OBAMA ASKS DEMOCRATS TO QUICKLY PASS STIMULUS PLAN

OBAMA ASKS DEMOCRATS TO QUICKLY PASS STIMULUS PLAN
Here is an excerpt of an article on the effort by President Obama to get his stimulus plan passed.
Pushing Congress to pass his economic plan next week, President Barack Obama implored House Democrats on Thursday to reject delaying tactics and political gamesmanship that often stymies legislation and keep a promise to voters who booted Republicans from power.
“They didn't vote for the status quo; they sent us here to bring change. We owe it to them to deliver,” the Democratic president said, eliciting cheers and applause from the Democratic rank and file gathered for a three-day retreat.
In recent days, he's frequently reminded the GOP who is in charge not-and on whose watch the economy collapsed.
“I found this deficit when I showed up,” Obama said, earning a standing ovation. “I found this national debt doubled, wrapped inn a big bow waiting for me when I stepped into the Oval Office.”
As he spoke, the Senate was deep into negotiations in Washington over its version of a House-phased economic measure that's not estimated to cost well over $900 billion. The Obama administration has played a large role in shaping the legislation and Democrats who control Congress have pledged to send it to him by late next week. But potential delays may threaten that timetable; Democrats and Republicans alike are concerned about the price tag.
“This package is not going to be absolutely perfect,” Obama told Democrats. But, he said, “Understand, the scale and the scope of this plan is right.”