Obama Encouraged Moderates to Fight Pelosi on Stimulus Plan

The Patriot Room ^ | 2-4-09 | Scott Martin

[Scott Martin]

Democrat Rep. Jim Cooper, a House moderate who voted against their version of the stimulus bill, was asked whether he was concerned about going against President Obama. His answer almost certainly surprised House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"Well, I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I actually got some quiet encouragement from the Obama folks for what I'm doing," said Cooper, one of only 11 Democrats to vote against the economic stimulus plan that passed the House last week.

"They know it's a messy bill and they wanted a clean bill," he said. "Now, I got in terrible trouble with our leadership because they don't care what's in the bill, they just want it to pass and they want it to be unanimous."

Cooper, whose startling admission came on Liberadio, was one of about 55 House Democrats to sign a letter criticizing Pelosi for suspending debate and committee rules on the fiscal package.

Cooper says that Pelosi and her ilk in Congress aren't exactly thrilled by the concept of bi-partisan action.

"They don't mind the partisan fighting...

[RexBeach]

Interesting. Ratting out the Speaker and The White House at the same time.

Boy, this is going to be very, very interesting.

[theDentist]

"Well, I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I actually got some quiet encouragement from the Obama folks for what I'm doing," said Cooper...

"They've also been encouraging me to flatten some of the tires on her 767... but them military types, they kept a wary eye on me. Then I tried getting her some tea, with a special tea-bag from Obama's people, but I spilled it on the floor... They called a while ago and said they have another idea, but wouldn't tell me over the phone."

:-) Just kidding folks.... he never said anything of the sort that I know of.

[Lorianne]

Pelosi is playing Obama for a chump.
Methinks she is playing with fire this time.

[Scott Martin]

Obama may be the first person with the public clout and influence necessary to get Pelosi removed from her Speakership with little negative consequences. You are right, she better be careful.

[Fox_Mulder77]

"If members actually had to read the bills and figure out whether they are any good or not. We're just told how to vote. We're treated like mushrooms most of the time."

Is the NRCC emailing this to every candidate running in 2010 against a Dem? I doubt it.

[BOBTHENAILER]

If this is true, and President Obama is talking up the stimulus bill while simultaneously working against the most radical elements of Congress, I'm impressed. Obama would be showing the necessary leadership to get things done (albeit things that shouldn't be done) while leaving the most dangerous thoughts of his fellow Democrats behind. This is a leadership style that could prove effective.

I don't believe this for a second. It is more likely they agreed to publicly air differences, in order to be seen as over-all pragmatic. These lying thieving P'sOS think the general public is the epitome of P.T. Barnum's comment on people born every day. Sadly, they are mostly right.

[fishergirl]

LOL!! Now that’s funny!

[colorado tanker]

The markers are already being put down as to which Democrat is gonna run this government the next two years.

[mrsmel]

Boy, this is going to be very, very interesting.

Yes indeed.

[ClearCase_guy]

When I think of Pelosi and Obama I think of two fools going up against each other. Both in over their head. Both convinced that they got the power and no one can stop them. Both trying to ride roughshod over the other, and confused when things don't go as planned.

This cannot turn out well for the country. Four years of this? Four??

[hripka]

Never Re-Elect Anyone

US Term Limits

[April Lexington]

Obama may be the first person with the public clout and influence necessary to get Pelosi removed from her Speakership with little negative consequences. You are right, she better be careful.

Hmmm.... maybe she'd like the join the "show us your birth certificate" club?

[RexBeach]

“Hello. I’m Barack Obama, the smartest person in the room. Don’t believe me? Ask Tom Daschle.

I’ve got to go now. Michelle and I are going to read to a bunch of DC public school students. Yeah, it’s near The White House, but it’s not good enough for our children.”

[chilepup]

Cooper came on today and he back tracked on those comments. Go figure.

[April Lexington]

When I think of Pelosi and Obama I think of two fools going up against each other. Both in over their head. Both convinced that they got the power and no one can stop them. Both trying to ride roughshod over the other, and confused when things don't go as planned. This cannot turn out well for the country. Four years of this? Four??

It is far, far too easy for the village idiot to get elected in this country. We need to revisit the candidate selection process (and citizenship verification!).

[Eva]

Obama does not want to remove Pelosi, she is just a convenient receptacle of the blame that Obama was getting for the Porculous Bill and the “buy American” edict.

Remember Obama’s promise to rewrite NAFTA and how he sent his adviser, Goolsby, to call the Canadians and lie to them about Obama not really meaning what he was saying, that it was all campaign rhetoric? Well, this is the same thing. Two heads on the same coin.

[mojitojoe]

Pelosi is playing Obama for a chump.
Methinks she is playing with fire this time.

Me thinks he is a chump and she will play him royally

[WOSG]

“Pelosi is playing Obama for a chump.”

Or the other way round. Obama trying to get it so Pelosi is pegged with all the bad stuff in the bill.

This is awesome to see the wheels come off the Democrat-majority machine so quick.

Cooper is now persona non grata in the Pelosi office.

[Lorianne]

Could be. Hope not.

Unfortunately, we find ourselves in the position of Obama being our only hope against Pelosi and her gang, since Congressional Republicans are utter pansies.