I hate this game

Obama urges Democrats to dump family planning from stimulus package

President Barack Obama is urging congressional Democrats to drop a proposal to spend money on family planning from the proposed $825 billion package to stimulate the economy, a symbolic gesture that could help him make inroads into Republican ranks.

Obama stood fast with Democrats on Tuesday on the vast majority of their proposal as it heads to the House of Representatives for a vote Wednesday. However, he signaled that the House vote is just the first step of what will be a weeks-long negotiation and that he's open to more concessions.

With the move to drop the controversial family-planning money from the stimulus package - as well as cordial lunch meetings at the Capitol with Republicans - Obama started selling himself to the opposition party as a good cop to the bad cop of congressional Democratic leaders such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"The key right now is to make sure that we keep politics to a minimum," Obama said as he traveled between his Capitol meetings. "There are some legitimate philosophical differences with parts of my plan that the Republicans have, and I respect that. ... I don't expect 100 percent agreement from my Republican colleagues, but I do hope that we can all put politics aside and do the American people's business right now."

Republicans were pleased with the outreach from the Democratic president, comparing it favorably with what they say is the cold shoulder they've received from Democrats who are running Congress.

"We are grateful," said Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind. "House Democrats have completely ignored President Obama's call for bipartisan compromise."

House Democrats plan to pass their $825 billion proposal as early as Wednesday, perhaps without making any concessions to Republicans. Changes still could be made in the Senate, however, and in negotiations between the House and Senate, a point Obama pressed.

Source: The Fresno Bee, 27 January 2009