Posted on 02/05/2009 4:00:50 PM PST by Baladas
President Obama is heading to Virginia Thursday night for a retreat with House Democrats, as Senate leaders on Capitol Hill continue to wrestle with the president's contentious economic stimulus package.
But whether they'll be any closer to an agreement on the more than $900 billion bill by the time he gets back is anyone's guess.
A couple of senior Democratic aides told FOX News late Thursday final passage of the current bill is very likely Friday despite the efforts of a group of 18 senators who have been negotiating a compromise package to get more senators on board.
The group claimed earlier in the day to have stripped out close to $100 billion. But asked whether the group can get a compromise, one negotiator, Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, replied late in the day: "Not likely."
Disagreements over the bill have created a power struggle in the Senate, leaving Senate leadership -- as well as the White House -- straining to assert authority.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters Thursday he believes he has the 60 votes to pass the existing bill being debated, and made clear that the bipartisan group does not speak for the leadership or the president.
"They cannot hold the president of the United States hostage," he said. "And if they think they can rewrite this bill ... they've got another thing coming."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
The Socialists are in control, and they cannot be stopped.
I can’t stand Harry Reid.
And Obama is really starting to annoy me with his lecturing and scare tactics.
Obama flew AF1 from DC to Newport News. A lot of money for a short trip.
WOW our President can’t even handle the pressure of a stimulus bill that he has to go away on a “retreat” God forbid if we ever had a terrorist attack, where is Obama gonna hide then
Where’s the leadership from 0bama.
When the going gets tough, Barry chills with grade school children, or gets out of town.
Is that what you learn as a community organizer?
Get other people to actually do the work
Take the credit for it.
Retreat, he is retreating along with the House Democrats!
It has been less than a few short 3 weeks and he is in retreat!
” WOW our President cant even handle the pressure of a stimulus bill that he has to go away on a retreat God forbid if we ever had a terrorist attack, where is Obama gonna hide then “
I expected the guy to decompensate eventually, but, I am amazed that it’s happened this fast.
This week the terms “ escaped, fled, bolted, and suddenly departed “
were used to describe his bizarre decision to run to an elementary school
while he had scheduled appointments waiting in the White House.
I foresee a time where he completely melts down and does absolutely nothing.... except shoot hoops all day.
Although I think his schedule is pretty close to that now.
This is looking like the Clinton administration. Retreats again.
Why do they bother.
What in the world is he doing going to Newport News to meet with Congresscritters? Why do they need a retreat? How about they work on cutting spending and quit spending taxpayer monies outside of DC!
Can we start a “send your shoes to DC” campaign?
That’s a pretty sweet ride on his corporate jet. I wonder if his chef went too.
Obie is going to the ‘Country’ for a while. So his bosses can shove some brains up his a$$.
Typical Leftwingtard ~ they're all sociopathic.
They’ll have to get his head out of the way before they can shove anything up his @$$.
A RETREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????????????
You all remember the old adage, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Well, it appears the White House is heating up a bit too much for Barry baby.
First he leaves the Oval office, when he’s not getting his way with his porkulous bill, to go read to school children, and now he’s off to a retreat in some exclusive spa/club/resort in Virginia.
Isn’t this the same man who has capped executive salaries to $500,000, because he’s against excesses?
Come on, Barry, do us all a favor, admit you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, and simply get out of the kitchen.
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