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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Biden and Cantor spar over stimulus

Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:40 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: , ,

From NBC's James Rankin and Alex Beinstein
Later today, Vice President Biden will be promoting the economic stimulus in House Minority Whip Eric Cantor's congressional district in Richmond, VA.
 
Per the Washington Post, he's expected to take direct aim at the stimulus' critics. "I ask those critics... Would they not help the states prevent lay off thousands of teachers, firefighters, cops? Would they not give a tax cut to 95% of the American people? Would they sit back and do nothing as our economy collapsed?"  

Video: Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter discusses President Barack Obama’s response to Republicans who continually criticize his stimulus plan.

But in a conference call with reporters earlier this afternoon, Cantor sounded off on Biden’s visit to his congressional district, painting a very different picture of the stimulus package.
 
“Spending money does not necessarily equal success for the stimulus program. It is common sense to measure success for the stimulus bill on the immediate impact it has on the economy, not in how many Web site they’ve created or signs erected claiming credit,” he said.
 
Cantor did offer support for some projects within the Recovery Act, including a planned high-speed rail corridor that would pass through his district on its way to Washington. But he insisted that worthy projects could stand on their own.
 
Cantor is the second high-profile Republican in as many weeks to enjoy a visit from the vice president. Last week, Biden visited Cincinnati, right next door to House Minority Leader John Boehner’s district.

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Comments

Cantor has a problem with the stimulus until it comes down to his district receiving funds.  That of course is just fine.
You missed the most important part of the Biden quote, the one where he disputed that things weren't getting better.  "You should see what I see, companies re-hiring, . . ."  

My question is, what part of Mars has clueless Joe been inhabiting?
Oh, and Jersey Girl-you posted earlier that the Obama Corzine rally venue change was due to increased crowds.  Typical Democrat math.  Rutgers stadium, which is where the rally was originally scheduled to take place, holds 41,500, and can hold several thousand more with the addition of temporary bleachers.  PNC Arts Center holds 17,500-period.  To make matters worse, it was announced this morning that 'only those with tickets would be admitted'.  Still, a crowd of about 200 waited to see if they could get in.  They did.  The overflow never materialized, so no one had to sit on the lawn.

Looks like even Obama can't draw a crowd for Corzine.
An excellent plan, send Biden out to high-ranking Repub districts. I can't believe Cantor and Boehner have support, they just don't have a clue. They bitch, moan and groan but can't put together anything useful. Gee, do you think they just like being on TV?
Biden: "It's working". Really Joe? So where are the jobs?
I'm sure when the stimulous works Cantor will be out there taking all the credit for it.
By what defintion is Biden convinced the stimulus is working? A lot of former taxpaying Americans would differ with Joe's opinin.
What companies are rehiring Joe? Maybe you see things other poeple don't. People with a psychosis tend to have that happen to them.
Didn't McCain take a beating for saying during the beginning of the economic woes that "the fundamentals of the economy are strong".  Isn't that what some Dems are now doing.....using overly-positive spins on what's going on despite what the numbers show?  Shouldn't they be held to that like McCain was?  And don't forget the earmarks that got thru during "the worst economic crisis since the depression" (Obama's words).  Also, don't forget the bailout money that went to AIG who then paid out bonuses under Obaman's and Dodd's "watchful" eyes.  And now Goldman Sachs (another big bailout recipient) has just paid out another $11 million in bonuses.  First Read, why haven't you covered that story?
Way to go Joe!  

Take it right to their own backyards... it's not like the GEEnoPEE isn't used to playing defense these days!

I LOVE the fact the Prez & Vice Prez are taking it to the streets!

The Republicants sure can RUN but they can't HIDE!
Maybe Cantor would care to repeat his lies to our president's face.

http://www.political-buzz.com
Joe Biden: Would they not help the states prevent lay off thousands of teachers, firefighters, cops?

The truth finally comes out. The stimulus money wasn't for the private sector jobs, it was for the state governments. People were wondering why private sectors jobs were not be produced? Now we know. And the truth bears out in the unemployment numbers. Private corporations and small businesses are cutting staff while government is actually growing at both the state and federal levels.

So well all the private firms right-size their companies, the government got to keep going with their bloated bureaucracy and programs.

thanks Joe. For nothing.

Cantor has a problem with the stimulus until it comes down to his district receiving funds.  That of course is just fine.
Kelly, VA


Someone has to repay that money. Money isn't free you know. So who is going to pay? Let me guess, "The Rich"?
Biden ~~~ You are incredibly moronic.

Go to bed until all of this is over.
Of course, Congressman Cantor has a different view-- he would not have done a stimulus.  He would have cut the capital gains tax for those who actually earned any capital gains this year or last-- you know, the folks who made out while the rest of us bled white in our 401k's and IRA's.
Biden must be living on another planet.
Taxing health insurance is a sure fire killer for any democrat led health care plan. Government employees, school teachers, some union types have fully funded health care plans that carry enormous premiums paid by Mr & Mrs Taxpayer.

Paul

==========================

Good point Paul! You are correct, state employess do have 100% coverage for their publicly funded health care plans. No co-pays, no monthly payment to subsidize the states payment for their benefits. So taxing their benefits would be a killer for the health care bill.

And these are the people Obama and Biden bailed out? All the while telling the private sector to go eat dirt! Shame on the Democrats.
The 1970's all over again.
Obama, Biden and Pelosi. Numbers 1, 2 & 3 in charge.

What a lousy line-up of political wannabees we have to ruin this country.
Hey MSNBC - just watched part of Hardball. Gotta tell you that whoever produced that show needs a slap in the face. The mere fact that you can put Pat Buchanan on the air, who recently has made the nastiest racist comments, and expect to be taken seriously as a news organization is pathetic.

And Chris Matthews, who used to have some sense, despite his "thrill up my leg" comments, has turned into someone I don't know.

I can't watch anymore. I find myself using the remote and turning to CNN. And when their news is better, you know you're in trouble.

And no joe - whatever - With a country in so much trouble, if you truly love America and want what is best, isn't it more productive, no matter what you believe, to work with those in office rather than demean them? Your remarks are not clever -no matter how much you think they are. They merely show your immaturity.

Americans should work together to help this country. Then use your vote to make changes if you want.

But if you think that the years 2000 to 2008 were so wonderful for people, than you need a history lesson  -and not one of your party's revisionist lessons.

We are doomed in this country, not because of our leaders -regardless of Party - but because as a people we have become selfish, ignorant fools.

And if you don't post this, at least let the Hardball people read it. I laughed at a DailyKos article asking what Pat Buchanan had to say to get fired from MSNBC. I'm not laughing. Now I get the article. You guys need to get a clue.
I don't know about Cantor's district but around here there are stimulus dollars being spent by the millions. More will be coming about the time the Administration said they would. A two year plan isn't supposed to happen in 6 months but critics look for any little thing to pick at. Those hypocrites like Cantor offer NO workable plan of their own and are mad that the stock market is up, unemployment, last month, rose by the smallest amount in several months, factory orders are up, albeit not as well as we would like they are up rather than down, oil prices go up and down but more down than up as of late and in the Summer too. People who don't see the stimulus slowly begining to work are not paying attention or don't want to see what they find distasteful. If this stimulus works, and it will, they look foolish and Obama triumphs, yet again.


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