoral, people who don't pay a dime into the system. I don't know who to trust anymore. It just makes me sick. God help us all.

In answer to 'DImwits' when he says concerning the Democrats 'winning' Political party......................

"I don't need to be good, I just need to look good."

Well Sir. You picked Sarah Palin & John McCain, and therefore your comment just underscores just how stupid you and the rest of the Republicans are.............................

I rest my case.

There is a reason why McCain isn't called "Mr. President"!

8 years of tax cuts and now we are near a depression….

the repubs of course want more of the same…. we will sink further into a depression

ECONOMISTS SAY TAX CUTS DO NOT STIMULATE THE ECONOMY.. THEY JUST GET THE RICH RICHER… WHAT MORE EVIDENCE DO YOU NEED. JUST LOOK AT THE COUNTRY TODAY.

THIS STATMENT NEEDED TO BE REPEATED. WE DON'T NEED MORE TAX CUTS THEY DON'T WORK!

Obie needs to dump out all tax cuts and shift these major funds over to infrastructure. The elephants lost and they get 440 billion dollars worth of tax cuts for Donald Trump? I dont get it!!! WE need to revive the economy NOT give welfare check to Donald Trumpl

"Robin February 2nd, 2009 10:43 am ET

This is going to create a debt so large our great-great-grandchildren will be footing the bill.

Vote for hope. But hope does not keep America employed or in their homes. For all you "kool-aid" drinkers out there who support this bill, please tell me what it is you think will work for our economy? . . . . . . . "
____________________________________________________

The only kool aid drinkers are you, Robin, and the other Limbaughbinites; Hannitites, and Coultergeits Ask Rush, don't ask us. messiah Rush is your leader, remember?

Just take the few dollars you earn and move to Limbaughtown, USA. There are lots to accommodate single and double-wides; even RVs are welcome. I'm sure you will be real happy.

sometimes you just have to let go...it's sad mcsame hasn't.

what a poor pathetic old man?!!!!...

You would think that our vote of no confidence in republicans, would give them some reflection and pinch humility – I guess not. It doesn't look like they appreciate the gesture from Obama to come and work together, rather they will not rest till they get their way. It's sad – how out of touch must you be to see the fruits of last 8 years and still push your agenda.

This is a chance to unite us as Americans, and the only way to do that is by doing what right for the people not special interest groups. It seems that pragmatism and common sense is not familiar to republicans.

Shame.

It's funny how John McCain put his campain on hold to run back to Washington DC to support the TARP plan for the financial crisis, but when it comes to the "little people" he is dragging his feet. But what does he care? The man does not get it!!! He is to weathly to know what it is like to live on a very tiny budget!! Shame on him, thank goodness he was not elected!!!

I'm not a McCain fan, but, if he can halt the madness, I'm all for it. The idea of borrowing money to fix the too much debt problem is crazy. Plus, if you look at the stimulus, more spending is aimed at installing or expanding socialist programs rather than get the economy going. At least the democrats could split their socialist programs into a separate bill, so Americans understand the split. Unfortunately, the republicans will probably make the bill worse by adding to it, not cutting out the junk.

So, McCain is still fighting for tax cuts in spite of the effect that tax cuts have on the budget deficits and the national debt. But he is against spending because he said the spending in the stimulus bill is permanent. With billions of dollars given away to the banks in the bailout package, which produced billions of dollars of bonuses for Wall Street but no signs of a stimulation of lending from banks, why are the Republicans still asking for more tax cuts?

I cracks me up that the people saying to just forget the gop are the same people that were voting for CHANGE.

Btw If you go and learn some history you will see that bush brought the USA out of a recession. You will also see that the economy was fine until the dems were voted into congress. Dems were in control of the house and the senate for the last two years. Lets just say that everything that caused the recession was the fault of the reps. Was it not the jobs of the dems that took over to fix the problems before a recession happened.

Things in this country will never be well again until people take responsibility. I know that 50% of this is the fault of the GOP but the other half rests squarely on the shoulders of the dem party.

We need an engaged republican party with ideas. The stimulus package should not be treated by the the democratic party is a cure all spending program. A health economy can address the health care concerns a that a staggering economy can not. Get the economy moving in order to work on health care issues. This is what bi partisan politics is all about.

And during the campaign Obama PROMISED to bring the parties together, to create a bi-partisan proposal. HA! This morning they replayed his interview w/ ML and his words were "the Republicans will come around". "Change we can believe in" , "bi-partisan", "reach out" HA! LIER!

This is from the same idiot who said "The fundamentals of our economy is sound". He said it while the economy was in bad shape. What a genius.

Who cares about the ELEPHANTS! For 8 eight years, they gave W a blank check and he walked away, leaving all of us, 5 trillion dollars worth of debt. All they are going to ask for is tax cuts = donating money we dont have to corporate welfare = greedy ceos offshoring jobs..... shame on all of them...

To Mr. G about Robin's post , Where do you see Racist comments ? I think you sir are a sorry human being . Inject racism into everything that you don't agree with. That sir show's you where one of the Obama kool-aid drinkers. All about voting in a black man not about this country . Again one sorry person too have been born.

So, let me get this straight – if Little Black Sambo says its so, then let's all cowtow, bow our heads, and say its so and monkey see, monkey do? RIGHT!

For those that still believe the "Birth control" or money for the "National Endowment for the Arts" are still part of the stimulus – just stop. That was taken out through compromise with the Repubs and they still did not vote for it. Repubs like McCain don't won't to help Americans, they want to remain relevant and in so becoming irrelavent.

THE FUNDIMENTAL OF THE STIMULUS PLANS ARE NOT STRONG...LOL WHY NOT??? BECAUSE THEY ARE THE OBAMA AND DEMOCRATS IDEAS??? I BELIEVE YOU MAN.

MCSURGE AND THE REPUBLICAN WITH THE DUMMY THEY SUPPORTED ARE THE ONES WHO GOT US INTO THIS MESS. AND NOW YOU WANT A VOICE TO HELP GET US OUT..

YOU MUST BE JOKING...

Ok people, I guess you forgot that the stock market hit an all-time high just 2 years ago (while Bush was in office). Tax cuts do work. The market has only dropped since Dems took control of congress. Bet ya didn't know that.

McCain, YOU should have voted AGAINST the Bush Paulson bailout as well.

McShame said he'd keep voting to spend money to occupy Iraq for 100 years. But he won't vote for money to rebuild America.

This is why Republicanism should be regarded as a communicable disease. Its a public health hazard.

The real problem in the United States of America is nearly all employees in every occupation are NOT being paid enough by greedy C.E.O.'s. Not only large corporations but the smaller "Mom & Pop" businesses are guilty of this too. It literally has reached the point in this country where employees of C.E.O. "A" cannot afford the products of C.E.O. "B" and vice versa. Meanwhile C.E.O.'s are enjoying extremely lavish lifestyles at the expense their employees low salaries (NO, a 2 or 4 percent cost of living raise doesn't work)!! Screw all the stimulus package garbage. A PROSPERITY LAW is ultimately needed, requiring business owners at all levels to pay a fair percent of profits to ALL of their employees. Until this happens America will continue to go down!

What are you Republicans waiting for? People are out of work, many have now ran out of unemployment benifits, where do they go now? This is why we read about people so scared, don't know how they are going to feed their kids, or keep their homes, can't find jobs so they kill their families and then themselves............this messed up economy started with the Bush administration and it will continue to be on the hands of all Republicans if you don't start trying to work together with the Democrats and stop your stalling, for everyday you stall you put more people out of work, and more people are losing their homes because of you.........so get with the program or get the heck out of your office and let someone else come in that will do your job better than you are doing .........

Obama promised that seniors making less than $50k would not have to pay taxes. What happened to that promise?

I am glad thses BOZOs are not incharge..... McCain is against the stimulus package-- Is it a Surprize???

Who needs the Repubs? After they screwed up USA and the World.......

How is it that McCain and company have all the answers now? Where have they been the last 8 years? Seems they are taking their directions from a drug addict. I'm still waiting for him to tell us how to capture Bin Laden.

So much for bipartisanship – McSame is still same old, same old. At least this time he doesn't have to "fly back and work on it."

Move forward. Roll right over them and let's get something DONE!

I liken our economy to a complex piece of machinery whose wheels depend on millions of tiny gears that have been shut down. If money is spent on the (big) wheels and the gears are not fixed, the wheels will spin but for a limited time only and then have to be pushed again and again etc. etc.
This stimulus package should address the root causes of our economic ills. It needs to jumpstart programs that will stimulate the economy from the bottom up.. not the top down. Primarily in the way of job creation so people can start spending and consuming goods and services, (this will generate new tax revenue). Tax incentives should reward entities that create more jobs. We also need to renegotiate trade agreements so we can stay competitive without giving away our goods and services. There should be zero tolerance for Partisan agendas and self serving pork and that goes for both parties. There is too much at stake.

McCain is literally campaiging for reelection to his Arizona senate seat. He is trying to make up for the nightmare he created by selecting Palin as his running mate, which caused the Republicans to easily lose the last presidential election. LOL

This is FREE campaigning. This man does not care about anyone's money woes. He has all the money he will ever need.

If he and all the others who seem to "all-of-a-sudden" have a problem/issue with the stimulus spending would have voiced as much concern months ago, perhaps we would not be in this predicament now. Why be verbal later when you SHOULD have been more verbal earlier?

Why is there never any mention that 11 House Democrats also voted no on the stimulus bill?

The GOP had better consider what the American people want and the American people want the stimulus. Whatever pork that needs to be removed will be because we are no longer in a luxrury economy. If the GOP won't get on board you run the risk of losing those seats that you have gotten so comfortable with.

He probably hasn't read it. He couldn't be bothered to read Paulson 3 pages on the first bank bailout even though he voted for that one. So much for COUNTRY FIRST ! Arizona isn't it time to retire Mr. McCain?

1) mccaine – you lost – go home and take Palin with you
and
2) You picked a african american to head the RNC but you wont render your support to Pres Obama and didnt like "that one" because he is African American SO I ASK .. what was your purpose in choosing an African American to head the DNC.........hhhhmmmmm!
This is so hypocritical

MCain is just mad becasue President Obama have beaten if twice, for the Presidenty and the Super Bowl.

I'm a registered Democrat, and a firm supporter of Obama... voted for him in the primary and GE...

But, I'm with the Republicans on this one. Bipartisanship is exactly what we asked for when we voted. The Democratic congress better realize this too! This must be a joint effort. This bill is NOT a stimulus bill as it is now.

Before we spend 750+ billion of BORROWED money, we better make sure we are spending it on the right stuff!

Listen, my friends.....we didn't care what McShame had to say during his campaign.....do you really think we care about the hot air he's spewing NOW....my friends?!

This guy is such a joke. The same old story from him and all the Republicans. " The rich come first ". Does anyone actually believe that this man is out for " country first " ? if you do, you are in " la la " land.

McCain wants more $$ for job creation, not unrelated items. so how does a tax credit for homeownership create jobs? It is a worthy ideal to help homeowners keep their homes, but it seems to me to be contrary to his comments.
Get rid of pork projects, focus on programs that create the most GDP per $1 of govt spending (which includes food stamps, child/health care and infrastructure per GAO or Budget Office; forgot which agency generates such reports) and tax cuts. No "pork" unless it creates at least 100 (or a 1,000) jobs, then it would not be considered only pork. Our economy is reflecting what has transpired over the last 8 years with tax cuts to the wealthy and no regulatory oversight. doing the same and expecting different results is insanity. Something different, at least, has a chance to succeed.

Wow, I see everyone trashing McCain.

Well, I have a newsflash for you. The Democrats created this MESS, NOT the republicans. And as far as trashing McCain, you stupid liberals better wake up before Obamanation completely DESTROYS what's left of this country.

And for all of you WELFARE COLLECTORS, you can kiss that goodbye as well, because there will be NO MONEY LEFT FOR YOU!!!

Boy those Republicans sure have a short-memory span .... got us in this mess in the first place .... whatever Bush wanted .... i.e. trillion for Iraq ...... no negotiations deemed necessary .... now they act like they're the saviors of this country ....but guess what....we know where you are coming from ... it won't work this time.....American people first!

You should know: John... The World is in Hock, It will take a Whole different way of thinking, to get out of this one.

I agree that the Stimulus package needs work but, it is clear..that the Republicans have made their little mind's up to be obstructionists in this process.

Seriously John, you didn't win because you are clueless about the economy. Do you really think that your opinion of the Stimulus Plan matters to anyone? What we're seeing is a sore loser and proof of someone that doesn't care anymore about the American people than he does about our Vets (remember voting against Senator Webb's bill?).

Seriously? Does it matter if you vote for or against? Yesterday's story.
It doesn't surprise anyone if McCain keeps voting against anything, because that is the difference between winner and l.....

I DO NOT HEAR ANYTHING BEING SAID ABOUT THE HOME OWNERS WHO LOST THEIR HOMES TO FORCLOSURE OR SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OR ARE AT THE POINT OF CLOSING. THEY ARE CONSISTANTLY TALKING ABOUT STIMULATING THE ECONOMY, BUT THIS IS GEARED TOWARD THE PEOPLE THAT STILL HAVE A GOOD CREDIT STANDING. MY CREDIT WAS GOOD UNTIL FUEL PRICES STEADILY INCREASED IN 2008. WHAT,S BEING OFFERED TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE ME? THESE BANKS HAVE A SURPLUS OF FORCLOSED HOMES. WHAT ABOUT PUTTING THE PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR HOMES IN THESE FORCLOSURES AT AFFORDABLE MORTGAGES?

I like the bill as it is, but i do think its needs a whole lot more for the housing crisis. This is very important to take care of asap.

mccain are you crazy?? aren't you the man who didn't know how many houses you owned, the man who said our economy was fundamentaly strong, the man who said palin was his soul mate, and you want the dems. to negotiate, go away mccain, you are discusting!

I think McCain and the Repubs need to understand this, because I know Obama does... We want to work with you. We don't have to. The power has shifted, so your vote Mr. McCain isn't as needed. Your ideas are wanted though, but not if they are more of the same. More tax cuts for the wealthy didn't work – did it? And the electorate voted in an adminstration and congress to go in a different direction.

So be the obstructionist that you are and good luck to you.

I want a full list of the provisions that the republicans want removed from the stimulus package. Personally, I think it’s only fair that, as an American, I be able to ask the Senators what they don’t like in the package and get a complete list from them. I don’t want an alternative package; I want a list of the items in THIS package that they do not like. Very simple. If they can’t understand that, then maybe they don’t have the I.Q. to be Senators.

CNN, please get us that list before this package is voted on. Thanks.

Hey I'm on the liberal side of the fence and I voted for Obama, but there has to be some compromise. There needs to be some serious scrutiny of this bill and as long as McCain can do it with a non-partisan approach...then I interested in hearing what he has to say. Yeah Palin was a huge mistake - but there's a hell of a lot of us regular citizens who have made mistakes too. For example, a large percentage of us apparently don't know how to manage our credit wisely. If we had behaved more responsibly for the past 10 – 20 years, we wouldn't be in this mess. We ALL need to be accountable and step up and do our part. Let's start by living within our means!

We voted Obama in for a reason. Could John keep his mouth shut and let America have change. It is what we voted for. We did not vote for someone who told us our economy was fine until the day it crashed.

For the last time, the "American People" did not all vote for Obama.
48% voted against him and the Democratic party.
So put down the "Yes we can" kool-aid and recognize that WE ALL have to figure this out. That means EVERYONE needs to work TOGETHER.

This "stimulus" bill is nothing but a SPENDING bill.
This bill needs to be trimmed of ANYTHING that does not create real and lasting jobs.
(federal) Payroll tax cuts will help, but they won't do it all.
But there needs to be a better solution that re-sodding the lawn at the national mall.
That's an 8 week job tops and requires mostly unskilled labor to perform it.
Hardly what I would call "lasting stimulus".

Partisanship helps maintain a balance in government. If both parties agreed all of the time, it could be a very dangerous situation, bordering on an authoritarian regime. The fact of the matter is that this stimulus bill, like the last bail-out, is not perfect and just as subject to being pork-loaded. Just because Obama's in office doesn't mean that everything is totally different, these are still politicians we're talking about. Oh an P.S, it's freaking John McCain, of course he's going to be bitter after losing the election, so don't act so appalled.

What I want to know is when the Republicans are going to stop playing little immature power trip games and start looking for solutions for the American people? Which, gee, might actually mean working with the President and their perceived "enemy" the Democrats.

I am sick of hearing the line "Republicans got us into this mess". Pooer governance got us into this mess. No President has ultimate control. No Congress has utlimate control. Democrats were "obstructionists" for those 8 years, if you can recall that long ago. When Bush wanted to reign in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Democrats blocked him citing the "right of home ownership" for all, whether capable of making their mortgage payments or not. I know you dems hat the words "free market" but that would have been exactly what prevented this mess in the first place. It is no institution's self interest to make a loan that cannot be paid back–unless, of course, it is guaranteed by the government (me and you for those young idealistic budding socialists out there).

Tax cuts during a time of war and recession? That crap didn't work the last 8 years, and it won't work now.

Mr. The-fundamental-of-the-economy-are-strong along with the rest of his party should sit down and be quiet. Just like under FDR, once again the Dems have to come in and rescue the country from economic collapse. Apparently, the rethugs didn't get the message on Nov 4. Maybe a couple more spankings in 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2020 will.

What does planned parenting have to do with rescueing the economy? How about resodding the national mall?

Why were they part of the original Dem bill?

Dems are gonna have to get rid of the pork before we can move forward. If you ask me the Dems are holding this up by trying to force their agenda.

I support President Obama. He is for bipartisanship.

I have serious misgivings about the Dem. controlled congress. They are not for bipartisanship and Obama needs to put the pressure on them.

Though i have some issues with some of the things on the "stimulus package", I really do not think that republicans all deciding to say not to it altogther sounds a little childish to me. McCain and his cronies should stop coming on television to say boldly say i disagree. they should get themselves together b4 any voting and make some decisions on this. While they are busy wasting time on this pissing contest, the economy is not getting any better.

McCain is just a bitter man who is trying to keep himself relevant. He will likely vote against Obama over the next 4 years regardless of his agreement or disagreement on a bill. How about he comes up with some ideas instead of just being a "no" man.

McCain is jealous! Of course he wants to make PRESIDENT Obama look as bad a possible. All of the republicans are so worried about not being the majority to the point where they would rather Obama fail and this country go through 4 more years of this. They are selfish and instead of working with the President on drafting a better plan they are in the media talking about how bad the current plan is. REPUBLICANS need to stop complaining and being messy and help if they think their idea is better. We are in this position because of them.

John has no credibility here. He and the Republicans lost the election and after 8 years of enormous wasteful pork spending, not including the trillion spent on the Iraq war, now they want to talk about fiscal management? I agree with John that more should be done to help homeowners, but more tax cuts for the wealthy? How truly stupid do they think Americans are?

why are the republicans just now trying to put something together, have they be oblivious to the economic problems since October?

wow, it's surprising, so many ignorant people here!!!!!!!!! Does anybody know what the stimulus package is ?? does anybody read it before critizing the republician? Why people don't think about that there is no republician to vote for this stimulus??? It's a junk stimulus package! Democratic will give everybody condoms, so you can create jobs on the street! Right now, the package related to job creation is only about 12%, i still don't find any report says that the stimulus package containning more than 40% job creation. Ignorance

McVain should have resigned the senate the moment he lost that election. What an embarrasment he is! Bill Clinton thinks he takes too many positions on issues. Resign now so that Governor Brewer can appoint someone worth having the job

Who cares?

McCain and the Republicans in Congress are irrelevant. The people threw them out of power for a reason.

I thought we already told McCain we didn't want him running the economy or the country? Didn't we vote on that already? Do we really want him to "negotiate" for changes to Obama's stimulus plan? Do we really want another no strings attached check? Does it really matter if McCain votes "No"? What does Sarah think? – lol just kidding – sorry could't resist.

Wah, wah, wah!!! I want to be president!!!"

I say people like Oprah, Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Barbara Striesand, Barry Bonds, etc; should donate millions of dollars to all the disabled veterans in this country. After all, there is no way they will be able to spend the money they have during their lifetime and if it wasn't for the veterans, they wouldn't have had the opportunity to make what they do.

That's funny. I voted against him.

So much ignorance dripping from arguments from both sides...

Poor liberals; the GOP won't simply rubber stamp the proposals coming from the President.... This is why despite my socially liberal positions on most issues, I feel its in fact the conservatives that demonstrates better judgement in matters like this.

You don't rubber stamp proposals just because you agree with the end result. You have to scrutinize the means.

McCain: We are working on a stimulus package that involves tax cuts, ya know my friends, the ones that have been statistically proven not to work, yes..that's our solution, the one that doesn't work is our way. Let's go troops, let's kill some more babies and pursue policies that DO NOT WORK...as long as we don't make any progress, we can feel we did our jobs. WOO HOO, My friends!

I voted Republican in Nov. I say Republican because I certainly wasn't thrilled with McCain. Anyway, I must agree that I'm not sold on the idea that tax cuts are going to turn the economy around however...

If the Dems would get real and lay off with all the pork filled pet projects this would be a much more palatable bill. This bill should be about jobs and stimulus. Birth control and other social programs like that do not belong in this kind of bill. Infrastructure projects are fine as they serve a real need AND put people to work.

To those saying Repubs are playing a game of sale old politics, look at the Dems. They are the ones loading up this bill with billions for their various pet projects. Cut the fluff, and I think you'll see your conservative Dems come home as well as get some Repub support to get this done.

McClown needs to retire, and by still being alive and well on Inauguration Day, has cost me fifty bucks. Of course he'll do what Rush tells him! He has eight homes, he can afford a depression or two.

DIdn't the republicans lose? We watched the Repubs run the country without taking Dem ideas or interests into account for years. Now it is the Democrats turn. Things can't get worse than they already are anyway. The repubs had their chance and they blew it.

Where is Joe Da Plumber?

...and this is why we voted against Senator McCain.

Great symmetry, huh...

So what, if he opposes the bill? By the way, did anyone notice JOE 'PLUMBER' in front row seat beside Retired Navy Chief Terry Shirey in the second presidential debate?. He was definetly planted by McSane to distract Pres. Obama but McSane was disappointed that Joe's diabolical question was never called by Tom Brokaw. That was why McSane stomped out of the debate arena immediately. Then Plumber afterwards went to waylay Pres Obama to stir up 'socialist' chant before the third debate. So long McSane, you better make yourself relevant to America solution. Remember that all your ideas were rejected by the American people.

UM MR McCain, U just need to shut up., U lost the election! ....... hello!! .....go to your porch & swing baby swing! your opinion is not needed anymore ok.....go home with Palin........

Tax cuts are not the answer to all of the problems faced by the economy. It’s time for Senator McCain to come to grips with the fact that he lost the election and is not the president. If the Republicans continue to obstruct the President on the stimulus package they will find themselves further isolated from the will of the people. The result will be a stimulus package that they cannot claim any part of. Is it the fate of the GOP to implode in 2009? I can only hope so.

No Stimulus Package...No Bailouts...

It's that simple.

Most Americans don't own a home, so what good is a tax credit for home ownership?

What about those who are already foreclosed?

We need to review again the successes in job creation that came during the Depression. There were people working.

During the Depression only one family member could work. My father was that person. My mother had to quit her job which was given to another head of household.

My parents had many family relatives and even friends living with them during those times.

Loser!

You people crack me up! As for Afghanistan, that's where Bin Laden is. We needed to be there, but we need to put our energy and resources there. Pull out of Iraq, allready. Obama isn't just style and no substance. McCain doesn't have a clue-still. So let the GOP keep going against Obama so soon and watch for 2010 midterm elections. The dems will get more seats then. The GOP are working on politics not principle. They are focusing on 2010. Stop it! we need a fix. Does anyone have another-better- idea? McCain, what's your plan?My thoughts exactly. Nothing.

It's obvious the liberals can't add and subtract, in fact they can't even read or understand the stimulus proposals will do nothing to "stimulate" our country. It might stimulate the not so fortunate into more out of wedlock babies. It might make our elected officials appreciate a new $20 million dollar lawn at the Capitol...but it is not going to do anything to stimulate our economy.

They just want to shoot their mouths off all the time. They are too stupid to even know that they blame the GOP for deregulation but it was their own party in power and the slimeballs Barney Frank, Shummer and Dodd that pushed the bill through that allowed all this to happen and it happened on Clinton's watch not GWB.

It continues to amaze me that the Republicans will spend billions of dollars to help Iraq's citizens, but they are unwilling to do the same for the citizens of their own country.

McCain is an obstructionist, unless it involves killing our children. No need to help them, nor to serve the country, if it doesn't kill our children while making his oil buddies rich, he's against it.

So, of course he's against the budget.

LOSER

Oh jeez- McCain's campaign thoroughly demonstrated what a political mastermind he is, didn't it? Especially on economic issues-

President Obama should get McCain's opinion on every important decision, and do the opposite.

Hey John, this is why we voted for Obama.

If you guys keep cutting taxes – how do you expect to pay for the wars you are already in? Taxes are not the enemy. Bad spending practices, like those of the last 8 years, are what got the country in the bad way its in now. Its crazy to insist on more tax cuts – sometimes taxes are good and necessary as long as they are not excessive.

I just did my taxes, I own a home. My wife and I together make $55,000 gross income (31000 adjusted). That translates into us owing $4100 or so in taxes after we take the deduction for interest on our home, property taxes around $1800 etc. a $15,000TAX CREDIT means that I would owe nothing since I own a home. However, somebody making $55000 who is renting would have to pay $4100. (Instead I would get back everything my wife and I paid in federal income tax.) A tax credit comes off of your tax bill not off of your income. McCain, this plan would benefit extremely wealthy people. Only if you make over $89,000 as your NET income.

Only if this demented old man can suspend his Senate position and go back to Arizona.

Bloggers on this site need to actually read about all the pork in this so called stimulus before dissing John McCain and the republicans for having different ideas.

Certainly Nancy Pelosi's condom idea was a winner and the bill still has money for the prevention of STD's. Millions of dollars in fact. How does this create jobs? How does all this pork stimulate the economy.

Answer: It doesn't. So both parties (as Senator McCain said) need to negoiate more to create a stimulus not a spending bill.

Guess what? You lost. That means you don't get to form the fundamental shape of the legislation. Obama's administration does. He should consult, but you should not expect to be excited about the end result nor should you expect that it will look like some package that you create that you think would work better.

when will the president wake up and relazie that no matter what he does the gop will not be happy.

after 8 years of failed policies how do so many people want to go further down that road??? the republicans are clueless. its painful to watch.

by the way didn't we have this huge thing to decide who would make the rules?!?!?! didnt this guy named OBAMA win?!?!?! its time for an actual change. more tax cuts will not be change. it will just push us further into a depression

Dems don't make any sense in this recession coverage. Your big squawk with Bush is that he spent us into a recession, and now you want to spend even more? If it was wrong for Bush, why isn't it wrong for you dems? The republlicans have it right again; put money in the pockets of people who will create jobs and that way more people will be helped by the government, not just ACORN and the lame-brained democrat support groups.

The dems should take a page from the "Bush Negotiating Book" that was used for the past 8 years and just say "We'll go it alone." Forget about being bipartisan, it doens't work with the left over Bush crowd.

It warms my heart to see democrats standing strong. But unfortunately in the senate there are democrats fighting this stimulus plan as well. Before anyone should be badgering either party, one should look at exactly whats is proposed in the stimulus plan then make their own decisions. And also find out where exactly this money is being borrowed from......

$350 million for child care on military bases, $335 million to prevent sexually transmitted diseases,$200 million on birth control funding.
Anyone in the democratic brain trust care to show me how these all this money will help job growth

These people still don't get it! Republicans and Democrats need to get together and come up with a solution. Now you have Democrats creating one plan and Republicans creating something separate and apart. It's really quite ridiculous when you look at the statistics of people out of business and the state of our ecomony as a whole. One would think that this is the time to set aside whether one has a R or a D after his name. Lets put the people ahead of self for once...remember, you guys work for us. Hopefully you will get it one of these days Sen. McCain.

To me this means McCain lied on the campaign trail about wanting to work "down the middle" of the isle. He's not supporting our President now and never intends to – he'll fight President Obama on anything.
My biggest disappointment comes with all these people who hate the "pork" attached to this bill, but do you bother to see what it is? It's less than 1% of the entire package and it funds things like Art programs. I think things like this are important for the next generation and I completely support the package as it stands. At least our current President is doing something to REALLY stimulate the economy instead of throwing $300 at every man, woman and child thinking that would give the economy a "boost". Seriously.

It was McCain who said, during the Presidential campaign, that he knew exactly where Bin Laden was and exactly how to catch him. So, why hasn't he revealed this info. to the President? Indeed, he could have revealed that info. to Bush. A failure to reveal the whereabouts of a fugitive constitutes a felony; indeed, in this case, it is tantamount to treason. So, why aren't any of the McCain supporters making their hero cough up this vital information? Until he makes good on his word, his credibility is zero with me.

John McCain who?

after reading many of these quotes it becomes apparent how uninformed much of the public is. Now i see why bush won the election twice. the american people are basically clueless

the republicans got us into this mess in the first place with 8 years of failed policies. do we really want to continue with them??? even after the american people voted for change??!?!?!?!

get over it GOP you lost.

McCain says that the Democrats have to be willing to "seriously negotiate", but can I just ask why?? Don't get me wrong, I agree, but I think they both do, but why does he seem to think that only the Democrats do and the Republicans don't?? For the last 8 years they had a Republican in the White House and Republicans leading the congress for most of that time that were completely unwilling to compromise.

Look. Truth be told, repugs can either get on board or get out of the way. Obama is trying to consult with the to gain bipartisanship, but whether it's arrogance or ignorance, rethugs are actually talking like he needs their help.

After a while, he needs to just stop trying to be courteous, and start ramming it down the repugs throats like they did when they had full reign.

The old man needs to go back to Arizonia and stick his head under a rock along with his wife Jim Hall Kansas City Missouri.

I can understand why Dems. are so prickly. They know this type of bill ( about 1/3 of it can actually be called stimulus. It didn't work for Roosevelt, whose policies delayed American's recovery for eight years, but tax cuts did work for John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and George Bush. It wasn't Bush who mandated banks foresake their lending practices. It was Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, and, oh yes, for mer community activiist and arriviste B. Obama.

So to all of you on here who are saying, "make the GOP take it", "what party won the election", etc., let me remind you that the rest of us who didn't vote for Obama also pay our taxes. I would guess that we McCain supporters probably pay the majority of the taxes paid in the U.S.; therefore, you better bet we have a say. If we end up on welfare then the rest of you are in big trouble. So, yes, lets see a stimilus package that is directed 100% at stimulating the economy. No pork, no earmarks, no excess spending. Let's help the homeowners, the infrastructure to a larger degree, the small to medium size businesses who employ a vast amount of the population and some tax relief for working families. You know why you people don't like the take relief incentive? It's because you are already getting so much from the government. Well I actually constribute to this nation so I want my voice heard. Also, I would like to remind the addle-minded on this site that Clinton repealed the regulations that protected the housing market. Clinton also did away with the regulation of the energy speculation market (at the request of Enron).....so quit saying that the GOP got us here. No one on that Hill is worth their weight.

No surprise. If the money was going to more banks he would be running to Washington to save the day and talk every Republican into voting for it. This is a man who chose Palin to help him run the country. I just don't trust him.

Well, McCain lost the election and although he had 46% of the vote, many, many republicans voted for the Obama agenda.

The Republicans seem to have forgotten that voters voted on issues this time not fear of being blown up. The issue of not having one home an one job (instead of 4 part-time ones) were important to them.

Those who vote against the Stimulus, whatever it is, are going to pay for it in 2010. Period.

Hey Mac! You said it yourself. The ECONOMY is NOT your strong point!

Now please SHADDAP!

Your cred is ZIPPO.

I'm so tired of mcstain ... he lost for many reason now he thinks he's got ANY pull ??? retire and go out to pasture you old puke

The democrats put too much extras in this bail-out. Good for McCain for voting NO.....Obama is not keeping his promises, and the extas in this bill proves this. Democrats are trying to buy votes and this not going to work as in the past. And all the secretaries he is putting in have black marks in there personal lives and jobs as in questionable, so who are the beholden to???

REPUBLICAN have no say in the matter they put us in for 8 years. Where were your great ideas then?

Still not getting it. All those infrastructure projects lead to jobs. Who do you think is gonna do the road work? Rebuilding schools? Updating the tech in shcools? Do any of you know what community re-investment is? You guessed it, more re-building.

Basically, alot of work can be had from this plan. The only 'pork' I've seen is the sex ed thingy.

BTW, screaming tax cuts is not a solution. If ANYONE has a better idea, I'd love to hear it.

Hey Robin, what's wrong with drinking "Koolaid"? You can insult people, however, how many times did you write to your congressman during all of the gross over spending during the Bush reign of irresponsibility?

But the republicans first need to come with a better and more original idea than just 'tax cuts'. Honestly, wasn't that the republicans basic strategy when they destroyed the economy in the first place? Wait, isn't that the basic (and perhaps sole) republican strategy in good and bad financial times? Is there any proof that simple tax cuts will restore the economy in spite of recent history? And why would things like housing credits help when people are losing jobs? There are for sale signs everywhere in Dallas these days – from rich neighborhoods to poor neighborhoods. The stimulus money should go to things that CREATE JOBS. And although I wouldn't want a bill that consisted of unregulated pork, shouldn't the democrats have a strong mandate after the last election. I think it is the republicans who should be expressing a desire to negotiate given that the last two elections should have provided a clear indication to them that they are out of step with public opinion.

Hey Mr. McCain. I don't have a job. A tax cut isn't going to do me any good you idiot...

Will someone remind him that all the tax cuts in the world are useless if you don't have a job?

If McCain had any integrity, he'd promise that republicans will pay for the war before their tax cuts.

This guy lost the election when he picked Palin, now he's against the bill, well...what's his plan in the first place, Does he have any plan or solution, at least Obama is trying and to do something, thanks God McCain lost, please disappear, go to Alaska or wherever.

Let the Dems crash the country. They'll blame it on Bush and we'll let them because we have no back bone. Most of the liberal bloggers on this post only know the kool-aid "facts" fed them by the PRO-Obama media. Ever see the conservatives treat people with the disrespect we see out of the democrats? I think not. only the lies told by MSNBC.

This new administration is full of tax cheats, crooks and special interests (Sec of Tres, Health, Atny Gen, Sec of State). The only thing transparent is the fact they put it in our face and tell us in a country of 300 MILLION these are the only fools who are capable of doing the job. The joke is on us.

CNN will not post this due to being in the PRO-Obama category.

president mccain.... oh wait he lost didn't he?!?!?!

republicans got us into this mess with 8 pathetic years of tax cuts for the rich...

its time to actually FIX the problem... tax cuts get us nowhere. its time to actually CREATE NEW JOBS. so the 8% without jobs can actually get to work

McCain is an old mean robot who is looking for something to vote against. I, frankly, am sick and tired of looking and listening to him. I just wish all those old coons would retire, so that we baby-boomer can fix this mess that they created.

12-21-2012 is going to be a global game changer so let's party now!

mmmmmmm i really wonder what the fat pig racists rush limbaugh is saying now about having a black republican chairman? hahaha rush you will have to take more pain killers to deal with this one. hahahahah

Now there is a surprise, but of course if I remeber rightly McCain said the fundamentals of the economy were strong....so why do we even need this package...let McCain take care of it!!!

You lost, McCain. Get over it.

Why am I not surprised. I bet Mr. McSame and the other Repugs will be surprised when they get voted right out of office. What is it now, five states that are Repuglican and fading fast.

it bewilders me that so many of you still side with the republicans.

why are we in this mess???

its because of 8 years of failed policies from the bush administration.

its time for CHANGE... we voted for that by the way. this country does not want or need more of the same foolish policies

economists say tax cuts dont stimulate the economy.

its time to FIX THE PROBLEM NOT JUST PUT A BAND AID ON IT!!!!

republicans are WRONG AGAIN

Come on guys, I am a democrat, but this bill does need to have some of this pork taken out, Mccain is right on this one it really needs to be discussed, something's taken out some put in, we as americans should really think before we criticize, it is not dem, or rep, it is a economic crisis, when we loose our jobs our pink slip don't say dem or rep, think about that, does it really mater who has the better package, that voter that just lost his job just want something to believe in, how many of you that are criticizing have lost a job? then we are very fortunate for now, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, who cares just gives us something to believe in, does anyone else feel the same?

By all means listen to the man that along with Bush and a boatload of other GOP crooks(remember Keating 7), helped run this country into the ground. I just wonder what it takes to show a conservative just how wrong and a complete failure the Freidman Economic model has been. GOP= childish obstructionist failures.

Let's see 15,000 per home....x 9 homes for mccain,yep he'd like that I'm sure......the little guy.....well..we just want to be remembered.
Tough talk..? mcsame? ya.....sure.
Did he have fun with say it ain't so ...sarah?
you betcha.
Rep sure talk a good talk.......when does the walking begin?
so far the Dems are still by themselves.....trying to help everyone.

cris.
The $7.7 billion for work and upgrades to federal buildings is work that has to be done by someone, I would expect the American citizens would be taking that home and then putting it back into the American economy.
The $5.2 billion for neighborhood stabilization has nothing to do with ACORN. It's about building ballparks, playgrounds, and activity centers for the people to use and enjoy.
The $2.4 billion for carbon capture is what is also known as 'clean coal technology' and was a part of the GOP platform.
Turn off Rush and read something please.

Obama shouldnt be so kind to McCain the Same!! Bush's same policies and ignorance!!

"We haven't done that yet. We can do it, though.", McCain says.

When have the republicans ever negotiated, when have they ever been bipartisan, are they even capable of anything other than "my way or the highway"?

I am guessing most of you Dems spouting off here have not even taken the time to read Obama’s plan for yourselves and have no idea what is really included it. You are a party of sheeple indeed. Master Obama mentions Limbaugh one time and you sheeple repeat it constantly on these posts. Actually take the time and read about the bill before you comment!

Earth to McCain, Earth to the GOP: You lost. You had your eight years in control and you screwed it up royally. Now get out of the way while the adults try to clean up your mess.

Mr. G,

Being a Kool Aid drinker has nothing to do with race. It means that a group does not think for themselves and follows the leader almost like sheep.

By the way, did you answer my question. What part of this bill do you support?

once a puppet always a puppet, that's macain. this guy, as my mother will say, i love him but he is an idiot.

something is very wrong with our government.
1. all of the senators and reps. are criminals.
2. the governent thinks there is no problems.
who are these people when they pat the backs of their co-workers and their friends who run the Unite States we need to just go alone with the experts. I am sure I don't want to be a follower of Neanderthals.
The President seems to be the only person willing to step up to the
plate and put the the people first.
They need to put the country and its people first. What a concept.

I'm sorry, John McCain. Are you under the impression that you won the presidency or something?

I have voted Republican more often than not. However this past election, I voted for the best person to lead this country and he won. His major promise was "change" and so far the stimulus package does not meet that promise. The Dems in the house added a tremendous amount of PORK that have nothing to do with the target of the stimulus. President's own party is undermining the very backbone of of his platform and hindering what our country needs at this desperate hour.

democrats won on a basis of change...

republicans lost because they got us into this mess to begin with...

its time for the democrats to step up and make some CHANGES... (ie. get rid of meaningless worthless tax cuts that only benefit the rich)

8% of this country is jobless how will tax cuts help them.... people will only save the tax cuts. it doesnt stimulate the economy.... thats what the economists say. why would they be lying???

mccain claims to know nothing about the economy... at least he was right about that

The GOP keeps complaining about the "wasteful spending" in the stimulus package. You hear about money being wasted on federal building projects, birth comtrol, ATV trails, AMTRAK, etc.

But what the GOP doesn't tell you is the TOTAL AMOUNT of wasteful spending in the package.

It's about 13 billion dollars.

That's 13 billion out of the 819 billion being requested. Not even 2 percent of it is "wasteful spending."

They are crying over NOTHING!

First of all there is some real junk in this "stimulus" bill. The Dems have once again proved how dumb they are and put in all their favorite projects. Those things need to go. Now as far as the criminal Reps go. Tax cuts for the rich means less income for the government to operate on. That idea has been shown to be a failed policy already. In fact pretty much all their ideas have failed. Haven't you noticed John ?

DON'T WORRY PEOPLE. THE REPUBLICANS CAN SCREAM ALL THEY WANT BUT THEY WILL NOT DETER THE DEMOCRATS FROM SAVING THE USA. SO TO ALL YOU SORRY REPUBLICAN LOSERS. YOU CAN ALL TWIST IN THE WIND BECAUSE AS A VIABLE POLITICAL PARTY YOU ARE FINISHED. GO AND LIVE IN THE SOUTH WITH ALL THE OTHER OLD PEOPLE................

I happen to be a liberal leaning independent who believes that Senator McCain makes a valid point. President Obama has been on the record saying that the plan he has drafted is an outline, that he would want bipartisanship to draft the bill. I'm glad the Republicans are drafting their own measure as well and hopefully both parties can come up with a compromise. Not one single party or entity has all the right answers. As the stimulus bill stands, I feel there will be a ton of positives, but if it can be approved on by all means. As Jack on 30 Rock would say "I take something that is good, and make it better".

Cris,

$600million for govt automobiles

Who would manufacture these automobiles?

•$7.7 billion for various upgrades and work done on federal buildings

how do these upgrades/work get done, magic wand?

Did McCain skip his medication. He doesn't seem to be coherent.

It's great to see the McCain haters back. You guys want to rail about Repub policies but ask yourself this – What did the Democrats do to head off this finacial crisis in 2006 when they took power? And now we are expecting them to fix the very problem they ignored in 2006. We would have been better off if the Senate Repubs stuck to their guns and voted no on TARP. They caved-in and look what we got for that mess! I say you repubs beter not vote for the pitiful junk that Obama is trying to cram down our throats unless there are some serious changes to this plan.

The real problem in the United States of America is nearly all employees in every occupation are NOT being paid enough by greedy C.E.O.'s. Not only large corporations but the smaller "Mom & Pop" businesses are guilty of this too. It literally has reached the point in this country where employees of C.E.O. "A" cannot afford the products of C.E.O. "B" and vice versa. Meanwhile C.E.O.'s are enjoying extremely lavish lifestyles at the expense their employees low salaries (NO, a 2 or 4 percent cost of living raise doesn't work)!! Screw all the stimulus package garbage. A PROSPERITY LAW is ultimately needed, requiring business owners at all levels to pay a fair percent of profits to ALL of their employees. Until this happens America will continue to go down!

TAX CUTS DON'T FIX ANYTHING!!!!!!!!

Nobody said getting out of this GOP mess would be easy or cheap. Fact is we are here because McCain voted 92% of the time with bush. Of course he'll vote against correcting the problem. Why would he and the GOP want to be exposed for their complessity?

"Carl R February 2nd, 2009 10:20 am ET

McCain $15,000 credit for home ownership? FABULOUS REPUBLICAN MAGIC At 7 homes that is $105,000! It is no wonder the rich are mostly Republican! "

Obviously you've never done your taxes, because anyone who does would know that McCain would never get this credit because he'd be phased out.

This is the type of made-up nonsense you choose to purport instead of actually looking at what is in this bill. Even the democrats know this is pork and spending. Maybe you should read the thing as ask yourself, "Does this put money into the hands of those who need it? Does this save or create a job?" Those are the real questions. Who cares what McCain pays on taxes? Clearly no one seems to care if anyone else on capital hill pays their taxes.

THE DEMOCRATS WON THE ELECTION.

THE REPUBLICANS GOT US INTO THIS MESS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IT SEEMS SIMPLE TO ME. THE DEMOCRATS WERE ELECTED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO GET A JOB DONE. ITS TIME FOR THEM TO STEP UP AND GET THAT JOB DONE. REPUBLICANS HAVE FAILED EVERY ONE OF US......

If the stimulus works, the dems will take all the credit as usual and if it fails they will as usual blame the republicians as they always do. So why vote for it as it is now written. Then the dems have no one to blame BUT themselves. Nothing has changed in Washington!! If the American people want something done right, they have to do it themselves. Don't depend on the government.

What confuses me is that, given the economy the way it is, the President decides to push through a bill in the first days of his term. Shouldn't a bill this improtant be more thought out?

People are opposed to this bill because there is much in it that will not create jobs.

Can anyone tell me the purpose of the spending on infrestructure? Fixing bridges and roads make sence, but spending money to fix something that isn't broken, just to give someone a job is very wasteful.

Also, how is paying for contraception for low income families going to stimulate the economy? Or paying to educate people on STD's? If you dont know what's out there then that is not my problem to pay for someone to teach you.

Has anyone thought if any of these jobs that will be created will be long term and sustainable? To me it looks like most of what will be created will be short term and that is really just putting a band-aid on the situation.

Go ahead and vote against. You are a loser and you are wrong again. Learn how to deal with it.

ALL STYLE AND NO SUBSTANCE IS NOT GETTING THE ECONOMY MOVING, WHAAAAAT. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IS SCARING EVERYONE BUT BROTHER BARACK. HE BETTER GET DOWN TO BUSINESS AND QUIT SAYING IT WAS BUSH'S FAULT. ALSO ALL THESE TALKING HEADS COVERING FOR PRES. OBAMA, NEED TO GET REAL HE IS A POLITICIAN NOT ANYTHING MORE. I'LL STICK WITH HIM FOR NOW BUT I'M A FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT NOT A LIBERAL.

I was certain that President Obama would, at the very least, promote actual change in Washington. The stimulus package is nothing more than a “pork” laden basket of “goodies” for special interests, unions and government workers.

Mr. President…..

Concentrate on funding to correct mortgages, end federal taxing of unemployment, personal credit reform, tax incentives to strengthen business and financial intuitions.

Until then, your ides of “change” is little more than a reworking of the same lousy attitude that your predecessor engaged in.
.

Republicans like McCain are beginning to feel that because Obama encourages bipartisanship, it is a political weakness they may exploit to undermine his programs. But if they think that Obama and the Democrats cannot do without them, they haven't seen nothing yet. The hypocrisy of people like McCain, the very man who hastily left his campaign to rush to Washington in order to find quick-fix soultions to the banking crisis that doled out 700 billion dollars to corrupt bankers and insurance companies is stalling when Obama wants to bailout ordinary citizens. So dear John, we must agree to disagree on this one. The people are on Obama's side.

McCain said: "we would like too to see more incentives such as a $15,000 tax credit for home ownership. We would like to see elimination of these policy changes which have nothing to do with jobs, we want the stimulus package to focus on jobs."

and just what jobs does that $15,000 tax credit open up??? Professional tax cutter? Maverick? Sarah Palin's soul mate?

I just think it's sad that the republicans would really sit on this for so long when people are in dire need....I guess they are saying screw America as long as we hold out against the Democrats. A bunch of selfish losers.

"Sen. John McCain says he'd vote against the bill backed by President Obama to pump up the economy". Another lie from the Republicans. McCain knows that Obama did NOT draft the House Bill and has NOT supported the Bill in any way as yet. Obama will approve or disapprove of the final Bill when it hits he desk AFTER the Senate and House negotiate the final Bill. Stop lying Senator it does not 'become' you. We all had enough GOP lies during the campaign and America told you so on election day!

Hey folks you better pay attention here – the Dems had the congress over the last two years and the Repubs talked us all into war after 911 (we were hurting then). Both sides have let us down. Yes we all need to let our gov. spend some money but on what? This is the debate we must have. We may not get another try at this. Look back in history – Hongkong cut their taxes and the country boomed. Japan spent billions on capital projects over ten years and finally gave up. It did not work. Do we want a socialistic form of government or can we keep our precious republic. We have more freedoms and opportunities than any place on earth. I fear we will be known as the generation that dumbed down and gave it all away. Get informed then get involved.

McCain says he'd vote against current stimulus bill and that is why he is not the President! McCain and his fellow Republicans did not get the message in November! We the people need to rid our Congress of those Republicans who did not understand the message! Remember them when their terms are up! John McCain needs to go hide under a rock in Arizona. He will never be President and a lot of those remaining Republican's will be out in 2010. Policies of the Republican Party have put this Country in a deep hole and all they can do is try to cover their failures up! Smell's pretty bad to me!!!

Until we can manufacture competitively our economy will continue to fail. You self righteous Dems will soon find out that you can’t help the “little guy” by punishing the hand that feeds them. The Dems will run more business out of the US. Heck the Dems opened up free trade with China in the first place.

Tax cuts for businesses = more trickle-down fairy tales

This, from the man that picked Sarah Palin.Go take your meds John,you lost,lost and lost.I feel bad for the little teeny boppers who dont have their hero "Rushbo" this week,so they can get their daily talking points.Take heart his sitin is just as stupid.

I'm confused; which party won the election? Which party has a majority? Why should the Democrats negotiate? Let the Republicans withhold they're support. Then people will see it for what it really is - political grandstanding.

I have a question, I read all the blogs and see everyones views, hearing on the news about GOP Steele advising his party not to vote on Obama's stimulas plan. The President wants to have green jobs and no Drill baby drill. The Republicans who got us in this mess. Deregulating everything. Wise up people if you have any ideas e-mail, call or even travel to D.C. and sit in front of your congressperson and express your views.

Everystate has shovel ready projects, now it is a new era and we need to give support!

McCain's against it? There's an endorsement if ever I heard one.

to Robin IF BY SAYING "kool aide drinkers you are referring to the poor and minorities you are one racist SOB

So vote against it already. No one in their right mind would expect anything positive or forward thinking from this old self compromised fool.

Ram it down the republican throats and ask if they want more. The republicans have ruined this country with out of control govt expansion and spending. They have no political capital left and are soon going to be marginalized. Don't consult them and don't include them in the process; they are criminals and closet homosexual deviants anyway.

I love how people are complaining about the tax cut idea as a way for CEOs to put more money in their pockets. For this to be true that would mean that their company would be making more money for them to put away. While people think this is a bad idea they believe a better idea is to just give these companies money to begin with? And not all companies, but mainly the companies that have lost money. So let me get this straight, people think the best idea to get the economy going is to give away money to the worst run companies, with no oversight on how that money is spent? Yeah the Republicans are the idoits.

I recently read a report that CEO Frederick Smith of Federal Express took a 20% pay cut due to the economic downturn as an example of how responsible corporations are managed. Why can't our nation extoll these responsible executives instead of focusing on the bad guys??? Perhaps by publicizing responsibility it will spawn more to follow suit!!!

So McCain thinks that the Democrats haven't been negotiating. Where was he when Obama went to the Hill to meet with the Republicans, removed some proposals they didn't agree with (at the risk of alienating some of his Democratic supporters), and added tax cuts that the Republicans wanted? Only to have every one of them still refuse to support the bill. Clearly negotiation is not the issue, it's that the Republicans still think they're running the show. Obama has compromised enough; it's time to do what needs doing, regardless of how the Republicans feel.

I am so sick of this crap ,im broke,i have no place to live ,and I work hard everyday........and the bad part is I live in America and I live by the rules.. and yes I am an American Citizen

While I agree this bill that came from Nancy Palosi's house is the most disgusting bit of pigs eye in a long time, it wouldn't have mattered anyway as far as John McCain is concerned because he has said he intends to do President Obama dirt any time he gets a chance. Nancy Palosi and her pig pen buddies gave him a prime oppertunity with this bill. Why that dim wit broad from San Francisco can't put togeather a bill that offers good paying JOBS is beyond me. With so much needing to be done to fix the country so it will last for another generation, why can't she spend the money on that instead of feeding her little piggy friends...

poor,poor mcsame. 1st he said the economy was sound (wrong), he's not sure how many houses he owns (8), then he picks sara (the pitbull in lipstick,her words not mine) as a running mate. So who in the world would listen to him. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???????? They may need to make changes(fine) but not by what this nut says. And he is still very,very bitter.

Looking at the below responses of these liberal DEMwits, it is easy to see how they voted for Obummer (no substance, just style)...

If they would actually take the time and effort to read the specifics of the stimulus package (I know that's asking alot from these idiots), they would see some of the outrageous spending plans that are in no way, shape, or form related to "stimulating" the economy (they are social-political oriented spending programs). This is what is up for discussion.

Your Democratic Party...."I don't need to be good, I just need to look good!"

We have had a majority of Democrats in the Senate and House for a while now...does anyone ever think of that? Our government is made up of checks and balances so that one man cannot run our entire country by his own power, thus creating a Dictatorship. Hmm...so maybe the Democrats voted through some of Bush's bills because they had no better ideas themselves? Or perhaps some of this is their fault too? Why do you feel the need to blame one person solely? There is greed in our big business, thats the biggest problem. It is CEO's who are causing us these problems with their greed.

McCain is right on this one – donations to old (Acorn) and new allies is not stimulus for the economy! – Call it what it is – more paybacks to groups who gave suport during the recent election. This bill needs severe over-haul or the American people will be saddles with the biggest debt in history! And there is no evidence that these kinds of hand-outs have stimulated anything but more irresponibility! The sitting congress for the past eight years bears much responsibility for this present situation!!

After eight years of tax cuts from Republicans, you'd think the recession we're in would be enough.

But, nope. The GOP are pushing for ... what? A depression?

TO THE DEMOCRATS IN POWER; Don't let these old, washed up crybabies push us around. REMEMBER what it was like when they were in power, did they listen to us? Hell no, they laughed in our faces. Let the bigots whine all they want.

TO THE REPUBLICAN LOSERS; Look what the hell your ideas have done to us. You creeps know this is your fault, now you want to demand and threaten us? Take McCain, Boehner and that butt ugly Mitch McConnell and go away with your tails between your legs. IDIOTS

How does a 15,000 tax credit to buy a house going to stimulate the economy particularly when so many people are losing their jobs.

Boring McCain.

8 years of tax cuts and now we are near a depression....

the repubs of course want more of the same.... we will sink further into a depression

ECONOMISTS SAY TAX CUTS DO NOT STIMULATE THE ECONOMY.. THEY JUST GET THE RICH RICHER... WHAT MORE EVIDENCE DO YOU NEED. JUST LOOK AT THE COUNTRY TODAY.

Let's stimulate the economy with real stimulus. While I do not have all the details on the stimulus, I believe the part that has to do with "Birth Control" is extremely ridiculous. This is what getsmet upsetwith politics and I'll take this to Obama. What de heck is the "birth control" allocation going to stimulate the economy. Do you mean stimulating sex or something. Can we be real. We need jobs; we need something to joke the economy. If that all you have, please, take the allocation for birth control and pay it back into the deficit.

We ought to be real this time. Wall Street and Bush squuandered our $700B with no trace. Please let'snot take the American people and their vote for a ride. Get us back to work.

Can you say,"Herbert Hoover?"

Just like W and most other Republicans, Senator McCain seems to think that all are as well off financially as his banking buddies. Therefore, the economy is ok and that all we really must do is make sure the banking and insurance company execs are not having to give up their their country club memberships, private planes and golfing excursions. Surely, Senator McCain seems to think, if we take care of the wealthy, they will share their cake with the rest of us.

"End to the stimulus when the economy begins to recover." That right there shows how wrong Republicans are about this. First of all most people (i.e., everyone who is not a Republican) realize that, just like we were in a recession long before anyone officially called it – by about a year – we will be out of a recession before we can officially say so. Second, it seems to me that cutting the legs out from under an economy that is "starting" to come back is a good way to prevent it from doing so.

I think the Republican party stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Now we are really starting to see Obama's lack of experience at play. More and more Americans are starting to realize they got swept up in this Obama madness and really never looked at his platform, just stared at him googly eyed while he read speeches he did not even write.
This guys first act as president is to address the muslim community?? The same people that have been murdering innocents, killing Americans, and causing trouble all over the world and are building bigger and stronger weapons to attack us with.
We have serious economic problems here Obama, worry about the muslims later, maybe worry about the millions of Africans being systematically raped, burned, hacked and made into refugees by arab muslims.
Yes, payroll tax cuts do stimulate and help the economy, less money taken off your pay for taxes, more money to spend and inject into the economy...any one here thinking differently is only saying so because they are so left wing and are hoping their vote for Hussein Obama was not the wrong one....time will show it was, and the highlight of Obamas carreer as president will only be his speeches before he was sworn in......no action on the ground...and only left wing socialist ideas to fix the economy.
Also, another 30,000 troops to afghanistan.....hmmm, Bush didnt even do that....where is all this change, and hope Obama promised....now he is starting to see that the moves Bush made were necessary for the security of America........Obama is not suited to be President of the United States.....

I am having a hard time figuring out how spending 900 billion of our money will stimulate the economy. how can you get out of debt if you keep spending money .it doesnt make sense.

Totally out-of-touch, 12 houses, comb-over McCain

McCain by his statements has proved that had he won it would have been 4 more years of the same failed policies..............Hey John, you guys need to come up with something new......MORE TAX CUTS for you rich buddies has not worked in 8 years

I may agree there are a few, maybe too much "Pork" in the Nancy Pelosi (House) Bill. But, whats-up with losing and confused McCain and the Repubs with their anthem; tax cut, tax cut, tax cut talk. Whose tax will we be cutting, the "fired 2m and counting" or the big corp that is not reinvesting in America (yes, the same ones that are firing, left, right and center). Does anyboby in a sane frame-of-mind beleive that tax cut will create or save any job NOW. I must confess that a little tax cut (but to the right category) as incentives is good, but right now and looking ahead, we need more spending on infrastucture etc to create jobs and set a solid foundation for our children.

McCain is a spoiler. Remember He thought the economy was stable. He is a sore loser and the Republicans are making a big mistake with this one.

Axel February 2nd, 2009 10:28 am ET

"A payroll tax cut doesn't do much good if you aren't on payroll…."

A payroll tax cut helps everyone. It gives relief to the employee and to the employer. As someone who is both, (I employ a caretaker) and the taxes alone the we pay our employee is ridiculous. That money would be a huge help to us! I could potential hire and additional person part-time. Reducing the employer costs helps their budget and can help save/create jobs.

The Republican Party is continuing to be and will be the downfall of this country.

All of a sudden the republiklans now know how to read a bill? lol!

...when it was their toy GW Dubya was in the white house for 8yrs raping the american economy & spending billions recklessly in irak these deuce bags didn't give a hoot!

When you have bigots like rush limbaugh & sean hannity translate the stimulus package to you, then you are surely in the league of the likes of John McSeniles who DO NOT understand a word in economics!

How many of you were expressing your outrage with the wasteful spending that went on with the Iraq war? Remember Hariburton who was literally handed our $ without competition? Remember the reports of not knowing where the money was going? If only we were a country of helping our people as much as we like to "save" other countries.

At least the truth needs to be told. The democrats have held congress for 8 years and bear a lot of the responsibility for the current mess. It is like the fox watching the hen house.

John McCain is so correct here and he's only saying what everyone knows by now. This Bill as written is the " Stimulus Package to Nowhere." It needs to be trimmed, focused on actually repairing the economy and executed responsibly.

I wonder, are they trying to give tax cuts to big businesses? He is voting no before he sees the package. Not surprised. Glad he is not President.

Just like we voted agains McShame. Get over it HATER – you lost the election. Why are we still hearing about him?

Apparently Old John forgets when the GOP was in charge they told dems to buzz off when it came to negotiations. It was their way or the highway. Pathetic.

NEARLY 10% OF THIS COUNTRY IS WITHOUT A JOB. THAT IS = TO THE POPULATION OF OHIO.... OR NEW YORK CITY AND CHICAGO COMBINED!!!! How will tax cuts help that 10%?????????????? IT WON'T... but it will help the wealthy at the top... the ONLY people the republicans are trying to help anyway. how do people not realize this?!?!?!

Interesting how the TARP was stripped of its oversight and then rammed through the Senate to help Wall Street. Remember Paulson's "we can't wait another day" speech? It was not designed to create or save jobs, only to give away taxpayer money to the bums that wrecked themselves. But the new stimulus package, that is designed with job creation to get the economy moving forward by focusing attention on the people who participate in it, who create real and durable goods, who build and maintain our bridges, roads, and rails (actual tangable items that we all can use and must be safe) and includes tax cuts to appease the minority party get's stalled and must be "seriously negotiated". Who does this government work for? It doesn't seem like they work for me anymore.
Please posters, take a moment to write your Senators and Representative. Tell them how you feel. Participate. Fight for the people who can't defend themselves against the playground bullies: big business and ineffective government. Then go to work in your own community to put your energy and ideas in action. Organize and motivate. We are the people of this great country, we are this great country. It's time our government was reminded of that!

To all who say “Who cares about what he think s or does?” Or “his opinion is irrelevant.” If you think his opinion is irrelevant why do you even bother reading this story and leaving a comment. McCain is still a senator weather you like it or not and is up the Arizona people to keep him in the senate, he is been there for a long time, he must be doing something good for them, don’t you think?

"Helping" Obama does not mean rolling over and cowering to his every request. Bipartisanship works both ways people. And if you would quit listening to the one-sidedness of CNN, you would know that the Republicans offered some great ideas, only to be brushed aside by the oh-so-bipartisan Democrats. The Republicans want to put money back in YOUR pocket, not spend it on more cars for govt. employees. What is so wrong with that?!?!?!?

Does the Congress or the Senate really bother to talk to everyday people? Sure, give me a tax credit or an incentive to make a purchase on a big ticket item, but will I spend more in the economy. Most of us, if we get a monetary increase or break, will continue to be cautious and save. Jobs are what is necessary to stimulate the economy. If projects mean people are put back to work, then they will also feel good about spending monre. Tax cuts/tax incentives are TEMPORARY answers to kick-start the economy. Let's be different for once and vote the way the people want. Sure the generations behind us will be left with a huge deficit, but they will have also learned a great lesson to not live excessly beyond your means.

Palin told him to do it...after all, she is the "future of the party" hahaha...glug glug glug and the ship keeps a-sinkin'

This is going to create a debt so large our great-great-grandchildren will be footing the bill.

Vote for hope. But hope does not keep America employed or in their homes. For all you "kool-aid" drinkers out there who support this bill, please tell me what it is you think will work for our economy?

Is it the millions we are going to donate to ACORN? (I guess it's payback time). Or the 300million going towards birth control? Or maybe the millions we are going to send overseas to fund abortions?

The GOP (Grand OLD Party) is just that Old and their methods and policies are old. It is time for new, fresh ideas and not the same old GOP nonsense that has gotten us into this position in the first place. Where were the spending controls when Bush was President? This GOP fails to take responsibility for the deficits we are in and now they want to propose that they have a better solution – PA LEASE! The GOP has failed the American people and have since Reagan. The same "Trickle Down" economics that Limbaugh and gang continue to spew has not and never will work because the wealthy of the world want to keep more for themselves. And what exactly is a trickle? Think about it for a second. A trickle of water to someone who hasn't had water and is parched & dehydrated isn't going to get much help from a trickle. Now add that trickle to millions who need to be hydrated. It's a complete joke and as much as I had hoped the GOP would be willing to compromise I see that they can't. So this November the American people had better vote more Democrats in so Obama can move this country forward faster. And to John McCain...you are irrelevant MY FRIEND. You no nothing about the economy so step aside and let the smart people play the game.

McCain says he'd vote against current stimulus bill and that's why he is not the President! He along with other Republicans did not get the message relayed on November 4th, 2008. We the people need to rid or Congress of those Republicans who did not get the message!

John who?

Sen McCain,

You guys lost, and your ideas lost big. This is not the time to revisit those failed ideas and try to jiggle the system to get your certified-petty way.

Do not stand in the way of recovery. If all you have is "tax cuts" when we have trillions in debt and a still-unnecessary but ongoing expensive war, then sit down and be still.

You guys are so out of touch, no wonder your party is flaming out.

Repubs are confused.-J. McCain is right up there with them.

"Sit and talk???" are u for real? Didn't President Obama do that with them and none of them voted for the bill in the H.of Reps.

Negotiate u guys say...please He DID THAT rememeber. He took out programs and added tax cuts and U GUYS STILL VOTED AGAINST IT.

WORD TO OBAMA: do what u have to do--forget the repubs. Same old ideas...Here's a new one for u'll--Go suck on boil eggs.

look the "social corrections" that all the repubs are complaining about would actually stimulate the economy if they were put into play. the repubs did a good job at discrediting the stimulus bill. many of you people actually believe the BS they are spewing.

ANY ECONOMIST WILL TELL YOU TAX CUTS DONT WORK... THEY ARE JUST A WAY TO REPAY THE RICH THAT PAY FOR THE REPUBS CAMPAIGNS...................

My wife and I saved for years to build up a down payment for a home. We drove older used cars and saved in a variety of ways so we would put down 20 percent. Why should we give $15000 to someone who hasn't saved, sacrificed and budgeted, just so they can buy a home.

Where's his version? Have the Republicans introduced anything that could be seen as a stimulus package? I think they would prefer to watch the country burn sometimes. I wonder if their ideology is more important to them than something that could help the country.

He McCDeficit needs to give us point by point what spending he is disputing from the Bill, it does not help saying they will not vote for it, emither do we need Rush Party ideas which have given us a 6 trillion deficit without a single road or bridge to show for the expenditure.

I am so glad this man did not win the presidency. Obstruction anyone?

McCain says Democrats need to 'seriously negotiate'

yes.. negotiate till the american people have nothing left to negotiate with and the republicans step in buy up our houses, send their children to college on our money and buy more clothing for someone running for office. And that's what they are doing, trying to take the last drop of blood from the American people.

come election time switch party's divide their votes and boot these people out once and for all.

Rush said "I Hope He (POTUS Obama) Fails" he is not alone with that desire, so is the MSM (the 4th estate). There isn't a day that they don't promote nd champion the cause for the Obstructive Republican Right. If Americans wanted McCain to address the problems of this nation, they would have voted fo him. Americans didn't vote for Mccain but the self interest coporate heads of the MSM media did.

Last I checked, the people that ran the country a few weeks ago are still running the country. Those are the hard working Americans that pay the majority of the taxes. Without tax cuts, especially the corporate tax, the people paying the majority of taxes will continue to take business elsewhwere. We can't have such narrow thinking amongst the majority of US citizens that now we have this knight in shining armor at the helm and everything has changed. It hasn't, the people that were in charge (capitalists) are still in charge.

Remember: 48% of people voted against Obama.

Go Mccain!!

Cutting taxes on someone who doesnt have a job does not solve anything. But what do you expect from someone who said our economy is in good shape.

Most of these comments are just hateful.

People on both sides are upset with this bloated bill and its good to see that McCain is working to fix it.

This bill is NOT a stimulus. It is an extra budgeting of our money for all kinds of random things that the Dems wanted to do for the past 8 years.

The DANGER of it is that they are calling this a measure to help the economy when no such help will occur. Good grief, birth control?? At least they were called out on that nonsense.

there is too much pork in this bill , they need to focus on the necessary items , like the unemployment and medical and housing before they worry about child care on military bases and birth control..

... and for the record, Republicans are NOT irrelevant. McCain garnered 47 million votes, and 177 of 435 house members are replubicans. We are ALL Americans, and ALL deserve representation. McCain's loss was hardly the "landslide" some people here make it out to be.

For those who feel otherwise, or dispute the need for two parties, I suggest you read George Orwell's Animal Farm.

payroll tax cuts do not help if you don't have a job to begin with. republicans have never been out of a job. republicans use tax cuts to appear as the party that is for the people. however they are borderline criminals at this point. mccain admitted he knew little about the economy. he is proving it right now

American's voted for change. McCain is just doing what Obama said he would. KEEP WITH THE BUSH POLICIES THE ENTIRE TIME.. apparently mccain hasn't realized HE LOST

This is the same man who said the fundamentals of our economy were sound as we were headed into a freefall. Democrats must be careful as the stimulus package must address 3 issues only: job creation, housing crisis, and stabilization of the financial system. Everything else must be removed and considered for battle another day. Otherwise, democrats risk losing the support of the American people. I do agree with McCain on one point and that is Democrats must consider ideas/suggestions from Republicans. The reason is not for bi-partisan, but rather to ensure the best ideas from both parties are crafted into the bill. Democrats must not behave like the Republicans of the last 8 years.

And we're supposed to listen to the economic comments of a guy who said that the fundamentals of our economy were sound? That, paraphrasing, nothing was wrong and we weren't in a recession?

Yeah. Right. Uh huh.

The beginning of the end for the Republican Party. The party's over, in more ways than one.

BAIL OUT STUDENT LOANS.
If the government bailed out student loans in some form, students like me would graduate, buy houses, buy new cars, furnish the homes, fill up with gas, and start America's future. Now we are living at home and buying used cars.

Bail out students like me! We are future doctors, teachers, autoworkers, builders ect. We are the best in the field with the newest information and technology fresh in our education. Bailout the students to jumpstart the economy!

My comments are not even showing as pending.

Does it take effect in the next year or so, and does it create jobs?

Use common sense and forget about Republican / Democrat or Obama / McCain because this is about the economy and creating a bill that serves it's purpose of stimulating the economy the fastest way possible. It is not about anything else.

i think the republicans,don't know there have lost the election,the people of America are for the democrats i hope Obama is not going to give up his agenda for the unity ,the Republicans have an other angenda and exact this is we don't need after 8 YEARS,i am sick of them.

"The fundamentals for our economy are strong. What? You mean the fundamentals of our economy aren't strong and I'm still a Senator? Never mind!"

"tax cuts for businesses" = double-speak for "trickle down economics"
and I think we all know how well that theory works..i.e., IT DOESN'T

A businessman who receives tax cuts in this upside-down stagnant economy is NOT going to turn those savings into a new job...he's going to pocket that money for a rainy day...oh wait, it's already raining. Heck, they pocket it even when times are good. Trickle-down voodoo is all GOPer smoke and mirrors.

Good for him, sounds like somebody know how economics work. Not only does Obama not have a clue, but his English is terrible. Was that ebonics that he was speaking yesterday. Sad that is the best we have.

and this comes from a guy who ... in his own words said... "I dont know very much about the economy"

February 2nd, 2009 9:41 am ET

Hang in their Republicans. Don't let the Dems run any more entitlement programs down our throats.

Teresa, your another Repub Idiot, Where were your beloved Repbub leaders for the last 8 years.? Spending , Spending , Spending. You and the rest of the Neocons are a joke!

Funny, the Republicans never "negotiated" with the Democrats when they had the upper hand; they just bullied. I guess they have that "treat us how we tell you, not how we treated you" hypocrisy . . . but who would have EVER thought the conservatives could be hypocritical?

I think Cindy forgot to give John his meds this morning.

Why in the world would anybody that's sane would listen to this man, he knows little to nothing about economic issues and now he wants to come up with a new plan, him and a few of those good ole boys, hell NO!!. Mcain knows ZERO about the economy and those idiots that keep crying to much spending and not enough tax cuts are the same bush republicians that have us where we are now. Come on people wake up the republican are still in the bush mind set doing nothing to help anybody but themselfs. I hope Pres Obama say to hell with them all and do his own thing

Vindictive little man.

"Does it take effect in the next year or so, and does it create jobs?"

Since it is an economic stimulus package, it makes sense that these are the questions that should be asked. Alot of the programs may be worthwhile but that isn't the purpose of this bill. The urgency of this bill is because it is for the purpose of stimulating the economy. PERIOD.

More tax cuts, where pray tell? If you're working, hey 9 to 12 months down the road you get another $120 more back from the bankrupt government? If you're not working, well that's just too bad for you, and it's all your fault. Gee, thanks John... it's nice to know you and the rest of the Republicans care so much about us.

people claiming this "isn't stimulus" have just been fooled by the republicans. republican tax cuts did not work for the last 8 years. why would they all of the sudden work now??? nobody on this planet can answer that question. tax cuts benefit the wealthy only. trickle down economics does NOT work.

the american people voted for CHANGE not the same policies that choked this country nearly to death the past 8 years. the republicans are useless and NOT needed at all. Obama should do away with ALL tax cuts in the bill completely. they do not help any economist will tell you this. tax cuts are just there to get the dim witted to vote for the repubs. they dont actually help the economy or the american people. if they did I would be all for them. They simply are just a ploy for votes.

Politics as usual... Republicans wait for the democrats to draft a bill only to complain and act like they have better ideas. It's been several weeks since Obama asked Congress to work together to draft a bill. Where were the republicans with all their bright ideas before the bill was drafted? Why were they holding out? They were waiting for the democrats to release their version so they could pick it apart. I don't think they've learned anything from the last two elections.

Tandie, do you even now what is on the stimulus bill? there is a reason why people are opposing to it., there is nothing in there that is going to help the economy on that bill..
•$7.7 billion for various upgrades and work done on federal buildings
•$5.2 billion for voter fraud experts ACORN and other "neighborhood stabilization" groups
•$2.4 billion for carbon capture projects
•$1 billion for AMTRAK
•$650 million–more–for coupons for the conversion to digital television
•$600 million for federal automobiles
•$400 million for research into global warming
•$335 million for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases
•$50 million to the National Endowment for the Arts

It's easy to say no when you don't have the pressure to save the economy.

What does he want – more TAX CUTS?

One way of improving the economy is to make these tax cheating democrats pay up. The IRS ought to do an indepth audit on all of them, just not the few that where shaken out of the tree trying to become Obama's cabinet members but the whole lot.

McCain would vote against the stimulus plan? We voted against you in November. Go away.

I laugh at McCain and the wingnuts,trying to be relevant,lets just push them off the cliff and ignore them like they did us for 8 years.

I guess he is not extending his hand across party lines on this one. that why he didn't win, tax cuts for the rich. Let them pay their fair share!

What a big shocker!!! Typical republican!! It isn't bad news it is just more of the same bush doctrine. Moving on

It's no wonder McCain lost the presidential race, he is not a man of his word. On numerous occasions he talked about working with on bi-partisan groups to solve problems, now he reports working with his 'fellow republicans" to solve the social problems of this country.
he's pathetic.!

As if I care what John "the fundamentals of the economy are strong" McCain has to say. Tax cuts don't do much for a person who doesn't have a job. The roads and bridges in my area are ready to fall apart, the school buildings have suffered from deferred maintenance, there are so many infrastructure projects that would benefit the public from improvement and benefit people by creating jobs.

isn't it funny the republicans have had years to put together a plan to help America but didn't think of a thing to do.. till now.. they were to busy digging the hole that got us in this shape.. Now.. they want to help fix it?

I would love to see the accounts of republicans disclosed.. maybe that's why they are not in touch with the rest of us. When you own X houses you don't really worry about losing one of them when you have more.

He just wants the economy to fail.

Thank God , Americans have good sense not to elect this bozo-McCain & Pathetic Palin.
In this downsize economy, people with 8 houses are OK

is he still trying to be the President even though he lost?

Who gives a crap what McCain wants?? Just more empty threats from the obstructionist, Reslug party that lost and lost big.

This coming from the very people who got us into this mess in the first place. What a joke!!!

I would vote against this bill...It NEED MORE JOBS than obama's plan.

it shows that it is NO good. I knew it would be happen that America will GO DOWN!

Only way, I have to stay faith with GOD for his guide to make things better than Govt tell us what to do!

Yadda, Yadda, Yadda, coming from Mr. De-REGULATION.

So WHY are we surprise Mr. McFlip-Flop can't seem to stick on a straight talk in all his 20+ years in the Senate?

Yeah, exactly. We keep hearing the same song and dance from these losers.

I am very happy for the change in leadership and excited to see how the Obama administration can bring positive change to our economy and America's reputation abroad. That said, I find myself siding with McCain on this one. This bill is loaded with pork. Yes, we need a stimulus bill, but not an "anything goes" stimulus package. I agree that the Dems need to listen to the Republicans – they do have some valid points and worthwhile input. "It's time for a new era of responsibility..." – Let's see some fiscal responsibility, not a wasteful, pork-filled stimulus bill. We can do better.

As an independent who backed Obama without a credible platform put forth by the Republicans I have to say I agree with john McCain here. The Dem congress has stabbed Obama in the back. They have strayed fra away from the purpose. This is not a time for social corrections. There may be a time for that but this is not it. I don't agree totally with the tax credits that McCain speaks of but the DEMS had better listen to the other side quickley or they will lose the young conservatives who voted "No Confidence" in the Republican Party.

hey John, did all your nominees pay their taxes ?

I hope that the Repubs have a better plan for the money. They are just trying to stall the package and make people they are the ones that came up with the plan. If Mccain is going to object the package what do he have to offer. No tax cuts is what we need because we can have tax cuts without jobs. No money to spend and he talking about tax cuts, is this man crazy. Can't cut something we don't have and that is real money to spend on nothing,.

McCain ran on this platform and got wiped out. He continues to push his initiatives and it’s a disgrace to the fellow republicans. As I watch my party continue down this road I’m proud to say I’ve switched parties this year and I’m proud to stand behind the democratic party that is taking action, instead of playing politics as usual. Our economy is going in the wrong direction from eight years of mismanagement and the same party is still trying to hold up progress. I hope that the people of Arizona will eventually vote McCain out of office.

Who cares about what he think sor does? If we did we would have elected him. But we didn't. Which means his opinion is irrelevant.

I voted for Obama....that does not mean I am going to blindly support everything he dioes. How can the dems try allocate $200 million for birth control to stimulate the economy? How does that work? Population control? I've been disappointed with Obama so far. Promising not to have former lobbyists on his staff and then making exceptions. Promising to close Gitmo but with no plan on where to put the prisoners. Nominating Daschle without noticing that he didn
t notice he owed over a hundred grand in back taxes.

Get over it McCain. You should be helping Obama and not complaining. Why not give Obama some ideas.... do not criticize.

Be honest with yourself people. This BS stimulus package is nothing but a pork-laden, welfare expanding pile of garbage. Remove all the pork, get rid of the welfare expanding crap and it might be supported.

people – the govenment can't fix our current problems nor will they. get some back bone and do your part instead of waiting on someone to do it for you!

This does not come as any surprise or shock to me. I mean, seriously, the country was led by the Republicans for the previous 8 years and we're in this mess. So why should we venture out to try something new that could generate jobs and revitalize the economy? The Maverick needs to retire.

REMEMBER FOLKS – - –

THE GOP PREACHES THAT BIG GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WORK.

THEN THEY GET ELECTED AND PROVE IT!!!!!!

To all of those bashing the Republicans, who has held the majority in Congress for years? Who was in charge letting Bush do whatever he wanted? Pelosi? Reid?

Quit being sheeple. All politicians are evil. Some just say what you like to hear.

sounds like a much better plan – spend where it counts not on social programs and expanded government.

Of course he'll vote against it......he can't admit that Obama has a brain!! ........ After all "that one " has no experience.....remember ???

you republicans really need to take some responsibility for the gigantic mess you have made out of our economy. Quit stonewalling and whining and do something other than making the problem worse.

"McCain says Democrats need to 'seriously negotiate'"

And the republicans don't? I guess someone will have to provide the definintions of "negotiate" and "compromise" for them first.

The one-trick pony republicons need to expand their thinking beyond just tax cuts. How much good is a tax cut if you don't have a job? I think the majority of Americans would prefer a job with a steady pay check over a tax cut – the remainder that don't, are limbaugh listeners.

Ha – McCain, the presidential candidate that freely admitted he doesn't know anything about economics...we should take his advice? I think he's overstating his relevance.

Old ideas from an old man is old news.

Does this really surprise anyone?

Some good news...McCain is irrelevant.

can somebody tell mccain and the rest of the republicans they LOST. the american people do NOT want their brainless tax cuts. any economist will tell you tax cuts do not help...

Jeff in Ohio says "McCain ran on his economic platform and got beat bad." That goes to show you how well informed are voters. I'm no big fan of McCain but his plan made more sense that Obama's... People are getting what voted for.. Hope!!! Last time I check I can’t pay my bills with hope. We need more than hope to get the economy back on track.. I don’t hear "the one" or the dems talking about jobs on the stimulus bill...

Clearly McCain and his chums have never been unemployed. A payroll tax cut doesn't do much good if you aren't on payroll....

Personal to Teresa:

Where was the GOP outrage while Bush was trashing our economy and world standing?!?!?!

Entitlement?!?!?!? That would be Halliburton's meteoric rise to fame on Bush's watch – with no oversight whatsoever!!! And the fact that Cheney was the former CEO is pure coincidence, too, right?!?!?!

McCain had no chance when he chose the Alaskan Anarchist as his running mate!!!

I cannot believe that the Republican party are actually going to let the US (and world) economy self destruct so they can prove that they still exist. I truly hope that come the next election more of the politic playing idiots we somehow elect to office get to go home and can't find a job.

Republicans... wake up and start looking out for Americans if you really want to be re-elected.

Why are the republicans continuing to call for tax cuts that have not worked the past 8 years, and will not work? People are losing jobs, and you want to give them a tax cut credit for their house? What and who are you going to tax if we have no jobs? Companys are laying thousands of people off every day and all they have to say is tax cuts!!!!The only people who would benifit from a tax cut are the rich...like John Mccain. Even John McCain’s campaign economist came out this morning and said that tax cuts will not work. I am so glad that this guy didn’t win. What a joke.

I guess he has to confess that he got lost with Obama's huge stimulus plan and need lecture before saying anything about economy as a whole.

Atta boy John !
Read the bill people, this isn't stimulus. Giving money to Acorn and other groups is a donation.

President Obama should ignore Repubs and all the nonsense of bipartisant, Repubs don't know anything like bipartisan, they know politics as usual

I do believe during the campaign McCain stated the economy with
just fine?

In case John doesn't know, trickle down does not work. Also, we have had to listen and do what his party wanted for 8 years. And yes, we are so much better off?

I do believe we have listened to them way too long. Their advise is no good. It is time for them and their ilk to admit they terrible mistakes.

But: "The fundamentals of the economy are strong".........

How is this a surprise? McCain admitted he didn't understand economics. He wouldn't see a good idea if it slapped him in the face.

I guess McCain forgot that the people rejected his plan while he was running. That's why Mr Obama is now President Obama .

Wake Up! McCain. its Feb 2, 2009 ( Bush is no longer in the White House)

I think when Republicans stop thinking like Republicans and think like Americans we'll get more things done. Instead of saying what are our issues and what needs to be done, Republican are says this is what we believe in this is our values. Enough of that Junk!

Let me see now, who was it just last Friday that said "bi-partisanship is overrated"?

Oh yeah, that was Michael Steele the head of the GOP.

For once I agree with the repubs.

So, McCain quit your hyporcritical b!$%hin', when Dems agree with Steele.

P.S. Obviously, the problem is not with Obama and the Dems but at the top of the RNC.

Republicans (8 years of President and 10 of 12 year majority Congress) collapsed the economy and they still want to give advice?

News Flash: Your stupid trickle down theory DOES NOT WORK because of GREED. Wealth only trickles up!

Please refer to Great Depression of 1930s where greed and deregulation crushed economy. Had to be rescued by Dems and Roosevelt.

Sound familiar?

Uh huh....'"we are clearly prepared to sit down, discuss, negotiate, a try to get a stimulus package that will create jobs..." Where were your buddies in the House when Obama & Co. came looking for votes and changing the bill to suit Repubs? Oh, right...they were demanding changes and then voting against it anyway.

Why would anyone listen to Sen. McCain on economic issues, I wonder? You remember how in touch he was during his failed campaign for presidency? *chuckles*

I guess McCain forgot that the people rejected his plan while he was running. That's why Mr Obama is now President Obama .

Wake Up! McCain. its Feb 2, 2009 ( Bush is not loneger in the White House)

I think when Republicans stop thinking like Republicans and think like Americans we'll get more things done. Instead of saying what are our issues and what needs to be done, Republican are says this is what we believe in this is our values. Enough of that Junk!

Sorry John, Obama won because we liked his ideas better than yours. Get over it! Plus didn't your team get us in this trouble to begin with?

Can someone explain to me how tax cuts are not spending? last time i checked tax revenue was how the government makes money so without bringing in that money by giving tax cuts they are baisically spending money!! Geeze! ridiculous! I say help with foreclosures, help with infrastructure and give them their tax cuts and call it a day.

McCain doesn't even understand economics by his own admission. Please, this is news? I wouldn't expect him to actually stand by his pledge to support the President and bi-partisanship. He's a Republican.

Thank God this man is NOT our President!

WHO CARES WHAT MCCAIN SAYS OR DOES. OBVIOUSLY, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DID NOT AND THAT IS WHY HE IS NOT IN OFFICE. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE DROP HIM OFF AT THE NEAREST NURSING HOME.

Why didn't he and the rest of the repubs have answers before now? They don't have any answers either. Both parties better come up with something.

We need jobs, not tax cuts!!!

The GOP are still in the "whats in it for me" mode

Put the money in into roads and infracture !

This administration has been serious about negotiation even before 20 Jan. The Republicans have been singing the same song for 8 years that led us into this mess. Get on with it!!

The Republicans have had eight years to turn this crap around. All of a sudden they want the credit for turning this around. Something in the milkr ain't clean. Sounds to me like they're gearing up for 2012. I sincerely doubt that Barack Obama who ran an exceptional campaign would put a failed package out there that's doomed to failure. The Republicans still think that this is a country for the rich, by the rich and of the rich. Until they get rid of that philosopy and connect to the people that are really hurting, no one is going to fall for their shenanigans. They still think the American people are a bunch of ignorant idiots who can't think for themselves. Keep on and the doom of your party is certain.

I am tired of hearing how the Republicans are fighting everything when they are the ones that got us in this nasty mess in the first place! They made the mess and they refuse to help fix it. Idiots!

I've said it before and I will say it again...YOU CANNOT CUT TAXES WHILE SPENDING MORE MONEY AND TRY TO BALANCE THE BUDGET! These three things are not compatible.

John McCain's statement isn't news, it is just an extension of his beliefs. All during the campaign he was looking for tax relief and continued deregulation to fix America's problems because the foundations of our economy are strong. While he lost the election, he didn't learn from it and continues to press on in a hopeless battle that if corporations and the wealthy pay no taxes and aren't held to any standards, they will stand up and do the right thing. If only we all lived in John's magical world...

I support Mr. McCain's efforts to come up with a better plan, but I do not believe most tax payers are in a position to use tax relief to improve the economy. If the average household has $10,000 of credit card debt, how is $1,000 of tax relief going to stimulate the economy. We already know that it will be used to pay off debt or saved based on last year's stimulus checks. And why give a $15,000 tax credit to home buyers? This will only serve to put people in houses who don't have the means to buy (and maintain) a house at current market conditions. That's what subprime mortgages did!

I believe the entire stimulus plan should be about jobs, jobs, jobs! When people are employed they can buy things, including houses, and they can pay taxes so that NECESSARY government spending can continue. Just as importantly, the US can then make move stuff, provide more services, and contribute more to the global economy.

Americans are sick of tax cuts for the super-wealthy. We voted against that in November. We want job creation and forward movement in this country, not just dumping more money to those who need it least.

If a thrashing in November didn't get the message through, nothing will.

As Jeff in Ohio at 9:38 said, McCain ran on this plan and lost – big time.

Teresa,dream on,"he lost" and so will the Republicans in 2010 if they keep opposing this bill,coz the people are tired of this partisan nonsense and appointing a blackman for chairman just to match Obama,just like they did with Sarah, he is no Obama,and Sarah was no Hilary!see what happened.I do not know my party anymore,might as well be independant than keep calling myself a republican!

Obama's already not sticking to his promises, Hillary is $5+ Mil in debt from her campaign, his choice for Health Sec doesn't think he needs to pay taxes....

No wonder we need a Stimulus Package – Obama's got to get his folks out of the headlines.

Who cares what the loser of the election thinks?

McCain $15,000 credit for home ownership? FABULOUS REPUBLICAN MAGIC At 7 homes that is $105,000! It is no wonder the rich are mostly Republican! The problem with the Republican Party is they have no new ideas, TAX ÇUTS for business? YUP, trickle down at its best, made the pockets of CEO's everywhere happy. CEO's made mega bucks and the jobs went overseas. Those of us who are in trouble here are saying, "I want a job and health care". I am sorry to be so basic.
Please, at least have an idea. It would help if you actually talked to people in trouble, go to the local unemployment office. There are plenty of us to talk to.

The republicans are acting as though the last 8 years never happened.
They are pushing for the same ole same ole that got us into this at the start.
They need to sit back and shut up for a while, so we can all clean up their mess.

I love this idea, don't let the dems spend our hard earned money on THEIR PET PROJECTS

go home McBrain

If President Obama is former residen Bush he would have support the bill, this many is blind because he has been surpporting the bill that has make people poor but now he can't support bill that will keep people back to work. I just hate republican mentality.

I am sure negotiations are going to stall because the republicans calling for tax cuts is not an innovative package. It is more of the republican party's IDEOLOGICAL theory and therefore not any new ideas.

This does not mean I agree with all the spendings identified in the Obama stimulus package either. Therefore McCain should be more realistic and move from party ideologies and propose better alternatives than TAX CUTS.

Mac is just bitter about being a loser in both the election and the Super Bowl.

Typical Republican answers. They think tax cuts stimulate the economy??? Tax cuts = less Gov't money= more Gov't borrowing. Majority of economists agree that tax cuts during recessions do not work

To Teresa! Hey what was McCain economic plan doing the election? Matter of fact Sarah Palin had no economic plan either. To wish your party would have won would have been tragic in the worst way. Some posters just don't make any sense. All of a sudden the Rupubs have the solution to the economy but where were these ideas doing election time?

Sen. McCain,
We tried it your way for eight years and it did not work, and now look at the mess that we are in. We elected someone fresh with different ideas, lets give his ideas a chance. You and Bush's policies have brought our country to its knees.

didn't he lose on his economic ideas ?

Hang in their Republicans. Don't let the Dems run any more entitlement programs down our throats.

****************************************************************************
Theresa:

1. It's THERE, not THEIR.
2. We've had Bush rammed down our throats for 8 years. It's too early for you to be complaining.
3.. They're always entitlements until you're the one who needs the help.
4. You didn't win. Get over it.

yeah, it's interesting how, when a republican is not "destroying" the country, the democrats need to "seriously negotiate." where have they all been for the past 8 years? NOT STANDING UP FOR WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS RIGHT, THEY WERE STANDING FOR EACHOTHER AND EACHOTHER ALONE. UNBELIEVABLE, he's obviously forgot his concession speach already. this is the same republican rehettoric.

How does a tax cut help me, an unemployed worker? I'm struggling to keep my house and the only thing that will help me is a stronger economy and the opportunity for me to get back to work.

Now the Republicans are concerned about spending. What a bunch of hypocrites. They along with Bush got us in this mess based on their plans of give to the rich and it will flow to everyone else. This has never happen since first introduced by Reagen another of our worst Presidents. Tax cut and give to rich is all the Republicans can come up with; that and no abortions/gay rights/far right ideologies. Enough of this as was once said "a sign of insanity was to continue doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." If the Republicans are serious about doing for the country then they will work with President Obama not against him as they are doing now and if they do not get on board then I say leave them at the station.

@ Teresa....... IF McCain had won we would:

Continued the failed policies of Bush

We would be staying in Iraq....... costing $10 BILLION .......a month for decades!

We would still be disrespected and hated around the world.

We would have a Vice president who thinks that "I can see Russia from my house" ......although she can't and that is not Foreign Policy experience.

AND........ WORST OF ALL....... we would have continued to be a fragmented .........torn apart Country! With comments from Palin during the campaign about the "REAL AMERICA" ........ MCCAIN/PALIN WOULD HAVE DESTROYED WHAT WAS LEFT OF OUR FRAGILE UNITY!

NO...... TERESA....... I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD....... THAT WE, THE PEOPLE, SAID .......A ......LOUD ...........NO.......... TO THE POLITICS OF
HATE........LIES..........FEAR ........AND..........DIVISION!

"The former GOP presidential nominee said Monday on CNN's "American Morning" that he's working with a group of fellow Republican senators to come up with an alternative package that emphasizes payroll tax cuts, incentives for people to stay in their homes, and an end to the stimulus spending when the economy begins to recover."

---------------

This is what we need to spur the economy, not handouts and checks to people that DON'T put into the FUND or wasteful socialist spending that WILL SPUR LITTLE.

If you had shown this fortitude when the FIRST lousy PORK FILLED bail out bill came about, YOU WOULD BE PRESIDENT now.

But the media allowed for uh, uh, uh Obama to do NOTHING and gain traction for DOING NOTHING or uh, uh, uh saying NOTHING.

No fan of McCain, but this is a better and FASTER idea.

we know MC cain don't have any ideas of what is going on ,and he don't know anythings about economics.can he do that .....no no no he don't have no plan .

Being a Democrat or a Republican isn't what's important. Both parties are advancing politcal and personal agendas and adding pork as this stimulus package moves forward. Both sides are demonstrating fiscal irresponsibility at the expense of the American Taxpayer. No real change has occured via this new administration at this point in time. It's spend beyond our means, politics as usual.

Let's hope the Senate can come together and vote this thing DOWN. It's laden with ridiculous spending, and it stands for everything we should NOT be doing. Wanna stimulate the economy? Lower payroll taxes so employers can expand. Don't re-sod the National Mall. Don't like the idea of tax cuts, fine. But it's ridiculous to think that handing out checks to people who don't pay taxes is going to stimulate the economy. It didn't work when Bush did it. Why do you think it will work now?

Go McCain. yes we do need relief for homeowners. I am one denied modification by Countrywide and well... they have no stats as to how many they have helped yet!! They don't want to help, can't even talk to the Work Out Dept literally. With 220,000 jobs lost in January 2009 alone in 4 months time there will be 220,000 more homes in forclosure. We are in trouble... please help where the help will be appreciated and used to stimulate the economy again. We the People.

The heck?? So in other words, he's publicly saying that the repub's are not gonna support Obama's plan no matter what it is. They'll only support it if it mimics the republican plan. Which was decided by the AMERICAN CITIZEN's to be inadequate/unwanted/cr*p.

Go Obama! My faith in democracy and America was restored the day you got elected. Woot woot!!

i hate to break it to everyone but only the government has the money and will to get us out of this and frankly i hate to be the one to say this but the republicans ideas of tax cuts now is too little too late with the current worry in the economy the problem is those tax cuts need to be spent and won't be.

Poor John McCain,
Acting like a child who didn't get what he wanted. He has gone back on HIS promise to support the new president. Give Obama a chance. Sure, there are a few items in this stimulus package that need revised, however – your actions speak much louder than your words. The republicans had 8 years to save/make money and now you want more tax breaks for those like you. You money mongers are pathetic.
Seriously, grow up McCain and stop acting like a whining 3 year old.

GOP = Grumpy Old Patriarchs

noone cares what this loser does

So what does McCain and the Repubs propose we do. I hear alot of comaplints and not alot of solutions....... Who cares how Mccain will vote.... he along with his comrades didn't think we were in a recession, stated the economy was financially sound.. nwo that the whole world is in crisis they are still going along with these stupid party line politics.................... REPUBS BE APART OF THE SOLUTION FOR ONCE!

why are we giving huge advantages to mortgage holders who made bad decisions while the rest of us bought houses we can afford and paid the interest rates demanded by the market? why are we giving more tax breaks for people who make money, and squabbling over food stamps and unemployment compensation for people who can't find work? why are we spending huge amounts bailing out incompetent financial executives? and why don't the republicans understand that they LOST because most Americans don't agree with them? we need infrastructure, food stamps, and maybe a tax on gasoline to pay for all of this. why don't they get it?

He's just upset that the Cardinals lost the Super Bowl yesterday.

is this from a man who condemned Obama's economic recovery and yet saying if I keep talking about the economy we are going to loose and the fundamentals of the ecomony is good.

We need jobs, and infrastructure, blue and white jobs. That helps people. Yes we need to help people in their homes, but still wanting to give big tax breaks for the Greety CEO who has no concideration for the workers.

ToTeresa, it was the Republicans that placed this disasters on us. After 911, the Republicans went crazy and that included that stupid Patriot Act. Giving the our Government more powerful, took away our rights, spying on us, hearine conversations between our soldiers and their loved ones. You think that John McCain would help the lonely women who gets nothing in their paycheck. Don't start me on that, I could give you so many senerios on this. I was one, and lets not get me on the Beauty Queen Sarah Palin, who wanted to lobby money for her state.

Lets see, we are in the economic shape we are in because who has been shoveling their economic policies for the past eight years. Which parties policies acheived the last balance budget with a surplus. Who thought government oversight and regulation of the securities and banking industry was government interferance.

Seems we have been getting Republican economic policies crammed down our throat for the past 8 years and where have their insight brought us, so we are to listen to them today. If they have a idea hear them out, but right now all I am seeing from my Republican Party is partisan politics. As to entitlement programs being shoved down anybodies throat, lets look at cash simulus that bring about blue collar jobs, that generate spending that generate tax revenues that generate growth. There has not been a tax cut in 20 years that has stimulated this ecomony, there's been tax cuts that have padded already bulging pockets and that's about all Republican economic policies has acheived so far.

I do agree that the Rupublicans were not heard in the house. Two senators sat down this weekend to clean up the current bill and there needs to be a debate. I do believe that more tax cuts will be added; however, let us also remember that John McCain did not win. Let us also remember that the economy is not on of Senator McCain's strong suits.

I also want to remind others that the rupublicans sat down with the last president...and look how well that went.

BTW Teresa, please define eintitlement program for me so that I can understand your meaning.

Rather than be an obstructionist, because you lost the election badly, i think you should extend hand and try to bridge the differences. The president has extended his hand to work together. Do not bite it.

McCain, Please go away. You had your chances.

teresa:

you're right! only the rich and corporations should be entitled! Viva La Monoplies!!

As long as it's helping everyone out, I don't care what side of aisle it comes from. Work together and make this the best bill it can be! Bipartisanship :] Go Everybody!

Amazing he had nothing in mind when he was running...now he and fellow Republicans are "working" on something........yea I know you wish you would have won but reality check...YOU DIDN'T GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The home buyer plan is what got us in this mess. Remember? That was Bush's and the Republican's plan before. It didn't work. McCain is out of touch. Move on.

John McCain was beat on the economic platform because we as Republican believe that welfare hurts this country, and the Obama administration is all for welfare. If you look at our country you will understand why Obama won on economics. Because people don’t want to get out and work for there money they believe the government is supposed to give them free hand outs, and the people that do want to work don’t have any jobs because they paid all of their money to the lazy people that want to set at home, do nothing, and get something in return! That’s the only thing these people have done in years! Actually got off the couch and came and voted for someone that will let them keep their free milk cartons and welfare checks!

Dems continue to loot the treasury like pirates on a Spanish gold ship.

They are sucking money out of the next century and people that haven't yet been born will be paying the price for this stimulus stupidity.

The republican thought process is just like your campaign. lack of logical thinking, lack of ideas, lack of concern for the less fortunate,lack of knowledge,lack of understanding. If trickle down economics did not work in the past, what makes you think its going to work now.

Teresa, oh dear, what entitlement programs are you referring to? The banker stimulus package which McCain susupended his campaign for to run back to DC and complain about it then he votes for it? Ahahahah... Privatize the profits, socialize the bailout entitlement program?

I truly hope that all the Republican House and any Republican Senators put their money where their mouth is and vow not to accept any stimulus money for the districts and states which the represent.

What do you think the chances are of that happening? Not a chance I suspect, proving it's just the same old Republican political tactics at play. Juts the GOP (Grand Obstructionist Party) at work.

It certaininly seems like the Republicans are trying to do more now than when they were in power in the Congress. Where were they over the Bush years...just saying yes sir!

There are millions and millions of dollars in the "EMERGENCY STIMULUS" bill to create new ATV trails and to fund contraception education. GIve me a break! These are NOT emergencies and will NOT stimulate the economy. The Dems need to stop the nonsense and stop with their "agenda" and stop the blood-letting of job loss and foreclosures and ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. They are acting like children!

Ha very very funny. its like the last 8 yrs. didnt happen. when they shut the dems out. so so so funny. they count on Americans to be totaly Dumb. its down right frustrating

Go get them McCain, the Democrats have their priorities in the wrong direction and although I have been a lifelong Democrat, I voted for you. I am not on the Obama/Pelosi band wagon and wish they would consider some sort of help for people at age 60 looking forward to retirement and self employed but paying medical premiums over 4,000........yet we issue a surplus helping illegal immigrants, right on OBAMA!

Yeah, Limbaugh instructed McCain to do so.

Im so glad john McCain lost the election. He cares nothing for this country, only big business.

Why is it he can blindly support Bush and give unlimited funding to rebuild Iraq, but when it comes to fixing the USA he votes against it??

Here is a lesson for Americans: STOP VOTING REPUBLICAN, THROW THESE OBSTRUCTIONISTS OUT !!!!

And we should care because?

McCain's economic platform helped him lose the election....now he wants headlines again, but will delay the help this nation needs to move forward economically.....probably just for headlines. This is not the way a real leader or public servant acts.

Who do the republicans think they are? More demands for the same policies they pushed the last 8 years. Their economic philosophy failed, people voted for change for a reason. If Rush thinks the plan should split in philosophy 54-46%, what about going back to 2000, why didn't Bush use a 49-49 approach? FYI, Republicans are also pushing for tax cuts on profits made overseas. More incentive to outsource. What a great idea...

McCain deserved Sarah Palin. Two of a kind

This is the same platform John McSenile ran on and GW perfected for the last 8yrs and was resoundly defeated!!!!

sore losers just trying to be spoilers!

this man has been in washington for so long he just keeps repeating the same mantra:
Who are we giving tax cuts? millions of americans who are losing their jobs? I doubt it!!!
Or big oil / wall street corporations who are lining their pockets with our hard earned dollars, and making their companies go under?!!!

Opposing the stimulus package just for the sake of opposing it doesn't show leadership & foresight....these republiklans are deucebags!

they need to get in there and support the president to help create jobs; but obviously they dont care about ordinary americans....they just want to continue the partisan divide and spew their rush limbaugh/sean hannity talking points of bigotry, hate & divisiveness!!!!

I am not a Republican and I voted enthusiastically to Obama. However, based on how the bailout has gone so far, leaves many doubts in my mind about the stimulus package and government's ability to run or oversee any "big" government programs such as health care.

This is just McCain attempting to get some attention because he didn't win the election, I personally think that Obama's economic plan is great.

I dont see why it matters how Senator McCain will vote. Senator McCain is just that a Senator and considering he is a republican it is not necessarily newsworthy that he will vote against the stimulus bill.

Isn't what the republicans are proposing, what got us in trouble in the first place? Are they saying we need more of the same!!

I'm glad to see that McCain who admitted to being weak on economics is leading the way on economic reform. He and others are right though that the package that the Senate came up with has lots of unnecessary fat in it and should be geared strictly to generating jobs, protecting homeowners and putting money into infrastructure.

It is people like McCain and their CORPORATE INTITLEMENT programs that created the problems we face today. You repubs like to call Dems socialists but guess what you are, you are corporate socialists. Is in not obvious that conservativism is dead, time to bury it.

The only thing that these plans will stimulate is inflation.

These politicans have sold us out! We have to endure an additional $6000 per household in new debt so that these clowns can go on a shopping spree.

How long will those who work for a living put up with this? We're either slaves or dependents to this government. One day these bills will become due. When that day comes, who will they blame? The "rich" for not paying enough taxes? The "poor" for sucking the public teat dry? We all will share the blame because we again and again vote these crooks into office.

Obstructionist Republicans who want America to fail. Tax cuts helped get us into this mess. They won't get us out. Republicans got us into this mess. Of course they won't get us out. They only care about the very, very, very rich.

Shoot the pork barrels out of the bill!

Republicans had their run, and they ran our economy into the ground. It's the Democrats who now have to fix your filthy stinking mess. My advice: sit down and shut up before you make this any worse.

This from the guy who admitted economics was not his forte. The republicans will do anything to see that Obama fails. Oh yea, our country first!!! It's still politics as usual in Washington headed by the same "old guys" who ought to retire and go home and let some fresh blood in there.

When Bush gave the big tax cuts to the wealthy, McCain was against that. He doesn't know which way the wind should blow. We are still paying for the tax cuts Reagan gave. Thank God McCain and Palin (who probably knows less than nothing about the economy) did not win this election. I don't think anyone knows how to fix the mess Bush and the Republicans have created.

Obama doesn’t seem to be very good at uniting people.

He’s so polarizing it’s going be difficult for him to get much done in a bipartisan way.

Here is a radical thought. Obama wants to create 2-3,000 jobs. DO you realize that with $800 billion you could GIVE 5,500,000 people jobs for 2 years at a salary of $75,000 if you just gave this money away – just give it away over the next 2 years to 5,500,000 unemployed people at the annual rate of $75,000 each. That should underscore the enormity of this spending bill. The way the Dems have it written, we will not see many NEW jobs at all -– but the absurdly nonsensical simplistic thought of giving the money away has the GUARANTEED effect of creating 5,500,000 (over five million) new jobs for 2 years at $75,000 each. At the end of 2 years we surely could get these paople alternative work. And, if these 5,500,000 people actually did something for the money, this economy would go into hyper drive overnight. You would think that if our elected leaders controlling the House, Senate, and White House could come up with a stimulus bill free of earmarks and pork, and which actually put people back to work. Instead Pelosi and Reid sabotage Obama and create a Christmas Shopping List of spending

Gosh...I'm glad he didn't win, Teresa, you wrong-headed fool! Wake up and smell the chaos...brought on by republicans and their free-spending, let it all happen philosophy that got us into the mess the country is in today. Gosh, I'm sure GLAD HE DIDN'T WIN!!!

Fine time to say that now, you should have voted against funding the EYERACK WAR, then you wouldn't have to vote this time around.

Like you tried to put your campaign on hold and rush back to Washington and vote on the bailout set up by your good ol pal "W"!!!!

A lot of good that did you too, your other pals at the banks don't get it, $$18 billion in bonuses!!!! Here is a chance for you to finally get something right!!

We know that you are just trying to save your on butt when you run for re-election in 2010!!!!

I wonder if he still believes the "fundamentals of our ecomoy are strong"?

Of course, McCain IS an expert on the economy...he showed that during the campaign....maybe WE ought to listen to him...

McCain wants a $15K credit for owning a home? I guess that will pay off big for a man with so many houses...

Dems = spends. I'm all for helping someone when they're down. Unfortunately, all these entitlements encourage people to stay down, and not to strive for somewthing better.

You mean, John McCain gives the C O R R U P T MSM bad news.

We need a stimulus no question. The current house proposal is piled high with an expansion of social welfare programs. Rip up the piece of crap bill and do it right.

McPalin is a sore loser...a near-extinct Republican Reptile who fortunately for the country lost to Obama and now wants to do what he can to hurt not only the President, but the populace in a fit of petty politics. Now we see the dark side of what would be going on if that clown HAD won the election!

Good for McCain....we need more in Congress that aren't willing to just rubber stamp things. The bailout is economic disaster. Period.

If John McCain wants to work for "payroll cuts" – let him start with Republican executives and Wall Street financiers who have paid themselves millions in bonuses at a time when their companies are failing.

The last time "Bushes Boys" talked about "Payroll cuts", they wanted to Detriot autoworkers who are already hurting.

My advise Mr. McCain? You want to cut? Start with your own kind... Let's maybe start with some of those 10 or 15 houses you and Cindy own.

To Teresa, who said "Gosh I wish McCain had won"

You must have either been in a coma the last eight years, or you must have been one of the few who benefitted from the policies which got us into this mess in the first place. There is a reason McCain DID NOT WIN. Why did he not win? Because he shouldn't have, and America is smart enough to recognize that.

ok gop.....do your job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

defeat the liberal dem. stimulus bill

we need no big gov. spending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

McCain is quite liberal himself, Theresa.

I know this isn't going to get posted, that's why I never post here but here I go.

Why do people want to make this out to be Democrats against Republicans it is not about that, it's what's in it for the American public.
The Republicans are trying to make sure this money gets into the hands of Americans and not some pet pork project for Democrats or Republicans.

We have to be vigilant and make sure We the People, get the HELP that We the People need. Spending Millions on Condoms, the sod on the Mall or other frivolous things will not stimulate the economy.

This is about jump starting the economy with money going into the hands of We the People not pay back for the last election. There is a reason that almost all of the Senators are rich, it's from helping themselves to our money, living high off the hog, while the rest of us, suffer.

I voted for Obama and I've always been a huge supporter of his, but I have to agree with McCain and some of the other GOPers here. (I never thought I'd hear myself say that being a Dem!) But the more I hear about this package, the more I hear about pork, pork, pork. Now is not the time for pet projects. It's time for job stimulus and tax cuts...not just for homeowners and those with families, but also for singles like myself who need some relief.
I agree with one of the Senators last week (can't remember which one right now) who said they could take all that $$$ for pork in this bill and give all Americans a tax holiday through August. THAT is something I could get behind.
Come on Mr. President...time to whip the Dems into shape here!

Thank you senator McCain! Please rein in Nancy and Harry. Knock off all the sociopolitical programs and get back to the basics.

Gee, now this is a suprise. I surely wonder if he and the rest of the GOP are going to vote against everything Obama and the Dems try to do for the next 2 years then turn around and say Obama and the Dems got nothing done during the 2010 election cycle. That would be absolutely brilliant, especially since playing that game with the Dem majority in Congress after 2006 worked ever so well on November 4, 2008. I wonder if they realize they've been given the rope and are blithely fashioning their own noose.

Oh please. The Republicans flushed a trillion dollars to bring civil war and impose democracy on tribal Iraq, giving Bush a blank check. Now they want to talk about fiscal responsibility in the middle of the great recession created by their deficit "war" spending and lack of oversight of wall street and the mortgage industry. They are so wedded to their divisive party platform they have forgotten that the country should be more important then the party. Isn't this how the communist party operated, toe the line, vote with us, or else.

I am a Democrat and am offended by the absurd pork that has been slipped into a bill that is supposed to stimulate the economy. The President has to get control of this bill and urge the Democratic senators to incorporate the measures that John McCain and other republicans are recommending. Payroll tax cuts, reduction in the Business tax, and other sane recommendations will actually stimuilate the economy. Who cares if a good idea comes from someone in the opposing party.Prevention of sexually transmissible diseases is important but get real... that will not stimulate the economy. I'm tired of the people that we send to Washington not responding to the problem. It is the economy stupid. Fix it. that's what we are paying you to do!!!

"The fundamentals of the economy are strong."

Has anyone read the plan? It actually has money for improving terrain for people to ride four-wheelers! That is just one of the idiot things in it. I hope the Republicans hold off until something sensible is planned! This is an insult.

IT FIGURES THE REPUKLICANS DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE THEY WOULD RATHER SCUTTLE THE WHOLE PACKAGE FOR HELPING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAN GIVE IN. THIS IS JUST THE SAME OLD STUFF FROM THE ELITIST PARTY. TO HELL WITH THE AVERAGE AMERICAN AND LINE MY POCKETS WITH THE OTHER BAILOUT MONEY INTENDED FOR THE ELITE.

Don't vote for it. The plan is a spending bill, plain and simple.

We need to create jobs...NOW. We need to re-negotiate mortgages...NOW.

McCain is very simply rejecting the plan because it takes away the Obama promised removal of the tax cuts for the rich put in place by the previous Bush administration. The GOP plan is to give MORE tax cuts to the rich. Come on guys, thats why you got the boot. Give it up.

I am personally overjoyed that McCain is working against the stimulus bill. There should be somewhat of a bail-out, but there should be strict restraints put on the money. This stimulus package should be used to create more jobs in fields such as cleaner energy.

McCain and other Republicans I have heard comment take shots at the tiny $50 Million allocated for the National Endowment for the Arts as if Artists don't have to eat and pay bills. Ask the Mayors, restaurants and businesses of any major city. With very little if any support from government the performing arts and museums are a huge and often the biggest draw for tourism and people wanting to relocate to a city. They bring in Billions of Dollars every year in consumer spending.

The only solution Republicans seem to have is tax cuts. Been there done that. Now what? People have to have a job for a tax cut to do them any good!

Can Mr. McCain just go home to Arizona and retire? You lost the election promoting those tired old (non)ideas, remember??

Ok Mr. "The fundamentals of the economy as still strong", you know about as much about the economy and how to stimulate it as I do about astrophysics!!!

This isn't bad news. In fact, President Obama invited House Republicans to review and amend the bill. They did nothing. Now it's up to the Senate. Maybe Senate Republicans will step up to the plate and offer some ideas instead of just complaints.

Senator McCain said he would never support earmarks and pork, and he is being true to his word. I hope he can convince other senators to strip the bill of all earmarks and non productive spending

Republicans are not off to a good start, hang themselves or hang in there? That is what we should watch.

bad? He got beat by 3% of the popular vote.

You guys lost. Give it up. You messed up the economy with your ideas already.

I would say that is expected news, nothing new there. Gee, a Republican saying they won't support a stimulus package the Dems wrote? Who would have thunk? The GOP seem to forget they lost in 2006 and again in 08, so now they have become the party of obstructionists. Don't you folks see what they are doing? Cut this tax, cut that tax. Strangle government so they have to cut social security, medicare, education, food stamps, medicaid. It's pretty obvious. A Grover Norquist wet dream.

What's the old expression? Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way? Well, McCain and his cohorts, much like November, don't have the votes. Therefore, they can't lead, which means follow or get out of the way are the Republican Party's only options. Bipartisnship is nice, but not necessary.

Why were the Republicans so quick to support the bailout when Bush was in office? Which didn't stimulate the economy a bit might I add...It only stimulated more greed in the CEOs. But now Obama is trying to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and benefit the country's environment while at it. Something is wrong with this picture.

So glad he has had time to rest and maybe come up with an idea or two!

Why is is that the last 3 (or 4, is it?) tax cuts that were done under the Republican run Senate, House and Bush Administration did not create all of the jobs that it was supposed to? Yet, that is the only mantra coming out of Republicans mouths!!

McCain has been a puppet of powerful corporations like Exxon for years, and the neocons are now using him to lead the opposition to Obama's agenda. He has been packaged as a moderate maverick, but his voting history and his kowtowing to rightwing extremists disproves the packaging.

The stimulus bill is heavy on renewable energy development, so of course the oil industry's representatives in Congress will fight it tooth and nail.

Republican policies (favoring the wealthy) have failed, regardless of the way they're dressed up to look like they benefit average Americans. President Obama has a clear mandate; he has a sky-high approval rating. The neocons can work with him, or they can join the ranks of the unemployed.

Teresa,

Please keep in mind that things like Medicare for elderly people and healthcare for veterans are, in fact, entitlement programs. Those of you who operate with the old fashioned there-is-never-a-good-entitlement are either 1) not informed about what entitelment programs are and what they do or 2) simply mean spirited and stingy.

McCain is no good when bush wanted a stimulus he stop his campaign to go vote for it now that BARACK OBAMA a black man is asking for it he says no so you no what that mean need i say more

We need to get rid of the pork spending and focus on helping homeowners stay in their home and creating jobs. We can deal with the small stuff later. Also I don't want to leave my granddaughter trillions of national debt to pay, because of stupid things in our stimulus package.

LETS FACE IT JOHN MCCAIN WILL NEVER SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMA, (POOR LOOSER). ONCE AGAIN A PRIME EXAMPLE OF MCCAIN PUTTING COUNTRY FIRST......NOT.

Go away McSenile. You simply do not count anymore. Tax cuts are not stimulous. Never have been and never will be. We only need to look at what the last 30 years of "tax cuts" have brought us.

Only TWO things should be in the stimulus package – 1) create jobs, 2) solve the housing crisis — NOW — NOT 3-5 years from now. And then, YES - the stimulus package should GO AWAY.

And suddenly McCain knows what to do concerning the economy? It was the economy that lost it for him.

To all the Republicans:

I'm sorry you lost the election and are feeling sore about it. But no one is going to thank you when the Dow slips another 1000 points, when we lose another 100,000 jobs this month, or when our recession becomes... well, you know. A tax cut for you and your friends is not putting any money in the pocket of my family or my State. It's not fixing the interchanges, upgrading the electricity grid, or improving the quality of my children's education.

Get off your rear ends and start DOING something. Right now you look like a bunch of whiny, overgrown schoolchildren. Also, you didn't lose the election because you "weren't conservative enough."

The Democrats promised a new bipartisan approach, but–remarkably–that didn't mean "roll over while the Republicans do whatever they want, notwithstanding the fact that the last two consecutive elections have been a referrendum on the lack of conservative trust and support in this nation, not to mention their inability to effectively manage just about every important foreign and domestic issue."

Either get with it or go away.

From a man who said the fundamentals of the economy were strong then 2sec later all hell broke loose........

McCain is a loser!!! Plain and simple.

The bill needs work – all the "non-stimulus" stuff needs to be removed.

Only TWO things should be in the stimulus package – 1) create jobs, 2) solve the housing crisis - NOW - NOT 3-5 years from now. And then, YES

Probably because he thinks that the "fundamentals of the economy are strong."

These republicans just don't want to play ball. If it wasn't their idea, it must be a bad idea. More tax cuts? Wish they could explain to me how the last round of tax cuts.....for the wealthy, stimulated the economy.

So what. John McCain's opinions on the economy was a huge contributing factor to him losing the election. Are we supposed to listen to him now? He still thinks we basically have a strong economy, that is why he is sticking to the only thing that Republicans can talk about – cutting taxes.

Mccain will continue to work against PRESIDENT Obama. Hes a selfish old crank that has a temper that is a joke. Hes a jerk. Its funny though, 12 MILLION more people voted against his economic plan, and he still thinks he is right. Hes just bitter...

Let's face it! It is all about the rich and big business. If you are out of a job you don't pay taxes. It is ok to help banks and other stuff but you could care less about the people who have lost so much.

Oh no, you can't have it both ways. I think it's time for the Dems to start discussing a nuclear option, just like the Reps did when they were in charge.

LOSER

$4Billion to neighborhood styabilization (ACORN)
$246Million to Hollywood...what for, the Bush anti war movie?
$24Billion for dubious Green Jobs
$600 Million for Universal Health Care
Nancy Pelosi's Contraception funding$$$$
Plus more wasteful spending$$$$$
Only 7% of the total $800 Billion stimulus bill would enter the economy by the end of this year.
Stick to your guns and Bibles Republicans and don't cave in to what appears to be a bill forever known as the Generational Theft Act of 2009

I agree – the Republicans had eight years to deal with this mess, and their policies failed. Big time failed. So don't try to run them up the pole again – we will not salute.

McCain knows as much about the economy as his wife Cindy Lou knows about sticking to a budget and living paycheck to paycheck.

That is.....bupkiss.

What alternate Universe is the GOP living in? Their ship sank last
November. Their economic ideology from Hoover to W has been discredited! They need to climb out of the water, get in the boat, and start rowing in the same direction as Obama!

McCain lost to Obama for several reasons. One of them was people wanting to see a change from tax cut based economic policy that got us here.

Good gravy! I would anyone with at least half a brain would vote against this bill. It is a piece of...

If Obama had any integrity at all, he would veto it in its current form, send a message to the democrats that he really is bipartisan and that he, not Pelosi or Reid is the head of state. He could then reform it more in line with what is appropriate.

WHO CARES WHAT MCCAIN THINKS. REMEMBER THIS IS THE GUY WHO CHOSE SARAH PALIN AS HIS RUNNING MATE. LOL

Thank God McCain didn't win. He didn't have an economic plan during the election and he still doesn't have one now. Why is he just now trying to come up with an alternate plan? He's a day late and a dollar short.

How are tax cuts going to help the economy? The tax cuts that bush supported are still in effect until 2010. They are not helping the economy. The republicans are pulling wools over our eyes.

What does McCain mean, "he's working with other Senators to come up with a plan". If he had been elected he would have needed a plan right out of the gate. He should have had a plan back in September or October. Their is no Republican plan, they still want the same old tax cuts, Iraq War and deregulation that got us in to this mess. McSame indeed.

NO MORE TRICKLE DOWN TAX CUTS!!

The voters have spoken. Obama, if you give in to the Republicans, you will not be re-elected.

I am so disgusted with the republican party!!! I have sent McCain and Kyle letter after letter telling them that the United States of America comes BEFORE the republican party!!! And I have been a republican for over 40 years!!! It sure looks like the republicans want this administration to fail along with ALL the occupants of THE United States of America!!

This isn't really news.

Following the herd....way to be a maverick, John.

McCain wants to cut taxes and I believe that is across the board. Doesn't he have enough money from his rich wife.

The only thing that comes out of the Republicans mouths is " A package that can create jobs", to me that means more money into the hands of these big businesses that will eventually lay the their employees off anyway. Due to most of the money going to the top executives. Just like Wallstreet and the banking institutions. Of course these are the ones that have benefited most of Bush's term in office. Mainly through freedom to mismanage Americans funds.

What about helping to create more small businesses. Like mom and pop shops. Single moms trying to open a business. Though the Republicans will vote against Obama even if it meant bankrupting their own mother.................

Why are we even bothering to ask the rethuglicans what we should do in regards to the economy. We already know what they want to do and we know that their policy ideas don't work.
While I can appreciate Obama's attempt to achieve bipartisan legislation, the repugs are not cooperating. That no vote from house republicans was a slap in the face not only to The President but to the millions of people suffering in this miserable economy.
Government spending will stimulate the economy.
They are not "slow moving" programs as Boehner has suggested. I believe that GOP knows that if this Stimulus package works, it will most certainly be the death of the GOP.

Expected. That's why he lost the election. Pity he cannot get with the program.

tax credits on all 9 of his homes

Republicans still dont get it! They got beat bad on the ideas they are pushing today....It seems that 2010's election will be necessary before they will admit that the country has taken a turn from and left behind the 'trickle down economics' of Ronald Reagan.

He lost, and so did the republicans in the house and senate, so they can take a seat on the bench for 4 years while President Obama and his team fix the problems created by the last 8 years of president Bush politics.

McCain has made it clear that he is a sore loser, like the rest of the GOP. He didn't have a problem supporting Bush's economic package that had absolutely no restraints or rules attached to it.

I am glad that the door for him to be president is closed for good.

Fair enough, John. But at least admit that tax-cuts-for-the-rich was never, ever really about "stimulating the economy."

The only reason McCain lost the election was because he was a republican. America didn't care who they voted for as long as it wasn't a republican! Thanks to George Bush!

What the republicans want is their plan. They have yet to get it. They are not in power anymore so they can't just summarily decide that they want the plan they way they want it. I do believe there are things in the bill that don't need to be there. But at the same time, I believe that we have done the whole "cut taxes" thing and it hasn't worked. It just hasn't worked.

Yeah, like the same way they negotiated the first $750 billion. So far there has been no benefit to the economy with that one because the banks are using it to buy other banks and not for helping home owners.

I think they need to get this thing done as soon as possible or the consecuenses of playing politics will be a disaster for every body and they will regret it later on deeply.

It's just like the GOP to give "tax credits" for home ownership. How about those senior citizens who don't make enough money to pay taxes? My parents are paying an obscene amount of taxes and utility bills in the city where they live. It's very sad that the elderly and the very poor are being pushed out of their homes because of inflation and because the benefits go to only the wealthy. Why don't you just donate one of your homes to an underprivileged family, McFlame? Most of the Senate and Congress are so out of touch with reality – and greedy!

Once upon a time long time ago there used to be a man named john Mcain who suspended his compaine to vote for the stimulus bill. NOW WE HAVE A MAN NAMED JOHN MCAIL WHO WILL NOT VOTE FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA'S STIMULUS BILL. SIMILAR NAMES BUT TWO DIFFERENT PERSONS.HARD FOR MY LITTLE BRAIN TO DECIEDE WHICH JOHN MCAIN WAS RIGHT.

Yawn. McCain has said for at least a month that he would vote against the package in its current form. It would be nice if the Senate could work in a truly bipartisan effort to cut needless spending and optimize the effectiveness of the package, but I'm not holding my breath.

Memo from McCain to Democrats: "We mave have created the enormous financial mess we're in now, but I'll be damed if we're going to let you suceed at cleaning it up".

The Republicans just can't get it.

McCain is such a desperate, unsympathic figure. He, as well as his desperate and unsympathic side kick just can't get out of the way of the camera and they will do anything, and everything, just to pretend they have some revelance in politics today. They do not.

Good ... vote against the welfare in disguise

McCain is still bitter that he lost the presidential election. I mean come on, here is a man who act psychotic during the first phase of the economic stimulis by suspending his campaign. I swear, this man is crazy! Thank God he isn't our president!

One more thing! The Republicans are blasting Obama's stimulus ideas by saying that there is too much spending. Come on! These are the same people who for six years gave Bush a blank check and ran our deficit up to the highest in U.S. history. What a contradiction! Where were they three, six, or eight years ago? It is because of them and their out of touch policies that we are in this mess.

Wow! McCain actually has a backbone....sometimes. Maybe he's finally learning that "reaching across the aisle" to Dems is a waste of time.

Sounds like a sore loser to me. Why is he not getting the message the American people have sent. We want you to be more bipartisan and work together not act childish.

"hungry" for tax cuts. A bit slanted there aren't we CNN? Would you ever write that Obama is "hungry to raise taxes on the wealthy"? I think not. Journalism is dead.

He's pathetic.

It is extremely important for the Dems to get a lot of Repub support on this. The reason is that if it does not work and actually hurts the economy it will have a huge impact in elections in 2, 4, and 6 years forward.
The upside is that if it works well and does what it was intended to do then the Dems could take all the credit.
I seriously doubt that will happen though. People need to be put to work but many of the programs in this bill are not "permanent" jobs unless Congress throws more and more money at the programs in a few years. Then we would be discussing another 1 Trillion dollar stimulus which would only prove the first one didn't work.
Bipartisan support is necessary. THat means negotiations and concessions from both sides.
If neither side is willing to budge then both sides are to blame and we the people should stop thinking that only Repub or Dems can lead this nation and start voting for other candidates.
Maybe that time has already come and gone.

Pelosi trying to cram this pork down our throat. Not this time liberals.

So, McCain will not vote for this stimulus because it doesn't have $15000 tax incentive for home ownership. If i am right, he owns 7 houses and the tax incentive would give him an additional $105,000. Way to go McSame, i can see you put your Country first. Why don't we give all the tax payer's money to the GOP and bend over........

Why do we even care what Mcsame thinks. He needs to retire and play checkers at the home. Enough of the old guys club, its time for newer thinking.

John who???!!!
YOu can leave this in moderation CNN as usual...

Jeff in Ohio:

If 5 people out of 100 had voted Republican,the election would have been won by McCain,that's not beat bad.

Every Rep., is talking about this is a bad plan and not a stimulas bill.
But want did Bush do nothing to try to get back on track. Rep wants
more tax cuts and tell me how taxs cuts is going to create jobs.
This will take time for all of us to get out of this mess. It took 8 years
to put us in this mess and President Obama is trying to turn this
mess to a message and the Rep., wants more tax cuts. Tax cuts
may help some Americans but we need jobs to pay our taxes. and bills. JOBS JOBS JOBS .

What good are payroll taxes cuts, as mentioned in the first paragraph of this article, to someone who DOESN'T HAVE A JOB!

What is funny to me is the Repubicians are calling for more transparency in how the bill is spent. They didn't do such a great job with the TARP funds, why should they even have an opinion.

This guy is such a joke. The same old story from him and all the Republicans. " The rich come first ". Does anyone actually believe that this man is out for " country first " ? if you do, you are in " la la " land.

I'm pretty sure that McCain is just still mad that he did not win and he just wants to make Obama look bad.

America these fools lost the elections!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This coming from the man who mindlessly repeated Bush's "the economy is strong, and getting stronger" mantra as the financial world collapsed. Why don't you go to one of your six homes and retire? That is, if you can remember where any of them are!

Of course he will vote against it. Just like he voted 99% of the time with Bush. That is his behavior. He tries to paint himself as a maverick when in reality he is a maverick in a chameleon suit, he votes as the wind changes if it is in his best interest. I am so glad he is not our president. It would be more tax cuts for the corporations and the wealthy and the rest of the country can go to hell.... Tax cuts are a continuation of the Bush regime. Trickle down didn't work with Reagan and it didn't work with Bush so why continue with something that constantly fails. Oh, I forgot, McCain is one of those wealthy individuals (his wife is) and he will do their (her) bidding. How many houses does he (she) own?

Of Course you would Johnny boy since you are responsible for the NON-REGULATION of the financial banks..... YOU allowed these idiots to run amuck and SPEND, SPEND, SPEND our country into the toilets. You voted against regulation WALL STREET, so it only makes sense that the Republican leadership is GOOD at CREATING a MESS, but doesn't have the first clue in implementing any plans on cleaning up their own poop!!!

WHY wouldn't YOU vote any other way you fumbling old man!!!

his ideas also may not work....
Job creation is the highest priority. Tax cut won't help much.
What's wrong on spending in areas such as Arts, Healthcare, etc.?
Jobs come from many sectors....

I remember last time when Bush was in office, for bailout wall street McCain was first in line, suspended campaign and voted for it. But this time when Obama want to spend money on infrastructre and other for American people this man is against. I dont understand, looks like he makes wrong decision in everthing. from Palin to bailout.

No matter what you do McCain it still won't make you president.....

$15,000 tax credit? My tax liability was $2k this year, and I OWN a home. Who makes so much that a $15k credit WOULDN'T eliminate taxes altogether?

Just shows how bad the stimulus bill has become. Too much wasteful pork.

McCain better not vote yes on this "stimulus". The bill is chock full of pork!

McCain is not the mouthpiece of the Republican Party anymore. He knows now he cannot win reelection but he keeps putting his face out there. He should and is being ignored.

Hang in their Republicans. Don't let the Dems run any more entitlement programs down our throats.

Gosh, I wish he had won.

McCain is a sore loser, who now cannot stand the thought of bi-partisan work. It is amazing that he would "suspend" his campaign back in October, to rush back to Washington in order to get a stimulus package pushed through the senate, which as it turns out mainly went to pay bonuses and help greedy banks. Now that there is a plan put forth to actually create jobs and build the infrastructure of the country and the economy, he wants nothing to do with it. He should step down from his senate position as a matter of integrity. At this point, he is just taking up space on the senate floor and in the media.

If the Republicans think this is the way to win back some credentials, they are sadly mistaken.

So much for changing Washington, and working together.

Such a pathetic state of affairs.

More tax breaks for the wealthy, ehh John ?

You lost with your bankrupt ideas, taxcuts, taxcuts and taxcuts is the only solution for republicans. He won and has a mandate to fix the economy, get with the program, OK.

If he spoke this way during his campaign we may not have this socialist fool in office atm.

He has the right idea. Unfortunately the left wing hacks that hang out on this page will crucify him like they did Sarah Palin's new born grandchild.

Oh yeah?

Too bad for him that he lost overwhelmingly to Obama and that his party is far in the minority.

McCain is an angry old man...

The party of obstruction instead of cooperation.

You mean no news. McCain ran on his economic platform and got beat bad.

Yeah John, this is the reason you lost the election...You are NOT a leader!!!!!

Obama is just hitting his head against the wall trying to get any support from Rush Limbaugh's party members as they don't know anything other than to continue with the same policies that got America to where it is today.

Perhaps what Obama needs to do is start over and allocate monies for each Congressional district for specific programs in them and only carry through with doling out the funds to those areas that accept the monetary package.

It's time to steam roll over the idiots and smash them into obscurity like they deserve.

Repubs are starting to sound like a "One Trick Pony". Tax cuts, tax cuts – that seems to be all they can talk about. Unfortunately tax cuts don't help people that don't have a job. Didn't we already try tax cuts under Bush? Gee, THAT worked out well. At least McCain did put forth a couple of new ideas – incentives for people to stay in their homes, and an end to the stimulus spending – so I guess there is room for compromise.

You tell the morans because somebody needs to tell them.

Borrowing money = creating more debt .
So the leason for 2009IS as follows.
Stimulus = pay back to your democrat buddies

Mcgain will not support obama no matter what he does . he's a very poor looser . Mcgain should retire . he's to old and he will try to cause problems for obama . Mc thinks he's still going to rule . say not . go home MCGAIN AND SIT AND SIP COFFEE

Okay– let just eliminate all taxes. That should provide plenty of jobs. At some point, someone is going to be honest about what we did and did not get with the last 8 years of tax cuts.

The answer is to cut taxes for companies that create jobs here–preferrably manufacturing jobs. All capital gains increases do not directly relate to job creations. The rich countries make things or ship oil.

I'm a bit confused. Are we suppose to be listening to the same Republicans that have gotten us into this disaster? They act like they weren't present during the last eight years.

How about a tax cut for those of us who aren't up to our eyeballs in debt and who rent so we can stay that way? I'm all for tax breaks for people in bad situations but I am a college grad making less than $26,000 a year trying to back to school soon. It would be great if I could save a couple hundred bucks for tuition without eating ramen for dinner every night.

It figures. Thank God that moron is not our President. He would have suspended his activities ....

I agree that there is too much Non-Stimulus junk in the bill yet loading it with more tax cuts are not the answer as tax cuts only help the wealthy. We must simplify the complicated and make any stimulus as simple as possible.

Totally understand some of these Rupublican points. And I voted for Obama. However, wondering, where were these strong stances these past 8 years. Sometimes wondering if this is just for bickering reasons. For the most part, I am more for Obama bill than against. Nothing is perfect.

Of Course you would Johnny boy since you are responsible for the NON-REGULATION of the financial banks..... YOU allowed these idiots to run amuck and SPEND, SPEND, SPEND our country into the toilets.

WHY would you vote any other way you fumbling old man!!!

YES, please stop the largest income transfer in history.

What happened to "wealthy" making 250K+? Why is it back to $100K? Was that also part of the empty campgain promises President Nobama?

What happened to no lobbyists in your administration? Change must mean setting a high standard for others but not holding yourself to the same standard. The mainstream media would've been all over president Bush for any of the above lies but you are their darling... they won the election for you after all.

ooh, he just started working on the issue...i thought he supposed to have a plan when he've been running for the President. He wants to sit down, to discuss, then to sit down and discuss. He is a good guy, but he is the past

Does it really matter what he thinks? Didn't he lose? Didn't the American people vote against his tax cuts?

Like I trust this geriatric's "the fundamentals of the economy are strong" expertise on the economy. He himself confessed he doesn't know a thing about economics. Dubya is gone so who is he pandering to this time? Token Steele?

Lastly, since he can afford 7 houses, seriously, can someone tell him to get those teeth whitened?

McCain = just another obstructionist..

Sore loser! His every word oozes with jealousy!

Yes John, you must look out for your rich buddies. Gotta have those tax cuts. What a jerk.

McCain reaching across the alise, after all he has such a knowledge of the economy. He said the economy is fundamentally strong as the market was going down hill and millions of people losing their jobs and homes.

mccain is way too old to make sensible decisions and needs to retire asap

Senator McCain, I hope you are serious about sitting down and working out a compromise. I agree that targeted tax cuts should be added and some of the pork removed. But, this bill cannot be all about tax cuts and it cannot be all about spending. I think the compromise is drilling down the essentials of the bill to include both.

Not one penny of the money we don't even have should be spent for anything other than immediate job creation. That should be a no-brainer. Pelosi's comment, "We won we wrote the bill," is why one party rule is so dangerous and needs to be corrected in 2010.

wow so much for the bipartisan support !!
I guess it's pay back huh McCain!

I am not sure why President Obama would think that this man is willing to help out

While I do not think that so many other programs should have been tacked onto this bill, I can understand why they were. Many of these programs are not the pork that many on the right claim them to be, but rather legit programs that can help that were not possible in the last eight years.

Having said that, they really should not be on here. I can accept less tax cuts, but this bill really should be about the cuts they are planning and the shoring up on infrastructure as well as the other positive benefits. $75 million on more smoking campaigns can be another bill.

McCain contributed NO ideas to the first stimulus package (despite "suspending his campaign" in order to take charge), now all of a sudden he's the man with the plan? I don't think so. We tried the Republican approach to the economy for 8 long years - and look where it got us. There's a reason you lost the election, John Boy.

John McCain and his Republican colleagues need to get over themselves. They lost the past two national elections, losing control of the House, Senate and Presidency by LARGE margins. The Republicans need to understand that their policies were/are the cause of our foreign and domestic problems, therefor, they were voted out of power. The Republicans should be so lucky as to have ANYONE listen to them. Demanding that the Democrats bow down to their demands is disturbing and ludicrous

Why are the Republicans getting between the American people and some relief from President Obama? http://powerfulbeyondmeasure.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/just-the-tip-just-for-a-minute-just-to-see-how-it-feels/

So what else is new. McCain says he'd vote against the bill backed by President Obama to pump up the economy without debate. Look like McCain have made up his mind along with other Republican. Something in this stimulus package should be change.

why don't the republicans chill until changes are made. quit following rush, and wait and see what changes...

I certainly do hope he does it,... this plan is not going to add absolutely nothing as for answer to the equation.
This thing has to be eliminated, for taking more and more money from the reserves really is going to dry-out everything.

We need better people there in Washington, and honest and decent individuals in the financial sector,.actually,... better leadership at the helm of the nation,...let's hope they come along soon.

sincerely,
Daniel Cabrera
Merrillville, Indiana

Dear John:

You and your party of old worn out ideas that don't work, LOST. Get with the program...times are a changin'.

THATS WHY YOU LOST YOU LOSER!!!!!

right, because we all voted for john mccain last november. if we wanted your input mccain, you wouldnt be a senator right now.

I think the $15,000 credit is a great idea, as long as it includes those individuals that purchased homes in 2008, since we were the ones who kept the economy afloat at all last year. I also think an easier thing would be to allow individuals to right off the loss from a sale of their home on taxes. This would encourage people to drop prices and get the houses that they bought two or three years ago sold and get the market moving in volume again. If anything has been proven this year is that houses will sell and move if the prices drop.

Good job McCain! This over bloated worthless stimulus package needs a major overhaul. Dont forget we are also in debt and most likely will be speaking Chinese in about four years.

Sorry McBush, those policies had eight years to ruin the country. Why don't we try something that isn't directly out of Reagan's butt?

Alright guys, you don't seem to understand something. Seriously, CNN, post this. This is important. When President Bush gave out those stimulus checks to American families last year, did they help the economy? NO. Here's why. People used those checks to pay for things they already bought, as in paying off loans. That does NOT stimulate the economy at all. Give people more stimulus checks and they will do the same. Now, if you do something like give people more money of their paychecks to spend, then they might spend it on items they haven't already bought. Get it? Hopefully. This is why stimulus checks for people at the bottom don't work. A lot of you are commenting saying they work, when they really don't for these reasons.

You want tax cuts John? How about a tax break for companies that hire US citizens. Of course not. The breaks you are talking about are more shifting the wealth to the CEO's and wall street. You know the people who got us in to this mess.

Of course he does! So we shouldn't spend money on infrastructure that is falling apart- I am sure those who had a bridge collapse underneath them, or levys break to flood an entire city would disagree... but they want tax cuts- surprise surprise! Republicans needs to sit back and let the dems drive for a while- because there way of thinking doesnt work- if it did we wouldnt need this stimulus package in the first place!

YES, McLoser, and I really do admire Senator McCain. Quit the grandstanding.

Do you really think people want to hear what the party who drove us into the ground has to say for a solution? Why can't it be Bi-partisan? Why does it have to be political? People are hurting out here.

While you are all at it, would you all vote to stop any Senators, Representatives, etc. that do NOT contribute to Social Security to no loonger have the gall to collect benefits they did not pay into?! How about it?

So voted for Bush's stimulus... but not this time? I must say I do not approve of stimulus packages but to approve of one with out questions and disapprove the next because of a different party in charge sounds dishonest.

Go get your teeth whitened, Mr. McCain. They are nasty.

Amen!

We need a Stimulus Package that is going to work!

Good luck turning this Pig into something that is good for the American Taxpayer!

mccain you and your rich republican buddies HAD 8 years and the only people you helped was yourselves and your ceos and banking friends, not the American people who make up America, it's time for you and all the republicans to get out of the way so our new President can fix our country.

The repubs have wanted tax cuts every day of every year; before the financial collapse, after the financial collapse, it matters not. How could a tax cut help someone that lost their job? How can a tax cut help a company that has to close? How can a tax cut do ANYTHING except help the rich guys and their friends?

Don't you get it he lost the election what else can he do?
He is for tax cut for the big corporations sharing tax payers money in bonuses. The same trickle down prosperity economy that got us in this mess.
He and he's collegues republicans share holders at exxon mobile love big profit money and do not care about the poors.

Finally John is against a bailout. It's about time. Call it a stimulus plan, or whatever you want.

Let the "Do Nothing Congress" begin!

I'm sick-and-tired of this mess. The Republicans need to stop obstructing and begin cooperating on behalf of the American People, who are struggling to keep their heads above economic waters.

soooo, McCain didnt mind signing the 1st bailout package" with NO supervision in it ! all of a sudden, he has disagreements with the currant package ? didnt it give the wealthy enough tax cuts ???
I SMELL A RAT !!!!

Of course he'll vote against it... the fundamentals of the economy are sound remember?

Why of course, a man who owns so many houses he can't remember them all would promise to vote against a bill designed to help. I'm soooo glad he lost the election.

Can someone tell me how would the payroll tax cut help people in states where they already pay less taxes to the state and when time to file income tax they are paying more to the state than what they actually made. Something is wrong with this picture.

And for McCain to throw is weight around now is stupid. He wants to be the big dog in the Repub house again. McCain Thanks but No Thanks.

I wonder who will be the moderator in these negotiations.

Didn't he lose the election because he totally crashed and burned on the economy...and now he is an expert?

Put a sock in it grandpa. If America wanted your plan, we would have voted for you.