"There is scant economic stimulus to be found in the economic stimulus package," Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) said in an interview with me a few hours before the President is scheduled to give his seventh State of the Union Address, where he will promote his stimulus package. In the interview, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Congressman Scott Garrett (R-NJ) and Congressman Hensarling all agreed that not enough is being done to stimulate the economy and not enough is being done to cut wasteful spending in Washington.

Although all three members of Congress were pleased that President Bush is planning to talk about the economy in tonight's address, they were not completely responsive to his plans about the stimulus (plans that were hammered out by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader John Boehner among others). 

Congresswoman Blackburn said that Congress needs to think more long term in working to create an environment that creates jobs. Amongst other ideas, Blackburn advocated lowering the marginal tax rate and lowering the corporate tax rate to create new jobs in our economy. Congressman Hensarling added that "[I]f we wanted true economic growth...we would make our tax rate competitive with our international competitors and we would enact the economic growth act of 2008." Hensarling even said that the economic stimulus package would not prevent a recession. Congressman Garrett noted that the public understands that the "economic stimulus" plan is a short-term solution and that man on the street interviews in his home state of New Jersey reflect that knowledge, as many people believe that the stimulus plan is just a Washington political gimmick.

Each of the members of Congress interviewed wanted more to be done to stimulate the economy and they wanted the Congress to do more to fight earmarks. Hensarling described earmarks as the "tip of the iceberg" adding that the American people see the earmarks but much more of the mess of wasted tax dollars is underwater and out of sight.

As President Bush addresses wasteful spending and the economic stimulus package, there are many conservative members of the House who are advocating more stimulus for the economy and less wasteful spending. The President's plan may address the "tip of the problem" but some members of Congress, including Hensarling, Blackburn and Garrett, are trying to address the pervasive problems causing the economic slowdown.    

Opiner in Chief

There is a LOT about this man I am going to miss! Mostly his candid horse-whippings he regularly meets out in his Press Conferences to the White House press corp.

"I--hhhh just lihhhke to lihhhhhhhe"

Boy did CNN do some nice spin/damage control for their channels' namesake. All morning long on NewsTalk radio - this "idea" of Billy Jeff's was being promoted as though the deal had already been inked.

Turns out Billy Jeff is so out of touch with actual reality that he can no longer determine the difference between when he HAS spoken with someone...or... not:

"Well, the first thing she intends to do, because you can do this without passing a bill, the first thing she intends to do is to send me and former President Bush and a number of other people around the world to tell them that America is open for business and cooperation again," Clinton said in response to a question from a supporter about what his wife's "number one priority" would be as president.

But live from planet earth came HW's actual response and feelings on the matter:

Former President Bush’s chief of staff Jean Becker said that he “wholeheartedly supports the President of the United States, including his foreign policy. He has never discussed an ‘around-the-world-mission’ with either former President Bill Clinton or Sen. Clinton, nor does he think such a mission is warranted since he is proud of the role America continues to play around the world as the beacon of hope for freedom and democracy.

"...read my lips..."

Honestly... what kind of half-crazed-self-inflated ego do you have to have to believe that someone's not going to call you on this kind of gamey action?

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2pm:
Americans have become completely immune to cheating - it no longer bothers us - we don't correct our kids, in fact we love it! On the baseball cheaters: "When they violate their bodies, they're sending a terrible message to America's young," Bush said. Another headline reads: "Once campaign killers, traits like infidelity less of an issue among the voters today." Pastor's steal sermons, students buy term papers, even the cute Little Debbie commercial... It is epidemic, it is out of control, and there is no way to fix it... or is there? 800.345.WMCA.

3pm:
I've gotten a little more aggressive in my own taste for Christmas cards...so has President Bush. Barbara Walters was shocked, shocked I say that she received a Christmas card that proclaimed Jesus as Lord. Then she fretted, "Now does this also go to agnostics, and atheists and Muslims?" Truth is she is being duplicitous I'm willing to wager that she gets upwards of 30% of all her Christmas cards each year that have some biblical reference. It's not the message that bothers her - its from the source - and its offensive to some. So is it pushing the envelope to make your Christmas card greeting evangelistic, Biblical, "Christ" oriented? Does it put stumbling blocks in the way of bringing people to salvation? 800.345.WMCA.

3:55pm: The McCULLOUGH PUNCH
When going negative hurts!

Weekdays 2-4pm EST
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My new favorite web addiction...

"Hi... Daddy?"

The nation didn't get to see this side of President Bush often enough... He says so much, with so few words - about what he obviously feels for his wife and daughter... Billy-Jeff will simply be left confused by it - but here's your mid-week "sweet."