Biden promises no earmarks on stimulus

Posted: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:24 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Joe Biden

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
On a day when it was revealed the gross domestic product shrank 0.5% in the third quarter and home sales plunged 8.6%, Vice President-elect Biden promised no earmarks on a potential stimulus package.

"I know it's Christmas, but the package will not become a Christmas Tree," he said, per the pool producer at an event where Biden met with several economic advisers in Washington.

At the table with Biden: Jason Furman, Jeanne Lambrew, Carol Browner, Larry Summers, Melody Barnes, Phil Schiliro and Jared Bernstein.

Biden took two other questions, including one on the economy and one on embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Biden added that the transition's economic team is getting close to an agreement with congressional leaders on the stimulus package, particularly on the scope of the investment, which has been reported to be in the neighborhood of a staggering $850 billion.

Biden was asked if the internal review the Obama transition team is promising to release later today will exonerate the transition team. He said he doesn't think exonerate is the right word, but it will show there was no inappropriate contact with Obama or his staff, per the pool producer.

*** UPDATE *** NBC's Lauren Appelbaum has the exact wording on the "exonerate" question:
Q: Sir, will the Blagojevich report exonerate the transition team?
A: I don't think there's anything to exonerate. There's-- ah --it's been clear that the President-elect has had no contact with Blagojevich and/or anyone on his team that he's asserted, and you'll soon find out in the release today that there has been no inappropriate contact by any member of the Obama staff or the transition team with Blagojevich, and I think the report you'll see will reflect that this afternoon.

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Comments

If the Bush administration made the same remark about the investigation that Biden did, there would be outrage about deception, corruption and dishonesty. Correct?

Jason Larson, FL (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:47 AM)

The VPE can promise no earmarks but it is Congress not the executive branch that adds the earmarks. Perhaps Biden should be talking to Reid and Pelosi to be sure. There must also be accountablility. Don't do like we did with the banks, throw money at the greedy bastards but give it sparingly with interest and make them account for every penny. If they give bonuses that should be deducted from the amount they bankers have or whoever is getting the bail out money. This needs to be treated seriously. It is not their money it is ours and we don't want it wasted. They waste enough already without wasting more. We also need it clear how they are to pay us back.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:51 AM)

Rev Wright NO
Rev Warren YES
Global Warming NO
Obama Smoking YES

College Education Reform to reduce the cost to students and reduce the huge salaries, bonuses and outrageous tuition and book costs YES YES YES

College Tuition has risen at a greater rater than healthcare and it needs to be addressed, tackled and corrected. YES YES YES

Kathy, Charlotte (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:52 AM)

the new administration of obama/biden will handle all business as needed in the right way to get this country back on track. by the way, all earmarks aren't bad. it really depends on what they are for. however, a stimulus this large doesn't need any earmarks. this money will have to be allocated properly. i am sure that the pe will show the spending of it in the same way he worked to make congressional apending transparent.

i never thought anyone in the pe's administration was guilty of wrong doing of any kind. these guys are way to smart to risk hurting their first term in that manner before they even get into office.that is a no brainer. that is why they vet in detail more than any other administration before them.

the media worked overtime to try and make something (a scandal) of it and some not so bright people believed there may have been wrong doing. some people wanted badly for their to be wrong doing because of party affiliation, prejudice or just plain old hate. some just thrive on bad things happening (negativity) no matter who it would have been.

ace (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:55 AM)

I am tired of the media beating the bushes for a story and making up lies. Barack Obama and his team are as straight as humanly possible considering the amount of crap they have to deal with everyday. Being fair works both ways.

I am glad that VP Biden is working with the economics team—that is what he wanted to do, if anyone remembers from earlier comments from him.

Andrea, New York City (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:59 AM)

HaHa yeah right Joe, we all know it's going to be filled with pork.

Dan, Manchester, NH (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:03 PM)

Biden---"I know it's Christmas, but the package will not become a Christmas Tree," he said, per the pool producer at an event where Biden met with several economic advisers in Washington.

Rrrrrriiiiiiight. I think I will believe that when I see it, Joe. Just like the Wall Street bailot?

Doubting Thomas (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:09 PM)

Yakety Yak...there is NO evidence that Obama was selling anything with blago...none..not one shred...

Chcuk Todd and Pat Buchanan DO NOT have a right to know about every contact between a senator and a governor of the same state...

This is the same lame tripe that has kept this nation mired in ignorance and debt for 8 years...sheesh grow up will you guys

Rick, NC (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:23 PM)

If the Bush administration made the same remark about the investigation that Biden did, there would be outrage about deception, corruption and dishonesty. Correct?
Jason Larson, FL (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:47 AM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YES! Because they have been caught in soooo many lies in the past several years!!!

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:24 PM)

As soon as the Obama team releases the report maybe then we can discuss what the Obama conection may or may not be. Untill we have the report what are you all talking about, everyday this is hashed over and over. This afternoon cant come soon enough to me, I dont see anyone on the Obama team looking guilty or acting guilty of anything, This is just tabloid reporting.
marty

marty,columbia,s.c. (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:29 PM)

"Biden promises" - words that don't go together.

Listen, the entire so called "Stimulus Package" is nothing but a giant earmark. It's the government spending money it does not have. It was reckless and dangerous when Bush did it. It will be reckless and dangerous when Obama does it.

James T.H., MD (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:39 PM)

NO NO more bailouts. Accountablity, what you ask,tax the executives at 90 percent on there bonus and perks. The companies, at 75 percent. That would sure as hell stop these bonus and perks in a big hurry.

BET , Commcerce city, Co (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:44 PM)

If the Bush administration made the same remark about the investigation that Biden did, there would
Jason Larson, FL (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:47 AM) If the Bush administration made the same remark about the investigation that Biden did, there would be outrage about deception, corruption and dishonesty. Correct?

Perhaps Jason. And that is because Bush and his administration had established a pattern of deception and cooruption over the years so that in time no matter what they did or said no one believed a word of it. In Obama and Biden's case no pattern of such deception or corruption has been established or proven yet. So we give them the benefit of the doubt as most did Bush when he first came to office. But if a pattern develops for Obama and Biden as it did for Bush and Cheney then at some point you are correct, no one will believe them. The problem with your comparsion and complaint is that Obama and Biden have not reached that level yet. And may never reach it. So for the time being, lighten up.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:48 PM)

If you like 1.50 a galloon gas, then thank a democrat. it's no coincidence that dems sweep into power and big oil realizes the hay ride is over and investigations begin. now if the obama team would just figure out that thetax payers are the ones who really need the bailout and send every head of household between 20,000- 175,000 a stimulus check for 57,543 we could get this country moving again.

the bank bailout was to bush,paulson and their buddies.
12 billion a month for 72 months- do the math
the iraq war has cost over 1 trillion dollars with no end in sight. we are paying them just to keep them from killing each other. And we can't afford to bailout the middle class? A lot of us are past the point of breaking thanks to the bush admin.

leon houston (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:50 PM)

With all due respect, I think an independant verification is required of this. What we really need is a special prosecutor to look into this problem.

Ron Eastern, TN (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:54 PM)

Dan, Manchester, NH (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:03 PM) - HaHa yeah right Joe, we all know it's going to be filled with pork.

Of course it will Dan. That is what a 850 billion stimulus plan is, pork. Pork that will be spent by States and Cities to improve highways, bridges, dams and other infrastructure projects, and to provide jobs for people. This is called pork when the same funding is requested or added to Bills by Senators or Congresspersons representing those States and Cities during normal times. It's pork.

What you don't understand is that it will take pork projects to provide employment for people and to provide a boost to the country's economy. So of course it is pork. But in this case good pork.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:56 PM)

I tell the what, the scumbag that asked that trick question - should be fired!! I am so f'ing tired of these so called journalists trying to play with words as if they are smarter than the average "Joe".

This is freakin non-sense - I wonder if that person knows what "exonerate" even means.

I tell you what I am so pissed off about that BS question I am going to found out who asked it and make sure I and others, never listen to that asshole again.

I am almost, willing to bet it was someone from FOX.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:59 PM)

ACE and Andrea are you kidding? Whats different about this team than any other? I dont see any unfamiliar faces like i thought we would see. Be realistic please

Darrin OKC, Ok (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 1:03 PM)

It's SO NICE to feel like there is actually someone --make that two someones, and two COMPETENT someones -- in charge for a change. I don't even care if there's pork, if it gets the job done.

Wouldn't THAT be new and different?

To all my old News Hole friends, C A, Pat, nuanced, and you, too, Mollyanna, happy holidays. May your days be merry and bright -- always.

Anna Molly (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 1:07 PM)

One man can't forever change a corrupt institution but one people can. As the most informed people on Earth we have the political power to stop this insanity of greed and arrogance. We already showed what unity can accomplish this last election. We wouldn't allow a crook and liar stay in our home so why are we letting them stay in Congress and Wall Street? Let's help President-Elect Obama and his team take out the trash, it's starting to stink up our house.

Joe Sepeda,Early,Texas (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 1:07 PM)

HaHa yeah right Joe, we all know it's going to be filled with pork.
Dan, Manchester, NH (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:03 PM)

No it won't, the Republicans aren't in charge anymore.

Shawn in St Louis (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 1:08 PM)

once a again i feel that in order to make some of these deals there will be pork but will be called something else. Once again the american worker will get screwed while those who paid big donation to politicians. Will we wide up with another halabertian or will that be called something else...Im afraid that what may sound good will wind up being give to politicians loyalist and cost the taxpayer millions with no accountability.....oh well what the hell i think thats where we are while washington keeps beatting ous down........

Russell Wells, Me (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 1:08 PM)

"If the Bush administration made the same remark about the investigation that Biden did, there would be outrage about deception, corruption and dishonesty. Correct? "

Answer = No. Why? Because there is no evidence of any wrong doing whatsoever. How do I know this? Because that is what Fitzgerald said! Perhaps you remember he is the same person that successfully prosecuted Scooter Libby. The fact that the Obama team is voluntarily disclosing information about what they have or have not done is far beyond anything that the Bush Administration has done in response to any of the many scandals the Bush Administration has been accused of taking part in. In fact, Bush fights tooth and nail to this day to keep people in the dark about the many scandals that his administration has been accused of being mixed up in. You can’t compare apples to oranges, so please stop trying. The very obvious difference in this case is disclosure.

All I can do when I see comments like this one is sigh. Obama won, so get over it, move on with your life, and give the man a chance. While I admit I don’t know if Jason fits into this group the fact remains that so many people are so horrified of Obama being president, and so many of them once voted for Bush who has, by the standards of a large majority of Americans, done a terrible job. Democracy worked, so how bout you give it a chance, and see what happens?

Tyler, Columbus, GA (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 1:09 PM)

Biden is insane. The man is too far gone. Out there is the solar system hanging out with aliens. He's the ultimate whack job. And then there's Barney "they won't put ME in jail" Frank, another twisted individual who needs a rubber room. Damn, I can go on and on.

Sexy Sadie (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 1:11 PM)

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