McCain asks supporters to oppose stimulus bill
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/02/03/art.getty.mccain.head.jpg caption="The former Republican presidential nominee tapped into his campaign lists Tuesday, asking supporters to sign a petition in protest of the economic stimulus package."](CNN) –- Sen. John McCain enlists the help of online supporters through his political action committee, Country First. The former Republican presidential nominee tapped into his campaign lists Tuesday, asking supporters to sign a petition in protest of the economic stimulus package.
“I cannot and do not support the package on the table from the Democrats and the Obama Administration. Our country does not need just another spending bill, particularly not one that will load future generations with the burden of massive debt. We need a short term stimulus bill that will directly help people, create jobs, and provide a jolt to our economy,” McCain says in the e-mail. “I hope you will join me in saying no to this stimulus package as it currently exists by signing this petition.”
The Arizona senator’s request follows a similar message sent by President Obama to his online followers Monday. The president called on supporters to host gatherings or house parties to help push for the stimulus package.
McCain and nine other Senate Republicans met in Sen. Mel Martinez’s office Tuesday to discuss an alternative to the Democratic plan. The former Republican presidential candidate said the group is trying to improve the stimulus package to enable job growth.
Tom in Delaware February 3rd, 2009 1:46 pm ET
I've already signed it and forwarded on to hundreds by now.
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Stop pretending you have friends, TiD. We all know all you do is lurk around CNN forums all day waiting to attack the President.
John the P.O.W.; Is the Pot calling ther Kettle Black ?
Right, oppose this bill and have a stimulous bill of tax cuts for the rich-thats what McCain wants. Those 8 houses are getting expensive.
McCain uses email? Wow.
So, John McCain, just what do you stand for other than prolonging the misery of the American people. As somebody who admitted that they didn't understand economics I find it odd that you are now claiming expertise. Especially when 150,000 Americans are added to the unemployment rolls each and every week.
I would like to see the Republicans come up with an alternate plan. Until they do that, this petition seems pointless.
Wow. McCain has guts. I didnt know that. Why didnt you vote against the first one?
I love how people who oppose the bill call it full of pork, but can hardly state examples.
I find it funny that so many people on this blog are telling McCain to either go away or get over the fact that he lost the election. These people are not smart enough to understand he still has a job as a U.S. Senator. The bill is perceived (by every single Republican) to include a lot of wastefull spending. Is it any surprise that McCain would oppose this plan? Again, the majority of the people on this blog prove once again that they do not understand how the system works.
GOP OR DEM SOMEBODY TO SOMETHING HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES ARE BEING MISPLACE BECAUSE OF THIS MESS. WE NEED TO STOP BLAMING EACH OTHER AND WORK TOGEATHER. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S JUST HURTING THE REPUBLICANS OR THE DEMOCRATS EVERRRRYONE!!!! FEELS THE PAIN.YOUNG,OLD BLACK,WHITE.ECT....STOP FIGHTING AND START DOING.
I thought McCain said during the presidential race that he didn't know how to work email.
I agree with many past comments, he lost the election so he needs to realize it's up to President Obama now. I agree totally that I do want to have to pay for this stimulus package when I am much older, however, our economy is driving down a huge mountain at 80mph, and we are fast approaching a brick wall. The republicans have good ideas, but are really farting around! We need to act now. No offense, but don't keep your head where it shouldn't and focus on a petition that will SUPPORT something, not protest!
Joe Unger, San Francisco – Regarding your comment spend spend, and spend. We tried tax cuts tax cuts,and tax cuts which didn't work.
You libs complained about GW for 8 years, now its our turn....this bill is loaded with 20 years of liberal spending programs, it will not stimulate the economy, but it will destroy it.
DEMS go sit in your corner and let the republicans fix the economy.
@ An American
Nice try. The "hi, I'm a democrat who's saying precisely the opposite of the aprty" joke died when PUMA was exposed as Rush LImbaugh's harem.
To Republicans in General. If you do not have a plan or solution to this spending plan please be quiet..
I do not like it very much either but I have no better solution so I am supporting this spending plan until somone comes with a better plan. We are in the place you put us in, so credibility you have very little.
Put up or Shut up.
I'm sure the bill will look different by the time it gets to the President's desk. I am curious to see how much political clout McCain retained from his campaign. The Republican party does not seem to be behind him right now. It's Sarah's party now.
Is this supposed to worry anyone?
BTW I READ THE WASTE LIST AND MAYBE THE REPUBLICANS NEED AN ECONOMICS LESSON...ALL THOSE PURCHASES EQUAL JOBS AND ECOMONIC STIMULUS!!!! WHEN THE PEOPLE CANNOT OR WILL NOT BUY THEN THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO DO IT....WHO ELSE IS GOING TO DO IT? DO THEY THINK THAT THE RICH 5% OF THE POPULATION CAN SPEND FOR THE REST OF US TO KEEP ALL THESE VAUNTED SMALL AND LARGE BUSINESSES AFLOAT????
NO JOBS = NO SPENDING = NO JOBS
SIMPLE AS THAT.
"Country First" - what joke! If he REALLY cared about his country he would be working for bipartisan support of a plan. He is such a hypocrite. He sure didn't mind spending, spending and more spending when it was for the worthless Iraq war.
Is McCain that bitter that he has to try and drum up negative support for our President of 2 weeks! As I recall in October he suspended his campaign and ran to Washington DC to support President Bush's stimulus bailout full of pork! What a hypocrite!
Hey JH (1:46) – and I guess wasting an equal amount in Iraq, not to mention all the lives lost is ok? You need to think about what got us into this mess. Reagan who everyone adored spent us into a deficit, which Clinton dug us out of. Now Bush2 spends us into an even bigger mess – a costly unecessary war (afganistan was where the problem was), a deadly recession (8% unemployment and growing) and no respect in the world. You better get ready because the recession is going to hit here in Texas soon.
to GH – maybe we should audit the sitting Senate and see how many Republicans have tax problem. Bet the ration would be higher on the Republican side.
McCain and his buddies need to follow the example of Susan Collins and get to work with an alternative. In case they have not heard, the Senate could pass the measure today, as written. I do not see any bi-partisan efforts on McCain's part. More lip service. Trickle down got us into this mess and they want more trickle down. Maybe anyone making less than $100,000 should not pay taxes for 2008 and 2009 and we would see a lot more trickle down than if a million taxpayers making over $1,000,000 paid not taxes!
mccain is remaining true to form, no principles, no smarts, a parrot, a sheep merely following the herd of other rethugs and their stupid leaders, limbaugh and palin and boner and cantor, they are all pretty disgusting! mccain proved during his disastrous campaign that he puts himself and his politics first above this country, that he is totally clueless about any struggles the people of this country have. after all he's married to money and doesn't even know how many houses or cars he owns! he is bad news, no character at all unless you count bad character. hopefully he'll be voted out of office in 2010. he's no maverick, he's a follower not a leader!
John McCain...you lost. Get over it!!!! Get a L.I.F.E!!!!!!!!!
McCain is going to be embarrassed on this as he was when he suspended his campaign due to the financial crisis...
SEN MCINSANE. IF YOU HAD ONLY CARED FOR THE PEOPLE WHEN BUSH WAS IN OFFICE WE WOULD NOT BE IN THIS HOLE., BUT NOW THAT YOU LOST BIG TIME, YOU TRYING TO GET EVEN. YOU DO NOT WANT THE STIMULIS BILL, BUT YOU STILL CANNOT PRODUCE A BETTER STIMULUS. HOW IRONIC.