The Washington Post's
lead editorial today, while polite about the Obama
op-ed appearing nearby (and which Phil Klein discussed here
this morning), also punctures many of its and his stimulus
package's pretensions:
As credible experts, including some Democrats, have pointed out,
much of this "long-term" spending either won't stimulate the
economy now, is of questionable merit, or both. Even potentially
meritorious items, such as $2.1 billion for Head Start, or
billions more to computerize medical records, do not belong in
legislation whose reason for being is to give U.S. economic
growth a "jolt," as Mr. Obama himself has put it. All other
policy priorities should pass through the normal budget process,
which involves hearings, debate and -- crucially -- competition
with other programs.
Too bad the editorial goes on to explain how Sen. Susan Collins
could help Obama out of this mess.
