HRC urges stimulus with Bush

Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 3:26 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Ken Strickland
In stressing the need for an additional economic stimulus package, Sen. Hillary Clinton took her request directly to President Bush today in New York.

"I met with the president briefly today," Clinton said on a conference call with reporters, referring to a Veterans Day event on the Intrepid Air, Sea & Space Museum. "I asked him to work with Congressional leadership so we could get a stimulus package and gave him a letter both making this request and outlining what I thought we should be doing.”

In the letter, she proposes a stimulus package which includes previous proposals from Democrats including money for roads projects, increases in unemployment insurance and more food assistance. Clinton asked Bush to work with Congressional leaders to pass a bill next week when members return for a lame-duck session. (It's unclear if any package will pass at this point.)

On the conference call, she also supported more financial help for the auto industry but insisted that the aid "not be unconditional money," hinting at possible changes that could effect labor unions. Clinton said the industry "should be willing to take a hard look at salaried and hourly employees, so that we know that we're getting the maximum return, maybe with changes in work rules."

On other political issues, there was this...

On Joe Lieberman’s future: "We're [Senate Democrats] going to be addressing that next week. And I'll have more to say about it once we're back in session and have had a chance to consult and consider the options."

Has Obama asked HRC to ‘spearhead’ any issues in the next Congress?
"We've had an ongoing discussion going back many weeks now about our mutual commitment to the kind of changes we both campaigned on. And I have made it very clear that I am more than ready and willing to assist as a partner in the Senate to get the work done."

Will Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff be good for New York’s interest?
After addressing the question with a broad answer that Obama understands the needs of big cities, the reporter asked again about Emanuel.

"Do you think that Rahm's going to be accessible to New Yorkers," a New York reporter asked.

"Rahm Emanuel?" Clinton asked with a smile in her voice. "He's going to be accessible to me."

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Comments

"President-elect Obama, who said in his campaign that lobbyists would not run HIS White House, signaled Tuesday that lobbyists could serve in his transition."

Didn't someone say Obama was a waffler?

Sandy, Toledo, OH (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:20 PM)

Smart move by Democrats. If the auto industry does go belly up between now and inauguration day without help from Bush, he gets the blame. If it gets better with his help, Democrats get the credit because we pushed for it. I hope Obama doesn't bargain with him over the Colombia deal. I personally don't know if it's a good thing or not (although having lived through 8 years of Bush policies, I have my doubts) but it's something that can wait until after the Democrats are in office without damaging our economy. Hillary seems energized and I believe that she will be a real asset to Obama's administration in her present capacity or perhaps as Senate majority leader. (?)

Ted, Oregon (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:21 PM)

My question is why Obama has not appointed Hillary to a cabinet position, like Health and Human Services, etc.? He owes her big time for campaigning for him in Florida, etc. even though he won the nomination only by a handful of delegates.

And by the way, Obama needs to appoint more women! so far the candidates for cabinet positions seem to be more white men and very few women or people of color. Where's the "diversity" that he promised?

Pauline, Champaign, IL (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:22 PM)

H - Go back to NY and stay there, please! Aren't you now a Senator or something?
O - Just nod your head and smile when she speaks. It worked for Bill.
G - Continue to do nothing. It has worked well for over 7 years - why change now?
Taxpayers - get ready for the largest run up in federal spending in US history, making the Rs look like beginners. Your pensions, 401(k)s, and real estate will all be gone soon. Only thing left will be the national DEBT. Enjoy the "change"!

Mark in IN (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:22 PM)

CNN had a pole they took asking to compare Bush's popularity for what he's done compared to Obamas since be coming President Elect. The pole said Obama had a favorable rating of 79%. My question is WHAT HAS HE DONE SINCE LAST TUESDAy? answer NOTHING

Butch McGee (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:23 PM)

It's pretty intesting to see how the Dow Jones has been so stimulated by the news of Barack Obama being the new president-elect. That's just a sign of how he'll be able to turn this country around.

Dan The Man Aurora IL (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:30 PM)

The democrats are hanging Presidents Bush's carcass out to dry (politically speaking) for the American public to see. The arrogance of this administration in handling everything from the Iraq war, Valerie Plame, and now the bailout aka Christmas in September is unprecedented. I am ashamed of the blatant disregard for human life that our government has shown over the last 8 years and its time for republican voters, you know the personal responsiblity crowd, to step forward and take the blame with the "decider". Remember the uproar over Clinton lying about getting a bj in the oval office. We stopped the business of the country to try and impeach him. Not one peep from republicans as the current administration abused millions of lives with the war, violated national security protocol for personal gain, while Bush and Cheney---Tweedle de and Tweedly dumb---watched America's financial future and global reputation burn to the ground. I want a republican to respond to this comment and TAKE SOME RESPONSIBLITY........just like you expect the poor and foreigners to do.......hypocrites!!!!

Wayne Howard, Erie Pennsylvania (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:33 PM)

Read all comments, thought ROCK is totally confused. Bush as all republicans do is to forget about domestic issues; Obama only got 52% of the vote that means the divide is still there; the middle states don't like the mores or the values of the East and West Coasts. Family values are alive and active in the RED States. Clinton cronies are again in the White House and America has its 2nd Black President. Obama is just more tanned--white mom, raised by white people, nver lived in the projects and people call him Black!!!!

Robert, Amarillo, Texas (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:35 PM)

Why do the democrats want Bush to do something in the eleventh hour of his term? If they had such great ideas why don't they want to wait until Obama takes over? That way they can get the credit. Are they afraid their ideas won't work and are looking to be able to blame Bush for their incompetence Dufus when your house is on fire wait until the fireman of your choice show up! It is not going to be hard to keep you people in the political wilderness.

Bruce Ladd Illinois (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:40 PM)

The democrats have been in control of the House and the Senate for the past two years. There was no need to get anything done when there was a Republican President who would take the fall for their inability to govern. Hopefully the next 2 years will be better

Jeremy, Provo, Utah (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:43 PM)

...yes but Rahm worked in the Clinton WH, so Hillary already has a working relationship with him. As Obama's CoS, Rahm's role will be very different than it was in the 90's, but they still have a "past."

NOTE TO Complain early, and complain often -- Don't blame Obama for the current state of our economy. The blame starts with Reagan and his "trickle down" economy crap. The only thing that trickled down was s**t, and it'll take a miracle to get us out of this... or at the very least, it'll take Dems & Repubs working together for a change. What a novel concept!

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:45 PM)

What is old Hill up to???

Last time I looked, she was not the President-Elect.

It is almost like she is trying to establish a power center to house her massive ego.

Obama is smart to want to work with her, but she is still a Washington insider - she will want to take obvious credit for anything that happens...

Hmmm....dodgy.

Bel (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:47 PM)

I worked with Rahm in the Clinton WH. He will handle Obama very easily. He's got big balls and will ride over Obama. No question about that.

Jaye, VA (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:52 PM)

Get over it Amber - Americans made the right choice. If you read any of Newsweek's recent inside coverage of HRC's campaign and its lack of leadership and management you would sleep easier knowing she is not going to be in charge of anythng!

Jim, AZ (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:54 PM)

HRC, you will alway's be,"First Lady" of this Century....it does not matter if they are white, black, brown, grizzly, or gray, you are, and will be loved by all. With that said, you have made President "Bush", to jump on his bike, with the seat off, to urge another "stimulus", that he probably does not get or understand. Perhap's, if you act like a "third-grade" student, and talk his "language", drill baby drill, or tell him you can see "Russia" from your house, he may put you in charge of, "no child left behind".......
Obama has fixed the holes on the bottom of the boat, to make it sail for a couple of more month's. Perhap's it may be wise, that the country "All" buy the President, "Soap on a rope" for Xmas......you know, maybe even a strip suit, with "unconditional love.......

Robert Colorado (Sent Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:54 PM)

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