Biden on the stimulus: Be patient, but be demanding.
The war of words over the Obama administration鈥檚 economic policies continued Thursday with Vice President Biden traveling to Ohio to deliver an impassioned defense of the $787 billion stimulus bill the Democratic Congress passed in February and a plea for patience while the spending kicks in.
Prior to Biden鈥檚 arrival in Cincinnati, House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio released a statement about the visit saying, 鈥淚鈥檒l be curious to see what the Vice President has to say, especially on the trillion-dollar 鈥榮timulus鈥� that clearly isn鈥檛 working. How will he defend a bill that the White House promised would create jobs 鈥榠mmediately鈥� in a state that still has over 10 percent unemployment?鈥�
On the attack
Biden鈥檚 response was to attack the attackers. 鈥淟adies and gentlemen, would they do nothing?鈥� Biden said. 鈥淚 hear nothing other than the criticism. I hear nothing affirmative.鈥�
Speaking in front of an American Can building being converted with stimulus funds to an economic development project, Biden posed a series of rhetorical questions. "What would they do to help the states to not have to drop millions of people from the Medicaid rolls?鈥� he asked. 鈥淲hat would they do, would they not extend unemployment benefits?鈥�
The vice president argued that the stimulus program was designed to help people 鈥渄amaged by the irresponsible way the economy was managed鈥� during the Bush administration.
Dealing with doubts
Still, it is clear the Obama team has been stung by some signs of slipping public approval for its economic policies. A recent Quinnipiac University poll of Ohio residents found 48 percent now disapprove of President Obama鈥檚 handling of the economy. A Washington Post-ABC News poll found that in late June only 49 percent of Midwestern state residents thought the stimulus package would improve or had improved the economy, down from 60 percent in April.
鈥淎s my grandfather would say, be patient but be demanding,鈥� Biden said, counseling patience. He told the crowd that it takes time for the stimulus program funds to be dispersed 鈥渂ecause governors and mayors try to be honest鈥� and put the projects out for bid before work can begin.
鈥淭he ripple effect of these things is real, it is consequential,鈥� the vice president said.
